Ghosts Season 4, Episode 8 and Ghosts Season 4, Episode 9 “A Very Arondekar Christmas” Spoilers Ahead
Ghosts‘ “A Very Arondekar Christmas” is an inimitable holiday gem, and I’m so weirdly sad it’s so short (even though it’s a double feature). In more ways than one, the episode is a testament to parents and their children, as well as a detailed exploration of friendships.
We knew that Jay would be seeing the ghosts this year, and the writers present it in such a clever way that I’m genuinely obsessed. Continuing to pair Jay and Pete as two sides of the loveliest coin even while they can’t see each other is such a sweet way to pay homage to how similar the men are. At the same time, Jay’s parents visiting not only provides entertainment for Sam and the ghosts, but it becomes a little love letter to all the little ways we honor our parents as best as we can.
Ghosts Season 4, Episode 8 Gives Rose McIver and Betsy Sodaro Hilarious Material to Work With
The episode is mostly emotional, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t scream about the brilliant comedic work that comes to life through McIver and Sodaro when Nancy possesses Sam. There are so many characters this could’ve been hilarious with, but it’s absolutely genius to have it occur with Nancy, and now I almost want it to be a yearly thing. Who knew that it’d also be the catalyst for Sam to realize that Jay’s mom wants her to just relax? Gulp down chai too quickly, eat guacamole with her fingers (ghastly but it’s fine), call her father-in-law a loser, and just be cool.
The only time I’ll ever say that a possession is hilarious to watch is through this show, and it’s entirely because of the Christmas specials. Maybe that sconce outlet should never be fixed because it’s a hysterical way for it to occur as a means to provide entertainment and simultaneously take our characters on a journey that’ll matter. And again, truly, it bears repeating that we don’t give nearly enough credit to comedy actors the way we should because what we see here isn’t just fun, but it’s work. The mannerisms and the small details that went into meshing these characters for entertainment are a testament to how incredible the actors are. Rose McIver is especially unreal when it comes to impressions. Who else is doing it like her on our screens right now?
Flower and Thor Frustrated Me, But I Loved Sass Opening Up
The demisexual in me always gets a bit irked when people are shocked that others can go various periods without sex, so I found this whole scenario with Thor, Flower, and Sass more frustrating than I should’ve. It did make me laugh and also surprisingly emotional, but yes, Flower, my sweet summer child—it’s possible. (But also, trying to get Carol of all people to “help?” No. 100% no.) What Ghosts Season 4, Episode 8, “A Very Arondekar Christmas,” brings forth is a reaction that comes from the age-old feeling that we’re losing our best friend.
Sass doesn’t always get the chance to be vulnerable, which is a shame because Román Zaragoza is so exemplary at channeling a wide range of emotions, but this Christmas special thankfully gives the 500-year-old besties a chance to have a heart-to-heart and remember that even while Thor has Flower, his friendship with Sass is still (and will perpetually be) deeply meaningful. Thor wouldn’t ever want to hurt Sass, and surprisingly, as awful as he is at keeping secrets, he almost kept this one longer than most. But truly, what is Christmas if not the time for precious conversations that remind people of how important they are to each other?
Ghosts Season 4, Episode 9 Is an Emotional Homage to Parents
It wouldn’t be Ghosts if I didn’t cry about something, and “A Very Arondekar Christmas” comes fully loaded with some of the best moments to carry the tears. Jay finally seeing the ghosts is so deeply wholesome and earned, but what floors me is how the show handles his arc with his father and simultaneously Pete’s with Laura. Having this possession benefit them both is such a delightful gift that even though I generally don’t watch Christmas episodes outside of the holiday season, I might have to make an exception for this one.
