S04.E08-E09: A Very Arondekar Christmas Parts 1&2

[Neptune]

“A Very Arondekar Christmas Part 1&2”
A leaky water heater mishap threatens to ruin holiday plans as Sam and Jay prepare to host Jay’s hard-to-please dad (Bernard White), difficult-to-impress mom (Sakina Jaffrey) and sister Bela (Punam Patel). December 19

 

Edited October 23 by Neptune

[Neptune]

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https://www.tvinsider.com/1165073/ghosts-season-4-holiday-episode-double-possession-asher-grodman/

[Neptune]

https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/ghosts-season-4-christmas-episodes-rose-mciver-sam-jay-parents-photos/#2

[Neptune]

 

[Annber03]

That is an uncannily good impression from Rose there. 

This already sounds like it's going to be bonkers. I can't wait :D. 

[Neptune]

 

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Edited December 19 by Neptune

[Neptune]

 

[ams1001]

"...spying on people is 98% of what we do."

This was a fun way for Jay to see the ghosts. Well, maybe not so much fun for Jay...

Pete getting to hug his daughter made me a little teary...that was sweet.

"I hate zombies." 😄

[Skooma]

Wow, I don't know where to begin to comment.  Fantastic.

Thanks to everyone involved.  Actors, writers, directors, all the production people.  You guys gave me an early Christmas present!

[shapeshifter]

This episode was like a Chistmas/Hanukkah/Festivus present to the fans!

Hah! @Skooma just beat me to it!

 

[phalange]

“Two people, one brain.”
“That’s hard to argue with.” lmao

Rose McIver is great at the physical comedy. She was hilarious as Nancy in Sam’s body. 

That was a creative way to let Jay see the ghosts for an episode. It was kind of him to let Pete go to Philly to see Laura and Little Pete one more time. Pete getting to hug his daughter made me tear up. 

Zombie Jay following the fry and then Sam saying “I hate zombies” made me laugh. 

We got to see how Sas and Thor met! I love that Thor learned Lenape and still remembers it.

Aw, Jay named the restaurant after his father and Sam finally got added to the family group chat. ❤️

[Annber03]

2 minutes ago, ams1001 said:

Pete getting to hug his daughter made me a little teary...that was sweet.

Same! That actually had me wiping at my eyes! The look on Jay/Pete's face! 

I also got choked up at the reveal of the name for Jay's restaurant. I love it. That's perfect. Such fantastic casting for Jay's parents, they were so good and I really loved their interaction with everyone this episode. 

I like that Champa's main issue with Sam was that she was so high-strung and constantly trying too hard, and not anything more serious than that. I can totally see that, that makes sense. And I LOVE that she got on so well with the Nancy version of Sam...

...and on that note, my god, Rose McIver is so freaking good as an actress. She absolutely nailed Nancy's way of speaking and her mannerisms, and watching her stumble around and just shoving food into her mouth and whatnot was hysterical XD. 

The whole plot with Jay, though. This makes the whole thing from the last Christmas episode, where Trevor tried to posess Eric to hook up with Bela, seem almost quaint, LOL. I really liked Isaac's theory about why Jay's spirit popped out instead of Pete's, and this was a really creative way to allow Jay to get to briefly see the ghosts. It was so cute to see how they instantly interacted with him and were so happy to talk directly to him and everything. 

I also loved the running joke about Pete driving ten miles per hour. And everyone's poor cars gioing through so much, LOL. And nice callback with them watching that exorcism video from the "Possession" episode back in season one. 

But yeah, I really like how this episdoe allowed for everyone to make some peace with thier respective family situations. Pete getting one more chance to spend time with Laura and Little Pete, and Jay getting to hash a few things out with his parents over their criticisms of him and Sam. And Sam got added to the group chat! Yay! 

I liked the story with Thor and Sasappis, too. Loved getting a flashback to when they first met, and how Thor had learned Lenape to communicate with Sasappis, and stil remembers it all these years later besides <3. Sasappis is right to be bugged about how his secret was revealed, but I do appeciate Thor and Flower both apologizing to him for that. 

I'm also glad that Carol didn't go through with the plan to hook up with Sasappis, 'cause...yeah :p. 

I love how this show makes its holiday episodes totally bonkers in some form or another. This one was a ride. And a lot of fun. 

[PaulE]

I loved this episode!  It had just about everything, including some hilarious lines, and was heartwarming as well.  Rose McIver really did a phenomenal job as Nancy.  Utkarsh was also pretty convincing as Pete, though of course there wasn't as much to work with.  The zombie twist was unexpected.  I was a bit surprised that the exorcism included a trinitarian invocation in Latin, as well as Thor and Flower talking about the Virgin Mary--up to now, the writers have wisely stayed away from religion, so hopefully no viewers will be offended, though in today's thin-skinned climate there's no telling.

