7 Ways Ghosts Keeps Its Storytelling Fresh

The CBS series Ghosts is still going strong — and for good reason.

Now in its fourth season, the UK-adapted comedy has remained entertaining since its 2021 debut.

It’s not easy to keep viewers interested, especially when there are a multitude of shows on TV that feature ghosts in just about every form.

So what makes CBS’ Ghosts stand out from all the rest?

Here are seven ways Ghosts has managed to stay fresh.

Unique Plot

It is clear Ghosts has found a winning formula with its unique premise centered around eight spirits who are all tied to a Bed and Breakfast in the countryside.

And yes — the plot may be simple, but it’s a brilliant vehicle for storytelling with ghosts taking center stage.

Most ghosts have unfinshed business that keep them on earth. They eventually tie up loose ends and depart to the other side.

This isn’t the case for the ghosts of the Woodstone B&B, who have captured the hearts of the mansion’s owners, Sam and Jay.

Instead of trying to get rid of the spirits, Sam is writing their memoir, changing the TV channel for them, and a slew of other hilarious chores while trying to make her B&B a success.

Quirky Characters

The show manages to stay fresh because of its quirky characters.

Far from cookie-cutter, the ghosts are interesting and surprisingly three-dimensional for being dead.

Have you ever heard of a ghost who likes to watch reality dating shows in their spare time? A ghost throuple?

The core cast of ghosts is all different in their own ways, both in terms of personality and the time period in which they lived.

From Hetty, the robber baroness, who unfortunately died in heels, to Pete, a den leader with an arrow in his neck, and Flower, who can make anyone high if they walk through her, it’s always an entertaining 30 minutes with this motley crew.

Engaging Storylines

Nothing is worse when your favorite TV series becomes redundant and mundane with its storytelling.

Ghosts has managed to dodge this problem with their multiple story arcs.

Between the backstories of each ghost and their daily lives, an engaging storyline is constantly unfolding.

Season after season, we have learned more about the ghosts and their connections to the property and one another.

As with any good story, the ghosts’ histories and daily lives are complicated and emotional.

Over the last three seasons, the main ghosts have evolved into more than haunting figures.

And the fact that they are dead hasn’t stopped them from living their afterlife to the fullest. Watching an uptight Hetty undergo a sexual awakening to Issac addressing his feelings for Nigel, the series has avoided becoming stagnant.

Hilarious Humor & Heartfelt Moments

Grief and moving on are delicate subjects, but the writers of Ghosts address both with serious scenes and lighthearted humor.

The series approaches challenging life topics through the eyes of Sam, Jay, and the ghosts.

The comedy features sad moments as the characters deal with their deaths, regrets, troubled past relationships, and unfinished business. But by the end of the show, you’re often left laughing.

And some of their life advice isn’t too shabby, either!

Unlikely Friendships

Often when people are opposites, they tend to butt heads. It’s no different within the cute, fictitious little world of Ghosts.

Due to a mixture of personalities and some seriously strong beliefs, Ghosts sees its leading characters often involved in disagreements. It puts Sam and Jay in the middle and has the other characters choosing sides.

Out of these tense and uncomfortable moments, several unlikely friendships have developed.

Who would have thought the free-spirited Flower and Patience, the Puritan, could find common ground? Or that Alberta and Issacc would form their own type of bond?

There’s never a dull moment in the CBS series, which helps to keep character interactions new and exciting.

Romantic Entanglements

It’s inevitable that romances will surely blossom when several people — ghosts in this case – are trapped together for decades.

While some of the romances between the zany characters of Ghosts have been predictable. For example, Flower and Thor. Other romantic entanglements I didn’t see coming. For instance, Hetty and Trevor.

Their brief little romance had me tuning in to see what would happen between the Gilded Age socialite and Trevor, a former stockbroker.

Their romance was cute and weird — and well entertaining as hell. As was the connection between Issac and Nigel.

Surprising Plot Twists

One of the most significant ways to keep viewers engaged is to be a bit on the unpredictable side.

The CBS comedy has managed to keep fans guessing with several storylines. One storyline in particular that left us all guessing was Flower’s departure.

Flower getting sucked off — yes, you read that right— was shocking. If you’re not a Ghosts fanatic, the term means to ascend within the show.

It was a plot twist most did not see coming. The show left us believing that she had moved on to the afterlife. Only to reveal in Ghosts Season 3 that she had fallen into a well!

Ghosts Season 4 will be no different, with showrunners already teasing that Jay will see the ghosts this season. For how long, we aren’t sure. But after watching him communicate through Sam after all this time, this should be interesting!

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