Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Ghosts season 4, episode 14, “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle,”
AlthoughGhostsoften partakes in a sitcom trend that I find frustrating, season 4, episode 14 subverted this with a surprising call-back. Ironically, considering how muchthe ghosts of CBS’Ghoststalk about their personal histories, the sitcom isn’t great at keeping track of its own history. WhileGhostsseason 4’s many Pete storylinesall built on season 3’s revelation that he could leave the grounds of the Woodstone Mansion temporarily, a lot of other character details and plots from earlier episodes and seasons are swiftly forgotten by the main characters.
AfterGhostsseason 4 answered Thor’s backstory mystery, the therapy sessions that Sam shared with the ghosts wherein she aired all of their grievances to a professional were never mentioned again. Similarly, although Isaac’s book was mentioned in season 4, episode 6, “The Primary Source,” the sitcom has not addressed the plot since then. As such, I was surprised and delighted when season 4, episode 14, “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle,” brought back a plot point that I assumed would be abandoned entirely.
Ghosts Season 4, Episode 14 Explores The Fallout From Carol’s Mobster Family Story
Ghosts Season 4 Episode 14 Brought Back The Previous Episode’s Plot
In the preceding episode, “Ghostfellas,” Pete accidentally got Jay into some serious trouble when he shared his widow Carol’s tomato sauce recipe with the chef. Jay was so impressed with the result that he immediately added it to his restaurant’s menu, only for Carol’s nephew Anthony to soon hear about this and demand that he remove the dish. Jay complied, but it was already too late. Carol’s nephew was revealed to be a mobster who soon took over Jay’s restaurant, scaring away customers and running up an outrageous unpaid tab.
While “Ghostlfellas” did end with Sam and Jay successfully scaring away Anthony, it took theworstGhostssupporting character Carola long time to help them out in this endeavor. As a result, the name of Jay’s restaurant was dragged through the mud as the venue came to be seen as a mob hangout for reasons beyond his control.I assumed thatGhostswould never mention the mobster who threatened Jay’s livelihood againsince “Ghostfellas” ended with Anthony leaving the couple alone, but “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle” proved me wrong.
Jay’s struggles were attributed in part to the events of the preceding episode, proving that the story did impact the world of the sitcom after its conclusion.
Carol’s mobster family taking over Jay’s restaurant had tangible consequences, as Jay mentioned that it was a major factor in the restaurant’s reputation struggles. “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle” centered on a flashback narrated by Isaac, who explained how pettiness once cost him the chance to sign the Declaration of Independence. However, this plot only began because Jay was feeling hopeless thanks to the restaurant’s struggles. These struggles were attributed in part to the events of the preceding episode, proving that the story did impact the world of the sitcom after its conclusion.
Sitcoms Tends To Have Very Little Connection Between Episodes, Including Ghosts
Most of Sitcom Plots Are Intentionally Self-Contained
There is an annoying tendency for sitcoms to reset the status quo back to normal at the end of every episode, no matter what happened the week before. SinceGhostsseason 4’s Alexander Hamiltonflashback is its main focus in episode 14, the show could have left any of the fallout from “Ghostfellas” unmentioned to make its plot more streamlined. This is an understandable approach, since it means any episode can be viewed in isolation and viewers don’t need to have seen earlier outings to understand the plot.
Ghosts Season 4 Said What Everyone Was Thinking About A Major TV Controversy
Ghosts season 4 episode 12 took a jab at a highly awarded “comedy” show, and the sitcom hinted at a longstanding Emmys controversy in the process.
However, it also means that nothing ever feels like it matters all that much.Abbott Elementary’s local transit strike brought the world of the sitcom to a halt for an episode, but this plot was over by the cold open of the next outing. A cat with the bubonic plague ran throughout the titular hospital in one outing ofSt. Denis Medical, but later episodes ignored this catastrophe after the pet was caught and quarantined. This approach is so commonplace that it would have been no shock if “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle” didn’t mention Carol’s nephew at all.
What Other Lingering Storylines That Ghosts Season 4 Needs To Revisit
Ghosts Season 4 Left Pete’s Romance Unfinished Earlier In The Outing
However, in this episode, even fixing the issue still left Jay and Sam picking up the pieces. This might require more attention from viewers, but it also makes the show’s stories more relatable and easy to empathize with. Without any serialized plots or continuity,sitcom storylines can feel low-stakes since viewers know that things will always revert to normal, andGhostsseason 4 is no exception to this rule.
Devon Chandler Long
Thor
As such,Ghostscan and should follow up the other storylines that have been left by the wayside throughout season 4.Bela’s role as the restaurant managerdeserves more screen time, and viewers should get to find out what happened to Pete’s tropical girlfriend after he discovered she was accused of killing her husband during her life. Pete’s search for a love interest who would like Sass needs to come back inGhostsseason 4 as the show continues this streak of semi-serialized storytelling.
