The spectral residents of Woodstone Mansion have been stirring up more than just dust bunnies in the latest season of "Ghosts," now gracing screens via Paramount+. Unlike the ghostly departures of seasons past, the Season 4 finale eschewed sending souls heavenward, instead focusing on the burgeoning romantic entanglements of its eternally earthbound characters. The episode’s climax centered on a long-awaited lip-lock between Pete Martino, the eternally optimistic Pinecone Trooper with an unfortunate arrow-through-the-neck situation, and Alberta Haynes, the sassy and soulful jazz singer from the Roaring Twenties.
The kiss, a culmination of seasons of subtle flirting and near misses, was apparently electrifying, leaving Alberta speechless and viewers swooning. "It’s a kiss that’s been a long time in the making," revealed executive producer Joe Wiseman, one half of the show’s creative duo with Joe Port. The writers have skillfully crafted a slow-burn romance, carefully peeling back the layers of Alberta’s initial reluctance towards Pete’s persistent affection.
Pete’s infatuation with Alberta has been a running gag since the show’s inception in 2021. Season 2 saw Alberta gently reject Pete’s advances, while a more recent episode featured Pete himself turning down Alberta, owing to his relationship with another ghost, Donna. Despite these setbacks, Alberta remained open to the possibility of romance with Pete, drawn to his growing confidence, which stemmed from his newfound ability to leave the confines of the Woodstone property, and, perhaps surprisingly, his signature scout shorts and knee-high socks ensemble.
The kiss itself was a moment of comedic brilliance, with Pete attributing his newfound lip strength to his past as an oboe player. This quirky detail exemplifies the show’s signature blend of heartwarming romance and laugh-out-loud humor.
The development is significant for the entire ensemble of ghosts, forever trapped within the walls of Woodstone Mansion, the ancestral home inherited by Samantha, a living woman capable of seeing and communicating with the spirits, and her husband Jay. The fact that these ghosts are stuck together for eternity adds a unique layer of complexity to their relationships.
"We have to put ourselves in the ghosts’ shoes," explained Port. "If you have tried to have a relationship with someone with whom you’ll be stuck forever in a house and it doesn’t work out, the stakes are very high. So, we proceed cautiously when pairing people up."
The show has carefully cultivated other romantic pairings among the ghostly inhabitants. Sasappis, the cynical Native American ghost from the 16th century, finally shed his reluctant virginity in the season’s penultimate episode with the arrival of Joan, a 1940s screenwriter. While the details of their encounter were left to the imagination, the implication was clear: Sass had finally found someone.
Another unconventional romance blossoms between Thorfinn, the ancient Viking who met his end via lightning strike, and Flower, the free-spirited hippie from the 1960s. Despite their vastly different backgrounds and personalities, the two have managed to maintain a surprisingly stable and loving relationship.
Hetty Woodstone, Samantha’s formidable robber baroness ancestor, and Trevor Lefkowitz, the perpetually pantsless Wall Street bro, embarked on a tumultuous relationship in Season 2. While their romance has been filled with its share of ups and downs, the two continue to circle one another, even if they are not officially "together" at the moment.
Perhaps the most poignant relationship is that of Isaac Higgintoot, the socially awkward American Revolutionary War veteran, and Nigel Chessum, the British officer who once stood on the opposite side of the battlefield. Their unlikely love story faced a major hurdle when Isaac was unable to go through with their wedding in the Season 3 finale, leaving Nigel heartbroken at the altar. The two are now working to rebuild their friendship, a testament to the enduring power of connection, even in the afterlife.
The Season 4 finale also introduces a non-romantic cliffhanger involving Jay. In a desperate attempt to boost his restaurant’s popularity, Jay inadvertently sells his soul to the devil for a PR blitz. Now, Elias Woodstone, the devil’s emissary and a distant relative, is attempting to expedite the soul-collecting process, putting Jay’s life in mortal danger.
The fates of Jay’s soul and the burgeoning love connections among the ghosts will remain uncertain until Season 5. One thing is certain: despite the heat generated by these ghostly romances, the show will remain true to its family-friendly roots.
"That’s been suggested, but we’re never going to become Cinemax After Dark or whatever," Port stated firmly. "This is a CBS family show." The focus will remain on the heartwarming relationships and quirky humor that have made "Ghosts" a hit, rather than venturing into more explicit territory. The show promises to deliver more ghostly antics, heartwarming romance, and plenty of laughs in the seasons to come. The audience waits with bated breath to see where this spectral love stories will lead, and whether Jay will escape the clutches of the underworld.
