Ghosts (S5, Ep. 18) "Under New Management"

Just when Sam and Jay thought their new business partner at Woodstone would be hands-off, things took an unexpected turn, forcing them to fight for the future of their home. This week’s episode, 'Under New Management,' puts the B&B’s autonomy on the line while giving us some hilariously awkward ghost dynamics. Here is my recap and review.

After partnering with Mayor Tad to secure a majority owner for Woodstone, Sam and Jay initially felt safe. Tad promised to remain hands-off due to his civic duties, but the arrangement imploded when he was investigated for using city workers to repair his private gate. Ousted from office, Tad now has nothing but time—and he’s spending it focused on Woodstone. His first "visionary" idea? Rebranding Jay’s hard-earned restaurant into a Hooters-style establishment called "The Mountain of the Valley."

In a classic Ghosts twist, the trademark for that specific name is owned by none other than Trevor. While Sam and Jay initially fear Trevor will sell the rights to Tad, the finance bro has a change of heart. After overhearing an emotional voicemail Jay left for his father about the restaurant’s identity, Trevor decides to protect his friend's vision. Unfortunately, the victory is short-lived; a new, arguably worse name has already surfaced thanks to Sam: "Boobs and Steaks."

Meanwhile, Joan makes a surprising return, much to Sass’s delight. However, the reunion hit a snag when Joan noticed Sass’s performance seemed... practiced. After some prodding (and an assist from Flower), the truth came out: Sass has been "training" with someone else in their dreams. While Joan was initially hurt, she ultimately appreciated the extra experience Sass gained. The plotline closed with a sweet, surreal beat as Sass entered Bella’s dream to pass along a "thank you" from Joan.

"Under New Management" was a charming, engaging episode that wonderfully depicted the ongoing challenges of Woodstone. It looks like the "Tad problem" will continue to be a story thread all the way to the season finale, building anticipation for a thrilling conclusion for the B&B. The episode did a great job of balancing the serious, high-stakes situation with Tad’s management challenges and the playful, quirky moments like ghost-dream-dating. Though it might not be the most groundbreaking hour of the season, it definitely captured the lively and spirited essence of Woodstone, making it a delightful watch for fans.

Whether you found the "Hooters" parody clever or just a silly pun, it added an entertaining bit of conflict for Sam and Jay. It’s always delightful to see how the ghosts’ past lives (and trademarks) influence their present-day adventures. Although this B-plot was light on substance, it offered a hilarious look into ghostly relationships. The fun surprise that both Joan and Bella initially doubted Sass’s "skills" was a perfect comedic touch.

Overall, I give this episode a 7/10.

What did you think of the episode? Do you think changing Jay's restaurant into the next Hooters is a wrongful idea? Do you think that Sam and Jay will catch a break before the finale? Leave a comment.

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