‘SurrealEstate’ Recap: ‘The Butler Didn’t’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

SURREALESTATE -- “The Butler Didn’t” Episode 203 -- Pictured in this screen grab: (l-r) Tim Rozon as Luke Roman, Sarah Levy as Susan Ireland -- (Photo by: Blue Ice Pictures/SYFY)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘SurrealEstate’. To revisit the previous episode, clickhere. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.
​
For the most part, stories that revolve around hauntings and ghosts, and the individuals tasked with clearing a house of those spirits, tend to stick to pretty specific formulas regarding how that all should go down. In that, the spirit in question needs to be removed through traditional religious means because they’re consumed with evil and a need for revenge or they need to be given justice and license to rest, and well… those formulas stick around because… they are in fact, quite engaging. For they lead to scares and epic moments and stuff that will have us buzzing. But… those are formulas that get a little repetitive now and again. Because there are other reasons that ghosts could be stuck to this plane of existence, and there have to be different ways to give them peace and that is why the SYFY series, SurrealEstate, is one to celebrate.
​
Because it is that rare ghost-themed story that breaks from convention and finds new ways to move spirits into the afterlife, and looks at the many reasons that a person might find their spirit locked to our world and that variety is top of mind today, simply because it was featured once again in a powerful manner during last night’s episode. For ‘The Butler Didn’t’, featured quite the unique haunting for the Roman Agency to handle. Because the owner of a home, a man named Andrew, was concerned over the sudden surge in paranormal activity happening in his home. For a hanging spirit was appearing left and right and well… when Susan and Luke spoke to her, she accused Andrew of her murder and made it clear that she was going to bring justice into the fold if they didn’t offer a better answer. Which brought forth a fascinating investigation. One that was unconventional and quirky.

For the team came to learn that this spirit, whose mortal name was Genevieve, was a writer who was apparently murdered shortly after her third marriage. Which of course, pained the picture of a vengeful husband. But more digging and a weird interaction with her son, who took a strange liking to Susan, eliminated the hubby and the son. Mainly because every diary she kept and every bit of evidence they could find spoke to a broken life for Genevieve. One where she harbored no enemies, but yearned for deeper connection with someone that could send her spirits soaring. In fact, it seemed the only person that gave her peace and license to hope… was a mysterious man named Warden. Who was written of often as the bringer of joy, and was near her in dark times and seemed to be the lover she craved, and while it was nice for the team to be able to see her life and see her follies, they were no closer to finding out who took her life. 

Which was problematic, for the spirit was growing more aggressive by the day. But an epiphany on Father Phil’s part… opened up some new possibilities. Since Warden served as an anagram for Andrew, and some odd bits and pieces in the record books for Genevieve’s estate suddenly made it seem as though Andrew might be the party responsible, since he left town post haste after her passing, and perhaps returned out of guilt. Which put Susan in a tough spot, because she knew that someone had to stand up and confront him about this, and since she had the best rapport with him, it would be her. But the cosmic stars and what lies beyond… saved her the worry and stress of having to do that. For Andrew met her in a dream and explained to her, that he was indeed Warden, and he spoke to the dynamic of his relationship with Genevieve, and how she wasn’t murdered. Instead, his desire to end their relationship shortly after she tied the knot for round three, brought about an emotional battle between the two of them, one that involved self-harm and an unfortunate cascade of failures… that led to her end. But that didn’t stop him from loving her and feeling guilt and well… armed with that… Susan and Luke confronted Genevieve’s spirit one last time to ask for mercy and forgiveness, and she granted it… perhaps a bit too late.

For Andrew/Warden returned home sometime before Luke and Susan got there, and while there, his heart gave out. Giving his body rest, yes, but his passing before grace was given, raised the possibility that he would never know of the peace he was now granted. But perhaps, that little chat in the dream and the opportunity to see what lies beyond, helped him to understand he was free and forgiven. All of which brought forth, a vastly different kind of ghost story. One where a tortured spirit was grounded here, for refreshing reasons and where their release took a different path as well. Which brought forth a very emotional and powerful story about how matters of the heart can and will screw us up and well, that made for one amazing episode. One that captivated us and moved us, and made us laugh thanks to Genevieve’s son, Nathaniel, and even shook things up at the Roman Agency. Courtesy of Susan’s decision to step away for not being given the respect she is due and well, in the end, this episode just goes to show how refreshing this series is, and how brilliant it can be, and this kind of story absolutely leaves us curious as to what wonders await us as season two continues along. Until next time.

---

Watch ‘SurrealEstate’

Powered by JustWatch