Ghosts “He Sees Dead People” Review: Lies, Lies, and Compromise

Ghosts 3×03 “He Sees Dead People” Spoilers Ahead

Written by Talia Bernstein and directed by Pete Chatmon, Ghosts Season 3, Episode 3, “He Sees Dead People,” reunites viewers with Eric (Andrew Leeds) and Bela (Punam Patel) while simultaneously presenting challenges in Isaac and Nigel’s impending nuptials.

Further, one of the most impressive details in the show’s lore is how it continues to evolve Hetty’s character while she begrudgingly helps others. (And ultimately, why it’s a good thing that no matter how much she grows as a character, she’s still around because I would not want to see her get sucked off until the very end.) That said, the episode’s emotional beats continue to rely on Hetty’s past to ensure that characters in the present don’t make the same mistakes, and it all occurs rather hilariously throughout.

Ghosts 3×03 “He Sees Dead People” Caters to Romance With Compromises 

The show’s decision to continue championing various romantic relationships remains one of its most gripping strengths. And in Ghosts 3×03, “He Sees Dead People,” the focus on what a true partnership looks like continues to add layers of hope in an otherwise dark period. Like viewers, Thor is still very much grieving Flower, but as it occurred in “The Owl,” the ghosts moving forward and finding bouts of freedom is essential to highlighting the detail that life goes on. At this point, Isaac and Nigel have been through too many hurdles not to make it to the very end, but the exploration of finances standing as a potential barrier between them is an intriguing way to challenge them.

It matters in exhibiting that, at the end of the day, the two of them are not willing to risk losing each other this time around, involving a moment of vulnerability that evolves their relationship. It’s also imperative that Hetty be the one to make it clear that a person—or in this case, a ghost—isn’t richer solely for choosing riches. The prenup isn’t a safety net; it’s a bridge between them. Money doesn’t matter here (the whole ghosts thing notwithstanding), but the two of them choosing love and agency in their marriage is the glue that’ll keep them together. It’s also fascinating that the series is using the kind of marital issue that, interestingly, isn’t discussed as often as it should be. Finances draw people apart more than anything else, so kudos to the show for handling it tastefully here.

Plus, Brandon Scott Jones and John Hartman are so great at conveying wholesome vulnerability that anytime they project feeling shy or dejected from something within their relationship, their chemistry sizzles even more. And you can pinpoint the exact minute it clicks for both of them that nothing matters beyond their relationship, which is always an incredible showcase of whether a ship is good or not.

In the mortal realm, Eric and Bela’s relationship is challenged when he lies about seeing ghosts after the Christmas shenanigans to appear cooler in her eyes. But as hilarious as it is, the levity with the ghosts provides the right amount of communication while leaving room for vulnerability to make its way into the conversation and allow the couple to explore where they want to go. Eric and Bela are a great fit—he’s good for her, no matter how awkward at times. The fact that he’s still willing to do whatever she wants him to is truly something, but it’s further authentication that the show does a fantastic job with transparency. 

When it comes to love, nothing stays hidden for too long (unless it’s Sam’s fabricated meet-cute, which I’m now thrilled we know about, but we’ll forgive her since it finally came to light). Ghosts 3×03 “He Sees Dead People” carries on the show’s tradition of bringing things to the surface, permitting them to explode, and then ensuring that, living or dead, the characters are going to grow from the experience. They’re going to be better for getting secrets off their chest rather than stacking them higher and higher like their own personal pit of purgatories. 

Stray Thoughts

• “Full ankle! How could you!?” THE HORROR. Can you believe it!? Also, “Nice ankle, y’whore.” THIS SHOW.
• “I didn’t ask for a Dickens novel” took me out.
• “Anytime you find questionable internet activity, it’s the ghosts.” Like God, please never let Jay get into legal trouble, or this would be wild to explain.
• I can’t help but wonder how we’ll slowly dig into the interesting morality crisis Sam has at the end of the episode. Rose McIver’s expression was so good in that single scene!
• Cannot believe Jay didn’t mention solving Alberta’s murder while he was catching up with Bela.
• The fall foliage in this episode was truly chef’s kiss.
• I am a little sad Jay can’t bond with Bela in this way.
• With every passing episode, I ship Hetty and Trevor more, and they barely even interact this week, but there’s something so fascinating about how obvious it is that she’s her best self with him.

Now streaming on Paramount Plus: What are your thoughts on Ghosts 3×03 “He Sees Dead People?” Let us know in the comments below.
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