Recap: Ghosts "Planes, Shanes, & Automobiles"

 

When Sam is away for a booksigning, what will the ghosts do when Jay's in charge? Here's a recap of Ghosts, "Planes, Shanes, & Automobiles." 

As Thanksgiving approaches, Sam heads off for a book signing, leaving Jay in charge of the ghosts' daily duties, from flipping pages for Alberta to changing the TV for Isaac and Hetty. But Jay is not enthusiastic, especially since his parents are away for the holiday, and suggests the ghosts should just do things themselves.

The ghosts are desperate for help, so Thor comes up with a solution: bring in "Man-Sam," a.k.a. Kyle, to assist them. This initially infuriates Jay, but the ghosts win him over when they tell Kyle the secrets they know about Jay, specifically his hidden stash of Sonic Smashers in the tube. Jay is suddenly all on board. In exchange for helping them, the ghosts use Trevor's specific-era NFL knowledge to help Kyle bond with Jay, eventually making them friends.

Meanwhile, Sam's trip goes poorly. The book signing has a low turnout, and she's annoyed by Pete being constantly by her side. This annoyance quickly transforms into a humorous montage inspired by the classic holiday film, Planes, Trains & Automobiles. When airport workers unexpectedly go on strike, Sam takes a rental car back home, only to get a busted tire. A desperate call to one of Pete's old friends saves the day, bringing Sam and Pete back home just in time before Pete "gets sucked off." The episode ends on a high note with Kyle being invited to Sam and Jay's Thanksgiving feast.

"Planes, Shanes, & Automobiles" was a really fantastic holiday episode that had so much going for it. The chaos of Jay in charge, dealing with the ghosts' immediate request for Kyle, was a blast. The episode beautifully balanced this with Sam and Pete's charming, small, but impactful montage referencing the classic John Candy-Steve Martin film, which added excellent character depth to their dynamic. The humor, heart, and holiday spirit were perfectly aligned. Overall, I give this episode an 8.8/10.

What did you think of this week's episode of Ghosts? What was your favorite moment from Sam and Pete's Planes, Trains & Automobiles montage? And do you think Kyle will become a regular friend of Jay? Leave a comment.

You can catch Ghosts Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on CBS and streaming the next day on Paramount+.