Ghosts Season 3 Episode 1 Review: The Owl

Ghosts returns to set the record straight. Three seasons in and still, this sitcom is outstanding.

Ghosts Season 3 Episode 1, “The Owl,” is silly, sad, and mischievous in all the ways it needs to be. One ghost’s sudden departure rallies the entire ensemble together, including Crash and the cholera ghosts, for a masterful outing.

I have never had more fun watching TV than when I’m surrounded by this show’s infectious spirit.

Ghosts is exceptional and may not receive the praise other network comedies (and dramedies) do, but that makes it no less deserving of praise. Call this show a hidden gem if you want, but it’s no secret this ensemble’s chemistry has had star quality since day one.

The consistency is what is astonishing to see. Even as the aging series struggles with the growing pains of evolving dynamics and sets, it does so with that trademark bubbly gothic wit.

Change is inevitable and will work against this sitcom as much as it will work with it.

However, for a premiere that juggles a departure, an engagement, and so much unresolved grief, “The Owl” takes an ordinary barn owl and turns it into a lighthearted comedy spectacle.

Flower Flies the Coop

First and foremost, Ghosts — I see you and don’t trust you for a second.

I’ve been fooled enough times by The Good Place to know that when a show tells you something is fact and provides no physical evidence to support it, that show is plotting something sinister — good, but sinister.

Sam and Jay take a head count of all the ghosts, yet they skip the gathering evidence stage and conclude that Flower’s absence is directly linked to the beam of light. So I will live in denial until a Halloween séance proves me wrong.

The premiere provides no proof beyond a lack of Flower that she was the ghost sucked off, and that is undoubtedly by design.

Ghosts has taken advantage of the unfortunate timing of Sheila Carrasco’s maternity leave, turning it into a season-long mystery and a slow burn of sad Thor moments. It’s genius, really.

This premiere proves Flower’s disappearance is a gold mind regardless of whether it’s true.

For now, we get to live in a state of mourning that provides the entire ensemble with material. From Thor’s heartbreak to Isaac’s fear of being overshadowed by a memorial to the cholera ghosts revealing they knew Flower well, there isn’t an inch of this story that doesn’t benefit from her absence.

It is one thing to craft characters who can steal a scene. However, it’s another to craft a character arc that can steal the show without the character ever being present.

When the somber tone fades, Ghosts has the opportunity to turn the heat back up with the reveal it wasn’t Flower who was sucked off.

Besides, there is no afterlife where this series would let a comedic force like Carrasco go — and go without a proper on-screen send-off.

Saying Goodbye Sucks

I hope Flower bounds through those doors during the penultimate and nearly gives Trevor a second heart attack.

But for now, we must humor the tale Ghosts is weaving, if only because it is played for full emotional effect. The big “sucked-off” moment has been a dream scenario for two seasons, and this episode is a sour reminder of what it means for everyone left behind to mourn.

Between the somber memorial held in Flower’s honor and Sam’s confession that she is struggling with the reality of letting the spirits move on taps into that oh-so-good emotional tether buried under the witty banter.

The best execution of this balance between languish and laughter comes from the cholera ghosts. Bringing them upstairs is a hilarious distraction from Flower. That is until their presence reveals itself to be for much more sincere purposes.

This sitcom is excellent at raising our spirits but even better at playing our heartstrings.

Jay’s Time to Shine

Ghosts is doing right by Jay this season. It’s about time our nerdy leading man got some elevated material.

“The Owl” introduces a more interactive dynamic between Jay and the ghosts by bypassing the middle woman, Sam. Watching Jay try to speak directly to them and be the comforting but stern father who puts his foot down when they overstep is an excellent development for the ensemble’s chemistry.

It elevates the relationship between him and his reluctant spirit children while creating hilariously disastrous outcomes.

Plus, the ghosts have never been more comfortable terrorizing Sam and Jay. What’s not to love about that? We had to wait nearly a year to see Thor threaten to commit arson if Jay didn’t cater to his outrageous demands — and dare I say; it was worth it.

Indeed, Thor trying to date an owl and threatening to set fires is almost enough to heal the pain this episode caused. Almost.

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What did you think of this episode of Ghosts? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Ghosts airs Thursdays at 8:30c/7:30c on CBS.

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