Warning: this Ghosts Season 3 review contains spoilers!
Ghosts Season 3 returns with the phantasmagorical, historical comedic fun that has been long-awaited, and opens as all such returns should: in beautiful surroundings, where we are privy to the events leading up to the beheading of Sir Humphrey Bone. Enlightenment comes via a documentary being filmed; here, we learn about Humphrey’s wife and the language barrier between the two.
In time, we learn how the execution comes about, with a gallant and gentlemanly save where Humphrey realises his number is up. He finds an ingenious place to hide – the flue of the chimney – but, disastrously, grabs onto a pair of nearby ornamental swords, pulling and loosening them in a rather heavy-handed (or should that be -headed?) manner. The two swing together, ending in a bloody catastrophe.
Much darker than Ghosts’ previous two series, this opening episode brings a bit of jollity into the world of Button Hall, the spirit-ravaged manor house setting. At one point, efforts to make Fanny and The Captain laugh prove a step too far for Pat, who is genuinely intrigued to see a chuckle erupt.
Meanwhile, local historian and all-round pest Barclay Beg-Chetwynde tries to muscle his way into Mike and Alison’s drive to grab publicity – which is much-needed, as they need to finance renovation of Button Hall’s gate house. Alison gets pulled in all directions: Mike, her other half, thinks she should make an impassioned statement, while she just wants to run for the hills, possibly with Thomas following closely behind.
I would, by way of conclusion, normally say “bring on the next episode!”, but in fact the whole of series three is available to watch now. Moreover, all three series amounts to a mere nine hours of riotous viewing… so go on, treat yourself.
Look out for an in-depth interview with the Ghosts cast on the Buzz website later this week!
Info and streaming: here
words BILLIE INGRAM SOFOKLEOUS
