Ghosts (S5, Ep. 17) "The Investor"

 

After last week’s poker game drained Sam and Jay’s bank accounts, the Arondekars sought a miracle. In 'The Investor,' that miracle came through a political power with a decades-old grudge threatening to split the Woodstone family. In a landmark episode ending a five-season silence, the series showed that, while money is scarce, true friendship justifies the risk of seeming crazy. Here's my recap and review.

Still reeling from the seizure of their poker winnings, Sam and Jay receive a surprise lifeline from Mayor Tad, who offers to invest heavily in the B&B. It’s the perfect deal, until their contractor and best friend, Mark, finds out. It turns out Mark and the Mayor have been locked in a bitter feud for years over a disputed kitchen countertop installation. The conflict puts Sam and Jay in an impossible "pickle" as they navigate the petty bickering of the two men. To resolve the stalemate and prove the Mayor's sincerity, Sam and Jay realize they can no longer keep Mark in the dark. In the episode’s most significant development, they finally confess Sam's secret ability to see the dead. While Mark initially laughs off the revelation, a perfectly timed "light show" from Thorfinn turns him into a believer. The truth clears the air, leading Mark to apologize for the countertop misunderstanding and allowing the investment deal to move forward with everyone, living and dead, on the same page.

While the "livings" were securing the mansion's future, the ghosts were focused on their own political landscape, with the election of a Ghost Representative. It was a head-to-head battle between the erratic Flower and the ever-ambitious Isaac. Despite Isaac’s confidence, the vote resulted in a dead heat, leading him to summon a "wild card" voter: Richard, brought up from the basement specifically to break the tie. However, the plan backfired spectacularly when Richard, charmed by Flower’s chaotic energy, cast the deciding vote for her. Now the official representative of the Woodstone spirits, an overwhelmed Flower quickly realizes the role's administrative burden and asks Isaac to serve as her "Vice Representative." Isaac, desperate for even a shred of title and influence, begrudgingly accepts, creating a hilarious new power dynamic in the afterlife.

"The Investor" stands out by prioritizing story development over jokes. Though less intense than previous episodes, including Mark in the story about Sam’s powers was a thoughtful, well-earned choice after five years of near misses, creating warmth for the season's ending. It also resolved immediate financial worries and shifted group dynamics by focusing on Sam’s "inner circle.' While not the funniest episode, it left viewers smiling and curious about how Mark will handle his new, invisible coworkers.

Watching Mark see the ghosts through Thor’s lightning was memorable. It sparks new comedic possibilities for renovations, especially as the contractor now understands why the "pipes" are always noisy. The rivalry between Flower and Isaac is entertaining; Isaac, as the "Vice" to Flower’s leadership, playfully pokes his ego, and Richard's surprise appearance added an unpredictable twist to basement lore. The feud between Mark and Mayor Tad is a classic Ghosts scene, showing how the living can be as caught up in the past as the ghosts. 

Overall, I give this episode a 7/10.

What did you think of this week's episode? With Mark finally in on the secret and the Mayor’s money keeping the doors open, do you think the Woodstone is finally on stable ground, or will having a 'Ghost Representative' like Flower lead to a new set of demands that even Sam and Jay’s new investment can’t cover? Leave a comment.

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