🕯️ Deck the Halls with Dead People: The ‘Ghosts’ Holiday Tradition Returns
Let’s be honest—holiday specials can be a bit of a hit-or-miss affair. Often, they feel like “filler” episodes where nothing really happens except people wearing ugly sweaters and learning the true meaning of friendship. But CBS’s Ghosts isn’t your typical sitcom. Since its debut, Woodstone Mansion has turned Christmas into a mandatory viewing event, blending the supernatural with the sentimental in a way that would make Charles Dickens jealous.
This year, the show is amping up the stakes with a massive two-part event: Season 5, Episodes 9 and 10, titled “It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol.” If the title sounds like a mashup of every holiday classic you’ve ever seen, that’s exactly the point. We’re looking at a double-feature that promises to weave the “What If” scenarios of Frank Capra with the spectral visitations of Ebenezer Scrooge. Grab your cocoa and a warm blanket; it’s about to get spooky and sparkly.
🎭 Part 1: S05E09 – The Setup for a Spectral Scramble
The first half of this holiday special sets the stage for what Sam (Rose McIver) hopes will be a friction-less celebration. But when has anything at Woodstone ever been “friction-less”?
H3: Sam’s Perfectionist Nightmare
Sam is the heart of the show, but let’s admit it—she’s a bit of a holiday perfectionist. She wants the authentic B&B experience: the smell of pine, the perfect roast, and absolutely zero ghost-related chaos. In S05E09, we see her trying to stage a “traditional” Woodstone Christmas to impress a high-profile guest or perhaps just to satisfy her own internal Martha Stewart.
However, the ghosts have their own agendas. Whether it’s Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones) complaining about the lack of 18th-century authenticity or Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky) criticizing the “gaudy” modern decorations, the spirits aren’t making it easy. This tension provides the perfect launchpad for the supernatural twist that defines the episode title.
H3: The Inciting Incident: A Ghostly Misunderstanding
We expect S05E09 to conclude with a “mid-point” cliffhanger. Rumor has it that a specific ghost’s meddling—likely Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) inadvertently getting involved in a ghostly scheme—leads to a reality-bending event. Could we be seeing a “Life Without Sam” scenario? If Sam never moved into Woodstone, what would happen to these spirits? It’s a classic It’s a Wonderful Life trope that the show is perfectly positioned to parody.
🕰️ Part 2: S05E10 – The Dickensian Payoff
If the first hour is about the “Wonderful Life” of it all, the second hour, S05E10, leans heavily into the Christmas Carol vibes. This is where the emotional heavy lifting happens.
H3: Three Ghosts for One Ghost?
In a hilarious twist on the Dickensian formula, imagine the ghosts of Woodstone Mansion trying to “scare” one of their own into being a better person. Could Trevor (Asher Grodman) be the target of a lesson in selflessness? Or perhaps a new, temporary spirit arrives to haunt the haunters?
The beauty of Ghosts is its ability to subvert expectations. While Scrooge was a miser, the ghosts in this show are usually just bored or trapped in their own eras. Using the “Past, Present, and Future” gimmick to explore a character’s backstory is a brilliant way to give us the emotional depth we crave during the holidays.
H3: Jay’s Perspective: The Invisible Participant
We can’t forget Jay. As the only person who can’t see the ghosts, his role in these holiday specials is always a comedic highlight. Watching him try to participate in a “Christmas Carol” reenactment while hearing only Sam’s half of the conversation is a goldmine for physical comedy. In S05E10, Jay’s efforts to make the holiday special for the wife who sees dead people might actually be the most “Wonderful” part of the episode.
🌟 Why This Double-Header is a Must-Watch for Fans
The decision to air Episodes 9 and 10 back-to-back suggests a cohesive, movie-like experience. This isn’t just a sitcom episode; it’s a Woodstone Event.
H4: Strengthening the Ensemble Bond
The holiday special usually forces the ghosts to put aside their bickering. We expect to see unlikely pairings—perhaps Sass (Roman Zaragoza) and Flower (Sheila Carrasco) working together on a holiday “heist” or Pete (Richie Moriarty) trying to organize a ghostly caroling group that actually sounds good. These specials reinforce that, despite being dead, this group is a family.
H4: High-End Production Values
CBS typically pulls out all the stops for the Woodstone holiday set. Expect the mansion to look breathtaking, even if the “decorating” involves a lot of Sam talking to thin air while moving tinsel. The visual contrast between the cozy, festive B&B and the cold, gray existence of the ghosts provides a poignant visual metaphor for the show’s theme: life is what you make of it, even after it’s over.
🕵️ Speculation Corner: Are There Any Holiday Departures?
There’s always a fear in the Ghosts community that a holiday special might end with a “sucking off” (their term for moving on to the afterlife, not ours!). Could S05E10 see one of our favorites finally find peace? While the show rarely loses main cast members permanently, the “Future” segment of a Christmas Carol parody provides a perfect opportunity for a bittersweet goodbye or a major character revelation.
Final Conclusion
“It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol” (Ghosts S05E09 & S05E10) is shaping up to be the crowning jewel of the fifth season. By merging two of the most iconic holiday tropes with the unique, witty, and heartwarming voice of the Woodstone spirits, the show is offering fans a two-hour gift that promises both laughs and tears. Whether Sam is learning what life would be like without her ghostly family or the spirits are teaching each other the value of their shared eternity, this double-feature is the ultimate reminder that Woodstone Mansion is best enjoyed with the people (and ghosts) you love. Don’t miss the premiere on CBS—it’s going to be a hauntingly good time!
❓ 5 Unique FAQs After The Conclusion
Q1: Do I need to watch the previous seasons’ Christmas specials to understand this one?
A1: While Ghosts rewards long-term viewers with character growth, holiday specials are usually designed to be “standalone-friendly.” However, knowing the basic backstory of characters like Hetty and Isaac will definitely make the emotional beats hit harder!
Q2: Will we see any guest stars in the Season 5 holiday special?
A2: CBS often brings in guest stars to play B&B guests during the holidays. While not officially confirmed, look out for “difficult” guests who serve as the catalyst for Sam’s stress and the ghosts’ mischief.
Q3: Is this a musical episode like some other sitcom holiday specials?
A3: There hasn’t been a confirmation of a full musical, but given the cast’s talents (especially Brandon Scott Jones and Danielle Pinnock), we would be shocked if there wasn’t at least one festive, spectral performance involved in the Dickensian parody!
Q4: Why are Episode 9 and Episode 10 being aired together?
A4: Networks often pair episodes for “Event Programming” during the holiday season to boost ratings and provide a “movie night” feel for families. It allows the writers to tell a more complex, two-act story that wouldn’t fit into a standard 22-minute slot.
Q5: Will the “sucking off” trope be addressed in this special?
A5: The concept of moving on is a recurring theme. Holiday specials often deal with “peace” and “redemption,” which are key requirements for a ghost to move on. While we don’t expect a series regular to leave, the possibility always adds a layer of tension to the festivities.
