It's sometimes easy to forget just how many diverse and remarkable bit characters exist in the "Ghosts" universe. Any given episode can feature emissaries of the Devil, Latvian ghost hunters, Vikings with daddy issues, or even financially challenged restaurant employees.
Most of these characters do not live at Woodstone, but they always seem to find a reason to make a miraculous reappearance there. No matter the absurdity of the thinly veiled plot contrivance, however, it's always great to see these special characters come back after a long absence. This week's episode features the long-awaited return of one of the show's most absurdly humorous characters, the founding member of the Alberta Haynes (Danielle Pinnock) fan club: Todd Pearlman (Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll).
Audiences first met Todd back in one of the best episodes of the first season, Episode 9 ("Alberta's Fan"). Although he initially appears to be a remarkable young man with a deep interest in learning more about Woodstone's famous jazz musician, he is eventually revealed to be quite the weirdo. In fact, his interest in Alberta can more accurately be described as an obsession (he has her face tattooed on his back and "owns" one of her toenails). Neither of his subsequent returns to Woodstone in Season 2 indicate that he's becoming any less of a weirdo anytime soon, but he was sadly entirely absent from Seasons 3 and 4.
Now, two years later, Fernandez Stoll slips back into the role instantly, and the wild enthusiasm he brings to Todd makes the character feel playful rather than grating. He's still a total weirdo, of course, but importantly, he's a total weirdo with lots of money and influence now! As it turns out, his podcast (the ToddPod as he calls it) has become incredibly successful in the two years since he set foot in Woodstone. In fact, to name only a few, his podcast has featured LeBron James, Timothée Chalamet, Vince Vaughn, and Colin Farrell. In a rather fun twist of fate, Sam (Rose McIver) now needs Todd to features her on his podcast in order to potentially boost her book sales.
Although Sam is understandably reluctant to meet with Todd again, she agrees because it's the only way to save her otherwise-stagnant writing career (I respect it). Unsurprisingly, Sam fails to intrigue Todd with her tales of vampire Revolutionaries. Much more surprising, however, is the fact that Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) manages to enthrall him with stories about the restaurant industry. Todd enjoys his discussion with Jay so much, in fact, that he announces his intention to interview Jay instead of Sam. Needless to say, neither of the Arondekars are particularly pleased with this development, but of course, it's one that makes perfect sense. Creepy Todd understands that Sam is trying to push her book, but he simply doesn't understand the difference between Jay's awkward small talk and genuine conversation!
Meanwhile, in other parts of the house, the ghostly object of Todd's affection is actively wrestling with the ghosts of her past. After accidentally revealing to Thor (Devan Chandler Long) that Alberta Haynes is not actually her real name, she is forced to admit another dark secret: She murdered someone (Obi-Wan Kenobi voice: "...from a certain point of view"). Of course, no one is more surprised to hear this news than Pete (Richie Moriarty), who presses his relatively new girlfriend for more information. After quite a bit of prying from Pete, Alberta reveals that not all is as it seems. Although the first scene in the episode appears to show her hacking away at a helpless victim, it is later revealed that the deliberately vaguely shot scene hides an even darker truth: She began her showbiz career as a successful ventriloquist.
This is the sort of silly plot point that only "Ghosts" could actually manage to pull off with substantive humor and heart. We've got real-world problems with Todd, ghost-world problems with Alberta, and the resolution of both is the marriage of the two stories! In the end, Alberta passes this information to Sam, who uses it to strong-arm Todd into featuring both she and Jay on his podcast, something that will hopefully help them and those financially challenged restaurant employees.
Rating: 9.1/10 - This episode has just the right amounts of humor, intrigue, and fun! He might be a loser in the show, but Creepy Todd is a total winner in my book!
Other Notes:
- Thor revealing Alberta's secret to Pete as revenge for her revenge bail is perfection. I'd bet money that Alberta's revenge to Thor's revenge (for her revenge bail) is even better!
- If Alberta had really been revealed to be a murderer, does anyone think that Pete "Goody Two Shoes" Martino would have gone back to Donna (Allegra Edwards)? Back when he was dating Donna, he literally solved a cold-case murder to help prove his girlfriend wasn't a killer!
- My only complaint in this episode is that Sam and Jay's loud comments about Todd's creepiness were a bit too clearly choreographed to cause tension. Never speak around a hot mic!
- It's too bad Creepy Todd has totally cornered the market on Alberta Haynes content. Given the new information on Alberta's past as a ventriloquist, Sam could very easily follow up her vampire Revolutionary book with a legit historical reveal!
- Next week's episode is another holiday special two-parter. Be sure to check out our posts featuring episode descriptions and promotional photos!
- I'm hoping for updates on the ghost elections soon!
Best Lines:
Flower (Sheila Carrasco): "No, but I did once do acid with a Todd Rundgren."
Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky): "Money, it is the great cure all."
Pete: "Maybe it's the girl dad in me talking, but I would not go to a second location alone with this man."
Thor: "Because Thor put together pieces like Columbo or Steve from Blues Clues."
Thor: "Difficult childhood, but Chewbacca came out on top."
Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones): “That man wants passion. He wants pizzazz. I know it’s hard to wow in that outfit, but that is what the moment demands."
Flower: "It’s nice when men can talk about their feelings, except for Gordon Lightfoot who never shut up about them."
Isaac: "Jay charmed the pants off of Creepy Todd and now it’s about he whom Todd wants to pod."
Flower: "That dude's gonna bang this kitchen."
Hetty: "Colin Farrell! I'd put that penguin on a leash."
Hetty: "The way she debases herself to land a rich husband... I respect the hell out of it."
Hetty: "Complete debasement to live in his basement."
Pete: "You threw away a successful career to go after what you really wanted. That takes guts."
Thor: "So, wait, your hat... Literal hat for dummy? *Intense laughter* This is best day of Thor afterlife. What dumber than tiny, dumb hat? Little hat for dummy! Thank you, Alberta!"
