Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Ghosts season 4, episode 18, “Smooching and Smushing.”
AlthoughGhostsseason 4, episode 18’s newcomer, Joan, doesn’t seem very similar to Isaac’s jilted fiancée Nigel, she does fulfill the same function in the story of the series. By now it is clear that, although Sam and Jay have their moments,the ghosts of CBS’sGhostsare the true stars of the series. The mismatched medley of spirits who inhabit the Woodstone Mansion are a diverse and reliably funny bunch, so there is never a dull moment in the show’s crowded setting. That said, the lineup does need occasional injections of fresh blood.
Early on, John Hartman’s Nigel Chessum fulfilled this role. Isaac’s former enemy became an unlikely friend and later a love interest for the Revolutionary War veteran, but disaster struck when Isaac called off their wedding at the last moment. An embittered Nigel started spending a lot less time in the Woodstone Mansion, meaning the show needed a new guest ghost to replace him. WhileIsaac’sGhostsseason 4 love lifefailed to provide one, another supporting character’s search for a partner fixed this issue.
Sass Finally Gets A Brand New Love Interest In Joan
Taylor Ortega’s Joan Is Sass’s Roaming ‘40s Screenwriter Love Interest
Early in season 4, it seemed like Mary Holland’s intensely pious Puritan Patience would be the next recurring ghost to flit in and out of the mansion in Nigel’s absence. However, Patience is soon revealed to be a hypocrite when Isaac gets her addicted to reality TV, and, embarrassed by her sinning, she retreats back into “The Dirt” under the house. For a while,Ghostssupporting characters like Thor, Hetty, and Trevor dominated the sitcom’s action and the only recurring character to put in regular appearances was Pete’s widow Carol.
Pete made good on his promise to hook Sass up with a fitting love interest when he found Joan, the whip-smart ghost of a screenwriter from the ‘40s.
However, that changed in season 4, episode 17, “His Girl Shiki.” Pete made good on his promise to hook Sass up with a fitting love interest when he found Joan, the whip-smart ghost of a screenwriter from the ‘40s. Taylor Ortega’s character was immediately smitten with Sass as a fellow storyteller, but this was complicated by Sass finding out that the ghost of his lifelong crush, Shiki, might have residual feelings for him. Ever a good sport, Joan helped Sass come up with a plan to seek out Shiki.
Fortunately, Sass didn’t end up risking his afterlife and his shot at happiness with Joan in season 4, episode 18, “Smooching and Smushing.” Instead,Sass realized he was crazy about Joan, and she officially became part of the sitcom’s supporting castwhen the couple became an item. AsSass’s frustratingGhostsseason 4 storycame to a close, the series also welcomed the first recurring new ghost character of the season. Chris, the stripper who died in episode 15, “The Bachelorette Party,” initially seemed destined to take on this role.
Joan Takes Over Nigel’s Role As A Secondary Woodstone Mansion Spirit
Isaac’s Love Interest Has Been Seen Sparingly Since Their Cancelld Wedding
However, after winning the hearts of both Nigel and Isaac in his first few hours as a ghost, Chris moved on from the Woodstone Mansion before he could become a regular recurring character. This might be because actor Deniz Akdeniz was already committed to a role in ABC’s crime proceduralHigh Potential, but it could also have been due to his storyline perfectly wrapping up Nigel and Isaac’s feud. Although the pair had already made peace,Ghostsseason 4’s Chrisdumping Nigel unceremoniously and Isaac stepping in to console him redeemed Isaac’s decision to leave Nigel at the altar.
Unlike Chris,Joan doesn’t have any existing baggage with the Woodstone Mansion’s ghosts, so she could be a welcome new addition to the show’s cast. Furthermore, the fact that she can ‘Roam,’ or leave the boundaries of the location she died in and travel around the world like Pete, is even more exciting. Joan doesn’t need to stay at the Woodstone Mansion full-time, meaning she can be absent for numerous episodes at a time without this requiring a breakup between her and Sass.
How Joan’s Presence Changes Ghosts Season 4’s Story
Joan Gives Sass’s Longstanding Story A Sweet and Fitting Ending
When Nigel and Isaac’s romance happened, the former’s role in the show significantly got bigger. Now, it’s Joan’s turn to play a bigger role in season 4’s closing episodes withoutGhostsfeeling compelled to have her present in every episode. Already,characters like Alberta missGhostsseason 4 episodesall the time, as do Sass, Thor, and Flower due to the sheer size of the show’s lineup.
Devon Chandler Long
Thor
As such, it won’t be jarring or weird for Joan to flit in and out of the cast from episode to episode. Since Sass has been single for centuries, there is a good chance that he will go overboard in his first attempts at romance. However, he is unlikely to scare Joan away since, unlike most of the ghosts, she is free to leave the property any time she wants. Thus,Ghostsseason 4, episode 18 sets up a perfect replacement for Nigel with Ortega’s new character.
