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GHOSTS. LAST EVER EPISODE BBC XMAS DAY 7.45

227 replies

Blondeshavemorefun · 25/12/2023 19:48

Aka now !!!

Couldnt see a thread

Last episode ever

Gets tissues

OP posts:
BakeOffRewatch · 26/12/2023 11:44

BillStickersIsInnocent · 26/12/2023 10:22

I enjoyed it. It wasn’t as fun as other episodes but I think it captured the exhaustion of new parenthood and how you need to focus on that for a while/how everything changes with a new baby. I liked the message about letting people go so they can flourish, and I loved the ending. Do you think it was actually Charlotte Richie at the end? I think it was Mike because of his profile but not sure about Alison. Anyway if it was Charlotte she did a very good ‘old lady walking up the stairs’.

I loved the idea they had moved on with enough money to be very comfortable and to bring up Mia and other children perhaps. And that they returned often to Button House where Mike could play golf and Alison could catch up with the Ghosts. A very good ending for me.

It is the actors aged up, I read this article that they didn’t want CGI to detract and to keep their gait and posture instead of using different actors, but they didn’t use footage of their faces directly to keep the ambience of the final scene. It’s a lovely interview with Jim Howick.

https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/ghosts-ending-explained-meaning-behind-final-scene-names-alison-says/

GHOSTS. LAST EVER EPISODE BBC XMAS DAY 7.45
museumum · 26/12/2023 11:45

I loved it. It was the right ending. Alison was exhausted in a previous episode looking after the ghosts, it wasn’t fair in Mike or Mia for her to be running around after them. The ghosts don’t need her if they have all the hustle of the guests to observe - new newspapers and books and tvs all the time. And real people watching.
Alison can have a family (more kids?) and visit any time.

Yes, she’d need to find a way to block out all the other ghosts in the world but they don’t know she can see them so she can bluff them now she’s got more experience (and find a home without any).

the star of the show is button house and it gets a bright future with sensitive refurbishment and ongoing maintenance for future generations.

LuluBlakey1 · 26/12/2023 11:53

covetingthepreciousthings · 26/12/2023 11:42

@LuluBlakey1 I think you've explained my issue with it. I think the ending would have worked better had 20mins of it not been taken up with the Mother in Law story and instead had been about Alison & Mike having the best last Christmas with the Ghosts.. before moving on to a new home.

It just felt rushed and like Alison was annoyed and fed up of the Ghosts, it should have been a heartwarming celebration of them all coming together.

She doesn't even speak to them to say personal goodbyes to each when she leaves. The whole focus could have been on reminiscence and on looking ahead for the ghosts (who would be quick to come round to see what's in it for them in it becoming a hotel, as well as being worried- reassuring each other, seeing possibilities, getting worked up), and then individual goodbyes- they were all so special in some way to her. So many opportunities for humour and sadness. Just all lost opportunities for the writers and for the actors and for the audience.
No need for MIL at all (who isn't a very interesting character), no need for Christmas with Mike's parents, we really didn't need to see his family again. No need for the vicar and the pointless exorcism. Just focus on the ghosts and the 'ending' of it all.

ExpensiveDecorations · 26/12/2023 12:03

They absolutely needed the MIL to make Alison and Mike realise they needed to go it alone. Otherwise they would have just been re-hashing previous storylines of the Ghosts driving Alison to distraction, they would have apologised again and they would all have tried to muddle on together. The exorcism was great for a bit of jeopardy - will they / won't they. And we really didn't need more of Alison mollycoddling each ghost to reassure them about their future, she's done more than enough to make them able to cope without her.

Original poster
Blondeshavemorefun · 26/12/2023 12:05

Saucery · 26/12/2023 08:08

I think a hotel was ideal for the ghosts. Always someone around, lots of TVs on at any one time so always something for them to watch, lots of behaviour for the Judgey ones to Judge, kitchens producing all that food for them to dream about, music, dancing and jollity for Kitty…….
They’ve come to terms over the years (Robin especially) with only ever having other ghosts as companions and had become too reliant on Alison as their sole link to the outside world. They needed to let her go and for her to know it was okay to leave their ‘family’.

This. They will always have company

See people

Watch things

OP posts:
cakeorwine · 26/12/2023 12:08

Don't forget that the Ghosts have been there for ages. ALison and Mike would have been there for a tiny fraction of Robins existence there.

So life moves on. The ghosts will cope - they coped without Alison. She just helped them interact with the real world but they will have had to carry on without her.

Just thinking practically - if the hotel has CCTV, Fanny would have to be careful! And Julian has so much potential now for using his ability to touch things to indulge himself.

Kernackered · 26/12/2023 12:18

LuluBlakey1 · 26/12/2023 11:34

I watched it again when I woke up this morning and was more disappointed this time. Alison shows no interest in the ghosts at all during the whole episode. She just looks irritated by them and takes up their suggestion to sell-up like a shot.
As she is packing up and leaving she looks sad about the house but NEVER interacts with the ghosts. I felt really sad for them. Even at the end when she and Mike visit she sounds bored.

I don't like to criticise because I have loved 'Ghosts' more than anything on tv in many years. I'll always re-watch it, it's like a lovely happy, funny, warm comfort blanket to me. However, last night's episode was a let-down. Just doesn't work, doesn't ring true to the series, wasn't well-written- and I'm really very sad to say that.

Yep. All of this is spot on. Still absolutely love the show and can't wait to see what they do next. And will still rematch all of them but maybe just ignore this one. The nativity last year absolutely was magical and the line dancing scene had such a lovely feel to it, sadly lacking in the last one.

MistletoeandMoccasins · 26/12/2023 12:35

Rewatched it.
Better on second viewing.

