Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Ghosts season 4, episode 3, “Halloween IV: The Witch”

Although the ghosts of CBS’s Ghosts season 4’s new character Patience seemed destined to become a regular fixture in the Woostone Mansion when Isaac and the ghosts banded together to drag her out of “The dirt” in the premiere, but she eventually returned there only a few episodes later.

This was no bad thing, since Patience was a disruptive new addition to the show’s gallery of ghosts. When Sam’s father Frank visited in Ghosts season 4, Patience made the mansion’s walls bleed human blood since she was so angry about him sleeping in the same bed as his girlfriend. This alone didn’t get Patience banished, but it was a wild power compared to what most of the ghosts can achieve. Patience exaggerated her abilities in season 4, episode 3, “Halloween IV: The Witch,” but eventually decided to return underground when Isaac publicly shamed her for watching TV.

How Ghosts' Powers Have Changed Since Season 1

Ghosts Has Gradually Improved The Powers Of Its Heroes

Although Holland’s character did go back to “The dirt” to avoid the sins of the mansion, Patience’s role in Ghosts season 4 proves just how much more impressive the show’s ghost powers have gotten. Sam’s statue transformation epitomized this phenomenon, since viewers had no idea whether Patience was telling the truth when she implied she had turned Sam to stone. Even the ghosts themselves don’t know what powers ghosts can potentially have until they are revealed, so the idea that something outright fantastical could happen (like Patience turning a human into a stone statue) seems reasonable.

Thanks to Patience’s powers, it is no longer clear what is and isn’t possible in Ghosts season 4 and this is a good thing. Ghost powers have been around since season 1, episode 1, but they were initially more low-key. Alberta can hum quietly, Trevor can just about move small items, and Isaac can create a bad smell. Season 3 revealed that Pete can leave the grounds of the mansion and go anywhere, while season 4 revealed Patience can make the walls bleed human blood, so it is fair to say Ghosts is rapidly raising the stakes in of what constitutes a "Power."

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CBS’s Ghosts Benefits From This Change

As if to underline this point, the ghosts and even Jay have been mocking Aberta’s humming power even though it was comparatively impressive until season 3. While Patience’s tragic Ghosts season 4 backstory made it easier to feel sorry for her, seeing how much more powerful she was than the rest of the ghosts was a striking surprise. Even though actor Richie Moriarty told TVLine Patience’s power was “Intense,” the jump from moving small objects tiny distances to making walls bleed was pretty major. Luckily, this improved the series, something that is proven by comparison with its 2019 predecessor.

The British series of the same name that Ghosts is based on is more grounded and features fewer supernatural elements (other than, obviously, the eponymous ghosts). As such, any “Powers” are pretty minimal and mostly just running gags. In contrast, CBS’ Ghosts quickly made the powers of the ghosts central to the series. Trevor moved things in the pilot and Thor had accidentally used his electricity manipulation powers to burn down a brand-new gazebo in the show’s first Halloween episode. The powers drive the plot in this version of Ghosts, so more more impactful powers mean wilder stories.

Ghosts Season 4’s Halloween Episode Makes An Power Reveal Even Better

Patience and Pete’s Powers Prove Hetty’s Abilities Could Be Anything

While Ghosts season 4’s promised Alexander Hamilton appearance is exciting, the unknown ghost powers are now one of the most interesting mysteries in the sitcom. Characters like Hetty still don’t know their abilities, and the increasing complexity of new ghost powers means they could be anything. Whether it is Patience making the walls bleed, Pete leaving the grounds of the mansion, or Sass entering the dreams of the living, ghosts can seemingly find out that their powers are pretty much anything.

Ghosts has a perfect opportunity to give Hetty an ability that is equal parts unexpected and impressive.

This means that the revelation of Hetty’s powers can be more than a neat running gag. Especially after she tried to summon powers in “Halloween IV: The Witch” and got nowhere, Ghosts has a perfect opportunity to give her an ability that is equal parts unexpected and impressive. This would serve to reiterate just how much the sitcom’s characters don’t know the extent of their own abilities, and may even do something to bridge the gap between the show’s human characters and the ghosts of Ghosts.

Source: TVLine

New episodes of Ghosts air Thursdays at 8:30 on CBS.