I doubt anyone else has heard of this show here, and I had not either until someone had mentioned it to me the other day. Ghosts, being a series made originally in the United Kingdom, but with a US adaptation, is a unique little gem so far. I should state that I am watching the US version first before the UK version -- though I have noticed some interesting similarities to this show and others appearing as of late. I wanted to share a few words about this show due to how small it appears to be, despite some good reception from critics in both versions of the show. Though I have a killer headache today so have some patience in regards to my potential ramblings here!
The first thing you think of when you hear of the word "ghost" is something of trauma. An evil entity that haunts and roams desolate locations in search of someone to take advantage of; a traveller down a quiet country lane, or an innocent family that just moved into an old, very historic gothic home. We think of apparitions that want to cause harm from beyond. Though that is far from the case with this television series. Holding similarities to shows like What We Do In The Shadows and Resident Alien, Ghosts is a show that takes an otherwise scary concept and turns it into something less terrifying, more comedic and wholesome.
The story, so far -- though I am not very far into the show yet -- seems to take place within a home that is inherited by a young couple that choose to renovate the home and attempt to turn it into a business. An accident takes place which results in one of the new owners of this home coming to discover that they can now see the dead; of which there are plenty from different priods of time all living together in that house, concerned of its future and those who are now entering it. These ghosts are people that have died from different causes, from different time periods, and each with their own little personalities to them. One of which looks like a scout leader that has an arrow forever stuck in his neck.
I mentioned before that the show reminds me a lot of What We Do In The Shadows. It holds similarities in how the film industry suddenly has a new interest and approach to the idea of the fantasy genre. Where perhaps large budget films and blockbusters that are more serious are harder to make money from. Making people less likely to check them out. Suddenly, we see this comedic approach in which fantasy elements are taken lightly, approached with a comedic stance that is actually -- for now -- a very unique concept to take on. In fact, it has me question what took filmmakers so long to consider doing something like this? And was Taika Waititi and his crew partly responsible for this sudden rise with their vampire mockumentary from 2014? Regardless of how and who, I am actually really happy to see shows like these.
Removing the idea of a large budget television series or film production, these shows focus on good character development through a diverse range of personalities that make the show interesting. Much like a cartoon series in which each character had a very distinct set of traits that make them stand out to the next. Where their personalities result in many unique episodes and adventures that questions their strengths and weaknesses, thus giving the audience both entertainment, but also a lot of character development to witness from it.
For now it appears that the show is in this stage of introducing the general concept before establishing context behind each character. So far there have been snippets of context regarding some of them, but most of it has just been some introduction to what these characters are like rather than who they were and, well, are now. I suspect it will slowly begin to dive into these characters more, one by one, as different scenarios unfold for both the ghosts and the two main living characters. I feel the two will end up having many lessons to learn and problems to solve together, and as a result plenty of comedic writing and events. Given that the first show was a British creation, I can already tell generally what it will be like. Though I would like to see something a little different in the US version.
I would like to see it take a slow approach like it currently is, with little rush to dive too deep into some central plot or character development, however. I think for now this slow introduction to everything has been quite pleasant. It is has been a very relaxing show just three episodes in. A show that does not take much time, is not hard to digest, but still gets a few laughs from you before leaving. It feels quite refreshing to see. Unlike What We Do In The Shadows, which is a show that seems to be running slowly out of ideas and constantly trying to be as ridiculous as possible. Though that may still be the case for Ghosts going forward.
One thing I have liked so far is that each of the cast members are people I don't think I have ever seen anywhere before. I have nothing to attribute them to prior to this. So I have this very first impression of them as these characters they are performing as. I love this. I wish more shows did this. It is so nice to see a cast you don't recognise and thus get additional immersion from it. To feel like you aren't just watching the next product, but an actual performance and creative little show. These characters they play seem wholesome. Far from intimidating. People from different life experiences and backgrounds each with their own little stories.
Even though I have no idea where it could be going, I still highly recommend that you check this show out. Whether it is the United States adaptation or the British original. It seems like a little gem that has a lot of room to grow. With little budget but good enough character design and unique cast to keep you interested. So far I can definitely say it has managed to obtain my interest!