Although Paramount+’s School Spirits episode five ended with Maddie and Simon discovering a secret way out of the basement, episode six begins with a heated discussion about jocks. Simon (Kristian Flores) can’t believe Maddie (Peyton List) said yes to going to the homecoming dance with Wally. If Maddie was still alive, she wouldn’t be caught dead on a date with a football player.
Maddie, understandably, wants to steer the conversation back to her murder.
All this is going on as Claire (Rainbow Wedell) and her minions are gossiping about Xavier over lunch. Her girls don’t know that she and Xavier were hooking up, and Claire seems to be paving the way for a public display of affection by responding to his text. She shocks Xavier (Spencer Macpherson) by agreeing to go with him to homecoming. (Remember, Simon urged Xavier to ask Claire out, thinking he could pry info about Maddie’s murder out of her at the dance.)
Xavier reports in to Simon and Nicole (Kiara Pichardo) – and Maddie, although he doesn’t know that – with the news Claire said yes. They agree it’s time to launch Operation Claire. Xavier needs to get her to admit she’s blackmailing Anderson and that she wiped Maddie’s phone.
Xavier has to secretly record her confession on his phone, which means he’ll need to look distractingly hot to get her to open up. (That’s according to Maddie.)
Later, Rhonda (Sarah Yarkin) and Maddie sort through racks looking for the perfect homecoming dance outfits. Rhonda can’t believe Maddie’s going with Wally, and Maddie asks if ghosts can have sex. That’s a big affirmative, per Rhonda.
And oh my gosh is Rhonda shocked to learn Maddie died a virgin!
Claire’s suspicious about why Xavier finally stopped ghosting her. He plays it cool and says he misses her, and she seems almost convinced that’s true.
Meanwhile, Charley (Nick Pugliese) finally finished his letter to Mr. Figueroa and Maddie’s stunned that it’s 16 pages, front and back. Maddie suggests he revise the letter and make it more specific to what happened in 1994. Charley reluctantly agrees, admitting what he really wants is just to apologize.
Maddie reminds Charley that once he finishes the note, he’ll have to forgive himself and live his death (since he can’t live his life, obviously).
Nicole admits to Simon that she couldn’t find anything out about who shot the video of Claire and Mr. Anderson by looking at its metadata. She believes they should focus on the fact Claire thinks Maddie shot the video.
Xavier’s certain Claire’s playing him when she texts him a sexy photo. He’s freaking out but Simon – and Maddie – won’t let him back out.
The night of the big dance arrives and Maddie looks gorgeous in a dress borrowed from the theater department, altered to fit her by Dawn. Wally (Milo Manheim) looks incredibly handsome in a suit and is super nervous as he gives Maddie a wrist corsage with his football number – 57 – on it. Maddie’s surprised and Wally stumbles through an explanation. Maddie admits it’s a sweet gesture and even likes the paper flowers he handmade. (Damn, Wally’s such a sweetheart I hate to see Maddie not pick up on how much he’s into her.)
Claire volunteered to drive and when she gets to Xavier’s she hands his dad, Sheriff Baxter, a check for $3,000 from her parents for his reelection. (That’s not sketchy at all, right?) She asks probing questions about his investigation of Maddie’s disappearance, unaware Xavier’s eavesdropping.
Nicole and Simon arrive at the dance and Simon places a framed photo of Maddie in a prominent position. It’ll be a form of psychological torture for Claire – or anyone who knows what happened to Maddie.
Simon no longer finds it necessary to pretend he’s on the phone and talks with Maddie in the middle of the dance. They exchange compliments on how hot they each look, and Simon swears he won’t be doing any dancing. He’s only there to pull off Operation Claire.
Simon’s got Charley’s revised, much-shorter note and promises he’ll make sure it gets to Mr. Figueroa. Maddie believes the letter will help Charley more than Simon can even imagine. It might even help him cross over…which could also happen to her if they find her killer.
It’s obvious Simon never considered that possibility.
Wally brings Maddie onto the dance floor and doesn’t care that she insists she can’t dance. He’s going to have a good time no matter what.
They get in line for photos behind Simon and Nicole, and Maddie stares at Xavier in line with Claire. However, she’s not the only one concentrating on Xavier. Nicole’s also fixated on Xavier.
Xavier mentions to Claire that Maddie’s backpack was found in an empty house her dad owns.
The scene makes a quick jump to check in with Maddie’s mom, Sandra (Maria Dizzia). She’s home eating popcorn and watching an old movie when she hears a noise outside. She heads outside and calls out for Maddie, certain her daughter’s still alive.
Back at the dance, Charley admires Wally as he dons sunglasses and makes his way onto the dance floor alone. Charley’s enjoying Wally’s performance; he’s now singing and dancing. Principal Hartman’s also singing, totally unaware Wally’s just slid up in front of him and is holding an imaginary microphone to his mouth.
This is Wally’s night and he’s committed to enjoying every minute of the dance.
However, this hasn’t been Xavier’s night so far. He’ll never be a good detective and is way too obvious while questioning Claire.
