Of course, this theme has risen to the surface before, most notably during flashbacks to the ghosts\u2019 troubled lives and tragicomic deaths, but the show\u2019s delightful hijinks usually wrestle primary focus. On this occasion, not even a full pantomime could stop my weeping.<\/p>\n
The 2022 festive special sees Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) leave her supernatural houseguests to their own devices on Christmas Day, as she goes to visit her in-laws with husband Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe). Ever the thoughtful landlord, she prepares a bespoke gift for each of the paranormal entities to keep them occupied until her return. The presents range from a vintage Samantha Fox calendar for \u201990s politician Julian (Simon Farnaby) to a copy of the board game Risk for military strategist The Captain (Ben Willbond).<\/p>
But she really outdoes herself with scoutmaster Pat (Jim Howick), whom she gives a digitised version of his recently unearthed home videos, which include footage he took on Christmas Day 1983 \u2013 the last he had before his death in a freak accident. His initial viewing of the tape, which he naughtily peeks at the night before due to bad influence Julian, is moving enough all on its own. The thought of Pat having this reunion of sorts with his beloved family, just as he remembers them in life, is enough to bring tears to the eyes. But it doesn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n
His initial joy at revisiting these memories turns to frustration and sadness as he realises he may not have been as respected by his loved ones as he thought. As a tradition, he always warned them that the Christmas pudding is \u201chighly flammable and we don\u2019t want to be spending Boxing Day in accident and emergency\u201d \u2013 a spiel he never noticed was being quietly mimicked by his wife and youngest son. The complex feelings this brings up then erupt the following day, as his fellow ghosts playfully jest during rehearsals on a pantomime they are planning for Alison.<\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>A pep talk from Robin (Laurence Rickard) helps smooth things over, but Pat remains emotionally raw the following day, lamenting that his final Christmas was not quite as he remembered it. That is until Alison plays him the rest of the tape, which continues to show festivities in the years following his death, when his family keep up the traditions that he set for them. His eldest son digs out the clunky old camcorder, with Pat\u2019s widow commenting that he\u2019s just like his father. Around the dinner table, he recites the very same speech Pat once did to cheers from the rest of the family, who obviously miss him dearly \u2013 including all his quirks.<\/p>\n
God, I\u2019m welling up just writing about it.<\/p>\n
Episode writers Mathew Baynton and Jim Howick have penned a really beautiful scene here, with the latter also deserving praise for a top-notch performance which is sure to resonate with viewers across the country. Celebrating Christmas after a loved one\u2019s passing is an experience most will have had in some form, and to see it explored from the other side \u2013 as only Ghosts can \u2013 is profoundly moving. While there is joy to be found in Pat\u2019s realisation of just how valued he was, there\u2019s also bitter sadness in that he will never have this life back.<\/p>\n
The show has had touching moments in the past, but none have hit quite as hard as this scene, which is easily the standout of the episode; particularly impressive considering it also includes a panto.<\/p>