Pete’s Best Storyline in Ghosts Season 4 Overshadows Another Character’s Biggest Moment

In season 4 of Ghosts, Jay’s newfound ability to perceive the spirits haunting the Woodstone B&B was unfortunately overshadowed, largely due to the timing of Pete’s most engaging storyline this season. While the ensemble cast of ghosts delivers consistent humor, the sheer number of spectral residents makes it challenging for each character to receive equitable screen time. With the introduction of Patience, the new ghost portrayed by Mary Holland, the imbalance became even more pronounced.

Patience’s character arc unfolded over the first three episodes of the season, which limited the spotlight on other underappreciated ghosts like Hetty and Flower. Although Alberta, Trevor, and Sass had their momentary subplots, the focus on Isaac further restricted the depth of the other characters’ stories. As a result, while the one-liners remained plentiful, the show often reduced these characters to background roles, missing opportunities for richer narratives.

Jay’s Limited Interactions with the Ghosts in Season 4

The Impact of Pete’s Possession on Jay’s Subplot

The two-part Christmas special, titled “A Very Arondekar Christmas Parts 1 and 2,” offered a rare opportunity for an underrated ghost to shine, albeit at the expense of a living character. Jay’s brief ability to communicate with the ghosts was ultimately squandered as the narrative prioritized Pete’s more emotionally resonant journey. In a surprising twist, Pete accidentally possessed Jay, enabling him to connect with his daughter and grandson before they relocated to Australia.

While this storyline provided a meaningful showcase for Richie Moriarty’s character, it meant that Jay’s significant interactions with the other ghosts were disappointingly limited. With most exchanges confined to fleeting conversations, Jay’s moment-to-moment experiences felt less impactful.

The Fleeting Nature of Jay’s Ghost-Seer Ability

Missed Conversations with Flower and Sass

The Cholera Ghosts with Alberta, Sam, and Jay

Despite his temporary ability to see the ghosts, Jay’s interactions with them felt minimal and could have been carried out through simpler means. For example, he did eavesdrop on a conversation involving his father’s true feelings about his cooking talent, but this could have easily occurred without supernatural interference. Instead, Jay’s experiences became mere vehicles for ghostly hijinks, reducing him to a plot device rather than a fully developed character.

While other characters like Sam are granted substantial screen time to explore their storylines, Jay was often relegated to the sidelines, merely reflecting the ghosts’ plans. This year, he found himself solving problems—like excavating for Patience or penning Isaac’s diary—yet these scenarios seldom leveraged his character’s unique attributes.

The Lack of Balance in Jay’s Possession During the Christmas Special

A Rushed Emotional Arc with His Father

Ultimately, the potential of Jay’s ability to interact with the ghosts fell flat due to a lack of meaningful character development throughout the season. While Jay had opportunities to shine, they often fell prey to limitations in storytelling, relegating him to supporting roles in pivotal scenes. Even flirtations and subplots involving other characters felt more like a means to an end than organic growth for Jay’s character.

In conclusion, the emotional resolution between Jay and his father, while sweet in theory, felt rushed and unearned given their limited prior interactions. This missed opportunity highlighted the need for deeper engagement with Jay’s ability to connect with the ghostly residents. Regrettably, season 4 is unlikely to present similar storytelling opportunities for Jay, leaving audiences yearning for more.

For those interested in more about Ghosts, new episodes air on Thursdays at 8:30 PM on CBS. For additional insights, you can check out the full interview with Richie Moriarty on TVLine.

Source: Screen Rant