Ghosts (S5, Ep. 12) "The List"

A cloud of white powder erupts from an antique box. Sam and Jay freeze in horror as a reviewer watches their dream of a luxury B&B go up in smoke. Before the episode title appears, chaos at Woodstone is clear: it’s a clash between high-class recognition and an old, illegal stash.

This week, Sam and Jay reach for prestige, but ghosts haunted by old grudges emerge. In "The List," a quest for luxury hotel certification nearly spirals out of control. Here's a recap and some thoughts.

To secure a spot on a prestigious "Luxury B&B" list, Sam and Jay find themselves desperate to impress a picky travel reviewer. When the reviewer expresses an interest in local antiques, Sam looks to the ghosts for a historical gift that won't break the bank.

Enter Eugene, another member of Patience's "bunker family." Seeking revenge on Hetty for her family's past transgressions, Eugene "helpfully" points out an ornate hidden box belonging to her. He claims it's a priceless heirloom, but Sam and Jay soon discover the truth: it's filled with high-grade, 19th-century medicinal cocaine.

Panic ensues as the couple tries to swap the box before the reviewer finds it. They fail miserably, getting caught red-handed. However, the twist reveals that the reviewer is an eccentric historian (and perhaps a bit too adventurous). He's fascinated by the "authentic" history of the B&B and agrees to put them on the list, provided he gets to keep the illegal "antique" for himself.

Now for the verdict, let's break down what made this episode stand out—and where it fell short.

Eugene's plan to get Sam and Jay arrested or the B&B shut down fails completely. Rather than a villainous mastermind, Eugene emerges as a full-blown nuisance—never truly rattling Hetty's iron resolve, and injecting little more than aggravation into the episode. This nuisance factor turns him from a potential threat into a forgettable irritation, leaving the conflict feeling flat.

In the living room, Thor and Flower hit a snag in their relationship. Thor manages to snag Jay's ultra-comfy leather recliner for their room, but the "new" Flower (whose memories are still a bit spotty but whose ethics are firm) objects because it's made of "dead cow." It's a classic horned-helmet-meets-hemp-bracelet standoff, and their wildly different values set up the perfect culture clash. After some questionable relationship advice from Pete, the two realize their physical attraction outweighs their furniture disputes, ending the episode in a typical Viking-and-Hippie make-out session.

"The List" is a solid, if slightly average, episode that uses a familiar sitcom trope: a high-stakes guest and an accidental crime. It acts as a useful bridge, helping B&B progress, though it doesn't quite reach the emotional or comedic peaks of earlier seasons.

The reveal of Hetty's "medicinal" stash was perfectly in character for the Gilded Age matriarch. Rebecca Wisocky's nonchalance about her 19th-century habits remains one of the show's best running gags.
And the Thor and Flower's dynamic in this episode was, as always, fun to see the "modern" world clash with Thor's Viking sensibility. The recliner conflict provided some lighthearted physical comedy.

But the "Bunker Ghost" fatigue after introducing "The Others," Eugene felt like a letdown. He lacked Patience's ence or Bruce's humor and seemed more like a plot device than a fully-developed character. The plot of trying to steal back the bad gift is a sitcom staple. While Sam and Jay remain charming, this epepisode'seats felt too familiar for a show that typically subverts expectations.

Overall, I grade this episode a 7/10.

What did you think of "The List"? Now that Sam and Jay have effectively bribed their way onto a luxury list, will fancier guests bring chaos to the Woodstone B&B, or just more quirky stories? And can Thor’s beloved recliner survive a five-star clientele, or is it already doomed? Share your thoughts and predictions below.

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