Editor’s Note: The below contains spoilers for Ghosts Season 3.
Ghostsmight have just wrapped up its third season on Thursday night, but there’sone particular episode that stands out across the CBS sitcom’s third-year catalog. With theFYC season in full effect, theJoe PortandJoe Wisemansitcom has long deserved acclaim and a couple of Emmys for their charming, comfort series. But it’s theirSeason 3 episode “Holes Are Bad"that is perhapsone of the most exceptional half-hours on network television. In the antepenultimate episode, audiences finally learn the cause of Hetty’s (Rebecca Wisocky) death at Woodstone. It was also an episode thatDanielle Pinnocktells Collider’s very own Senior Reporter andLadies Nighthost,Perri Nemiroffwas a “really difficult scene and episode to film.”
Ghosts (US)
When a cash-strapped couple inherits a crumbling country estate, they soon discover it is inhabited by an eclectic group of spirits, leading to comedic encounters as they navigate cohabitation with their supernatural roommates.
The following discusses themes related to suicide, including its causes and impacts, as well as descriptions of emotional distress. Reader discretion is advised.
‘Ghosts’ Danielle Pinnock Discloses Her Own Suicide Attempt
While speaking aboutthe Season 3 finale cliffhanger that found Isaac getting abducted by a vengeful Puritan spirit, Pinnock opened up about the episode “Holes Are Bad” and what it meant to her and the cast. Withthe episode tackling the subject of suicide and mental health delicately,Ghoststook audiences for a turn with a moment that led to the usually strong mansion matriarch’s death by suicide. It was a scene thatPinnock discloses was personally triggering. “In 2011, I had a suicide attempt, and so to see the telephone cord around Hetty’s neck was extraordinarily triggering,” she tells Nemiroff for Collider. “Rebecca played it with such precision and gracethat there was not one take where I was not crying at the end of her scene. I mean, she just is truly a masterclass.”
Pinnock adds that theone thing she loves most about this ensemble comedy is how it’s able to expand into more serious topics. “Because death, you know, there’s grief that comes with it and people die in all sorts of ways. But it’s also made me want to live my life even more. It’s made me grateful that I was unsuccessful in 2011. You know what I mean?” she says. “I didn’t see a future for myself, and now, to see all of the things I’ve accomplished in all of those years, my God, I am so grateful to be alive and to have breath in my body today.”
The award-winning actress states how episodes like “Holes Are Bad” are really important for fans, especially those who are struggling with their own mental health. “To know there’s another chance: ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning,’” she says.
Isaac Needed To Be Hetty’s Shoulder
With the other ghosts stunned by Hetty’s revelation, Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones) asks if she would like to talk about it, to which Hetty says no. Naturally, it’s a difficult moment between the friends and one the audience can see is deeply agonizing, as the pain felt by those contemplating suicide and those affected by such complex actions greatly affects everyone. But it was a moment for Isaac and Hetty to delve into and no one else.
“I don’t know if it needed to be Alberta [to talk to her]. Ithadto be Isaac because Isaac came out to Hetty,” Pinnock says. “He didn’t come out to any of us, Isaac came out to Hetty. They are deeply connected, those two friends, and so I would love to feel like Alberta would have supported her in that way, but I feel like it was just pure perfection that it was Isaac.”
The Entire Cast of ‘Ghosts’ Really Wants to Make a Musical Episode Happen
We caught up with the cast of ‘Ghosts’ at the Library of Congress, where they were treated to an incredible tour of the collection.
As Hetty expressed her regret over taking her own life to Isaac and Sam (Rose McIver), Pinnock says it was all about listening and being supportive to an individual feeling as like they were in their own hole. “There was no judgment there, and I think that’s the thing: This is a secret that she’s been carrying for hundreds of years, and soit just was such an important episode,” she says.
‘Ghosts’ Deserves Its Emmys, Stat!
Pinnock tells Nemiroff shehopes those in the television academy will finally start looking at their show after three seasonsand really watch the episodes, brimming with so much heart and wit. “I do feel like this series is deserving of award recognition. My cast — they hate when I say it. They’re like, ‘Danielle, leave it alone. Stop saying it.’ But I just think this show is so beautiful,” she says. “We are talking about things thatno one really can talk about because we’re ghosts, the absurdity of it all, but it just is so impactful and our fans love it, and so I’m hoping this is our season where the show is nominated. But we’ll see. And that was one of the episodes where I was like, ‘Yeah, for certain,’ you know?”
With these two journalists being firm believers of willing things into existence, the third time (or season, rather) has to be a charm for the series. Pinnock hopesher co-star, Rebecca Wisocky, isfinally nominated for her portrayal of the Gilded Age matriarch. Pinnock says:
“She deserves it. She’s been in the industry for so long and has just been such an incredible journeyman actor. I remember when I met Rebecca, it was in 2016. I was an understudy at the Geffen Playhouse, and we were in this show calledBarbecue.Even just watching her on stage to now, and to have this friendship now, even more, budding that we’ve known each other in these last three years, she’s just an incredible human being and deserves all of her flowers. Truly.”
Ghostsis available to stream on Paramount+.
Watch on Paramount+
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health distress or suicide ideation, reach out 24/7 by dialing or texting the Suicide Crisis Hotline at 9-8-8 or using chat services atsuicidepreventionlifeline.orgto connect to a trained crisis counselor.
