Ghosts Season 3 Episode 2, “Man if Your Dreams,” continues the series’ strong start to its third season. The continued focus on the ensemble ensures that the series retains its charm. This episode features Sam (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) at their most human and therefore at their most human. The fact that the story allows the characters to navigate their imperfections makes the story that much more compelling. 

It makes sense to start with Sasappis (Román Zaragoza) and new (or newly revealed) ghost power. There are so many implications for this storyline. Perhaps the most poignant is the fact that Jay can now see at least one of the ghosts. The fact that the story is continuing to integrate Jay into the ghosts’ storylines feels like the right choice. There’s always something so sad about watching this character get left out of a lot of Woodstone’s ghostly shenanigans. There’s something so poignant about Jay and Sasappis being able to connect in this way. 

Sasappis‘s newly revealed powers also put Sam and Jay’s relationship under the microscope. Watching Sam use the ghosts for her own purposes actually makes her deeply human. It makes sense that after having to put up with so much from the ghosts, Sam would at least feel entitled to occasionally use their powers to benefit her. At her most imperfect, Sam is still such an endearing protagonist. Ultimately, it’s clear she just wants to be heard. The fact that she and Jay can work out their disagreements and understand each other continues to show that they are a couple worth rooting for. 

Ghosts Season 3 Episode 2, “Man if Your Dreams,” also allows Thor (Devan Chandler Long) to continue his grief journey. This is bittersweet, and it’s important that Flower’s (Sheila Carrasco) legacy remains alive in the context of the story. The emotional core of Thor’s story is only emphasized by the humour Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky) and Alberta (Danielle Pinnock) bring to it. Underneath the hilarity, there are deeply moving moments of connection among these three in particular that are so incredibly charming. Watching Thor allow himself to be vulnerable with two of his friends makes him that much more endearing. 

Thor’s story also raises some intriguing possibilities about ghost-related lore at Woodstone. This is an interesting shift in the ghosts’ perspective, to focus on the goal of being “sucked off”. If moving onto another kind of afterlife is the ultimate goal, it will be interesting to see what the ghosts try to do to make this possible. As has been pointed out, many of the ghosts have had “suck off” worthy moments. Perhaps there is more to another version of an afterlife than this in this universe. 

Finally, this episode continues to establish Woodstone itself as an essential character in this story. Watching Sam and Jay’s vision for their home take shape makes the overall story more dynamic. There is so much to be explored within this estate. The ensemble has so many possibilities as Woodstone continues to expand. 

Ghosts continues its strong start to its third season by combining humour and heartfelt character-focused storytelling. This bodes well for this new season, and for the story moving forward. There is evidently a focus on continuing to expand this universe, and these characters. Clearly, everyone is just getting started in this new chapter. 

Stray Spooky Thoughts:

• The fact that Sam makes time to do Zoom yoga…a selfcare queen, truly.
• Trevor (Asher Grodman) being so sad that Hetty is pining for Thor really makes him stand out on this episode. Clearly, these two aren’t finished with their story yet.
• It makes complete sense that the ghosts are into reality TV. The Real Housewives of Dubai might blow their minds. 
• Jay’s discount dream Star Trek actually looks incredibly fun. 10/10 would watch. 

Ghosts airs Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on CBS.