Great to see the beginning of Thor and Sass's friendship, and it was wonderful for Jay to be able to see the ghosts.  We've often discussed how the ghosts don't seem to value him much but I suppose that was mainly because they couldn't communicate with him.  Once that changed, they were all very warm toward him.  I guess it was as nice for them as for him to finally be able to interact.  The supreme irony, though: Jay got to meet all the main ghosts except his buddy Pete!  I'd love it if Sass could bring him into one of Jay's dreams.  Sweet Jay, willing to risk his body and perhaps his entire existence so Pete could see his family for holidays--aww!  

Pete's hug with his daughter--yeah, that got to me.  And so did Jay and his father at the end.  A lovely Christmas episode!

[DanaK]

Hugely entertaining and bonkers. Jay becoming a quasi ghost was unexpected. Thor learning Lenape and using it to greet newly dead Sass was nice to see. I liked so much that others have already brought up

What does Arondekar in the title come from?

[edhopper]

It started great and kept going. Jay, "She is low on daytime minutes."

Albert, "Even we know that's not a thing anymore."

And Nancy in Sam's body was gold.

[Bastet]

20 minutes ago, DanaK said:

What does Arondekar in the title come from?

It's Jay's last name.

[Chit Chat]

1 hour ago, Annber03 said:

I'm also glad that Carol didn't go through with the plan to hook up with Sasappis, 'cause...yeah :p.

Sass wasn't interested, so that was a no-go anyway!  It was good to see Sass & Thor's first interaction, but I still want to know how Sass died.

I loved the episode, but I'm a little bummed that Jay's ability to see ghosts is only temporary.  I know that not everybody feels that way, so at least he got to see them for a short time.  I'm happy for that!

 

[ams1001]

I loved Hetty saying she hoped it would be a very long time before Jay would be able to see the ghosts again...I thought, aw, that's sweet...then she of course went true to herself and told him to stuff his pockets with cocaine just before he dies. 😄

On 12/13/2024 at 1:33 AM, Annber03 said:

That is an uncannily good impression from Rose there. 

I honestly wasn't sure if that was her or if she was lip-syncing to Betsy speaking at first.

[AnimeMania]

Sakina Jaffrey as Champa Arondekar, Jay's mother
Bernard White as Mahesh Arondekar, Jay's father
Punam Patel as Bela, Jay's sister 
Director: Rose McIver

Next New Episode: Thursday, January 30, 2025    

Edited December 20 by AnimeMania

[Chit Chat]

12 minutes ago, ams1001 said:

I honestly wasn't sure if that was her or if she was lip-syncing to Betsy speaking at first.

I thought she was lip-syncing.  

[Annber03]

Nope, that was all Rose :D.

https://deadline.com/2024/12/ghosts-star-rose-mciver-holiday-episode-interview-season-4-1236238362/

[kav]

13 minutes ago, AnimeMania said:

Sakina Jaffrey as Champa Arondekar, Jay's mother
Bernard White as Mahesh Arondekar, Jay's father
Punam Patel as Bela, Jay's sister 
Director: Rose McIver

Next New Episode: Thursday, January 30, 2025    

This episode was certainly timeless........

 

I enjoyed it.  I'm curious if the characters had to film their lines twice in the scenes with 2 Jay bodies.

[kav]

"What’s coming up for Sasappis on Ghosts? —Chloe
Roman Zaragoza confirmed in the NYCC press room, “I’m getting a love interest,” after which castmate Sheila Carrasco shared, “We’re going to find out something really, really important” about Sas, and that “Flower’s view of him completely changes with this information.”"

Is the thing learned that he is a virgin?

[ams1001]

16 minutes ago, Annber03 said:

Nope, that was all Rose :D.

https://deadline.com/2024/12/ghosts-star-rose-mciver-holiday-episode-interview-season-4-1236238362/

Now I really want to see the bloopers of her being Nancy.

[possibilities]

Rose changed character every episode of iZombie-- if you liked seeing her as nancy, check that show out! 

[DanaK]

So what happened to Pete after he exited Jay? Did he hang around his family for a bit?

[Ms Lark]

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Probably one of the best episodes yet. What a lovely holiday treat.  Jay finally getting to meet the ghosts, even if only temporarily and them ratting out Sam for some of her fibs.

I seriously hope Flower forgets what Thor told her about Sass. I was really glad she didn't "volunteer" to help him out. Thor learning Lenape! That was a revelation. Eventually we'll find out how Sass died.

"I hate zombies!"  HAH!

[incandescent]

Just now, DanaK said:

So what happened to Pete after he exited Jay? Did he hang around his family for a bit?

Yep, we see him watching the family until his arm (and penis) disappear and he realizes it's time to head back.

 

I love the consistent character trait that people do not vibe with Sam and she struggles to connect with others. Really makes you understand why she quickly came to love her ghost powers and the friend group/family it brought her.

