SurrealEstate Reviews: “Ft. Ghost Child” and “Roman’s Six”

SurrealEstate hits a stride with two solid episodes, both directed by Melanie “Wynonna Earp” Scrofano.

Title: “Ft. Ghost Child”

Cast and Crew

Director: Melanie Scrofano
Writer: Gillian Muller

Tim Rozon as Luke Roman
Sarah Levy as Susan Ireland
Adam Korson as Father Phil Orley
Maurice Dean Wint as August Ripley
Savannah Basley as Zooey L’Enfant
Getenesh Berhe as Tessa
Nathan Mitchell as Zeke
Cassius Crieghtney as Damon
Diana Leblanc as Sister Mary Ellen
Paul Ewan Wilson as Anthony Tamblyn
Donald Ellis as Russell Vaughan III
Christie Stewart as Sister Yasmin
Atticus Lee-Samson as George
Art Hindle as Carl Roman

Premise

A rapper rents a house with a studio and gains a special guest he hadn’t invited.

High Points

This episode features engaging guest characters, and it tackles topical and significant issues without being hamfisted or excessive. Also not hamfisted: the subtle and real-world handling of Orley as a queer character, and his uncertain relationship with religion. Along the way, the script raises a number of interesting questions in a natural and organic manner.

Low Point

The candle-lighting scene works, but its staging feels a bit heavy-handed. It’s a minor point, noticeable mainly because of the deft handling of most other aspects of this episode.

The Scores:

Originality: 3/6

Acting: 6/6

Story: 6/6 Sometimes, the exploration of various regulars’ backstories feels tacked onto the episode. Here, they explore Orley’s past in a way intrinsic to the plot.

Production: 5/6 This episode features effective original music.

Effects: 5/6 Once again, low-key effects, used well, can be more impressive than state-of-the-art spectacle.

Emotional Response: 6/6 This episode involves us with the characters, even those no longer living.

Overall: 5/6

In total, SurrealEstate, “Ft. Ghost Child,” receives 36/42

Title: “Roman’s Six”

Cast and Crew

Director: Melanie Scrofano
Writer: Duana Taha

Tim Rozon as Luke Roman
Sarah Levy as Susan Ireland
Adam Korson as Father Phil Orley
Maurice Dean Wint as August Ripley
Savannah Basley as Zooey L’Enfant
Tennille Read as Megan Donovan
Elizabeth Saunders as Catherine Owens
Alison Brooks as Rita Weiss
Luke Bilyk as Reese
Azal Dosanjh as Mason
Liam Eric Dawson as Taylor
Darryl Hopkins as Ross Parsons
Bruce Lilly as Gabriel
Shannon Crotty as Marcy Nunes
Geoff Adams as Edwin Calabasas
Yasmine Majchrzak as Anna Maher
Monica Walsh as Diner Waitress

Premise

In a more gruesome episode than usual, the guys try to solve the mystery of a house whose visitors inevitably get stabbed fatally through the eye.

Susan and Zooey, meanwhile, handle a mysterious client whose property has been possessed by frat boys.

High Points

While many people will anticipate certain twists, they have been cleverly staged, and Megan, at last, gets an actual part in the main plot.

Low Point

The Tik Tok bit was funny, even for someone like me who has little truck with Tik Tok, but I see it dating very badly. The frat boys also look a little long in the tooth for college students.

The Scores:

Originality: 4/6

Acting: 6/6 Veteran character actor Catherine Owens earns this episode a bonus for a performance that grows increasingly unnerving.

Story: 6/6 Appropriately, given the premise, this episode works like a fine-tuned watch. It’s artificial but highly enjoyable.

Production: 5/6

Effects: 5/6

Emotional Response: 5/6 I really enjoyed the scene where they went through the names they use for different kinds of spectral forces, and Susan’s “I like Mumford & Sons!”

Overall: 5/6

In total, SurrealEstate, “Roman’s Six,” receives 36/42