I forgot to review the 2021 Christmas special, so I might have to see if I can find that on the IPlayer, but for now, the 2022 edition, which, for me, follows a series that I am still enjoying, but starting to wonder if maybe we've told all the story there is to tell. This special though has me wondering about that, because it's a truly touching and funny episode.
Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) head to his family for Christmas, but not before Alison sets up a present for each of their spectral housemates and makes them promise not to go in early and spoil it. Feeling the need to reciprocate, the ghosts spend their Christmas day planning a Pantomime performance - having spoiled his present though Pat (Jim Howick) is not in the mood.
The three strands of the story, Alison and Mike's failed attempt to reach his family home, the Pantomime, with Kitty the reluctant star and Thomas the thwarted director and the present room, all provide laughs. The true emotional resonance though is for Pat, as his present is footage of an old family Christmas converted from video tape. Initially it has then opposite effect, as he sees himself as a figure of derision by his family, but it does pay off in the best way at the conclusion.
I worry that the main show is repeating it's ideas a little more than I'd want it to, but, somehow, these Christmas specials seem (despite their obvious repeated elements) to be the show at it's best.