While watching Season 4 of Ghosts, I’ve noticed a recurring theme: the playful jabs at Alberta’s ghostly humming ability. I find this curious because, honestly, her ability to hum and be heard by the living seems pretty impressive. Given how frequently the show makes light of it, I suspect there’s more to Alberta’s power than mere comic relief.
Alberta’s Power Under Scrutiny
In the first three episodes of the fall 2024 season, the jokes about Alberta’s humming have been plentiful. While it’s true that she can’t communicate much beyond her hum, it’s still one of the few ghostly abilities that the living can perceive directly. It’s surprising that the show continues to poke fun at her when there are other ghost powers—like Isaac’s ability to make people smell farts—that are arguably more ridiculous.
For example, in Episode 3, when the ghosts believe Sam has turned to stone, Alberta cries out for someone to take action. Hetty jokes that perhaps this is the moment Alberta’s power will shine. Alberta tries to summon her ability but fails, leading to a humorous exchange that emphasizes her frustration.
Additionally, in Season 4, Episode 2, when Patience reveals her spooky blood-writing power, Pete quips, “She can write in blood? This power just keeps getting cooler! I mean, it’s still no humming.” These repeated jests make me wonder why Alberta’s power is targeted specifically.
The Potential of Alberta’s Power
I can’t shake the feeling that these jokes hint at an evolution of Alberta’s abilities. What if she could eventually communicate with the living through song, rather than just humming? Maybe there’s a specific tune that allows her to connect in a more profound way.
While her humming might not be as “useful” as Trevor’s ability to move objects or Pete’s power to leave the property, it’s also not as comedic as Isaac’s farting or Flower’s trippy effects. This suggests that the show might be setting up for something bigger with Alberta.
If it were merely for laughs, it would feel a bit mean-spirited. But if Alberta’s humming is on the brink of a transformation—like a Pokémon evolving—these constant jokes could set the stage for a memorable “I told you so” moment.
Looking Ahead
I genuinely hope we see Alberta’s power develop further. Not only would it be a fantastic arc for her character, but it would also enhance the show’s overall narrative. Plus, it would make all those jabs pay off in a meaningful way for our favorite ghostly diva.
To see if my theory holds true, tune in to new episodes of Ghosts live on CBS at 8:30 p.m. ET or stream them the next day on Paramount+. Fingers crossed for Alberta’s glow-up!
