Recap: Ghosts "The Life And Times of Esther Greene"

 

To get on a top-rated podcast, will Alberta's secret be revealed? Here's a recap and review of Ghosts, "The Life and Times of Esther Greene."

With Sam and Isaac's book sales lagging, Sam learns she needs to be featured on a popular podcast. She manages to invite Todd Pearlman, host of the highly successful TodPod, to the mansion. Todd mentions he halted his research into Alberta's past because records vanish before and after a specific year. Thor sees this as an opportunity to uncover Alberta's secret.

When Thor confronts Alberta, she finally admits to a secret she has kept quiet for a century: she murdered someone. Thor, unable to keep the secret, tells Pete.

Alberta then reveals her true identity: Esther Greene, a popular ventriloquist who performed with a dummy named Murray. After she tried singing and the audience rejected her, she decided to cut ties with Murray, which led her, hilariously, to kill the dummy.

As Todd tries to learn more about Sam's book and its inspiration, he finds the content boring. He decides to pivot the interview to feature Jay instead, captivated by Jay's story about the restaurant and their shared bond over a Chewbacca book. Sam tries desperately to get Jay to steer Todd back to the book's original subject. Still, the plan unravels when Todd overhears them plotting to manipulate him, prompting him to abruptly end the deal.

However, the situation changes when Alberta gives Sam permission to tell Todd her true identity as Esther Greene. Todd is ecstatic about this incredible scoop. He not only accepts their original offer but also invites both Sam and Alberta to be guests on his podcast.

"The Life and Times of Esther Greene" was a wonderful episode that finally revealed the true story behind Alberta's identity. Learning that she was a popular ventriloquist was a delightful surprise, adding a charming twist to the story. The most heartwarming part was discovering that the so-called "murder" she committed was really just the destruction of her beloved dummy, Murray. The episode did a fantastic job building suspense, making us think the worst before happily surprising us with a funny, character-driven resolution. The writing was clever, and the performances were genuinely great throughout around. Overall, I give this episode an 8/10.

What did you think of this week's episode? Do you think Esther Greene's true story will make Sam and Isaac's book a bestseller? Leave a comment.

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