Ghosts - 2025 May

In the TV series titled “Ghosts,” the focus is primarily on the supernatural entities. However, the main human characters are Sam (played by Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar). Unlike Sam who can see the ghosts in the show, Jay cannot, which means he’s not directly involved in many of the storylines. This setup worked well for the original British version of “Ghosts,” which spanned 34 episodes across five seasons. But with CBS’ version having twice as many episodes so far (with more seasons to follow), the limitations of Jay’s character are starting to be a challenge.

In the fourth season of the show “Ghosts”, episodes 8 and 9 show Jay possessing the ability to see spirits, but this power turns out to be temporary, despite being hinted at before the start of the season. While the series has been successful in creating humor from Jay’s limitations with the supernatural, such as him accidentally revealing secrets in episode 17 of season 4, the trope of Jay not understanding what’s happening is becoming less convincing. In “Ghosts” season 4, episode 21 titled “Kyle”, a new character played by Ben Feldman from “Superstore” is introduced, who validates Jay’s main complaint about the imbalance among the ghosts.

Jay Is Jealous Of Sam’s Connection With Ben Feldman’s Kyle (And Turns Out He Was Justified)

Sam And Kyle Bond Over The Hassle Of Living With Their Ghost Ability

While wandering around, Pete (Richie Moriarty) encounters Kyle, a man with the ability to see ghosts, much like Sam. Sam is thrilled, but Jay feels somewhat neglected. He confides in his sister Bela (Punam Patel), as Sam and Kyle continue to bond over their shared experiences with spirits and the nuisance of looking up the spirit’s distant relatives. In a clever narrative decision, Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky) begins telling a joke, but we switch to Jay’s perspective before the punchline, leaving us with only a few seconds of silence followed by laughter. This brief moment, even though it involves just one comment, feels like an exclusionary experience for Jay.

Afterward, Bela learns that Kyle had spent half a year in prison due to a robbery charge. Jay informs Sam about this, but Kyle clarifies that he was apprehended for burglarizing a house to retrieve a keepsake for a spirit to deliver to a dear one – a heart-wrenching, heroic tale, not the malicious one Jay initially thought. However, Kyle acknowledges that he’s not accepted there and begins to prepare his departure.

Ghosts & Their Powers In CBS’ Ghosts
Ghost Name	Period/Occupation	Power
Pete Martino	Travel agent & Pinecone Troop leader	Can leave the property at will (but not indefinitely)
Trevor Lefkowitz	Stockbroker	Can move material objects with great effort
Sasappis	Lenape Native (1500s)	Entering Livings’ dreams
Thorfinn	Viking	Harnessing electricity
Flower	Hippie	Makes Livings high if they pass through her
Henrietta “Hetty” Woodstone	Gilded Age socialite & Lady of the Manor	Be seen by all Livings on St. Patrick’s Day
Alberta Haynes	Prohibition lounge singer	Project a humming/singing sound
Isaac Higgintoot	Revolutionary War captain	Gives off a foul smell if a living passes through him

In my own words, I’d say: Sam clarified that Kyle could have aided in alleviating the spectral weights I bear, and emphasized their bond wasn’t rooted in romance. Yet, as I prepared to bid farewell, Kyle unexpectedly leaned in for a kiss. Fortunately, Sam mimicked Pete’s action from ‘Ghosts’ season 4, episode 19, and swiftly slapped him, asserting boundaries with grace.

Kyle shares with Sam the struggles he faces while dating due to their unique talents, explaining that not many people are “prepared to tolerate this“. Later on, Jay apologizes to Sam for his possessiveness, but Sam quickly admits that Kyle had made an advance towards her, leaving Jay feeling both angry and validated. The entire situation made Sam realize even more how fortunate she is to have Jay by her side, recognizing it must not be simple to be with someone who has abilities like hers.

Kyle’s Existence Validates Jay’s Biggest Complaint In Ghosts

Kyle Tells Sam She Should Appreciate Jay’s Patience With Their “Curse”

As a film enthusiast, I’ve voiced my concerns for years about feeling left out of the happenings at Woodstone Manor. Kyle’s arrival merely underscores the validity of these sentiments. In the series “Ghosts,” my predicament frequently leaves me on the sidelines, either entirely excluded from the action or working with incomplete information. Sam suggests that having Kyle around would lighten their load by dealing with the “ghost matters,” but this episode indicates that another Living person capable of interacting with spirits would have only increased my isolation.

I was deeply moved by the way Sam had been deceiving Jay, a trend that seemed destined to continue with Kyle. However, when Kyle revealed his secret to Sam about their gift, or as he put it, their “curse,” connecting him to spirits but isolating him from Living beings, it carried immense weight. The sudden kiss between them felt unexpected and seemed more like a tactical move by Jay to make himself victorious and potentially write off Kyle as another temporary character in “Ghosts.”

That being said, it’s crucial to acknowledge the overlooked patience of Jay. His endurance often goes unnoticed, yet it plays an essential role in the narrative unfolding before our eyes.

Ghosts Needs To Address Jay’s Issue In Season 5 (But How?)

Jay Should Find Creative Ways To Communicate With The Ghosts

In the heart of the Ghosts series, Jay’s one-way communication barrier is crucial for humor. If he could permanently perceive spirits, it would reduce a significant source of comedic tension. With two more seasons ahead, it’s important to find new ways to incorporate Jay into the show to prevent his character from becoming overly used and repetitive.

After the events of Ghosts season 4, episode 15, Mahesh, Jay’s restaurant, has reopened officially. However, due to the unfortunate incident involving Chris (Deniz Akdeniz)’s death, business is not thriving as usual. Having more screen time with Bela and the staff at Mahesh, while ghostly commentary echoes in the background, could be an engaging way to develop a more substantial storyline for Jay.

If Jay is growing increasingly irritated, he might want to explore innovative methods for interacting with the spirits at Woodstone Manor. Given that Thor (Devan Chandler Long) can generate an electrical surge, and Alberta’s humming can be heard by the Living, they could devise a communication system with Jay. While it wouldn’t approach Sam’s abilities, it would mark the beginning of Jay forming a bond with the ghosts that Sam views as family in Ghosts season 5 and onwards.

On Thursday evenings at 8:30 PM Eastern Time, you can catch new episodes of “Ghosts” on television. If you miss the broadcast, don’t worry! The episode will be available for streaming on Paramount+ the very next day. Mark your calendars for May 8, 2025, as season 4, episode 22 titled “The Devil Went Down to Woodstone” is scheduled to air then.

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2025-05-03 15:49