Ghosts Season 3 Episode 5 Review: The Silent Partner

Ghosts Season 3 Episode 5, “The Silent Partner,” is a return to form after that groundbreaking Halloween outing.

Sometimes, these episodes can be the hardest to execute. You’re coming off a series high, and returning to any ounce of normalcy can feel like a letdown after seeing what a series can do when pushed to its creative limits.

Thankfully, Ghosts keeps spirits high with a calm, low-stakes chaser of conflict and heart as this family navigates new growing pains.

In true Ghosts fashion, it refuses to take anything seriously — including the death of a prominent character from Pete’s past.

The morgue bag isn’t even zipped up, and Jay is hilariously victim-blaming Carol for bringing donut holes to her death. The funniest part of this interaction is Jay thinks he’s taking the heat off Woodstone’s body count when he’s making them look more suspicious.

The novelty of Thorfinn pointing out he can retell all his “very good” stories to Carol and Sas scolding Sam’s business practices because she gave a ghost money never tires.

That humor and trademark humility carry this episode through the roughest parts of Carol’s transition into the afterlife.

That said, top-notch humor cannot distract us forever. Eventually, Ghosts has to reckon with the family devastated offscreen by Carol’s passing. If it doesn’t, Carol’s death could be more trouble for the sitcom than it was worth.

Isaac’s Investment

This show may not desire to touch on loss outside the desensitized walls of Woodstone, but death within its walls always brings fun new consequences for Jay and Sam.

You have to love how this show refuses to gloss over the reality of this many people dying on the property, even if it glosses over everything else. So, introducing the conflict of an investor pulling out of the restaurant feels in tune with the comedy’s usual antics.

However, what is excellent about Ghosts is it always finds a way to spin a typical storyline in a shocking new direction.

Jay has become more outspoken with the spirits, putting his foot down with them when Sam won’t. It’s a perfect build-up, as we suspect nothing when he starts this behavior with Isaac. Only Jay isn’t speaking to Thorfinn, and he crosses a line that genuinely hurts the Captain.

A small but mighty twist turns this seemingly harmless venture for the restaurant into something with real emotional stakes.

The conflict between Jay and Isaac is unexpected as these two never interact much.

So, seeing Isaac bring that disdain to the forefront is thrilling as he turns the tables on Jay’s recent sorrows about how the ghosts treat him. That emotionally charged argument turns a somewhat weak storyline asking Isaac for money into something with sharp teeth.

All that aside, Ghosts played the long game with this money storyline, which you love to see. Any time we can revisit plot points established in previous seasons, the display of continuity strengthens incoming storylines.

When Jay reveals he will always have an open table for the ghosts at his restaurant, it melts us into puddles. That is the shit that hits deep. The table at the heart of his restaurant might as well be a metaphor for the heart at the center of this show.

We can seem to prepare for that turn from hilarity to sincerity, and it continues to be the greatest tool in the sitcom’s roster.

Pete’s Fake-Dating Ploy

We never thought Carol’s arrival would enact an 80s movie fake dating plot for Pete and Alberta, but we are glad it did. Leaning on the trope as the reason Alberta catches feelings makes sense. Should it make sense? No, but rom-com rules cannot be disputed.

The scheme also gives Nancy top-tier material, and it’s oddly beautiful how these women who rejected Pete rally around him.

However, the true gem of Carol and Pete’s reunion is the moment Pete confronts Carol about her affair. In all its messy glory, his speech is upsetting, heartbreaking, and triumphant. Richie Moriarty knocks this devastating monologue out of the park, showcasing the value of Pete’s loyalty.

With Ghosts, we haven’t even begun to tire of the ensemble’s chemistry, so it’s a risky move to bring a new person into that dynamic. However, Carol easily fits into the ensemble, and her arrival gives Pete and Alberta a valuable push.

It would be nice to see more of a reaction from her after dying and being reunited with her dead husband, but her casual demeanor does make this transition easier to swallow (pun intended).

A Purse Full of Potential

Trevor acting as Isaac’s financial advisor is the perfect practical application of T-Money’s finance bro persona.

However, it does feel like Hetty and Sas are an afterthought. And Ghosts does afterthoughts incredibly well because the purse/butterscotch storyline is still entertaining and zany.

However, it is not substantial enough to suggest that this is more than a filler for characters the episode cannot properly utilize. If Sas and Hetty go on a tangent about what is in this woman’s purse, lean fully into it — beat that obsession into the ground.

That said, the returning fixation on the rules of ghost objects suggests maybe Carol’s purse could pull Flower out of that well.

Ghosts, I see you taking Carol on those group walks. I see you setting up for this new character to break their routine and find a path these spirits never think to walk. And boy, am I excited to see how Carol and her absurdly large purse bring our girl home.

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

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