Ghosts Season 5, Episode 16, “Woodstone Royale” Spoilers Ahead
If you’d told me how often I’d be stressed for two humans and a bunch of fictional ghosts in my weekly TV viewing, I wouldn’t have believed you. Not in a sitcom, at least. A drama, perhaps. But as we get closer to the end of Ghosts Season 5, an episode like “Woodstone Royale” is significantly more stressful than it should be, even though we can generally be sure of the fact that things will work out on this show.
After everything came to light with Trevor’s identity at the firm in “Michael Jackson Goes to HR,” Jay and Sam are under way too much investigation for it to magically resolve at some point. In addition, while this poker game could’ve worked with the ghosts helping them cheat, the fact that it takes us back to square one makes the episode more rewarding. But for how long?
Ghosts Season 5, Episode 16 Leaves Sam and Jay in the Dark
Because I’ve never watched a single episode of Young Sheldon or The Big Bang Theory, I can’t be bothered to care about the week’s guest star, so it’s almost frustrating that a single Instagram photo from Jay brought the police over to Woodstone. (I know the shows are popular, but like….what?) Why on earth would police even feel the need to go over to someone’s house because there’s a celebrity sighting there? It’s a little bizarre and doesn’t exactly feel right in hindsight.
I also know nothing about poker and don’t want to, but even everything with the game just feels like there should’ve been more thought behind it. Still, “Woodstone Royale” rightfully gives Flower a moment to shine and reminds everyone that even though she can’t always be trusted with her memory, sometimes, our girl is indeed right. And because it’s felt like she hasn’t exactly had much screentime this season when she should’ve had more, this arc works really well to give her the opportunity to stand out.
At the same time, with news about Ghosts Season 6 no longer returning in the fall season as usual, it’s easy to wonder if they’ll leave us with a stressful cliffhanger until this situation resolves. That kind of decision isn’t common for the show, but there have been a number of narrative choices this season that’ve made me question exactly where they’re headed.
But as Sam confirms in Ghosts Season 5, Episode 16, “Woodstone Royale,” they aren’t going to sell the B&B. Ever since I stopped putting off the BBC series finale and watched it, the thought of Sam and Jay leaving at the end of Ghosts has been a near-constant thought on my mind. And though this isn’t the last season, it’s still a thought that’s made me a lot more anxious watching the CBS version.
While “Woodstone Royale” isn’t the strongest episode, the jokes continue to deliver, the ghosts are at their best, and the narrative mostly works to nudge us toward the end of the season. With a handful of episodes left, it’s going to be so interesting to see how the show wraps up these arcs because there are still so many questions left unanswered that I’d love to see.
Stray Thoughts
- Isaac’s comment about grown men and toys TOOK ME OUT.
- I miss Hetty and Trevor so much. So so much, you guys.
- I also miss Kyle?
- No, but like is anyone else stressed? How are they going to get this money? What’s going to happen? I need answers immediately. Ghosts can’t stress me out like this.
- The basement ghosts fighting over the chair and then realizing the new water heater can also make a sound was actually ridiculously precious.
- Also, I realize we might have new investors and such, but like, can we even trust anyone outside of our core characters? I need the new episode immediately.
Now streaming on Paramount Plus: What are your thoughts on Ghosts Season 5, Episode 16, “Woodstone Royale?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: Photo: Bertrand Calmeau/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.