LuluBlakey1 · 26/12/2023 13:06

ExpensiveDecorations · 26/12/2023 12:03

They absolutely needed the MIL to make Alison and Mike realise they needed to go it alone. Otherwise they would have just been re-hashing previous storylines of the Ghosts driving Alison to distraction, they would have apologised again and they would all have tried to muddle on together. The exorcism was great for a bit of jeopardy - will they / won't they. And we really didn't need more of Alison mollycoddling each ghost to reassure them about their future, she's done more than enough to make them able to cope without her.

I agree the exorcism was entertaining but it was unnecessary, in my view, in terms of what I feel the last episode should have been about. endings and possibilities, goodbyes and hellos - between Alison and Mike and their baby, Alison and the ghosts, the ghosts and Alison, past and future. Exorcism was a bit of flummery in an episode where the fundamentals were off.

Sidebeforeself · 26/12/2023 13:24

I’ve just come on to say I will miss Robin, the captain and Patrick sooo much. And also wasn’t baby Mia gorgeous?!

Saucery · 26/12/2023 13:40

The exorcism annoyed me a bit. Vicars and Priests don’t just rock up after a phone call and do one. They would do a Blessing for a distressed parishioner, but would gently correct any belief that it was an exorcism. It looked more like a Blessing tbh and that’s probably why it didn’t work (thank goodness).
Also, Thomas was horrible in that episode. Not his usual needy, Byron From Wish self, just had too much air time stomping about being a dickhead.

deplorabelle · 26/12/2023 14:27

MistletoeandMoccasins · 26/12/2023 12:35

Rewatched it.
Better on second viewing.

Planning to re-watch now I know what's happened. I think tv has changed a bit now we can do this. In years gone by, a TV program had to plan for people missing the first minute and Aunty Maureen talking over a key bit. So you could never be totally taken by surprise. Now some things you need to watch twice to process. Last year's Motherland Christmas special is a prime example. I was so upset I didn't really get it, but on re-watch the central storyline is an absolute masterpiece.

Off to re-watch now 🙂

ohthatstoohot · 26/12/2023 15:04

But Thomas is always stomping around like a dickhead. That's the whole point of his character. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a large part of Alison deciding to move - that sort of unwanted attention every day must be wearing.

I understand the ending from a logical perspective, but I also don't wish to acknowledge it quite yet.

dapsnotplimsolls · 26/12/2023 15:16

I understand why they ended it like that - final ending, no expectations of more episodes or specials. I also like the fact that the ghosts will be endlessly entertained in a hotel. I'd also have liked more interaction though.

MotherOfCatBoy · 26/12/2023 16:34

I think what’s pissed me off is not so much what happened (although I still don’t like the logical inconsistency) as how it happened… totally agree that with so much screen time for MIL they totally lost the magic. It should have been a two parter and left everyone in tears, not angry. It could have been very bitter sweet but it was just.. meh.

SoupDragon · 26/12/2023 16:42

I loved the ending with them going back to stay each year (it was perfect I think) but the episode itself was lacking for me.

ArcaneWireless · 26/12/2023 17:55

I watched the Caroline Aherne tribute after this.

An observant comedic genius who just got life. Got people.
The importance of making you feel something. For example, The Queen of Sheba.

You knew what was coming. You laughed but you were waiting. You laughed but you waited for your heart to be ripped out. You waited for the lump in your throat to go. You cried. Either sobbing or silently letting the tears tripping and then you smiled as they tipped the balance.

As Dolly Parton said in Steel magnolias, ‘laughter through tears is my favourite emotion’ or somesuch. And Caroline and Craig Cash nailed that. It was all powerful.

I feel robbed that I didn’t get that feeling with Ghosts.

ExpensiveDecorations · 26/12/2023 17:59

Ah, we did. Laughter and tears here for both of us. It's a shame it didn't happen for everyone.

ArcaneWireless · 26/12/2023 18:13

I got warned by family that it was emotional.

It just didn’t happen for me and I have even been known to cry at adverts.

I’m glad you felt it. I just think there was so much more it could have been.

The plague victims was a glimpse of perfection. I wanted that beautiful moment for all of the ghosts.

SoupDragon · 26/12/2023 18:15

The plague victims in the sauna was a masterstroke. Possibly the best bit I think. I knew it was coming and it made me giggle.

toomanyleggings · 26/12/2023 18:19

I enjoyed it. DH who had never really watched it said ‘I enjoyed that’ when the credits rolled. Liked the ended with the ghosts in the sauna

Original poster
Blondeshavemorefun · 26/12/2023 22:44

@BakeOffRewatch Thanks for link. I love their recaps of shows

OP posts:
BillStickersIsInnocent · 26/12/2023 22:46

Thanks too @BakeOffRewatch , that is a lovely interview!

theconfidenceofwho · 26/12/2023 23:06

Newgirls · 25/12/2023 21:30

It was so good. It made sense to me as Alison now needs to look after her new family - baby and any more kids that come. She can’t be looking after the ghosts so they let her go. Very lovely. I bet she popped back all the time. Also the hotel would have been more entertaining for them - lots of new people to watch etc

(yes I know it’s not real 😂)

Edited

I agree with this. It was their true love that let her go!

I loved it & shed a tear!

theconfidenceofwho · 26/12/2023 23:07

ExpensiveDecorations · 25/12/2023 21:37

We loved it, the MIL experience showed Alison and Mike that they needed to be on their own now, the birth of Mia changed everything and the Ghosts realised it too and were brave enough to let them go. Like that old saying if you love someone let them go, if they were yours they'll return. And showing Alison and Mike coming back to visit was just lovely. The ghosts can keep themselves entertained with the hotel guests, their TVs etc and they have Julian's finger if they need a tiny nudge into reality. So glad none of Alison, Mike and Mia died.

Also agree with this!