Ghosts Season 5, Episode 18, “Under New Management” Spoilers Ahead
It’s episodes like “Under New Management” that often tend to remind me why I’m not someone who’ll ever prefer 22-episode seasons in a show, because with four episodes left, all I’m feeling with Ghosts is stress right now. And that’s sadly been a feeling throughout the season that’s been a result of matters with the B&B taking us down similar paths we’ve been through before. And while last week’s “The Investor” was a glowing treat with Mark finally finding out about the ghosts, the best part of this episode is Joan.
Tad isn’t a character I personally want around often, so I almost hope that selfishly, his involvement with the manor ends sooner rather than later. But, really—Joan. Let’s talk about our girl.
Joan’s Return Is the Best Part of Ghosts Season 5, Episode 18
Whole last week’s A and B plot were both well-balanced and felt relevant, this week it’s the B plot that shines because of a snazzy screenwriter and her sharp confidence. Joan’s light is such an incredible treat on Ghosts that it was a bit concerning what would have happened if she had never returned. Surely, the show of all series would’ve had to give us a working explanation, but that’s thankfully not the case right now, even if she temporarily leaves us again. If it’s ever permanent, I imagine that the series will tell us why and how while also giving us proper closure alongside Sas.
At the end of the day, their dynamic works because it’s such an interesting opposites-attract situation that pairs two storytellers in a relationship where they get to continue learning from each other. It’s also refreshing to see Joan’s response to Sas and Bela and her acceptance of it, rather than it resulting in some sort of breakup, which on any other show that would’ve been the case.
And while it might seem like it’s resolved too quickly, it actually feels right considering how much time we spent away from the two of them this season. Plus, the declaration that Joan crossed the globe for Sas is such an achingly romantic line, delivered to perfection by Taylor Ortega. Sas and Joan are incredible throughout the episode, but so are the interactions other characters have by catching up with her compared to the interactions we have with Tad.
It works to showcase that she’s such a perfect fit in Woodstone, and again, if the show ever got rid of her permanently, it’d really sting in a way that I’m not prepared for. If there’s one character, apart from Mark, that we should make a series regular alongside the main ghosts, it’s Sas. And you know what, I’d also take Kyle, too.
Overall, while Ghosts Season 5, Episode 18, “Under New Management,” isn’t the strongest episode, it’s still mostly hilarious, and the beat of Trevor overhearing Jay’s voicemail to his dad momentarily gutted me. Mahesh is so special as a restaurant, and while I don’t think the show would ever get rid of it, the discussions of a new chain were still daunting enough to provide tension and stakes.
Now streaming on Paramount Plus: What are your thoughts on Ghosts Season 5, Episode 18, “Under New Management?” Let us know in the comments below.
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