Following the tremendous success of its initial Christmas special, Ghosts faced high expectations with its sequel, A Very Arondekar Christmas. The previous special was among the show’s top-rated episodes, and with the much-anticipated introduction of Jay’s parents, Champa (Sakina Jaffrey) and Mahesh (Bernard White), the stakes were elevated. This year’s holiday special centers on family, but with the classic Ghosts twist — possession. The show doesn’t rest on its past achievements and raises the bar by featuring not just one, but two body swaps, an exorcism, and even a zombie. While the ghosts’ antics are a highlight, what truly sets this episode apart is Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) finally stepping into the spotlight.
The episode begins with Sam (Rose McIver) and Jay eagerly getting ready for Christmas with Jay’s family, but naturally, things go off track when their water heater breaks. As they rush to fix it before their guests arrive, Jay and Sam find themselves in the bodies of Nancy (Betsy Sodaro) and Pete (Richie Moriarty), paving the way for a delightful and chaotic body-swapping comedy. McIver’s portrayal of Nancy is hilarious, but it’s Ambudkar’s performance that truly stands out. He excels in both comedic and emotional scenes, making A Very Arondekar Christmas feel like a special episode in the best possible way.
As an early fan of Ghosts, I’ve always believed that Jay, despite being a main character, hasn’t received the attention he deserves. As the “straight man” amidst eccentric ghosts and his quirky wife, Jay often plays a secondary role to their antics. Although he’s had some standout moments — his ghostly possession by Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky) is one of the funniest and most memorable scenes — seeing Jay in the emotional spotlight here was a real delight. It’s been long overdue, and Ambudkar truly excels.
Jay’s storyline is one of the most emotional arcs the show has addressed so far. When Pete is accidentally ejected from Jay’s body during an exorcism, Jay is left to float as a ghost, unseen by his family. This gives Ambudkar the unique chance to play two roles simultaneously: as Pete in Jay’s body, and as Jay’s ghost, who’s desperately trying to connect with his family. The way Ambudkar transitions between these two characters is nothing short of brilliant. His portrayal of Pete in Jay’s body is both heartfelt and humorous, but it’s his performance as Ghost-Jay that truly resonated with me. We’ve seen Jay as the supportive husband and the good-natured, often put-upon son, but this episode reveals a side of him that we haven’t seen before — one that craves validation and recognition, especially from his father.
One of the most touching moments occurs when Jay, now as a ghost, overhears his father Mahesh speaking about him behind his back. Mahesh, despite his tough exterior, admits that he considers Jay the best cook he’s ever known, even if he won’t say it to his son’s face. The emotional payoff when Jay, back in his body, reveals that he’s naming his restaurant after Mahesh — a gesture to honor his father's sacrifices — was one of the most poignant moments of the series. As someone who has watched Jay endure so much over the seasons, seeing him finally receive the acknowledgment he deserves was incredibly moving.
The moment I’ve eagerly anticipated since Ghosts first premiered finally occurs in this episode — Jay can see the ghosts. Although I’ve loved the show’s premise, there’s always been something about Jay being the one character who can’t interact with the ghosts that felt like a missed opportunity. A Very Arondekar Christmas doesn’t disappoint. While his time with the ghosts is brief, it’s such a satisfying payoff to see him finally recognize each of them. The humor in him identifying Alberta (Danielle Pinnock) from Todd’s (Brandon Scott Jones) back tattoo, or Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky) from her distinctive laugh, was delightful. I loved these moments, but I’m also glad that this won’t become a permanent change for the show. The dynamic between Sam and Jay works so well because she’s the only one who can see the ghosts. That’s where the show’s charm lies — in Jay’s creative and often hilarious ways of communicating with them.
However, Jay's newfound awareness of the ghosts will probably have lasting impacts on his relationship with them in the future. I'm eager to see if this alters how he interacts with characters like Trevor (Asher Grodman) or Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones), or if it results in more humorous attempts to see the ghosts through increasingly absurd methods. Although I wish more time had been devoted to Jay's interactions with them in this episode, it's ultimately beneficial that this isn't a permanent change. The show's charm lies in Jay's creative struggles to communicate with the ghosts, and I wouldn't want that dynamic to be lost. Still, I wonder if this will lead to more chances for Jay to interact with the ghosts in unexpected, amusing, or even heartfelt ways.
In a series celebrated for its witty humor, A Very Arondekar Christmas strikes an ideal balance between comedy and emotion. It was delightful to see Jay, and by extension, Ambudkar, receive the attention he deserves. After three seasons of supporting roles and slapstick humor, it was refreshing to watch Jay lead an emotional journey, connecting with his family in a deeply satisfying manner. I'm eager to see where Jay's journey goes from here, and how this experience will influence his relationships with both the living and the dead.
Ghosts returns on January 30 at 8:30 PM EST on CBS, and if you haven't watched A Very Arondekar Christmas yet, I highly recommend catching up on Paramount+ — it’s an episode that perfectly showcases what makes this show so special.
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