Generational difference – the American version of the sitcom Ghosts has followed its characters through layers of backstory without it being overly complex. In S01S04, entitled “Dinner Party,” Sam and Jay face a generational divide with their neighbours, Margaret and Henry Farnsby.
According to Hetty and Flower, the Farnsbys are rule-abiding and horrid house guests. Margaret makes fun of Jay’s earrings while Henry is obsessed with the rules and exempts himself from following them. They’re ignorant of how Jay and Sam might actually feel about their present situation.
Henry and Margaret also don’t understand millennial humour. They become insulted when Jay jokes that his cooking is better than Margaret’s. Also, the Farnsbys love rubbing their privilege in the young couple’s faces.
Afraid of not getting their permits to open the B&B, Jay and Sam are forced to play nice. The last thing they want is to upset the older couple further. Also, they are shocked when Henry says if he’ll push through the permits if they donate $20k and put the cheque in his name.
It was never about the permits for the Farnsbys but the money. A small “donation” isn’t $20k. Also, it’s blackmail.
The Ghosts’ Interference
Hetty, determined to be at the dinner party, chooses Thorfinn, Isaac, and Alberta to attend with her, despite Sam’s objections. The rejection rubs Trevor, Pete, and Flower up the wrong way, and the entire night almost goes to ruins.
However, it’s not all bad. Isaac, Alberta, and Hetty listen in on a conversation between Henry and Margaret about pickleball. They discover that the couple tore down their carriage house to place their pickleball court. Moreover, this goes against Henry’s rules about demolishing older structures. Relaying the intel back to Sam, the Farnsbys are put in their places when they’re confronted.
Their reaction to being called out for their double standards shows how wide the generational divide is. Sam and Jay gain the courage to hold their elders accountable.
Though, this was done to call them out on their hypocrisy. Furthermore, it was not to berate their views. Finally, it shows that two generations can exist and either is right or wrong.
