Ghosts - Episode 4.08 & 4.09 - A Very Arondekar Christmas Parts 1 & 2 - Review

“Ghosts” Season 4, Episodes 8 and 9 mark a rare milestone for one of CBS’s most popular comedies. After nearly 60 episodes, the series returns with its second-ever two-part storyline, once again earning a full hour’s time slot for one continuous tale. Centered around the hilarity of possession, this two-parter doubles the laughs, the mischief, and, most importantly, the possessions, proving that when it comes to “Ghosts,” the afterlife is never short on surprises!

Part 1:

The episode’s two possessions, one involving Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) and the other Sam (Rose McIver), showcase the wildly different dynamics that arise depending on the ghost in control. Importantly, if Jay and Sam had to pick any ghosts to possess their bodies, Jay might pick Pete (Richie Moriarty), but Sam would absolutely not pick Nancy (Betsy Sodaro). More so than any of the other ghosts, Nancy is a total loose cannon.

In fact, Nancy is Sam's polar opposite and the very last ghost with whom she would want her mother in law to interact. Of course, this fact makes two particular elements of Season 4, Episode 8 all the more entertaining. First, Rose McIver's movements as Nancy make for some of the funniest moments of physical comedy the series has produced so far. While Sam is typically more reserved and composed, Nancy know no such restraint, instead moving about the property in a wholly lackadaisical manner. Whether she’s digging into guacamole sans chips or badly operating a motor vehicle, Nancy's antics seem to know no limits.

Additionally, Nancy's manic personality somehow appealing to Champa (Sakina Jaffrey) more than Sam's "dull" personality is the perfect sort of absurd irony that "Ghosts" manages so well. While I certainly doubt that Sam has any serious plans to ever put Nancy back in the driver's seat (both in terms of possession and driving), who else is hoping to see Nancy and Champa get to know each other a little better in a future episode?

Episode 8 also ends with Sasappis (Román Zaragoza) upset after Thor (Devan Chandler Long) reveals to Flower (Sheila Carrasco) and the others that the 500-year-old Lenape man is still a virgin. While this particular storyline doesn't have near the same comedic power as the possessions do, Thor and Flower's amusing attempt to "convert" Sasappis via Carol (Caroline Aaron) makes for some good laughs.

Thankfully, this episode makes full use of the dramatic possibilities allowed by a two-part episode. The sudden “ghostification” of Jay is a fun twist that essentially gives fans and Jay what we've been wanting for several seasons now, without ruining the best parts of the show: Jay can temporarily see the ghosts!

Part 2:

It may seem odd given how long they’ve lived together, but it’s worth noting Jay has never seen any of the ghosts before this episode! While he was possessed by Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky) in Season 1, Episode 10 (“Possession”), and sometimes interacts with Sasappis in his dreams and Trevor via text, every other ghostly encounter has been filtered through Sam—until now!

The second half-hour cleverly reimagines familiar ghostly antics, like walking through doors, from Jay’s fresh perspective, making the supernatural hijinks feel delightfully new all over again. Of course, the show wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining if Jay could see the ghosts all the time, but having him temporarily in the ghosts’ inner circle is a fun and refreshing twist. His first meeting with the group is especially heartwarming, from his excitement at finally meeting Trevor to his heartfelt embrace of Thor.

Speaking of heartfelt moments, the scene with Pete’s daughter, Laura (Holly Gauthier-Frankel), teeters on the edge of being overly sentimental but still lands with genuine emotion. Every time I think Pete’s family has had enough of Sam and Jay (considering they’re indirectly responsible for his wife’s death!), they somehow keep coming back. Laura’s acknowledgment of how bizarre their dynamic is makes for a funny and self-aware moment, even if Zombie Jay takes the crown for their strangest encounter yet. While there’s not much to love about Zombie Jay, that’s probably the point—it’s hilariously unsettling in all the right ways.

Meanwhile, Sasappis’s storyline with Thor takes a more subdued, if slightly predictable, turn. The fallout feels less about the secret itself and more about how the characters handle vulnerability. Sasappis’s anger is understandable but doesn’t quite bring anything new to the table. Similarly, Thor’s clumsy attempts to make amends have moments of charm, but the resolution feels underwhelming. It’s a subplot that generates a few cheap laughs, but ultimately leaves you wanting a deeper exploration of Sasappis’s personal growth. Something tells me we haven't seen the end of this storyline, so let’s hope the writers find a way to take this subplot in a fresher, more engaging direction moving forward!

Rating: 8.9 / 10 - "Ghosts" writers surely know they can't do possession episodes too often, but it's a great gimmick, and they play it well in this episode. While Thor and Sasappis's fight/reconciliation makes for some good laughs, it doesn't work nearly as well as most of the A storyline.

Other Notes:

-Is anyone else worried about what will actually happen to the old water heater? No? Just me and the basement ghosts? Okay.

-How could any mother-in-law not love Sam? She's so consistently cute and wholesome... when she's not possessed by a creepy cholera ghost that is.

-Who else wants to know what actually happens if Pete completely disappears?

-"Where the hell are you? I swear to God if you don't come back right now, I will never let you smell anything ever again." I'd hate to think what Jay's parents think of this supposed "inside joke" from Sam.

-It seems odd that Rose McIver's Nancy lines are dubbed, but Utkarsh Ambudkar gets to do impressions whenever he is possessed. #ReleaseTheMcIverCut Correction: On our original viewing, SpoilerTV incorrectly surmised that Rose McIver's Nancy's lines were dubbed by Nancy actress Betsy Sodaro. However, according to Variety, McIver's imitations were actually just that good. We regret the error. Bravo to Rose McIver!

-"I wanted to let you know from the outset that that's what I wanted to talk about in case I veer off topic, you can guide me back." Flower is smarter than she seems!

-I hope someone brings poor Hetty some high-quality cocaine. If you can't enjoy cocaine when you're already dead, when can you?

-Considering how Pete responded to the delivery robot in Season 3, Episode 9 ("The Traveling Agent"), I can't imagine he's going to care much for Sam's new Roomba.

-What do you all think Jay's ghost power is? If he can walk through walls, surely he has ghost powers, too!

"Ghosts" Season 4, Episodes 8 and 9 air Thursday, December 19 at 8:00 pm ET on CBS. Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode with us here at SpoilerTV!