‘SurrealEstate’ Recap: ‘Truth in Advertising’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

SURREALESTATE -- "Truth in Advertising" Episode 202 -- Pictured: Brian Marler as Kit Rampart -- (Photo by: SYFY)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘SurrealEstate’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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When we lose a skill that we deeply cherish, we tend to believe that our life is over, and understandably so. Because that skill in many ways defines us. For it is what people know us for, and it is likely what we made a living from and all of that brought us joy. So, to no longer have that in our lives, due to an accident or other unforeseeable circumstances, truly is terrifying for certain and we do indeed find ourselves at a crossroads. Where we aren’t sure how we will go on. But the fact of the matter is, that skill likely didn’t completely leave us. For skills are learned and engrained within us, and if we lose our primary course of action to use it… that doesn’t mean we are utterly screwed and at the end. It just means we need to learn how to pivot and find ways to compensate for what we lost, so that which defines us… never goes away.
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If anything, that particular truth about our skills is top of mind today, simply because it is a lesson that Luke Roman learned during this week’s episode of SurrealEstate on SYFY. For ‘Truth in Advertising’ saw the team be split this week. Wherein August and Susan handled a unique set of spirits in a Bed and Breakfast, while Luke, Zooey, and Father Phil had to contend with the filming of a reality television show about ghosts at a haunted property they were working to sell. Which at first, offered no lessons to Luke, just irritation. For the show’s host, Kit Rampart, was quite the egotist, and truly believed that he was doing something special. When in fact, his show was nothing more than theatrics and nuisance and that caused he and Luke to clash often and well… these little tussles happened often enough that both men began to communicate with one another more about who they are and what they want out of life, and they found common ground.

For Kit lamented his path and wanted to go back to something spiritually pure, despite his fame, and of course… that resonated with Luke. Because he too wanted to be in the thick of it again and find ways to help spirits and well… that inspired him… to think outside the box and think about what else went into his work when his gifts were readily available. Which helped him to realize, that what really made him successful, was understanding what a spirit needs and knowing how to speak to them with a level of bravery and honesty that no one else attempted. Which motivated him… to learn about this ghost and offer her the honesty and the peace she needed and for his efforts, he was rewarded with a successful cleanse of this house, and renewed confidence. For now, he could still get in the thick of it and give the spirit what they wanted, it would just require a little bit of work, but the satisfaction he would receive for freeing a spirit and saving a house… would not change. Which was a beautiful message for Luke to learn and it gave him newfound focus and direction.

But of course, we’d be foolish to not discuss August and Susan’s mission in this tale. Because they were struggling to find anything out about the spirits that were apparently tortured and angry. For they screamed loud, they wailed even louder, and lashed out physically against the walls. But there was no dark history here, no evil to be found. But what they did find by finally going to the source of the noise… was a secret room where two amorous spirits met every Saturday night for a spiritual sexual awakening. The kind so pure, that Susan and August, recommended that the owners of this Bed and Breakfast do nothing from a cleansing standpoint. Since it was just two forbidden lovers, getting it on. So instead, they offered advice, wherein the owners should pivot and lean into that aspect of their hotel and they even had Kit come along to help advertise the spicy and spooky nature of this little getaway, since Luke did find a way to help Kit’s show thrive after all.

All of which made, for a supremely satisfying tale. One that was… heartfelt in nature for the most part. Since Luke’s journey helped him to grow and find purpose during a tough time, and it also offered up a different kind of ghost. One that while angry, wasn’t evil, just misunderstood for certain. Plus… that sexy ghost plot line was just hilarious. Since there were little clues to the audience that the need for a little hunka chunka was the real reason for a haunting and well, you really cannot go wrong with a horror story that offers growth, meaning and some laughs to keep things fun, and this episode just serves to remind us, of how versatile this series can be. And now that we’ve reached the end of this delightful and thoughtful tale, it will be interesting to see what lessons and what scares await the Roman Agency as season two of this wondrous series continues along. Until next time.

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