Summary

• Jay being able to see ghosts in Ghosts season 4 risks ruining the show's original premise and dynamic.
• Sam's unique ability to communicate with ghosts is what makes the chemistry of the cast work.
• Season 4 should reveal Jay's ability to see ghosts as a temporary twist to maintain the show's humor and setup.

Although ghosts of CBS’s Ghosts are a hilariously mismatched bunch, from a sardonic Native American to a hulking, surprisingly laid back Viking, to a drama-addicted Revolutionary War veteran, to a free-spirited hippy.

Ghosts is based on the British series of the same name that started in 2019. While Ghosts season 4’s Patience casting proves that the series has a plan to humanize this character and make her more than a one-dimensional boogeyman. Meanwhile, Sam’s father, played by Dean Norris, will also finally appear in season 4.

Jay Shouldn’t Be Able To See Ghosts In Ghosts Season 4

Jay’s Abilities Should Only Be Temporary

However, neither of these announcements is as surprising as the biggest twist promised by the show’s next outing. Jay will be able to see ghosts in Ghosts season 4, a twist that radically restructures the show’s entire premise. Until now, Ghosts operated on the same logic as its British counterpart. The show’s heroine can communicate with the ghosts, but her partner can’t see or hear them and this often results in hilarious miscommunications between the ghosts and their only human companion. Ghosts changed a lot from the British show’s setup, but I love that it kept this simple setup.

If Jay can see and speak to all the ghosts in season 4, this fundamentally shifts the show’s focus. Sam would no longer be the main character since Jay would now be just as important as her. The ghosts would almost certainly get between the couple, which they sometimes managed even when they weren't able to speak to Jay. Meanwhile, their allegiance to Sam would now be split between her and her partner. I can’t see how the show would work if Jay were permanently able to see ghosts. As such, Ghosts should end this plot fast.

Ghosts Season 4 Risks Ruining The Show's Premise

Sam’s Unique Ability Makes The Cast’s Chemistry Work

Instead of Ghosts becoming like other failed sitcoms and dropping its original premise too soon, season 4 should reveal that Jay’s ability to see the ghosts is a fake out. He might gain the power to see ghosts in one episode only to lose this in the next, or this skill might last a few episodes before his transformation is reversed. Ghosts season 3 pulled off something similar when the series seemingly dropped Flower only to reveal that she hadn’t really ascended to the afterlife a few episodes later. Thus, I’m comfortably certain Ghosts season 4 can reverse this twist.