For a supernatural show, life in Ghosts can feel surprisingly mundane, as the spirits themselves are the first to admit. Because most of the characters in Ghosts are confined to the Woodstone Manor property, there’s a natural limitation.
However, in the most recent episode, the spirits orchestrated the return of a living character introduced in Ghosts season 4 with the potential to change life for everyone at Woodstone Manor. Kyle, the only other living character besides Sam who can see spirits, is tricked into coming back to Woodstone Manor in season 5, episode 6.
Jay & Kyle Patch Things Up In Ghosts Season 5
The Spirits’ Meddling Leads To A Thanksgiving Amends
Kyle and Sam talking on the couch in Ghosts
Kyle’s introduction in Ghosts season 4, episode 21 seemed like a perfect solution to many of Sam’s problems. She had never met another living person who could see spirits like she can, so no one understood the unique frustrations that come from living with very real but very invisible friends.
Like Sam, Kyle’s abilities come from a near-death experience, but his post-accident life has been even lonelier than Sam’s, because his girlfriend couldn’t cope and left him. However, Kyle makes a pass at Sam, which ruins his chances of staying at Woodstone Manor.
Trevor’s misguided attempt to script a friendship only reinforces how important authenticity is. It’s Kyle’s unvarnished confession — his loneliness, his struggles, the emotional labor of seeing ghosts with no support system — that finally cracks Jay’s resistance. Their uneasy but genuine empathy reframes them not as rivals but as two men navigating different versions of the same burden.
Ultimately, Jay invites Kyle to stay for Thanksgiving dinner, to Sam’s pleasant surprise. This signals a new era at Woodstone Manor: one where Sam is no longer the sole intermediary between worlds, and where Jay may finally gain an ally who understands the peculiar shape of his life.
How Jay & Kyle's New Dynamic Can Begin A New Era At Woodstone
Ben Feldman Should Be Elevated To Recurring Guest Star
Ben Feldman elevates every sitcom he joins, and Ghosts is no exception. While he could have easily been a forgettable one-off guest star, Feldman’s knack for blending sincerity with heightened comedic awkwardness makes Kyle far too valuable to sideline.
Ghosts already excels at managing its sprawling ensemble, frequently weaving in background spirits and long-absent characters. Even in season 5 alone, there have been references to Chris the stripper and an incredible Ghosts callback four years in the making. The spirits reaching out to Kyle is clever, something fans have been wanting, since Kyle has so much potential as a useful character.
The biggest obstacle was Jay’s completely understandable objection to not wanting to employ the man who made a move on his wife. However, even in the moment of the near-kiss, it felt more like relief at having a real human connection than anything truly romantic. If Sam can move past it, surely Jay can as well.
Jay gains not just an extra set of living eyes at Woodstone, but a potential ally and friend if Ghosts makes Kyle a recurring character like Bela. Their new dynamic signals a fresh chapter where Ghosts can actually use Jay even better, and Woodstone Manor becomes a more interconnected, emotionally sustainable home for everyone — living or otherwise.
Kyle's Possible Increased Ghosts Appearances Can Ease The Burden On Sam
Kyle Can Be An Intermediary In Both Directions With Ghost Tasks
Kyle and Sam occupy an extraordinarily rare and emotionally taxing position in Ghosts: they navigate daily life never fully sure whether the people around them are among the living or the dead. While the series often plays this for humor, the psychological strain is significant.
Sam at least has the grounding force of Woodstone Manor, Jay, and a community of ghosts she’s come to understand. Kyle, however, has none of that. He lacks a stable home base, a partner who can share the burden, or even friends who can tolerate the oddness of his ability. His isolation isn’t just inconvenient — it’s existentially lonely.
This episode also reinforces an ongoing truth the show often lightly skims over: the spirits rely on Sam in a way that borders on exploitative. They treat her like a butler, confidante, therapist, and administrative assistant all at once, expecting constant attention, mediation, and emotional labor.
Sam loves them, but it’s not sustainable for one person to manage both the ghosts’ needs and the pressures of running a small business like Woodstone. Introducing Kyle as a more regular presence could rebalance that dynamic.
A second living intermediary would allow the spirits another avenue of communication, easing Sam’s workload. Jay, too, would benefit. Kyle’s presence could strengthen Jay’s sense of stability by giving him someone who truly understands the day-to-day strangeness of Woodstone life. Kyle would make it impossible for Sam to keep lying to Jay in Ghosts.
In nearly every direction, Kyle’s continued involvement enhances the emotional ecosystem of Ghosts. His presence wouldn’t just alleviate burdens — it could reshape Woodstone Manor into a healthier, more interconnected community for everyone, living or otherwise.
