Ghosts Season 4 Episode 4 Review: The Work Retreat

We all have our preferences for what defines a “perfect” episode of Ghosts.

I love an episode that showcases all the best parts of this premise. Ghosts Season 4 Episode 4, “The Work Retreat,” is that episode. It fires on all cylinders, highlighting the show’s bag of paranormal tricks and guest stars while deepening the character lore of this show.

What sets a great episode apart from a perfect one is the ability to juggle multiple storylines and still sneak in emotional revelations where you least expect them.

Trevor’s work retreat makes us laugh, cry, and then laugh some more.

After some underwhelming family episodes for Trevor, “The Work Retreat” sneaks up on us. It’s so goofy and unserious that you don’t expect much to come of Trevor’s latest catfishing scheme.

Trevor secretly getting a job and not telling “Mom and Dad” is a hilarious concept. Ghosts doesn’t have to do much to make it fun. However, having Sam and Jay run with the scheme takes this from a treat to a full-course meal.

Forcing Jay and Trevor to work together is an interesting power dynamic to wrestle with. Plus any excuse to give a ghost financial independence should always be celebrated. It can only mean bad things for the future.

Most importantly, this episode starts down a tired path of mocking Trevor for being lame and pulls back at just the right moment.

The Hero Move

As with an ensemble this good, you want everyone to have an equal share in the development. Trevor had such a profound emotional arc during Ghosts Season 1 Episode 16, “Trevor’s Pants,” it has been disappointing to see another evade him for so long.

To see this episode unexpectedly give it to him is exhilarating. At least it will be once we stop the tears streaming down our faces.

Trevor’s crux is that he died before he could establish his legacy. When this finance group cruelly reminds Trevor that time has made his brags and pop culture knowledge irrelevant, it is heartbreaking for him. But Trevor ties his identity and legacy to the wrong things.

He committed an act of kindness, never thinking much of it. For Ghosts to establish that small act as Trevor’s legacy in his finance circles is profound writing — not only for the character’s arc but also for the show’s message.

Like Flower, who did so many memorable (and illegal) things in her life, the act of kindness she tried to implement before her death became her most lasting impact on time.

It is a message we could use now more than ever, and it comes from the most unlikely places.

Rumor Has It

The choice to let Sas’ uglier storyteller tendencies loose on the household is one for the ages.

It comes after a long drought for Sas, who so rarely gets to embrace the manipulative, menacing qualities that made him an unpredictable force in the first season.

Pairing him with Hetty is even better. Her inner socialite is always starving for a good scandal. Sas asking her to team up and help him create mayhem unleashes a powerful dynamic on Woodstone for what we hope is not the last time.

This delicious Donna rumor taps into the vintage Ghosts humor that relied on stinging insults and petty conflict to paint a picture. 

Rounding out their nasty rumor escapades is the perfect victim.

Pete’s constant bragging about his ghost power gives this season much-needed continuity, proving the long game is the way to go. Not a single one of us felt sorry for Pete. He had it coming.

Guests Galore

Now, it shouldn’t be a perfect episode without Flower. However, the absence of the hippie is softened by a show constantly learning to elevate its craft.

The choice to cushion her absence with cleverly planted guest stars allows this episode to flow incredibly well from scene to scene. Having Nancy and the Farnsby ghosts join the rumor mill is a brilliant way to justify their presence.

On the one hand, we have Nancy’s history of fake-dating Pete to double down on how good the Fake Donna rumor is. On the other hand, the Farnsby spirits require a louder form of communicating, so their gossiping is not at all quiet.

That mixture of fake-girlfriend lore and loud observation humor makes the use of these outsiders a homerun.

Having a revolving door of guest stars can be both a blessing and a curse. However, when they are used strategically enough to feel like part of the scenery, the ghost concept really does shine.

A Team Effort

The first episode Post-Patience rightfully redirects its attention to highlighting the core cast of characters.

Isaac letting his hair down post-breakup is such a simple episode arc that it could become background noise in this busy outing. Thanks to Brandon Scott Jones’ outlandish physicality and line delivery, Isaac’s new hairdo steals every scene it is in.

Sam creating a backstory for herself as the lonely innkeeper that could rival any Hallmark movie is a fun way to keep her in the action.

Even Thorfinn and Alberta feel expertly utilized. They act as the work retreat’s peanut gallery, commentating on every new development, from Maggie sexually harassing her coworkers to Sam losing herself in her outrageous backstory.

With fast-paced humor breezing through joyful and entertaining storylines, this episode is the real run of fun.

—

What did you think of this episode of Ghosts? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Ghosts airs Thursdays at 8:30c/7:30c on CBS. 

Follow us on X and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!