Ghosts season 5, episode 6 opens on Sam and Jay going into the living room to approach Sasappis about a sensitive subject. Sam explains that normally, she and Jay go to Jay’s family home for Thanksgiving. However, this year they were hoping to host an event at the house and wanted to see how Sass would feel.
Sass appreciates the gesture and points out that he isn’t offended by having dinner in the spirit of gratitude. He only asks that they acknowledge the atrocities his people suffered. To this, Thor chimes in saying it's important to remember horrors that have been committed. This shocks everyone because… Thor is a literal invading viking.
This sparks a conversation between the ghosts. Each brings up their ancestors' hardships only to have their own despicable behavior in life pointed out. Hetty acknowledges she is Irish, ignoring that she was a robber baron. Trever mentions he’s Jewish but glosses over his yuppie lifestyle. Isaac is gay, never mind that he was a colonizer. Everyone lands on the idea that with time, the only thing anyone can do is continue to learn to be better.
Jay is sending off Sam to her first book signing in Illinois. Sam is nervous no one will come. Reassuring Sam, Jay tells her she’ll be great and that they’ll celebrate with Thanksgiving dinner.
Before Sam leaves the ghosts insist she remind Jay of all the things they will need while she’s gone. Hetty needs a sound machine turned on, Isaac needs the history channel, Thor needs his nightlight… for Flower of course.
Not long after Sam is gone, the ghosts notice Jay isn’t doing anything on their list. Jay informs the ghosts he has no intention to do anything on the list because they have been spoiled with Sam spending her days catering to them.
At the airport, Pete proves to be somewhat of a nuisance as a travel companion. He can’t physically interact with anything, can’t entertain himself, and Sam can’t openly talk to him without looking insane. Pete also won’t stop talking.
In response to Jay not complying with the list of ghosts’ demands, they decide to text Kyle. Kyle, introduced last season, can also see ghosts. Last we met Kyle, he was briefly employed as the concierge but tried hitting on Sam and was promptly fired.
Two days later Kyle arrives. Jay is unenthused seeing Kyle. Kyle is unhappy that he was summoned under false pretenses. The ghosts double down on their plan and threaten to reveal Jay’s eating habits when Sam returns if Kyle doesn’t stay. Jay eats a lot of secret Sonic.
Jay accepts the terms of this blackmail and allows Kyle to stay.
After Jay calls Sam and informs her of the situation at home, an announcement is given overhead. The flight crew are on strike. This traps Sam with Pete even longer and poses a threat to Sam getting home in time for Thanksgiving.
To mitigate this issue and end the trip sooner, Sam decides they’ll rent a car and drive the rest of the way. Sam agrees to let Pete navigate using her phone’s GPS.
While driving, Sam ends up on an abandoned road. Pete admits he’s been charting his own route, contrary to the GPS. The “shortcut” by the long dead travel agent winds up giving Sam a flat tire.
Kyle is doing an amazing job at tending to the ghosts. Everyone is happy and Jay’s not being bothered. The ghosts request that Kyle be their permanent babysitter whenever Sam is out of town. But Kyle reminds them that he probably won't be back.
Kyle would love to be able to be at the B&B again. He likes not hiding his secret there. He knows he gets along well with Sam and all the ghosts. He even thinks Jay is a cool guy. But after his last visit there just isn't a way to make it work.
The ghosts offer to help instigate a reconciliation between Kyle and Jay.
Sam finally reaches her breaking point. She begins berating Pete about how he’s been nothing but annoying and will be the reason they don’t get home. She wishes he wasn’t on the trip with her. Pete then notices his hand… or lack thereof. Pete’s ghost power to leave the property is only temporary and he needs to get home or he disappears forever.
Sam apologizes and admits she’s not being fair. The book signing was actually a bust. No one showed and she hasn’t seen the sales numbers yet. Pete understands and tells her that she already did the hard part. She became a published author. He tells her he’s proud of her accomplishment, which is why he wanted to come with her.
Pete says if he has to meet his end he’s happy it’s with Sam outside Dunbridge, Ohio. Sam remembers Pete telling a story about knowing a guy who owns a tour company in that town.
Jay gives Kyle a second chance
Kyle begins his path to bonding with Jay. Trevor helps Kyle talk football. Unfortunately, Trevor only watched football until he died in the 90’s. As soon as Jay starts getting into modern football the lie begins to unravel.
Jay catches onto being manipulated. Kyle admits the lie and says he just wanted to try and bond so they could smooth things over. This makes Jay even less enthused and leaves.
Sam calls the tour company and speaks to the present owner. The founder Shane Johnsonbaugh, who knew Pete, had passed. The new owner is Shane’s son. Sam name-drops Pete. Shane Jr. claims his dad loved Pete’s stories and agrees to give Sam a lift. Not just any lift. He gives her a ride in a touring helicopter.
Sam and Pete make it home. They thank Kyle for babysitting. As he goes to leave he apologizes to Jay and explains that it’s hard making friends because of the ghost thing and he wishes things went differently.
Jay invites Kyle to stay for Thanksgiving. Kyle accepts much to the delight of Hetty. She thinks he could use a long hot shower after being such a good sitter. That remark definitely has no secondary connotation to it. Especially considering she’s been referring to him as the shirtless butler for the last couple days.
The episode ends with the first Thanksgiving to be seen on Ghosts. Jay made Threesisters, a traditional indigenous meal alongside ambrosia salad, a personal favorite of Sass. Sam gives a toast saying she’s grateful to be on this journey with everyone at the table.
Catch all new episodes Thursday on CBS or the following day on Paramount+.