The Spooks

The Spooks is an American animated black comedy series created by Ralf Hat for Brilliant. The show follows the journeys of Aaron, a benevolent though miserable, neurotic, and alcoholic ghost. Having been killed in an unfortunate situation, Aaron would soon find himself facing none other than the Grim Reaper, who would offer him the position of being his apprentice and eventual successor. Wanting to redeem his wretched life, Aaron is unwillingly dragged into countless horrific supernatural adventures with his partner and best friend Jonathan Creek, a mysterious paranormal investigator. The thoroughly macabre premise enabled the series to explore countless taboo subjects such as death, murder, the occult, religion, and alcoholism for example. Originally, the series was intended to be a ten episode Halloween miniseries, until it was picked up for a second season in 2003. The Spooks was cancelled in 2006 after six years of airing and three seasons. Roughly two years later in 2008, Vision revived the series which lasted nine more years on the network before concluding in 2017.

Premise
After an unexpected series of events led to his death, a helpless, neurotic, and alcoholic man named Aaron Patterson finds himself transformed into a ghost among the living. Nowhere left to go, Aaron is confronted by none other than the Grim Reaper himself, who offers him a position as his apprentice (which Aaron eagerly accepts, seeing this as a higher calling of some sort). Aaron and the Reaper happen form an unexpected bond as they operate with each other as boss and servant. Plagued by misfortune and a relentless cowardice, Aaron is forced to endure plenty of psychological, spiritual, and emotional challenges which either the Reaper instructs him to face or he supernaturally gets interfered with. These experiences may range from everyday struggles to downright insane supernatural calamities. Working alongside on Aaron’s terrifying journeys is a mysterious paranormal investigator, Johnson Creek, who acts as his caretaker, life mentor, and best friend. The Kavonok family, are the last descendants of the Reaper who have much more relevancy in by the second season and onwards. The nuclear family consists of Joey and Mari, a husband and wife and their two tween children Kevin and Audrey. Other supporting characters include Iris, Aaron’s eldritch abomination of a girlfriend (and later wife), and Antoine, Aaron’s gangbanger of a brother. A large ensemble of recurring characters have increased as the series grew, adding more depth to the story lines of each episode.

The series takes place in the depressing village of Gallows Ridge, Virginia, riddled with paranormal activity and apathetic residents. Episodes can range from explicitly ridiculous spoofs of the horror genre to a more downright horror/psychological thriller direction which usually are character-driven and matured.

Main Characters

 * Aaron Patterson: Aaron Patterson: Aaron is the leading character of the show; A ghost who is the forthcoming successor of the Grim Reaper. Having lived a miserable life, Aaron subsequently dies following a series of misfortunate events, where he is then confronted by the Grim Reaper, who offers him a position as his apprentice. He willingly accepts the Reaper’s offer (holding the belief that this may be his “destiny”), but to his dismay, is oblivious to all the supernatural terrifying predicaments he is forced to endure, which haunts him psychologically and challenges his moral beliefs. Depicted as a benevolent, kind hearted, unsophisticated, and fearful man, Aaron is mostly an underdog who, though being an intense coward, will put himself before others compassionately. His fight response will usually kick in when others are in jeopardy. He is also an unapologetic alcoholic and drug abuser (a trait he developed from his father), and is often shown getting high on various occasions. Throughout the show, Aaron comes to acknowledge well meaningful (and sometimes bittersweet) life lessons which help him progress as a character further on.
 * The Reaper: The Grim Reaper who is Aaron’s undying master and ensuing predecessor. He is the spirit of an Austrian soldier who hung himself during the The Battle of the Somme in the First World War, and like Aaron, lived an unsatisfactory life full of anguish and meaninglessness. Like the typical assumption of the Grim Reaper, he possesses dark supernatural powers, wields a styche, and is morally questionable. He and Aaron usually are on opposing sides personality wise. For example Reaper is cynical, typically unsympathetic or not repulsed by people who are killed or harmed, cracks bad timing macabre jokes, and at times doesn't really take his job seriously. While he isn't exactly a good person or role model, he doesn't necessarily lack humanity and does seem to care about Aaron, Creek, and his own family no matter how much he attempts to hide it.
 * Jonathan Creek: Creek is an introverted ghost hunter who is the caretaker and best friend of Aaron. Portrayed as a mysterious and diligent individual, Creek is determined to aid Aaron on his journeys and cum all over my ass

The Kavonok Family

 * Kevin Kavonok:
 * Audrey Kavonok:
 * Joey Kavonok:
 * Maribeth Kavonok:
 * Smithy Kavonok:

Supporting

 * Iris Shub-Niggurath:
 * Antoine Patterson

Other

 * Big Slime: Aaron's new step-dad, an aggressive and physically intimidating African American man. He is a social worker who helped rehabilitate Ms. Patterson using his "pleasuring" techniques. And despite his threatening looks, Big Slime is a pacifist with a sensitive and charismatic mindset. He has a broad habit of branding everyone, including his own step-sons, as his "Bitch".