Ghosts Season 4 Episode 7 Review: Sad Farnsby

Ghosts Season 4 Episode 7, “Sad Farnsby,” is a cute outing reminiscent of the low-stakes fun the first season used to scare up.

We get a very harmless update on Jay’s restaurant, which is enough to satisfy our hunger. However, Isaac and Nigel establish themselves as the reward for this causal outing with an emotional confessional that has been a long time coming for the ex-couple.

Ghosts crafts an entertaining bought of conflict that may not shake the foundation of Woodstone but more than delivers on an essential staple in sitcom storytelling.

I dislike using the word filler because the overzealous comedy rarely meets the criteria for a “filler episode.”

There is character development throughout this episode with Isaac and Nigel, as well as the Farnsbys and Woodstones. We are left with an impact on Jay’s restaurant development as well.

However, the episode does seem to hold its punches for a later date, giving us just enough to be satisfied.

This episode easily could have included another storyline to utilize the ghosts left to stand in Jay and Sam’s shadows or beefed up the Isaac and Nigel conflict even more to fill those lulls.

In terms of an engaging Ghosts episode, this one is toned down and solves the conflict as quickly as it appears with little fanfare.

The series seems to be treating this as a break before the story starts to ramp up after the fall finale. I don’t dislike seeing Ghosts put on metaphorical sweatpants and kick back. That said, it is noticeable when this series takes its foot off the gas.

Farnsby’s Foes & Bros

Any Ghosts fan can confess we have a love-hate relationship with the Farnsbys. They became the series’ first real antagonist and were present for as many storytelling highs as they were lows.

The show sometimes stumbled to establish the couple somewhere between active and passive villains.

That is not a problem here. “Sad Farnsby” effectively plays with their presence by toying with two interesting concepts as it splits up the couple and introduces them as potential friends to Sam and Jay.

It’s fascinating to see a new side to the Farnsbys defined by inner conflict from their ghost-invested house (and it doesn’t hinge entirely on swinger jokes). Seeing Jay and Sam try once again to connect with their bizarre neighbors is a fun breather before we dive into the chaos of the Christmas special.

The icing on the cake of this entertaining experiment is Henry and Margaret revealing the forgotten anniversary was for their first orgy, not their marriage.

These Ghosts Got Jokes

The one-liners really hit throughout this episode, just banger after banger.

One-liners are easily one of Ghosts’ greatest superpowers. They shine during episodes where most of the ensemble isn’t given a purpose beyond commenting on Sam and Jay’s every move.

Most shows would suffer by allowing such a large ensemble to twiddle their thumbs. However, there is something particularly hilarious about watching a bunch of spirit free-loaders verbally critique each plot development without offering support.

Hetty starts the episode strong with, “You’re both civilized women. Just do cocaine.” and “This is why women should never read books.”

Thorfinn develops a fun running joke about pushing elders off cliffs when they become burdens to society, and it almost makes up for the Flower-sized absence next to him — almost.

Unfortunately, Nigel put them all to shame with, “My body count is quite high, and I’m not talking about the war.” I needed to be resuscitated after that one!

Dinosaur Bed Custody Battle

As if the jokes could get more unserious, the second storyline involves two grown men fighting for custody of a child’s dinosaur bed.

I value any opportunity to develop Isaac’s love of dinosaurs. It is absolutely worth bringing in a new set piece that clashes with the rest of the furniture to do so.

A dinosaur bed with built-in sound effects is the perfect catalyst for Isaac and Nigel to work through their lingering resentment over the breakup. Not to mention, it gives Nigel a bargaining chip and the opportunity to be incredibly petty.

However, in true Ghosts fashion, the dinosaur bed helps the two men reconcile with why their relationship ended. It is a metaphor for the relationship barriers Isaac was not ready to overcome. The bed also reveals the devastating fact that Nigel memorized a bunch of dinosaur facts to show he was willing to do anything for his future husband.

A profound moment of growth happens for Isaac as he admits he was selfish in their relationship, and they rekindle their friendship.

Only Ghosts could do this much emotional heavy lifting with a dinosaur bed.

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

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