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nuxvomica

(12,884 posts)
Wed Nov 17, 2021, 05:57 PM Nov 2021

"Ghosts" on HBO Max

This is the BBC version of the new CBS series. I watched the latter after my sister told me about it and found the BBC version on HBO Max. During a time of grieving for my cat Huckleberry, I found it very comforting, not only because it's a comedy about the afterlife but because living in a house with a bunch of ghosts, creatures who really have no demands on their time and provide little more than companionship and the occasional trouble, is not much different than living with cats.

In the series, a young woman name Alison discovers she has inherited an estate from a distant, heretofore unknown relative. The mansion is filled with the ghosts of people who died on the grounds, going back to prehistoric times. There's a neanderthal who actually gives pretty good advice, an Elizabethan whose head is permanently separated from his ghost body, a woman burned at the stake for witchcraft, a giggly and naive 18th-century noblewoman, a lovesick Romantic poet, the uptight Edwardian former mistress of the house, an officious World War II officer, a scoutmaster with an arrow through his neck, and a randy Tory MP who is eternally pants-less. Oh, and the cellar is full of plague victims. Each has their own eccentricities and subtle powers. After a fall from a window and three minutes with no pulse, Alison has the ability to see and interact with the ghosts, a continuing annoyance for her husband.

The series and its ghosts are engaging, the plotting swift and clever, the dialogue witty, and the special effects are convincing and not overdone. This is one of the better high-concept comedies I've ever seen.

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nuxvomica

(12,884 posts)
4. The CBS series is good too
Wed Nov 17, 2021, 06:25 PM
Nov 2021

I had to edit my post because I originally said Alison fell down the stairs, which was the CBS version. After I saw all the CBS episodes so far, I was happy to discover the BBC version has 3 seasons available.

WHITT

(2,868 posts)
9. The Native American Guy On CBS
Wed Nov 17, 2021, 06:35 PM
Nov 2021

is hysterical. His deadpan about huge historical references is just so irreverent.

I remember seeing the girl that plays Sam in a movie. She's got some really cute stuff.

nuxvomica

(12,884 posts)
10. I loved it when the Revolutionary guy ranted about their land being invaded
Wed Nov 17, 2021, 06:39 PM
Nov 2021

And the Lanape fellow says, "Are you listening to yourself?"

WHITT

(2,868 posts)
12. Oh Man
Wed Nov 17, 2021, 06:53 PM
Nov 2021

He just deadpans his way through huge swaths of history with sarcastic retorts. Brilliant.

Baitball Blogger

(48,062 posts)
11. The British version is far better than the US one. But there are several reasons for that.
Wed Nov 17, 2021, 06:41 PM
Nov 2021

One of them, I imagine, is that the US version probably had to keep it cleaner because of the intended audience.

But, I enjoy watching the US version.

Three seasons on HBOmax.

OAITW r.2.0

(28,392 posts)
2. Your post makes it interesting....
Wed Nov 17, 2021, 06:22 PM
Nov 2021

the ads I've seen didn't impress me much. Thx

On edit: per dflprincess's post, I probably have seen ads for the CBS version.

nuxvomica

(12,884 posts)
6. I had seen it listed on HBO Max but wasn't much interested
Wed Nov 17, 2021, 06:29 PM
Nov 2021

Then I watched the CBS version and thought I'd check it out.

BigmanPigman

(52,266 posts)
3. Did Alison have a Near Death Experience
Wed Nov 17, 2021, 06:22 PM
Nov 2021

after her fall and was gifted with keen paranormal senses afterwards?

nuxvomica

(12,884 posts)
5. Yes, she was "dead" for three minutes
Wed Nov 17, 2021, 06:26 PM
Nov 2021

Besides Alison, dogs and babies (before they start walking) can interact with them too.

kimbutgar

(23,283 posts)
7. I watched the first episode of the BBC series and it is enjoyable.
Wed Nov 17, 2021, 06:31 PM
Nov 2021

I have become hooked on the CBS series!

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