Romance is everywhere on Ghosts 2×12 “The Family Business,” and it’s not even Valentines Day yet. Some love stories are over before they’ve had a chance to get started. Others are just beginning, and there’s no shortage of love to go around. As always is the case with Ghosts, in the midst of all the top-tier comedy are important conversations about relationships, family, and the connections that bind.
Woodstone Under Different Management
Woodstone Manor is at a turning point, with a musical festival worthy of Flower (Sheila Carrasco). Isaac’s (Brandon Scott Jones) disdain for basic hygiene is definitely well-placed. As always, Sam (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) are simply trying their best. Now that they have an actual business up and running, it’s time for them consider whether they’re as good at dealing with living members of the public as they are their ghostly roommates.
Luckily, Freddy (Mike Lane) is back to lend a hend. Immediately, it could not be more clear how different Sam and Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky) could not be more different. Sam’s respect and care for her employee in crisis is completely opposed to Hetty’s plea to let the man greviously injure himself, and keep working in the name of profit. While it’s funny as expected, this is also an authentic look at what a good boss looks like when compared to a toxic one.
Christmas Dalliance, Not Soon Forgotten
Hetty and Trevor’s (Asher Grodman) holiday fling is finally getting talked about. Sort of, that is. Hetty continues to pull power move after power move, and we love her for that. These two continue to be incredibly well-matched, even though their ghostly romance may have been short-lived. They are basically the same character, just in two different eras. This whole situation is reminiscent of Loki falling in love with himself. Ghosts can pull it off.
Ghosts 2×12 “The Family Business,” may put a stop to this romance. However, these two wheelers and dealers remain up to their old tricks. They don’t need to be engaging in ghostly pleasures of the, well, ghost-flesh, to be a dynamic duo. Their intentions aren’t malicious. Rather, their often misguided shennanigans are always for someone (usually themselves) to gain. This episode is hopefully the beginning of a new, even more powerful partnership.
Sasappis and Jessica Sitting In a…Car!
Jessica (Nichole Sakura) and Sasappis (Román Zaragoza) are still in the early days of their budding romance. Sure, they may be a several-hundred year age gap. They’re doing their best to make it work, though. Their shared love of a food is the foundation of a beautiful love story that is absolutely worth cheering for. Thankfully, Alberta (Danielle Pinnock) is there to help a spiralling Sass, and at least try to get him so see a bit of sense in the midst of his jealousy.
This story is also a heartfelt venue to explore what a great friend Pete (Richie Moriarty) is. Seriously, everything about him is so loveable, especially when he’s supporting his friends, both living and dead. He’s able to impart his wisdom, while encouraging those around him to get in touch with their vulnerability as well. There’s an important lesson in Pete’s speech about trust, and the fact that it is the cornerstone of any relationship worth fighting for.
Heart to Heart to Hearts
Ghosts 2×12 “The Family Business,” comes for the jugular with it’s heartfelt reflection on the relationships between mothers and daughters. Hetty is able to overcome her crusty exterior, and reflect on the mistakes she made as a parent. Yes, Thor (Devan Chandler Long) may have been partially to blame. Still, it’s clear that she only wants what’s best for Sam. Additionally, Sam is able to express her grief over all her mother could have been. These two are just so endearing together. Hopefully, their relationship will continue to grow and thrive.
Ghosts knows what it does best. With new staff, a new ghost, and new guests, there are so many new shenanigans sure to come. If you need your romantic fill before Valentines Day gets underway, look no further than this episode. The balance of laughter and heartbreak is quintessential Ghosts. The series’ return from this upcoming brief hiatus can’t come soon enough.
Other Spooky Thoughts:
-We need a number about Hamilton’s alleged frequent visits to, ahem, houses of disrepute. That musical wasn’t messy enough, we can go messier.
-Pete’s devastation about Bubbles the hamster of divorce is well-founded
-Just let Thor watch his land-ship commercial. He doesn’t need any drama in his afterlife.
Ghosts airs Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on CBS.