CBS’Ghostsseason 4 ended with a surprising spotlight on Jay Arondekar, who is the show’s most underused character. In theGhostsseason 4 finale, it’s revealed that Jay accidentally sold his soul to the devil. I’m sureGhostsseason 5 premiere will rally all the spirits to save Jay from damnation, potentially even in a special two or three-part episode. But after all that excitement,Ghostswill likely return to the status quo, which is not fun for Jay, who is in a frustrating one-way communication barrier with every character except Samantha.
The central conceit ofGhostsis that Sam’s power to see spirits is unique. WhileGhostshas dabbled with Jay being able to see spirits for one-off episodes – like when his soul was pushed out of his body in season 4’s Christmas episode – it would fundamentally change the show if Jay had the power full-time. That said, the trope of Jay being left out of conversations or accidentally sharing a secret is getting a little stale. There are eight ways thatGhostsseason 5can better use Jay without giving him the ability to see the spirits.
8Reopen Mahesh & Show Jay’s Interactions With The Restaurant Staff
Jay’s Staff Seems Fun – They Should Get Their Own Storylines
Ghostshas been opening and quickly reclosing Jay’s restaurant Mahesh for a while now, but why they can’t commit to the restaurant setting remains a puzzling decision.Ghostsseason 4 poked fun atThe Bear– this is the chance to show how a real restaurant kitchen comedy can be done.
Jay introduces a motley crew of restaurant employees, but it would have been more fun to actually seeJay hiring the staff for Mahesh inGhostsseason 4. Having separate storylines set in an industrial kitchen would give Jay more of a chance to interact with Livings, and the spirits can always provide color commentary from the background. As Jay’s sister Bela is his manager, this also brings in another person who is aware of the ghosts to help explain any mischief.
7Jay Should Work Out A Yes/No Communication System With Thor & Alberta
The Ghosts Should Use Their Powers To Communicate With Jay
Jay has always been a fun audience proxy and someone who enjoys collecting ghost lore. Jay can’t and shouldn’t be given the power to see all the spirits all the time, but there are intermediate steps to communication that no one, even Jay, has seriously explored. Allthe spirits inGhostshave unique powers, and some have limited ability to contact the corporeal world. Jay should be more curious about what some possible communication systems could be.
Jay could at least know when some of the ghosts are around and ask them basic questions.
Jay could work out yes/no systems for at least two of the spirits – Alberta could hum one note for yes and another note for no, and Thor could have two electrical sparks for yes and one for no. It’s rudimentary, but better than nothing. Jay could at least know when some of the ghosts are around and ask them basic questions. Trevor could press buttons, so Jay could even set up those “talking buttons” that pets use to communicate with their owners.
6Sam And Jay Should Use The Woodstone Manor Vault For Privacy
This Mysterious Room Could Have Many Different Functions – But It Is Dangerous
Woodstone Manor is a mysterious property where we get to see new areas sometimes only once, including the ballroom where Sam performs inAnything GoesinGhostsseason 4, episode 5. Similarly, Elias Woodstone’s secret vault has not been seen since season 2, but this is the one area on the entire property where Sam and Jay can have complete privacy from the spirits. It’s surprising Sam and Jay haven’t thought about making any kind of use of the space.
Whether they’re having a romantic date night or just a conversation away from invisible ears, the vault is an unexplained gift they haven’t embraced. Of course, whatever the mystery metal is, spirits can’t go through it, but they can close the door, so they would need to have Bela on standby to reopen the door, or risk Elias’ death. One of the fan criticisms ofGhostsis that Sam and Jay’s relationship is always on the back-burner, so the vault at least gives them a private space.
5Sass’ Friendship With Jay Suffered During His Romantic Arc
Sass Needs To Visit Jay’s Dreams Again In Ghosts Season 5
Sass has a sweet friendship with Jay, built by his special power to enter into Livings’ dreams. However, his bromance with Jay was sidelined whenGhostsseason 4 focused to a fault on Sass’ virginity. While many fans want to see Sass’ girlfriend Joan return inGhostsseason 5, the show doesn’t have to forget about Sass’ other relationships either.
While it could start to feel repetitive to have Sass use his power to visit Jay in his dreams every episode, used sparingly, this is a great way to continue Jay and Sass’ story. From a production standpoint, going into dreams is a rare time whenGhostsgets to play with settings and costuming, so visually it’s a win, in addition to giving Jay something that is purely his experience, not filtered through Sam.
