In 1980, partner detectives Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) and Roland West (Stephen Dorff) as they investigate a macabre crime involving two missing children, Will and Julie Purcell.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.88 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
The episode received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, character development and ending, although some expressed frustration with the pacing.
Hays (Mahershala Ali) and West (Stephen Dorff) arrive at Woodard's (Michael Greyeyes) house, as locals have gathered to corner it.
Unwilling to get arrested, Woodard decides to commit suicide by cop, warning Hays that he will shoot him once he turns back at him.
Tom (Scoot McNairy) makes an appearance for a public hearing, asking Julie to come back, while Kindt (Brett Cullen) uses the opportunity to highlight Woodard's role in the events.
Hays and West then bring Tom to the station, showing him a recording depicting a woman claiming to be Julie talking with a police officer.
During an interview with Elisa (Sarah Gadon), Hays is informed that Harris James (Scott Shepherd), an officer who investigated Woodard's house after the shooting, has been missing since 1990.
The site's consensus states: "Mahershala Ali and Stephen Dorff's ingratiating chemistry is given the spotlight during a well-rounded True Detective installment that is by turns beguiling, stomach-turning, but never dull.
"[6] Sean T. Collins of Rolling Stone wrote, "Time may or may not be a flat circle, but the success rate of Wayne Hays and Roland West sure is.
"[7] Lanre Bakare of The Guardian wrote, "There's a long-awaited reunion and some intriguing callbacks to season one as the detective drama finds its groove.
"[8] Ben Travers of IndieWire gave the episode an "A−" grade and wrote, "Season 3 makes it clear PIzzolatto wasn't a flash-in-the-pan success.
"[9] Derek Lawrence of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "We're now into the second half of True Detective's eight-episode third season, and while 'If You Have Ghosts' provided more questions than answers, the episode was worth the ride based solely on the final 10-plus minutes, which reunited Roland and Wayne in 2015.
"[13] Scott Tobias of The New York Times wrote, "After last week's booze-soaked wallow in the creator Nic Pizzolatto's worst instincts, it felt great to see True Detective move forward on the case again, even with the occasional hitch in its step.