[Neptune]

 

[Neptune]

 

[AnimeMania]

Theoretically, I was wondering when Pete was alone in Jay's body, shouldn't he have still been able to see the ghosts, even though I know from the show that he couldn't.

[Skooma]

1 hour ago, DanaK said:

So what happened to Pete after he exited Jay? Did he hang around his family for a bit?

 

1 hour ago, incandescent said:

Yep, we see him watching the family until his arm (and penis) disappear and he realizes it's time to head back.

To further clarify it was the very last scene in the show.  If you turned it off before the end you missed it.

3 minutes ago, AnimeMania said:

Theoretically, I was wondering when Pete was alone in Jay's body, shouldn't he have still been able to see the ghosts, even though I know from the show that he couldn't.

Because it was Jay's body and Jay's body can't see ghosts any more than when Hetty was in it.  Different scenarios but in both cases neither could use Jay's eyes to see ghosts.

[kathyk2]

This episode was really funny and heartwarming. Sam as Nancy was hilarious. Jay's story at the end was inspired by his parents. I loved every scene with Thorfinn especially when he was explaining Christmas to Trevor. Next year I hope Thorfinn can reunite with Bjorn. I felt bad nothing ever comes easy for her even as a teen. The ghosts were much nicer to Jay than they are to Sam.

[KarenX]

Loved it. And now I love Nancy more!

I think Sass must have been injured or killed hunting that moose?

Pete should have had a lot longer before losing his body from being off property. Wasn’t he in the Caribbean for like a week? 

[bamlou]

This was such an enjoyable episode! But I seemed to have missed something - why was Bela’s car left at a rest stop in New Jersey? (And then how did Sam, Jay, and Pete get home?)

[Bastet]

2 hours ago, kav said:

I'm curious if the characters had to film their lines twice in the scenes with 2 Jay bodies.

Every scene is shot multiple times, to capture different camera angles (and then multiple times within each angle to compile the best shots); acting is highly repetitive.  If this storyline necessitated even more set-ups, I'm not sure than is typical, but on general principle and commentary thus far, I look forward to watching tomorrow to find out -- football ran long and I continued to be distracted by wrapping, so I saw this episode in limited chunks, but I loved what I saw and look forward to seeing it properly.

[Annber03]

The post episdoe interviews have talked a LOT about how much technical work went into filming this episode, and this show requires a lot of technical details and whatnot in general. It's truly impressive the amount of work the crew puts into this show, and I really appreciate that the cast always makes a point of praising them for their role in making this show run.. 

[kathyk2]

31 minutes ago, bamlou said:

This was such an enjoyable episode! But I seemed to have missed something - why was Bela’s car left at a rest stop in New Jersey? (And then how did Sam, Jay, and Pete get home?)

I think that's where Sam met Bela and her parents. I feel bad for Sam Jay has a loving family and she doesn't. I wondered where her dad was they should have said something. 

[Neptune]

1 hour ago, bamlou said:

This was such an enjoyable episode! But I seemed to have missed something - why was Bela’s car left at a rest stop in New Jersey? (And then how did Sam, Jay, and Pete get home?)

Sam left it there after catching up to Pete. She used Jay’s car to get to Laura’s place and back to the mansion. Zombie Jay wouldn’t be able to drive Bela’s car back. Pete stayed with his family. 

[bamlou]

1 hour ago, Neptune said:

2 hours ago, bamlou said:

 

Sam left it there after catching up to Pete. She used Jay’s car to get to Laura’s place and back to the mansion. Zombie Jay wouldn’t be able to drive Bela’s car back. Pete stayed with his family. 

Ah yes, of course! Forgot they took off in Jay’s car and ditched Bela’s. Thanks for explaining. 

[DanaK]

5 hours ago, Skooma said:

To further clarify it was the very last scene in the show.  If you turned it off before the end you missed it.

That’s probably why I missed it the first time as it had commercials before it

[Daff]

This was such a satisfying, heartwarming, funny episode that by the end of it I forgave the writers for their big initial mistake of making it a gas water heater.

[Badsamaritan]

While I did enjoy last night's episode, it also made me sad for Utkarsh. I am one of those that absolutely wants Jay to be able to see the ghosts too, and the scenes last night where he got to interact with the other actors just made me keep thinking about how his character doesn't get to have the same emotional beats and growth as everyone else in the cast. I'm sure the paycheck is great but from an acting POV, he only really gets to stretch himself during these 'very special episodes' and I wonder how fulfilling (outside of the paycheck of course) this role actually is for him. So once that got in my brain, it wouldn't leave and colored my view and enjoyment because now we're just gonna go back to Jay standing around while Sam and the ghosts have whole ass conversations without him. It's not funny to me anymore, and this episode showed me why. 

I also wonder why Bela is still the only person they've told about Sam's ability, besides Eric of course. I hope the parents come back, I feel like they would understand and be accepting of it. 

[Daff]

But it was really great while it lasted, wasn’t it?