4Ghosts Should Have An Arondekar Family Reunion Episode
Jay & Bela Could Take A Roadtrip - Or Their Parents Return To See Their Namesake Restaurant
Jay’s parents, Mahesh and Champa Arondekar, visited Woodstone Manor inGhostsseason 4, episodes 8 and 9, but it would be a fun and refreshing change of pace to see Jay and Bela visit their childhood home. While the show has to primarily stay rooted at Woodstone Manor, stepping outside its familiar walls opens up new comedic and emotional possibilities.
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Sam and Pete could come along for the ride. Imagine Sam meeting a whole new crew of ghosts tied to Jay and Bela’s upbringing—former neighbors, eccentric relatives, or even a ghostly pet. Pete could bond—or clash—with them in unexpected ways. It’s a perfect chance to deepen Jay and Bela’s backstories while expanding the ghost world in creative ways. At the very least, if the restaurant ever reopens, Jay’s parents should visit the restaurant he named in their honor.
3Ghosts Needs To Have A Musical Episode – Where Jay Raps
Utkarsh Ambudkar Is A Talented Rapper Who’s Performed In Pitch Perfect & On Broadway
Ghostsis the perfect sitcom to pull off a full musical episode. Danielle Pinnock (Alberta) and Brandon Scott Jones (Isaac) both have strong musical theater chops, but Utkarsh Ambudkar (Jay) is an especially unique asset for a network sitcom: someone with the savvy and skill to rap and freestyle. BeforeGhosts, I knew Ambudkar (a.k.a. UTK the INC, his stage name) from rapping inPitch Perfectand playing Mindy Kaling’s rapping brother inThe Mindy Project. He’s also worked with Lin-Manuel Miranda on the improv hip-hop comedy group Freestyle Love Supreme.
The idea for Freestyle Love Supreme began during rehearsal breaks for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway production of In The Heights (viaThe New Yorker).
Other sitcoms, likeScrubs,Community, andPsych, have hadiconic musical TV episodes. WhileGhostspreviously featured a fun episode where Sam starred in a musical, that one was more grounded. What fans would love is a full-blown, immersive musical episode set in a fantasy version of the Woodstone world. With UTK’s rhythm and range,Ghostscould bring something entirely new to the genre.
2Ghosts Should Introduce New Supernatural Creatures To Its Lore
Ghosts Season 4 Finale Teased That Vampires Could Be Real – And Maybe Jay Can See Them
TheGhostsseason 4 finale teased vampiresas a tantalizing possiblity—and if spirits and poltergeists tied to objects exist in this world, why not other supernatural creatures? Vampires could absolutely fit into theGhostsuniverse, especially if they operate in secrecy. Maybe they can be seen by all Livings, but choose not to interact openly because it risks exposure. However, Woodstone Manor B+B is getting a reputation for welcoming the odd.
This twist would be a game-changer, especially for Jay, who has spent four long seasons unable to connect with the supernatural world around him. Imagine his shock—and excitement—at finally being able to have a real conversation with a being from the other side. It would open up hilarious new dynamics and give Jay a chance to be more than the odd man out. Plus, the idea of skeptical, horror-loving Jay bonding with a vampire while the ghosts are suspicious or jealous is comedy gold.
1Bring Kyle Back As A Ghost Translator
Jay’s Jealousy Blinded Him To The Endless Uses Of Kyle’s Special Ability
Kyle was introduced inGhostsseason 4as one of the rare people who shares Sam’s ability to see spirits. But Jay, blinded by jealousy over Kyle’s bond with Sam and the ghosts, completely overlooked how valuable Kyle could be to their lives. Instead of seeing a potential friend and ally, Jay saw a threat and fired him. However, that was short-sighted, as Kyle could be incredibly useful with all the ghost chores that take up Sam’s time.
Kyle was played bySuperstoreactor Ben Feldman.
Jay could have had an additional mediator to speak to spirits. Imagine Jay finally getting to connect with Pete in a meaningful way—like playingDungeons & Dragonswith him and having Kyle as the go-between. It would give Jay the chance to be more than the guy on the outside looking in. Not only would it deepen Jay’s friendship with Pete, but it would also help him let go of his insecurity about being left out of the ghostly fun. Kyle could become the bridge Jay’s been waiting for all along inGhosts.
