Ghosts Season 4, Episode 14, “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle” Spoilers Ahead
Hey, Alexa, play “Right Where You Left Me” by Taylor Swift. In “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle,” Ghosts does a pretty fine—and relatively hilarious job—of reminding viewers that sometimes, it’s best to let go. Only one person should stay at the restaurant here, and that’s Jay. The rest of the ghosts, and maybe some of us viewers, well, we’ve got things to let go of. (Except for H-Money! I will never go.)
Elias is back and more conniving than ever, and elsewhere, Isaac finally spills the tea on his feud with Alexander Hamilton. Guest starring Nat Faxon, with the returning gallantry of Matt Walsh, this one’s where the boys shine—and the ruffles.
Elias Is Back and Haunting in Ghosts Season 4, Episode 14
Initially, I thought that Elias would return in the same episode where we learn what Hetty’s ghost power is, and now I’m 100% more nervous about whether that theory is true, given everything we know about him today. He comes in specifically to target Hetty, Trevor, Thor, and Alberta in order to lure one of them into signing a deal to go to hell because there, he has a contract to become a higher-up. (Insert “Mom, can you come pick me up? I’m scared” meme.) He’s here for the four of them because he believes they’re each going down there anyway, so why not sign up willingly in order to reap some of the benefits? Thor, believing that he’s the one who’s taken the most lives, almost does, but the others step up to stop him.
There are few things as satisfying on TV, like when characters in Ghosts look out for each other. And any time they choose to be vulnerable to help someone else, an angel gets its wings. Thor has been getting a number of great moments this season to showcase how much he’s changed and how much he’s learning, making this beat feel right as another reminder of how that’s true and not just words being thrown around. We see it in “The Not-So-Silent Partner,” “Thorapy 2: Abandonment Issues,” and now in “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle” as he once again steps forward with the desire to atone. However, because he chooses not to leave in the end because the ghosts remind him that he’s done good and no longer needs to atone, Elias returns to hell, but we catch up trying to lure in Jay at the end.
Help, We’re Still at the Restaurant in 1776
The thievery! The lies! The gall! As Isaac finally tells the story in Ghosts Season 4, Episode 14, “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle,” Hamilton did indeed wrong him. But in Isaac’s own unique way, he messed up something that could’ve been legendary because he was fixated on proving a point instead of letting go and walking his own path. History obviously aside, the lesson here is a solid one. It’s so natural for people to get caught up in comparing their successes with other people’s. It’s so natural to read the headlines and hear the news that other people are finding success when we’re experiencing a lull, yet we don’t see their quiet period. We don’t see their struggles or their heartaches because people seldom vocalize the ugly parts or the tough moments.
Dan Levy recently posted a video on his Instagram where he talks about this idea of how challenging creativity can be when we mostly see the end product and not the process. It’s relevant to what Isaac tells Jay because if he weren’t so caught up in one-upping Hamilton all the time, he wouldn’t have wasted so much of his truth and his journey. It’s what Jay can do, too, instead of doom-scrolling and feeling like a failure because the mafia antics from “Ghostfellas” have gotten around to various patrons. Tomorrow, that’ll be old news, too.
At the same time, Ghosts also once again reminds its audience of its most relatable heartache—the pain each of the characters carries, in one way or another, which is the idea of wanting to leave something behind. There’s nothing more human than our desire to be remembered and appreciated for something, so when it feels like that’s robbed from us, it can be so hard to keep trying to make the difference we’re hoping to see. And even though he was momentarily stumped with how to look on the bright side, Pete realizes that in this fictional world, the pursuit of happiness came from Isaac’s statements back in 1776. And reminding him of that is exactly how he nudges him to realize that this is another great moment where he’s indeed done something.
Stray Thoughts
- When I tell you all that I almost screamed because I thought Jay might actually sign the contract? Thank God he’s a wife go when it comes to scenarios like this and would never do something without talking to Sam—right?!
- “Oh, no. Pete can’t find a bright side.”
- “It’s peak ruffle season!”
- Hetty and Trevor sitting together does something to me.
- Also, Trevor, way to stare at Hetty like she put the stars in the sky. I see you, bud. We see you.
- “Yes, Samantha. I’m telling you this story because everything worked out,” took me out.
- “Did you just gasp at your own reveal?” I did, Isaac. I did!
- Trevor jumping in front of Thor to stop him from making a deal. 🥹
- “There’s a lot of downtime between updates.” Oh, Jay. Can we have him see the ghosts again?
- Elias makes me nervous. Does Elias make anyone else nervous?
Now streaming on Paramount Plus: What are your thoughts on Ghosts Season 4, Episode 14, “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle?” Let us know in the comments below.
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