Women play an essential role in CBS’s hit sitcom, Ghosts, in a way we could’ve never imagined. Nothing is unique than seeing women from different eras standing together in modern society. Sam, Hetty, Alberta, and Flower represent periods where the female populace had other purposes.
CBS’s Ghosts also discusses racism and how it affects certain aspects of the story, especially regarding Alberta. Moreover, regardless of social status, it is up to par with every generation.
Women Of The 1800s – Hetty Woodstone
Let’s begin with the original lady of Woodstone Mansion, Hetty. Known for her hatred of Irishmen, love of Cocaine, and her views on feminist issues, Hetty lives the 1800s way of life. During her lifetime, women lived through their husbands.
Hetty is a prime example of this mindset. Throughout the show, she’s bought up moments from her time alive such as her husband (and cousin) Elias’ constant affairs. In the episode “The Vault,” their history is explored further when a vault is discovered underneath the house.
Elias was locked inside by the vault maker. The two men had a beef due to a child’s paternity and the vault payment. After dying of suffocation and returning as a ghost, the philandering man of Woodstone Mansion refuses to change his views. He doesn’t like that his wife now stands up for herself. He ultimately blames Sam while attempting (and failing) to crack onto Alberta.
Hetty’s time watching and observing Sam and knowing Alberta has started to change how she thinks about women’s status. During “Viking Funeral,” Sam has become tired of the ghosts demanding her do things for them. She gets them to hold an election to find a representative to funnel their requests. Having lived during a time when women were allowed to vote, Alberta can change Hetty’s mind about voting.
During the 1800s, women were accessories to their husbands. Thanks to Alberta, Hetty’s mindset shifts to where she agrees voting is good but doesn’t agree with women attending college. What’s more, Hetty can identify where she went wrong in life.
Jazz Singer Of The 1920s – Alberta Haynes
Jazz singer Alberta was born to immigrant parents in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and died in the 1920s after being poisoned. It was believed her death occurred due to a heart attack.
Alberta was allowed to have an opinion and was allowed to vote. However, it was difficult for her because she was a black woman.
During “Alberta’s Fan,” it’s revealed that Alberta’s father was a chef but couldn’t own a restaurant due to his colour. Alberta reveals that she became a singer because the world held her father back from his dreams. She believed that the universe might be kinder to her, though she died before she could hit the big time.
Unlike Hetty, Alberta can voice her opinion freely. However, much like the ghost lady of the house, she’s restricted due to her skin tone.
There Was A Difference Between The Cult And The Commune In The 1960s – Flower.
Having died while trying to hug a bear in the 1960s, Flower is a free spirit, and we mean that literally. When she was killed, she was on drugs. Flower is from when hippies were the norm, and many lived within cults and communes. In “Flower’s Article,” it’s revealed she and her boyfriend stole the money the group took during a robbery on a local bank.
Despite her absent-mindedness and forgetfulness, Flower is capable of showing remorse for her actions. While she can never make up for what she did, she can move on from the ordeal, knowing that the money was put to good use in starting the coffee shop she dreamed about.
Flower, having come from a period where hippies were known for protesting, can use her voice in a way Hetty and Alberta weren’t allowed to do. Moreover, she doesn’t conform to social norms such as personal hygiene in public.
The Era Of Modern Women – Sam
The female show lead, Sam, ties all the aspects of Hetty, Alberta, and Flower into one. She embraces the morals of the modern-day by allowing her thoughts and feelings to be heard.
As Hetty’s descendent, Sam embodies what Woodstone women before have shown; they’re bold and brave even in uncertain times. At various times, the threat of Sam and her husband Jay losing the house hangs over their heads. If they were to leave, it would sadden the ghosts as they’ve become accustomed to having them around.
However, Sam has always used her bravado to look for answers. One example is in “The Vault.” When Elias brags that the living will leave due to insufficient funds, Sam and Isaac realise that since the robber baron has his $5000 pocket watch on his ghostly form, the real one must still be on his body.
Despite Jay’s protests about touching it, they’re able to retrieve the watch so they can sell it. The money enables them to keep the house while pleasing the bank and repaying the loans they owe.
Unknown Era
During a two-episode arc involving a Cholera ghost, Nancy, who pretends to be Pete’s girlfriend, we learn that the cholera ghosts might’ve died around the same time. Nancy also mentions during a disagreement with Pete regarding Sam being their “living butler” that during her life, women had the choice of three jobs; wench, midwife, or a whore.
This shows how far society has come. Women are now given the same opportunities as men. However, this is something that Nancy and Hetty struggle to accept.
Racism
While not a massive factor, racism is a minor point bought up in Alberta’s storyline during “Alberta’s Fan.” As we mentioned, Alberta faced racism during her life due to being black. She wanted a life where she could live her dream of being a singer. However, she died before she could accomplish that dream.
The racism element also came up indirectly during the “Dinner Party” episode when Margaret Farnsby makes fun of Jay’s earrings. We’ve spoken about the generational divide theme in that episode before.
In conclusion, the conversation isn’t saturated with talk on the subject. Instead, we’ve had to see what Season 2 brings as the cast teased a Comic Con some juicy stuff with new ghosts.
