Ghost Light

This season despite the star cast has been disappointing from the start. We finally see an episode around investigation but that also has hardly any plot. We see an exploration of Oliver's fear of ending his stage career in a worst possible way. Charles deal with his fear of dying lonely and a extremely predictable fish flushed down comedy sequence.

Then we also have a side plot on stage ghosts or myths explored with a soliloquy by Howard.

End of it we are still where we were after the murder with no progress in solving the same.

I can see that Steven Martin is one of the Producers but does he have to grab so much meaningless screen time. If you look at previous seasons, the whole show used to revolve around Selena Gomez character with the other two pitching in the story.

But this whole season every episode is Martin Short whining about his play and Steve Martin doing a comedy routine which isn't even funny any more. Selena Gomez gets a look-in just for the sake of it. Getting difficult to watch.

We really loved this episode! Several supporting actors really get their moments to shine. 2023 Steve Martin revived his 1980's Steve Martin in multiple scenes. The writing almost induced a couple of spit takes. Jessie Williams is value added, has good chemistry with Selena Gomez, and we'd be on board with the Trio becoming a quartet (assuming he doesn't end up being the murderer.

There's some fun nods to theater superstitions, and while it's almost a fun stand alone episode in its own right, it still manages to propel the story along nicely.

Highly recommend the series, and this episode in particular.

Mabel becomes frustrated because her "old guy" partners are distracted by their own personal stuff. Oliver can't put the finger on Loretta because he has fallen in love with her. He even destroys evidence. Charles is reeling from his near marriage and is having a post mid-life crisis. He also failed to tell the others that he slugged the victim before the rehearsal. Mabel has lost objectivity in many ways. But this is a great episode in that while these things are getting in the way, they are back to coming up with clues. We have a great scene involving the ghost in the theatre--who appears unless certain rules are followed (like sweeping the stage). There is a great part of the episode also with Charles, his goldfish, and a toilet, in a room where he is locked up.

Best episode yet. It felt like a finale with all the intrigue mystery and pace of one of the best agatha Christie,s with added humour, that makes this a true classic. One of the best series I have ever enjoyed and I should know as I have watch a lot of great TV over the years. So worth the wait and each character sells themselves well. Love tha0t Howard gets his moment and Steve Martin shows as always his true genius and comedy timing. So difficult to wait another week for the next instalment. No wonder Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd wanted a peice of the action. As Martin Short says, play on Macduff or was that Macbeth.

I did enjoy this episode. It was a spooky mystery in a great location.

Firstly I loved the old theatre setting with the secret rooms, hidden people, and pockets of weird things going on, Theatre traditions/Superstitions etc, and acknowledgements of the daily life of a theatre and it's staff and hierarchy. "Because I'm the Stagemanager, That's why" etc and the stagemanager was well cast and believable.

It's a smartly written show with self awareness. "Don't split up", and the very next scenes they're all split up of course.

Oliver's conflict was interesting and well delivered and the series must be commended for finding the right level for delivering their character development. There's subtlety and nuance, and they could just ham fist it but the actors do rise to the challenge and make it natural and shine most of the time. What I'm saying is good top shelf acting as we would expect from these icons but it's above the level most tv demands so thank you for making the effort. There's obviously pride in your work and craft going on here.

Tobert has actually lifted the weak link Mabel's game thankfully. Their chemistry is good.

Only downside is still the swearing. There's nothing wrong with swearing but this stuff seems unnatural for the characters and situation.