While CBS’s Ghosts is a deservedly popular sitcom, one of the show’s most unfortunate narrative tropes needs to stop before season 4 wraps up. Ghosts is a remake of the British sitcom of the same name and began airing on CBS in 2021. As in the original, the various ghosts of Ghosts are arguably the real stars of the series, constantly getting into scrapes as Sam supervises. However, while this makes the show one of the most likeable on television, it doesn’t save it from repeating a mistake that can undermine sitcoms.
Although Ghosts season 4 will see the series bring Thorfinn, Hetty, and Pete back to screens soon, their fates aren’t the ones that have viewers worrying. The Continental Army officer Isaac, who has generally been a minor villain in the house’s undead milieu, was kidnapped by the creepy Patience during season 3, episode 10, “Isaac’s Wedding.” Shortly after Ghosts season 3’s missing character Flower returned, Isaac and Nigel broke up due to Isaac’s inability to stay faithful. Isaac was then dragged through a wall by Patience, a creepy specter who was obsessed with him. This resulted in an unusual ending, ill-suited to the sitcom format.
Ghosts Season 4 Doesn’t Need A Cliffhanger Ending
Although the breakup in “Isaac’s Wedding” was well handled, Ghosts season 3 didn’t need a cliffhanger ending after the event. Cliffhanger endings are designed to keep viewers coming back, but they’re unnecessary in a series that is usually an episodic sitcom rather than a serialized show. Ghosts does have longer character arcs, like Nigel and Isaac’s relationship, but it isn’t primarily concerned with dramatic events. Ghosts is usually a light-hearted comedy, so sudden dramatic stings can feel like a cheap ploy in this context. Moreover, the success of Ghosts proves these measures are wholly unnecessary.
