Frank’s Ghosts Season 4 Debut Emphasizes A Harsh Reality About Sam’s Powers

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Ghosts season 4, episode 2, “Sam’s Dad”

Although Ghosts season 4, episode 2 didn’t lean into the poignancy of Sam’s relationship with her father, Frank, there was a secret sad undercurrent to their shared plot. For the stars of a fun, light-hearted sitcom, Ghosts season 4’s cast of characters have plenty of trauma to go around. Even the most happy-go-lucky character, the scoutmaster Pete, died in a violent freak accident that left his ghost with an arrow sticking out of his neck. Meanwhile, Ghosts season 4’s new character Patience the Puritan lived a harsh life even before being isolated for decades as a ghost.

While the ghosts of CBS’s Ghosts have plenty of sad backstories, the show’s human characters don’t necessarily fare far better. Rose McIver’s Sam is irrepressibly optimistic, but her life had its fair share of hardships even before she gained the ability to see, speak to, and hear the eponymous spirits. Sam had a strained relationship with both of her separated parents, and she didn’t manage to make peace with her mother until she sought out her ghost in season 1, episode 11, “Sam’s Mom.” Ghosts season 4, episode 2, “Sam’s Dad,” proved her other parental figure was also imperfect.

Sam & Franks’ Relationship & Reconciliation In Ghosts Season 4, Episode 2 Explained

Sam’s Father Stayed At The Woodstone B&B With His Girlfriend

Sam’s connection to her mother’s ghost inadvertently made her Ghosts season 4 reconciliation with her father Frank tragic in “Sam’s Dad”. Frank went to stay at the Woodstone B&B with his new girlfriend, and Sam couldn’t tell him about her ability to communicate with ghosts, since the pair weren’t particularly close. This meant that Sam couldn’t mention the events of “Sam’s Mom,” wherein she reconciled with her mother Sheryl and Sheryl moved on to the afterlife as a result. What made this even sadder was the revelation of Frank and Sheryl’s fights over Sam during her childhood.

In season 4, episode 2, Jay pointed out that Sam never really got over her father missing her recorder recital when she was a small child. The ghosts overheard Frank discussing this incident with his girlfriend and found out that Sheryl specifically forbade Frank from showing up at the recital. Threatening to make a scene if he did arrive, Sheryl forced Frank to put more distance between himself and his daughter and strained his relationship with Sam as a result. Sam couldn’t even confront Sheryl about this since her mother had already ascended to the afterlife.

Sam’s Ghosts Powers Keeps Her From Truly Being Close To Her Father

Sam Couldn’t Tell Her Father About Her Ability To See Ghosts

While Sam’s relationship with Frank was hurt by Sheryl’s meddling in her childhood, her adult self also struggled to be honest with her father. Sam’s powers meant it was impossible for her to be entirely honest with him, which was what the pair needed if they ever wanted to fully mend their relationship. ”Sam’s Dad” proved that Frank never fully forgave Sam’s mother, so Sam couldn’t tell him that she had since reconciled with Sheryl. Meanwhile, the supernatural nature of their meeting made it even more impossible to explain to Frank.

While Ghosts season 4’s Patience catchphrase was secretly tragic, Sam’s plight was one of the character’s saddest storylines since the series began. In a quietly devastating way, Sam’s powers distanced her from her fathef in season 4 as much as they helped her relationship with Sheryl in season 1. ”Sam’s Dad” highlighted the inherent strangeness of the show’s premise, as it was oddly sad to realize that Sam will never be able to be honest with her father, about her mother or anything else to do with the ghosts.

Jay’s Family Knows More About Sam’s Ghosts Powers Than Her Dad

Jay’s Sister Knows More About The Ghosts Than Sam’s Father

As if this weren’t bad enough. Ghosts added insult to injury thanks to an earlier appearance by Jay’s sister, Bela. In season 1, episode 12, “Jay’s Sister,” Trevor tried to seduce Jay’s sister via a dating app despite his status as a ghost. Initially, Sam and Jay tried to claim that they had catfished Bela to get her confidence back up after a bad breakup, but eventually, Sam blurted out the truth to stop Bela from leaving in disgust. As such, Bela knows that Sam can see ghosts even though her father doesn’t.

This makes Sam’s relationship with Frank even sadder, particularly because Jay can’t even see the ghosts. Ghosts season 4 will allow Jay to see the ghosts eventually, but Bela knowing Sam’s secret while Frank is left in the dark underlines just how much the show’s heroine is still distanced from her surviving parent. Hopefully, Ghosts will eventually find a way for Sam to share the truth with Frank, allowing the pair to share a closer connection.