The loveliest thing about this episode is how I was able to connect to both Jay and Pete in different ways. Or, more so, to Laura. Like Jay, I’m also the daughter of immigrant parents who’ve sacrificed so much for my happiness. I know how hauntingly selfish it feels to chase a dream instead of taking the more practical route in a career that’ll always ensure I have security. However, my dad passed away when I was fifteen years old, so in a sense, I relate more to Laura. But my dad was a writer with big dreams and with every article and book I write—it’s for him. I didn’t get to unveil (or, in this case, unbox) my book to him in person, but I did it at the cemetery. And I don’t know, maybe like Pete, he was there.
Maybe, with every person who compliments my work, it’s like an unspoken reminder from my dad that I’m doing what I’m meant to. I’m not sure, but what I am sure of is that Ghosts Season 4, Episode 9, “A Very Arondekar Christmas,” is a beautiful reminder of the fact that sometimes, we get what we need right when we need it most. If Jay hadn’t been evicted from his own body and persuaded by the other ghosts to spy on his parents, then he would’ve never heard his father’s words to his mother.
Yet, this way, he has far more encouragement to do everything in his power to ensure the restaurant does well because it’s for his dad. And it gives both men a moment of vulnerability that allows them to draw closer to one another in a genuinely life-changing way.
At the same time, if Pete (via Jay) didn’t realize that Laura was moving, he would’ve never given his daughter the reminder from home that feels like it’s from him. And the show wouldn’t have given us one of the most gut-wrenching and simultaneously healing scenes to date. At that moment, for a split second, I had such a visceral reaction to Pete hugging his daughter that it comforted me in my own grief. And like Laura, it’s been a long time for me—but grief perseveres, and it hits in ways we never expect, no matter how long it’s been. It never leaves us. It never dulls. We merely grow around it until quiet moments like this where it feels like we’re reminded that, in some inexplicable way, they’re still looking out for us.
Both Utkarsh Ambudkar and Richie Moriarty’s facial expressions during that final shot will stay with me for a while. It’s such a comforting, authentic display of someone who knows that this moment simply cannot be described, and neither could his embodiment. It’ll live perpetually in a snow globe, where the reminder of all that love that never dies.
Ghosts Season 4, Episode 8 and Ghosts Season 4, Episode 9 make the two-part “A Very Arondekar Christmas” special an unmistakable and brilliant hit. The raw emotions, the hilarious jabs, and every performance (even the frustrating bits) continue to showcase why this show is an absolute gem. Holiday specials like this simply feel right; there’s no other way to describe what we get.
Stray Thoughts
- I don’t know, but here’s a thought: maybe we could’ve had a Challengers situation with Thor, Sass, and Flower.
- Thor trying to push Christmas on Trevor (a Jewish man) with reindeer and Santa is both wild and hilarious.
- “These shoes! How do people live like this?!” Okay, but Nancy is so right. And an absolute genius. Have I mentioned that already?
- “All your very modest dreams are about to come true, Samantha!” took me out.
- Hetty: “Even in these difficult times, we must be precise.” Trevor: “Haven’t you said that before?” What was the reason for a scene like this to be sexy, Trevor? What was the reason? Also, the way Trevor looks at Hetty when she talks about cocaine!? Are you two good? Do you need to be left alone?
- “Jay lives a lonely life.” IS SO SAD
- “That adorable bastard.” his illegitimate little grandson,” I never want Hetty to ever leave my TV screen.
- “A wonderful man with a walnut-sized bladder.” This really is the best show ever.
- “I’m a willing participant with a consenting ghost inside me” might just be one of the best lines ever.
- 😭😭😭 (NO, BECAUSE WHY DID I CRY?!)
- SAKINA JAFFREY, AN ICON.
- Zombie Jay!
- Why did I cry when Hetty said I hope it’s many years before we meet again.
- The restaurant being called Mahesh 😭 I need a minute. Or 20.
- “We need to get Nancy back up in there.”
- I will never get over Jay seeing the ghosts for the first time and will turn to these episodes for serotonin every time.
Now streaming on Paramount Plus: What are your thoughts on Ghosts Season 4, Episode 8 and Ghosts Season 4, Episode 9, “A Very Arondekar Christmas?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: Bertrand Calmeau/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.