Tension and terror are at large the second we’re back in Woodstone Mansion, but Ghosts‘ Season 5 premiere, “Soul Custody,” proves that this is a show that cares about its characters. We knew that nothing would happen to Jay because this isn’t a procedural capable of killing off one of its leads, but the show still delivers enough angst to make us sweat a little.
More than anything, it reiterates the fact that this series is about a found family, and if nothing else, each of these characters will continue to look out for one another.
Who Gets Sucked Off in the Ghosts’ Season 5 Premiere in Exchange for Jay’s Soul?
When we made our wishlist for Season 5, never in a million years did I think that’d mean another character would get sucked off. But the events of “Soul Custody” prove that the showrunners consistently think of ways to deliver character moments that feel earned.
Elias isn’t the type of character who’d let things go easily, nor is he the type the others can trick. The contract for Jay’s soul was fully binding, so the only other way the devilish patriarch would find a way to let go is if he took a soul directly from Woodstone. It’s what he’s wanted this whole time. And when it all comes to the moment where the threats on Jay’s life are serious, it’s a perfect full-circle moment that Pete is involved in saving it. In “A Very Arondekar Christmas,” Pete gets one last holiday with his family thanks to Jay, and because of Pete’s selflessness, Jay gets his chance to live a full life.
But Pete sacrificing himself would’ve been too heartbreaking, given his recent relationship with Alberta (and obviously because he’s one of the main eight!), so the series delivers a clever way around it by having Carol sacrifice herself instead. And while the decision isn’t exactly for Jay, there’s still something to admire here in the fact that she finally does one good thing for Pete that his best friend can benefit significantly from. Thus, the fact that Carol’s decision to go to hell for Pete leads to her getting sucked off is actually another incredible means to showcase that this is real.
The decision alone would’ve been admirable coming from a character like Carol, but the fact that her intentions are pure enough to reveal that her time here is done is what makes the whole thing that much more incredible.
More than anything, what works so well in this scene is the execution of it all; it’s not even gasp-worthy in the way Isaac would propose, but it evokes something so quietly satisfying that only a show like Ghosts can manage. It’s a moment that effectively reminds us of just how special Jay and Pete’s relationship is on the show because it gives both characters the chance to be happy for a while. It gives Jay the opportunity to know that the ghosts really do care for him as much as they care for Sam, which makes my heart squeeze a little extra because it’s proof of this idea that while love can’t always be seen, it can be felt.
Ghosts Season 5 is now streaming on Paramount Plus.
