‘SurrealEstate’ Recap: ‘Dearly Departed’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

SURREALESTATE -- “Dearly Departed” Episode 209 -- Pictured: (l-r) Elena Juatco as Lomax, Tim Rozon as Luke Roman, Adam Korson as Father Phil Orley -- (Photo by: Blue Ice Pictures/SYFY)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 209 of ‘SurrealEstate’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There are a great many reasons as to why we are fascinated by the concept of ghosts. For instance, their existence would confirm that we do indeed go on after we die, and that alone piques our interest since… we simply don’t know what waits for us when we take our last breath. Not to mention, the idea that the spirit of a person cannot let go and is trapped on our plane of existence is quite intriguing as well. For one would think that whatever lies beyond would be so intoxicating and so powerful that sticking around on little old Earth wouldn’t be an option. But clearly, the strange things we see, the encounters people speak of, hints at the reality that some spirts cannot move on for reasons that don’t involve justice or external closure, and that truly does captivate us.

Which is why it should come as no surprise, that the next episode of SurrealEstate on SYFY takes the time to explore the why behind those musings. For this is a series that wants to explore all things supernatural, and it pulled off this examination… by having the Roman Agency step in to help a young couple that were indeed dealing with quite the spiritual problem. In that, Joiti and Nasir, were being haunted by the spirit of Joiti’s first husband Zayan, who could not stand the thought of someone he loved so deeply, being with another man. For it was supposed to be the two of them and only the two of them, and well, with Luke’s powers back in full effect… he was able to talk with Zayan and gain insight into his surprise earthly bonds to the house in question.  

That brought about… a shockingly philosophical examination as to why spirits might stick around. In that, there’s a fair chance that some… cannot let go because they are unwilling to accept the change that is the afterlife. As though such a gift is instead a curse and they would somehow be better off, lamenting a past they can no longer claim, over embracing everything the universe has to offer. Which in many ways, poses the real theory that death, might not be that much different than life, since change is a constant on Earth as well, and life is what we make it, and letting go of our past here, also allows for us to move forward and find joy. Which are thoughts that bring about all kinds of lessons that perhaps we can take with us into the beyond as Zayan did. Since he finally came to understand the importance of letting go and embracing that which is in front of us.  

But while it was amazing to enjoy a story that pondered deeply on death and life not being that much different and that perhaps some ghosts are here because they didn’t learn what we all need to learn during our time here on this planet, we’d be remiss to not point out… that the Susan situation took quite the turn in this story. For after Luke talked with that angry house, everyone, including Rochelle… figured out a plan to pull Susan out of that nightmare place. One that involved some fancy science and a united front, and well, it turned out that none of that was necessary. Because in the closing moments of hits tale, when the group stood as one and was ready to go to spiritual war to bring their friend home, Susan just… showed up at the office. As though nothing had changed, with a smile on her face, leaving us all with all kinds of question.

Such as… is this actually Susan? Or another trick from a house that needs her life force desperately? But before we ponder too deeply on the answers to those questions, we can celebrate another inventive episode of this series. One that really dug deep into some fascinating observations about the human condition and the spiritual one for that matter as well, and truly presented us with some lessons in the process. The kind that will stay with us for some time, and this episode deserves a round of applause for giving us something so thoughtful… and for giving us that ending as well. For the showdown we thought we were getting, isn’t happening. Instead, the season two finale is clearly going to take us in a vastly different direction, one that is going to be unconventional and undoubtedly, amazing. Until next time. 

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