40 Years Ago: The Real Ghostbusters “Slimer, Come Home”

AJ QuickSupporting Member

·October 4, 2026· 4 min read

40 Years Ago: The Real Ghostbusters “Slimer, Come Home”

On October 4, 1986, ABC aired the fourth episode of The Real Ghostbusters, “Slimer, Come Home.” After the haunted-house nightmare of “Mrs. Roger’s Neighborhood,” the series turned its attention to a problem much closer to home: what happens when the ghost living in the firehouse decides nobody wants him there? Written by J. Michael Straczynski, the episode gives Slimer a story built around hurt feelings, a very bad choice of friends, and a rescue that works both ways.

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The Ghostbusters already have their hands full before anyone loses a birthday cake. A roaming gang of poltergeists has been getting the better of them, attacking from the rooftops and disappearing into the sewers. Their leader, Ghash, is especially troublesome because his followers aren't behaving the way poltergeists are supposed to. They can travel together instead of remaining tied to a particular location, leaving the team to work out where all that power is coming from.

Back at headquarters, the mood improves with a surprise party for Winston. Then Slimer swallows the cake. Winston tries to spare his feelings, but Peter's patience runs out, and the scolding lands harder than he realizes. Slimer leaves during the night, with a goodbye note for Janine to discover the next morning. The search that follows sends the Ghostbusters out into the rain, including Peter, who would much rather pretend he is simply going for a walk than admit he misses the little green nuisance.

That is where the episode gets much of its warmth. Peter can complain about Slimer all day, but actually losing him is another matter. Janine sees through his excuse immediately. Meanwhile, Ray tries an unusual search technique: sit still long enough and everyone you know will eventually come past. Egon is in the middle of explaining why this makes no sense when Ray's second-grade teacher, Mrs. Millikan, drives by and greets him. Even in an episode about a missing friend, the show finds room for a joke at the expense of its most sensible scientist.

Slimer's own search for company brings him to Ghash and the poltergeists. Their welcome has a catch. Ghash absorbs the other ghosts to increase his power, and Slimer becomes part of the same mass. Egon has to identify Slimer's individual frequency so the team can pull him free with their proton streams. When Ghash then captures the Ghostbusters, Slimer returns the favor and releases them. The rescue becomes a race back to the firehouse with an overloaded trap, carrying more supernatural passengers than it was designed to hold.

The ending earns its welcome-home party. Slimer has caused plenty of trouble, but he has also helped save the people who came looking for him. Peter even admits he missed him a little. The episode leaves their familiar bickering intact while making it clear why Slimer keeps his place in the firehouse.

“Slimer, Come Home” carries production number 75006 and was recorded on June 10, 1986. Tahiti's “Remember Home” is an especially fitting soundtrack choice for this story. There is also an unexpected connection to an older film. Flying Omelette's episode review reports that storyboard artist Brad Rader, speaking in the Real Ghostbusters: Complete Collection DVD commentary, identified Penny Serenade, the 1941 film starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, as an influence on Slimer's farewell sequence. The review pinpoints the visual detail: how Slimer's goodbye letter is left on the desk. A Saturday morning cartoon about a cake-stealing ghost had room for a little Hollywood melodrama.

For more about the animated series beyond this episode, take a look at The Real Ghostbusters: A Visual History.

Read the complete “Slimer, Come Home” episode guide on the GBFans Wiki for more production details, cast information and trivia.

Check out our full Slimer, Come Home image gallery on GBFans.com: