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

Although Isaac tried to maintain that Nigel’s move was about his own character growth, it was really Patience’s role inGhostsseason 4 that necessitated this change.Ghostsseason 4’s new opening creditsproves that a lot is changing in the Woodstone Mansion this year.Mary Holland’s new character Patience the Puritanjoined the show’s large lineup of characters, Jay’s family will finally be introduced in the upcoming two-part Christmas special, and Sam’s father appeared in the series for the first time in season 4, episode 2, the aptly-titled, “Sam’s Dad.” These changes all broadened the show’s focus.

Utkarsh Ambudkar’s Jay standing outside smiling in Ghosts season 4-1

Ghosts Season 4’s Jay Twist Solves The Biggest Problem With His Character

Ghosts season 4 episode 1 proves that the CBS sitcom still doesn’t know how to use Jay, and this makes his character’s upcoming twist a great idea.

However, the changes toGhostsseason 4’s cast of characterscut in both directions. Isaac’s love interest, his former enemy Nigel, played a pretty major supporting part in season 3 as he and Isaac prepared for their wedding. When Isaac dramatically left him at the altar, Nigel was crestfallen. In “Sam’s Dad,” it became increasingly clear that Nigel didn’t really have an established role among the house’s ghostly population outside his status as Isaac’s ex. “Sam’s Dad” came up with a fitting solution for this issue, but viewers expecting more from Nigel were in for disappointment.

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Nigel’s Move Back To The Shed Was Necessary Mainly Because Of Patience

The Introduction Of Mary Holland’s New Character Sped Up Nigel’s Move

“Sam’s Dad" moved Nigel back to the shed, so the sitcom could devote more story focus and screen time to Patience. Nigel’s move improved Isaac’sGhostsseason 4 character arc when the typically arrogant and self-centered Isaac made a genuinely sweet gesture to his ex by temporarily moving out in his place. It is worth noting, though, that Patience’s introductory episode set upGhostsseason 4’s Isaac redemption arcin in the first place. Holland’s new supporting star has already had a major impact on the house’s human and ghost inhabitants in her first two episodes, unlike Isaac’s love interest.

Isaac’s former love interest needed to leave the mansion as he hadn’t formed many lasting bonds with the rest of the house’s ghosts.

Nigel never really developed a role of his own inGhostsand, since there are already so many supporting stars that entire episodes are forced to sideline numerous major characters every week, the sitcom struggled to justify his continued presence. The arrival of Patience meant that Nigel had to move back into the shed, so the revelation that the shed’s inhabitants instantly grew sick of Isaac’s boasting was a narrative necessity. Isaac’s former love interest needed to leave the mansion as, unlike Patience, he hadn’t formed many lasting bonds with the rest of the house’s ghosts or humans outside of Isaac.

Can Nigel Still Return To Woodstone Mansion In Ghosts?

Nigel Is Unlikely To Move Back In During Ghosts Season 4

It is possible that Nigel will move back into the Woodstone Mansion someday, but it is hard to see this happening inGhostsseason 4. Already,Patience’s tragicGhostscatchphrasehas underlined just how much potential growth her character has as the lonely Puritan loosens up and starts to embrace the mansion’s community of ghosts. In contrast, Nigel’s role in the series lacks depth. If he were to return, it would need to be in a subplot that focused on him over Isaac. This could allowGhoststo flesh out his character more substantially than season 3 managed.