Hetty’s Powers Took 4 Seasons To Unfold, But ‘Ghosts’ Stole the Spotlight With a Bigger Twist!

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One of the most unique aspects of Ghosts is that each spirit has its own power, and although Hetty is one of the oldest ghosts, she only just discovered her skill in season 4, episode 16. It’s been fun watching other ghosts discover their powers, like the reveal of the basement ghosts’ destructive power that almost ruined Jay’s restaurant opening, but we have been waiting to discover what the Lady of Manor’s powers would be.

While some of the ghost powers in CBS’ Ghosts are connected to their deaths, like Isaac’s unfortunate smell stemming from his death from dysentery, Hetty’s is tied to her new understanding of her true heritage. This explains why it didn’t manifest until now. While Hetty’s power was finally revealed, it was overshadowed in the same episode with another ghost also getting a much cooler ability at the same time.

Ghosts Season 4, Episode 16 Finally Reveals Hetty’s Power

Hetty’s Power Is Intrinsically Tied To Her Irish Heritage

In Ghosts season 4, episode 10, Hetty learns that her grandmother was secretly, shamefully Irish, making her Irish as well. In Ghosts season 4, episode 16, Jay’s cousin Sunil is staying at Woodstone Manor over St. Patrick’s Day to lift his spirits after being dumped. When she walks in, Hetty is shocked that Sunil can see and hear her, although he is completely unaware of Alberta and Sas. He offers her some coffee, and she cleverly declines by saying, “It goes right through me.”

Hetty and some of the ghosts speculate about why Hetty can be seen now after being dead for nearly 150 years. Pete theorizes it’s because she now knows she is Irish (and has learned to see the Irish as people), which is why she can be seen on St. Patrick’s Day, the most famous Irish holiday. Pete reveals the concept of “tiers” for ghost powers, and whether Hetty stays visible will determine what tier her power is. Tier One is “godlike powers,” Tier Two is “neat but not really that useful,” and Tier Three is hardly ever needed.

Sunil excitedly tells a confused Jay and Sam that he’s had the most wonderful time connecting with their “guest,” Hetty. Over lunch, Sunil admires how present Hetty is, noting she hasn’t checked her phone once. They form a connection, as Sunil is metaphorically an old soul and Hetty is one. Things are going so well that Sunil invites Hetty to meet up again next weekend. When Sunil reaches for her hand, he obviously passes right through hers. Disturbed and confused, Sunil is even more alarmed when Hetty walks through a closed door.

Later, Hetty is filling in Sam and Jay in the kitchen when Sunil walks in, and asks Hetty in terror what she is. Hetty reveals her true identity as the Lady of the Manor and a ghost. Hetty thanks Sunil for allowing her to make a real connection for the first time in her life or afterlife and tells him that even if he feels out of step in modern times, “a wonderful man never goes out of style.”

At midnight, the ghosts, Sam, and Jay gather to see what will happen to Hetty. Hetty is not sucked off, but she goes back to usual self, where the livings apart from Sam cannot see her, at least until next St. Patrick’s Day, hopefully.

Hetty’s Power Is Cool, But Chris’ Ability Is Far Cooler

Chris Can Fly Anywhere In The World With His Parachute

Hetty’s power is incredible because even with a Tier One power like Trevor’s, he must exert an incredible amount of energy just to press one button, but Hetty’s power is effortless. Any living can see her, at least for the 24 hours of St. Patrick’s Day, but she is powerless the other 364 days a year. Hetty had to wait over a century to learn her ghost power, but Chris, the dinosaur-loving stripper who died in Ghosts season 4, episode 15, did not have to wait nearly as long to discover a much cooler ghost power.

Chris was testing his malfunctioning parachute and realized he could fly anywhere, as the ghost boundary did not seem to apply from above the ground. Chris describes it as a “Mary Poppins” situation, though he doesn’t clarify whether he must actively fly or simply imagine a place and find himself hovering over it. Chris’ power easily outshines Hetty’s and even Pete’s ability, although it is unclear whether he will have to periodically return to the property to prevent himself from disappearing like Pete does when he is gone from Woodstone for too long.

How Ghosts Can Effectively Use Hetty’s Powers Moving Forward

Sam And Hetty Can Plan Ahead For Next St. Patrick’s Day

It seems that Hetty’s powers are limited to St. Patrick’s Day, but with Ghosts renewed for seasons 5 and 6, we will have two more opportunities for her to effectively use her power. This could be an opportunity for Sam to invite extended family over for a St. Patrick’s Day Party to celebrate their heritage, so Hetty could not just see but carefully interact with other blood relatives.

Hetty so enjoyed interacting with the livings that she might insist Sam throw a party or at least invite Sunil back next St. Patrick’s Day, although I can’t imagine Sunil accepting Jay’s invitation back to Woodstone. As Hetty learned, her Ghosts power is a double-edged sword: while she can be seen and heard, she still can’t physically interact with anything. If too many people discover that Woodstone Manor has ghosts, it could be bad for Sam and Jay’s B&B – unless leaning into that angle is exactly what they need to take their business to the next level.

New episodes of Ghosts air Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. ET and stream the next day on Paramount+. Season 4, episode 17, “St. Hetty’s Day” will air April 3, 2025.

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