Ghosts Season 4, Episode 21, “Kyle” Spoilers Ahead
Ghosts takes viewers through a whirlwind of emotions by testing and taking relationships to new heights in “Kyle.” As a penultimate episode, it’s strong with every conversation, giving the characters plenty of legroom to work with and hilarious beats of dialogue that continue to make the series memorable.
Ben Feldman guest stars as the titular character, another human with the same ghost-seeing ability as Sam. Only, his presence isn’t exactly enjoyable for Jay as Bela questions whether the new bond could change things for his and Sam’s marriage. And then there’s Sas, still right on the cusp of taking his relationship with Joan to the next level.
Ghosts Season 4, Episode 21 Proves That Sam and Jay’s Romance Still Reigns
You know it’s been a wild time for TV when the entirety of this episode stressed me out to the point of no return. But I should’ve trusted that the Ghosts writers could never betray us by breaking up one of the most well-written marriages on TV. Still, the fear was there, and for good reason. Often, the matters that the characters address in this episode lead to infidelity, but that’s thankfully not the case in “Kyle.”
Superstore’s Ben Feldman brings a lot of stress, but in the end, he hilariously ends up being a lovely guest star, proving that married couples can work even when there are massive differences between them. In addition, it makes total sense that the series would choose to address how lonely both Sam and Jay tend to feel because they can’t share this phantom bond. The episode also does an incredible job of showcasing that Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar are excellent scene partners because how they managed to put us through a roller coaster of emotions is no small feat. I could feel every ounce of Sam’s frustration at Jay’s jealousy, but I could simultaneously understand why he’d be so nervous and fearful. And as we see, he has every right not to trust Kyle, as he does indeed make a move on Sam.
But our girl only has eyes for one nerdy guy, even when he doesn’t see the ghosts and talks about things she doesn’t fully understand. Sam face-palming him is also a worthy callback to Pete’s move in “I Know What You Did Thirty-Seven Summers Ago,” making the running gag of addressing the whole almost-kiss that much more hilarious. But ultimately, Ghosts Season 4, Episode 21, “Kyle,” reiterating that the romance on the show won’t be threatened, feels especially significant today when TV is once again too heartbreaking for the sake of realism. Time and again, the series proves that even in a magical realism setting, it can address important topics while still honoring the character journeys we’ve been on for four seasons now. It can test love only to prove that the foundation they’re standing on is stronger than ever.
Rose McIver is so riveting when she plays with comedy, but I especially love it when she’s given more vulnerable material to work with, and everything with Sam this week is worth addressing. We can visibly see how freeing it is for Sam to share her ability with someone else, but we can also see how deeply she loves Jay. Every emotion she touches on this week is so thoroughly evocative that it makes the viewing experience all the more enjoyable in spite of the momentary stress it causes.
500-Year-Old Virgin No More
Sas and Joan have done the deed. Quick, someone insert the “congrats on the sex” gif. But jokes aside, I want to talk about the consent here and how gorgeous it is that they’re both so straightforward with one another. Sas isn’t someone who can read cues well, so the fact that he tells Joan and she accepts it is a huge deal. At the same time, it’s lovely that they’re both on the same page with everything that’s happening.
More than anything, it’s so deeply lovely how much the other characters care. The final scene of everyone cheering in Ghosts Season 4, Episode 21, “Kyle,” is something that’s going to stay with me for a long, long time. The sheer happiness for Sas and Joan felt palpable and so transcendent that I’m pretty sure my heart skipped.
Stray Thoughts
- Will this branch ever fall?
- I can’t believe the season finale is next week!
- “So, you know, think horny.”
- I need people to actually go back to Mahesh. The interiors are fun.
- “Awww, it’s another freak.” 😂
- “What is Fabio?” Hetty’s face at the mention of romance novels.
- “You cannot deny that those are stable boy cheekbones.”
- I need Hetty and Trevor back together immediately.
- “We the people demand pepperoni.” Yes, agreed.
- I need Jay to see the ghosts forever. I can’t do this anymore. My heart actually hurts.
- Trevor calling his room the bone-yard is everything. Hetty get back in there!
- Trevor watching Thor and Flower? Again, someone get Hetty back in this man’s arms.
- NOT SAS THROWING JOAN OUT THE WINDOW
- “This isn’t something two people should do by themselves!”
- Everyone excitedly celebrating Sas has me in shambles. I love this silly show so much.
Now streaming on Paramount Plus: What are your thoughts on Ghosts Season 4, Episode 21, “Kyle?” Let us know in the comments below.
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