Ghosts Season 5, Episode 8, “The Life and Times of Esther Greene” Spoilers Ahead
Ghosts delivers another major revelation while bringing back Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll’s Todd to potentially solve Sam’s problem from “Planes, Shanes and Automobiles.” It continues to be so incredible how the show manages to surprise its audience five seasons in, because even the episodes that feel like they may be similar to others hold something lovely to cling to.
This is undoubtedly the case with “The Life and Times of Esther Greene,” as it not only gives us something about Alberta’s past, but it also easily touches on modern-day practices of marketing that are just…something.
Ghosts Season 5, Episode 8 Reveals Alberta’s Real Name
Sometimes I forget Ghosts is a comedy because I was ready to get some shocking news that Alberta had actually killed someone. But she’s no Thor, except sometimes reinventing ourselves does come with killing another part of us, and that’s what happens when she leaves her life as a ventriloquist behind. And Danielle Pinnock is so good at conveying heartfelt emotions that what could’ve been a hilarious throwaway moment is actually deeply profound and lovely. Plus, it’s weirdly adorable that we now know where her little hat came from.
More than that, it’s compelling to see how this allows her relationship with Pete to evolve because by telling him first, she shows that she values their relationship far more than Carol ever did. She shows him that she cares. And ultimately, the fact that she reveals this secret is further proof of how much she adores Sam because there’s nothing Alberta wouldn’t do to make her life a little easier.
So much of the reason Ghosts Season 5, Episode 8, “The Life and Times of Esther Greene,” works is because it gives us something completely new with Todd’s return. We aren’t trying to piece together the same mystery for his creepy obsession, but this time, it’s about how we can help Sam and Jay in return for everything they’ve done.
Ghosts Continues to Nail Pop Culture Woes
If there’s one thing I’m profoundly tired of, it’s marketing. The tactics we have to resort to in order for our work to be seen are legitimately exhausting. The fact that we have to rely on popularity for something to go viral and click can also be super daunting. But oddly, it isn’t shocking that Todd’s podcast is suddenly going viral because it really does take a few hits in this industry for things like this to happen and for the algorithm to reward you. For a second there, I was sure that Sam was going to reveal that she sees ghosts because, really, this would be the one way to guarantee her books becoming best sellers.
Still, it’s also easy to appreciate the fact that Todd’s invested in Jay’s story upon learning that he named his restaurant after his father because heartfelt, real moments like this feel achingly human. They’re proof that we can honor our parents and where they came from. They’re the type of stories that easily make you believe that good things can happen, and this is especially the case for those of us who are second-generation immigrants. All immigrants, really. And I appreciate stories like this so much, so the fact that we’re also seeing Todd appreciate it? Respect.
Ultimately, “The Life and Times of Esther Greene” is an episode that carefully unravels what it means to fight for the things we want. How we resort to desperate measures at times and how we break pieces of ourselves for the art we’re proud of. And it continues to make Ghosts so special.
Stray Thoughts
- God, Woodstone looks so good with all the fall foliage surrounding it.
- “Money is the great cure-all.”
- “Steve from Blue’s Clues” 😂
- “Why won’t this man live above ground?” OMG LMAO Hetty continues to kill it with these remarks and Rebecca Wisocky is clearly having a blast delivering all these lines.
- “It’s nice when men can talk about their feelings.” Yes, Flower. Yes.
- Not Bela trying to hit on Todd when she just broke up with Eric 😂
- “Colin Farrell? I’d put that penguin on a leash.” Oh my God, Hetty!!!
- “That’s right! The couple that bribes together, stays together.”
- Murray will always be a part of her. 😭 Why am I emo?!
- “Your hat is literal hat for a dummy.”
Now streaming on Paramount Plus: What are your thoughts on Ghosts Season 5, Episode 8, “The Life and Times of Esther Greene?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Photo: Bertrand Calmeau/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.