Ghosts Season 4, Episode 18, “Smooching and Smushing” Spoilers Ahead
Ghosts delivers an unquestionable winner with surprising twists and hilarious antics that make “Smooching and Smushing” the beginning of a delicious romantic comedy. After last week’s “His Girl Shiki,” my predictions for where this episode would go have been derailed, and it’s for the better—the decisions made here feel so right, my heart will squeeze every time I think about it.
As Sam, Jay, and the ghosts attempt to fix the ghost trap, quiet moments of conversation with Joan lead to Sas’ realization that he might actually have feelings for her. Elsewhere, the former lovers and power friends decide to teach Flower a lesson about money, except it backfires deliciously in their faces.
Ghosts Season 4, Episode 18 Delivers Another Power Friends Team Up
How Hetty and Trevor get each other will always be one of the most glorious things to watch. And interestingly, money is something that often plays such a crucial role in romantic relationships that we don’t always talk about how they’re also aligned in this matter. Sure, Hetty’s money was primarily her husband’s when she was alive, but she’s still someone who knows the type of stability that comes from never having to worry about where a paycheck will come from. Trevor’s a finance bro—need I say more? No, but jokes aside, it’s fascinating how their similarities thread together sometimes, making these silly interactions feel that much more substantial.
It certainly helps that Asher Grodman and Rebecca Wisocky continue to ensure that every scene between the two of them is delightfully fun. What’s even more hilarious is that when Flower comes in between and catches them in their scheming, they aren’t as bothered as they normally would’ve been. And if you ask me, so much of it boils down to the fact that their friendship is so solid now, it’s giving them both a glimmer of joy around the house that’s making every situation relatively easier to deal with. (Or, I’m fishing for sparks again, but who’s to say?)
“Smooching and Smushing” Marks a New Beginning for Sas and Joan
Ghosts Season 4, Episode 18, “Smooching and Smushing,” marks a turning point for Sas’ romance, and is too much to hope that Taylor Ortega’s Joan will actually stick around? From the guest stars we’ve gotten, Joan’s easily the ghost who sticks out most memorably, and it’d be so delightful to keep her in the series for a long, long time.
What works so well here is how the episode brilliantly subverts expectations, making the relationship an unexpected joy that feels right. I wondered if Sas really needed to get Shiki out of his system, but it’s incredible to see how the quiet moments deliver a true romance right in front of our eyes. So much of his relationship with Shiki relies on Sas recounting stories, but what we see with Joan is a new story being written right in front of our eyes, which makes it that much more exciting. This way, it feels like the audience is an actual part of it, too.
In addition, how the show combines both their means of storytelling to shared feelings by playing with classic romantic comedy tropes is no small feat. I might be a staunch hater of the miscommunication that’s brought on by someone mishearing a conversation, but because the episode doesn’t drag it out, it works to effortlessly push Sas and Joan into a confession that feels perfectly timed.
For a love story to hit, we have to get various angles of the development on top of great chemistry, and there’s no denying how this is all present with Sas and Joan. There’s something so tender about how sharp they both are and how soft they can get. It’s like an orange cat (yes, orange) and golden retriever trope, which makes the growth we’ll see between the two of them that much more thrilling.
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“Smooching and Smushing” is such a well-rounded episode, and so hilarious that by the time you start laughing over one joke, a different character hits back with another. The cycle continues throughout, and while this is a norm with Ghosts, there’s something so endearing about how well-written this one is from beginning to end.
Stray Thoughts
- “Maybe if we put it in rice.” Jay should never change. Jay has never done anything wrong in his life. Jay is perfect as is.
- “Vanilla bean, sandalwood, patchouli.” God, I love Hetty. Someone get this woman every candle in the world.
- Joan falling for Sas and the slow progression made my heart so happy.
- Pete, don’t you dare try to hook up Trevor with anyone other than Hetty. I’ll fight you.
- Trevor, bud, do you realize that you can talk to Hetty normally without making everything sound so seductive? Do you hear yourself? (Actually, I hope he never stops doing this!)
- Thor having a selfless moment will always hit.
- I’ll read your scripts, Sam. Send them to me, girly. I got you.
- I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but I need Moira Kelly to guest star on this show.
- The trailer for next week’s “Pinkus Returns” has us all losing it, right?
Now streaming on Paramount Plus: What are your thoughts on Ghosts Season 4, Episode 18, “Smooching and Smushing?” Let us know in the comments below.
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