🏰 The Haunted House Just Got a Little Crowded (In the Best Way)
If you’re like me, you’ve spent the last few years wishing you could move into Woodstone Manor—minus the whole “accidental death” part, of course. CBS’s hit sitcom Ghosts has mastered the art of the ensemble cast. It’s a rare feat to have a show where you actually care about all ten main characters (and a few of the basement dwellers, too). But let’s be honest: in a 22-episode season, some spirits inevitably end up floating in the background while others take the lead.
Well, I have some fantastic news for the fans who have been clamoring for more depth. Season 5 of Ghosts is officially shifting its focus. Showrunners Joe Port and Joe Wiseman (affectionately known as “The Joes”) have confirmed that we are going to see a lot more of two specific fan-favorite characters: Susan “Flower” Montero and Sasappis (Sass).
Why is this a big deal? Because for four seasons, these two have often served as the “wry commentators” or the “comic relief,” but Season 5 is diving deep into their histories and their hearts. Let’s break down why this spotlight is exactly what the Woodstone family needs right now.
🌸 Flower’s New Bloom: Seeing Susan in a New Light
For most of the series, Flower (Sheila Carrasco) has been defined by her “drug-addled” hippie persona. She’s the lovable, forgetful spirit who once tried to hug a bear (with disastrous results). While her forgetfulness is a goldmine for comedy, fans have long suspected there was more to the woman behind the tie-dye.
The “Lucid” Evolution
One of the most exciting teases for Season 5 is the promise of seeing Flower in a more lucid state.
-
Pre-Commune Life: We’ve had glimpses of her past—like her time as a law student—but the writers are finally peeling back the layers. What was Susan like before the 1960s counterculture defined her?
-
Active Character Growth: Instead of just reacting to the chaos around her, Flower is taking an active role in the household’s “ghost politics.” We’re seeing her handle complex emotions and make decisions that don’t involve getting stuck in a well (at least not every week).
H3: The Romance Factor
Let’s not forget the “will-they-won’t-they” energy she shares with Thor (Devan Chandler Long). Expanding Flower’s screen time allows the show to move past the surface-level attraction and explore what a long-term relationship looks like when one half of the couple is a 1,000-year-old Viking and the other is a 1960s flower child.
🏹 Sasappis: The Storyteller Becomes the Story
If Flower is the heart of the house, Sasappis (Román Zaragoza) is the eyes and ears. As a Lenape storyteller, Sass is usually the one observing everyone else’s drama with a dry, sarcastic wit. He’s the resident “cynic with a soul,” but Season 5 is forcing him out of his shell.
H3: The Struggle of the Long-Distance Spirit
Sass spent a lot of time searching for a connection, and he finally found it with Joan (Taylor Ortega). However, being a ghost comes with some pretty significant geographical limitations.
-
Emotional Vulnerability: We are seeing a side of Sass that isn’t just “too cool for school.” He’s struggling with the feeling of being abandoned and the frustration of a relationship he can’t physically maintain.
-
Navigating Insecurity: Seeing the “voice of reason” lose his cool over a missed meeting with Joan adds a layer of human relatability to a character who usually has a comeback for everything.
H4: Strengthening the Bond with Jay
Interestingly, the more Sass struggles with his personal life, the more we see his unique dynamic with Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar). Since Jay can’t see the ghosts, their “friendship” is one-sided and physical, but Sass’s storytelling nature makes him the perfect bridge between the living and the dead.
📈 The Strategic Shift: Why Now?
You might be wondering: why wait until Season 5 to give these two the spotlight? In the world of television, it’s all about longevity and pacing.
Refreshing the Ensemble Dynamic
After four seasons of focusing heavily on Isaac’s (Brandon Scott Jones) growth and Hetty’s (Rebecca Wisocky) redemption, the show needed a fresh energy. By shifting the lens to Flower and Sass, the writers can explore different eras of American history and different philosophical viewpoints.
-
The 1500s vs. The 1960s: These two represent the widest gap in the house’s timeline (besides Thor). Their perspectives on land, community, and peace provide a rich contrast to the more modern problems Sam and Jay face.
-
Avoiding “Autopilot”: Some critics felt the show was beginning to rely on familiar tropes (like Sam’s possessions). Focusing on individual character arcs for the “secondary” ghosts prevents the series from feeling repetitive.
🎭 The Human Side: Bela and Kyle Return
It’s not just the spirits getting an upgrade. The human side of the Woodstone ecosystem is also expanding. Bela (Punam Patel), Jay’s sister, is returning with more presence. She serves as a vital anchor for Jay, who often feels left out of the “ghostly” conversations.
Additionally, Ben Feldman is returning as Kyle, the other human who can see ghosts. His presence creates a hilarious tension for Sam and a massive amount of jealousy for Jay. This “rivalry” between the two ghost-seers provides the perfect backdrop for Flower and Sass to get involved in the drama.
💡 The Takeaway: A Season of Substance
Season 5 feels like the year Ghosts truly matures. It’s moving beyond the “ghost-of-the-week” format and becoming a deep study of what it means to be stuck with people you love for an eternity. For Flower and Sass fans, this is the season we’ve been waiting for. We are finally getting the “story behind the storyteller” and the “woman behind the wild hair.”
Conclusion
The decision to feature more of Flower and Sasappis in Ghosts Season 5 is a masterstroke of character development. By leaning into Susan’s pre-hippie lucidity and Sass’s romantic vulnerabilities, the show avoids the “procedural trap” and keeps the narrative fresh for its loyal audience. As Woodstone Manor continues to grow, both with returning humans like Bela and Kyle and new spirits like Patience, it’s heartening to know that the original family is getting the attention they deserve. Whether it’s a long-distance ghost romance or a trip down a 1960s memory lane, Season 5 is shaping up to be the most “spirited” one yet.
❓ 5 Unique FAQs After The Conclusion
Q1: Will Sheila Carrasco (Flower) be in every episode of Season 5?
A1: While she is a series regular, the amount of screen time varies by episode. However, showrunners have confirmed her role is “pivotal” this season with significant multi-episode arcs focused on her history.
Q2: Does Sass ever get a ghost power like the others?
A2: As of the start of Season 5, Sass’s main “ability” is his storytelling and his capacity to enter people’s dreams (as seen in previous seasons). Fans are hopeful a new, more physical power might be revealed this year!
Q3: How does Jay interact with Sass if he can’t see him?
A3: Jay usually relies on Sam’s play-by-play. However, in Season 5, we see Jay finding more creative ways to “bond” with the ghosts, often using the kitchen as a neutral ground where he can feel their presence through the “smells” of his cooking.
Q4: Is the Puritan ghost, Patience, a threat to Flower or Sass?
A4: Patience (Mary Holland) definitely creates tension in the house. Her strict ways clash directly with Flower’s free-spirited nature, leading to some of the funniest (and most tense) moments of the season.
Q5: Where can I watch Ghosts Season 5?
A5: You can catch it live on CBS on Thursday nights, or stream it the following day on Paramount+.