Xavier grabs Nicole and Simon for a quick update. She’s a good liar and he’s not getting any info out of her. Nicole thinks they should call it off, but Simon immediately shuts her down. He urges Xavier to ask more questions, and they get into a shouting match over the line of questioning.
Xavier’s done arguing with Simon and will figure this out for himself.
Maddie’s mom calls Simon but he doesn’t pick up. She calls Nicole next and Nicole answers. Sandra heard someone in the backyard and she believes it’s Maddie. Nicole promises she’ll be right over.
After Nicole leaves, Simon hands Mr. Figueroa Charley’s note, claiming he found it in a book in the library.
Maddie’s distracted watching Xavier and Claire drink while Wally’s trying to explain he won Homecoming King the night after he died. And he did it fair and square – it wasn’t just a posthumous honor.
Xavier continues Operation Claire, kissing her neck and trying to convince her he’s totally into their relationship. He suggests they leave, and Claire agrees.
Wally knows Maddie’s not paying attention and thinks they shouldn’t have come to the dance together. He says, “I don’t think you’re ready to be dead yet.” (It’s heartbreaking to watch Wally as he realizes Maddie’s not into him.)
Maddie loses sight of Xavier and tries to track him down. Rhonda’s not helpful and points out Maddie’s ruined Wally’s special night. Maddie ignores that comment.
Mr. Figueroa sits outside, alone, reading Charley’s note.
Xavier and Claire are making out in the boiler room until she notices he’s recording her on his phone. She asks if he thought she was going to confess to Maddie’s murder, and Xavier straight up asks if she did it. He also asks if she wiped Maddie’s phone.
Xavier shows Claire the video of her and Mr. Anderson arguing and she’s shocked. She demands to know how he got it and who else has seen it. Xavier doesn’t name names but he does confirm others have seen it.
Claire confesses she figured out Anderson was stealing and she blackmailed him for better grades. She also confesses they took Maddie’s phone because they thought she shot the video. She couldn’t unlock it and gave it to Anderson. She told Anderson to get rid of the phone and pay Maddie off, but insists she didn’t harm Maddie.
She made big mistakes and is terrified because everything’s spinning out of control.
Charley watches as Mr. Figueroa reads his note. Mr. Figueroa has tears streaming down his face and his hands shake as he holds the note. Charley wipes away his own tears and smiles.
Maddie watches the two from a distance until she’s distracted by Xavier and Claire walking by.
Claire is named Homecoming Queen and she stands on the stage, grim-faced, as the crown’s placed on her head and she’s handed flowers.
Simon spots Xavier in the crowd and demands to know what’s going on. Xavier reveals what he’s learned and that he’s now certain Claire didn’t hurt Maddie. Claire told him they paid off Maddie and then Maddie disappeared. Obviously, Simon – and Maddie – know this isn’t true, but does Claire think it is?
Nicole arrives at Sandra’s place just minutes before Xavier’s dad, Sheriff Baxter, shows up with new information. It pains him to tell Sandra they found what’s likely the murder weapon (it looks like a crowbar and has blood on it) outside the deserted house where Maddie’s backpack was located. The tool belongs to the school’s custodian, Mr. South, and he’s being brought in for questioning as they speak.
Sheriff Baxter says Anderson told the cops that Maddie had a lot of money on her and that’s probably why she was murdered.
Sandra breaks down weeping.
Charley and Maddie sit on the edge of the stage and watch everyone, including Xavier and Claire, dance. Charley admits being a ghost sucks, especially since Maddie’s forced to watch her ex dance with her ex-best friend. However, today he watched the love of his life close an old, very deep wound, thanks to her. He’s ready to forgive and live his death, just like she suggested.
Charley thinks she might want to follow her own advice and maybe she should focus on Wally.
Speaking of #57, he’s outside laying on the grass singing. She joins him and apologizes for ruining his night. Wally insists it’s fine but Maddie doesn’t let him finish. She pulls him in for a kiss which doesn’t quite work out the way she planned. They try again and this time it’s much more relaxed and more romantic than Maddie’s aggressive move.
They wander back inside and Maddie hears a discussion about her death. Simon rushes up and they listen to Principal Hartman explain a weapon was found that’s tied to Mr. South.
Rhonda frantically searches the bomb shelter but doesn’t locate whatever she’s trying to find.
Sandra breaks her pledge to remain sober and pours herself a drink.
The episode ends with Nicole, still in her homecoming dress, alone in the rain. Her headlights light up a secluded spot as she quickly digs a hole.
- School Spirits Series Preview: Who’s In It, What’s It About, and When Does It Air
- School Spirits Season 1 Episode 1 “My So-Called Death” Recap
- School Spirits Season 1 Episode 2 “The Fault in Our Scars” Recap
- School Spirits Season 1 Episode 3 “Dead and Confused” Recap
- School Spirits Season 1 Episode 4 “Ghoul Intentions” Recap
- School Spirits Season 1 Episode 5 “The Twilight End Zone” Recap
- School Spirits Season 1 Episode 7 “Seance Anything” Recap
- School Spirits Season 1 Episode 8 “Maddie’s Body” Recap
