Ghosts Season 4, Episode 4, “The Work Retreat,” is like the more vulnerable, tenderly honed puzzle piece to Season 1, Episode 16, “Trevor’s Pants.” As emotional and necessary as Trevor Lefkowitz’s funeral episode is, this arc feels achingly significant while it subtly deep dives into his headspace and gives Asher Grodman some incredible material to work with.
“The Work Retreat” essentially examines the idea of legacy through Trevor by giving him yet another chance to see that his actions matter and that he hasn’t been forgotten. With this narrative, the episode provides an emotionally satisfying arc that’s so relatable it’s heartbreaking on close inspection.
Ghosts’ “The Work Retreat” Proves That T-Money’s Legacy Lives On
First things first, yes, the ghosts are bored, but they’re also each going through something. They individually have aches and pains that occasionally still sting, reminding them of everything they didn’t accomplish and everything they seemingly “failed” at. They might get moments of closure or a better understanding of a period in their life, but as it works for those who are alive, it doesn’t automatically stop the wound from hurting.
For Trevor Lefkowtiz, the majority of his pain ties back to that faithful night when he died and the job he still really, genuinely loves. (Like Hetty, I don’t understand math, so I’ll never get this, but it works for him, so hey!) In Ghosts’ “The Work Retreat,” viewers learn that he not only applied for a job in his current state, but he also got said job and has been working remotely for weeks now. The news breaks to the ghosts simultaneously as it does to the viewers because Trevor now has to attend a work retreat but given his confinement to the boundary line… Well, he’s trapped.
After some discussion, Jay poses as Trevor’s unique and unsearchable alias—Michael Jackson. (So unique. Doesn’t sound familiar at all. Trevor Lefkowitz’s genius should be studied.) During the retreat, Trevor overhears his new coworkers talking about how he’s (Jay) much more likable than they thought “Michael” would be and that his old ways are bizarre.
He storms off, visibly upset and then vocalizes that he just wanted one more chance to keep his legacy alive. Asher Grodman is so sincere in this delivery that Trevor’s vulnerability broke me. And because of this, Ghosts continues to be admirable as a series when it reminds us of how human these reactions are. As complex and wildly different as humans are, we all understand the need to be remembered and the desire to make a name for ourselves. This journey feels especially significant for Trevor to revisit in Ghosts’ “The Work Retreat” because he holds an excess of trauma tied to his job, and every little thing regarding it naturally affects him, even if he doesn’t voice it aloud. But people can only hold things in for so long before it eventually comes out, and now that it’s out there, Ghosts reminds viewers that the characters in this show are going to continuously look out for each other.
So when Jay chooses to make matters right by telling everyone that all his (Michael’s) expertise comes from his mentor T-Money, it turns out that the accountants not only know who Trevor Lefkowitz is, but they know T-Money. His legacy is alive and glistening, thanks to Pinkus, a quiet kid who remembered and held onto Trevor’s kindness. Because of Trevor, the “run of fun” is now in honor of T-Money, showcasing that he not only left his mark but also changed something in a grossly toxic industry by giving them something more exemplary to honor. There are a myriad of inspiring episodes like this on Ghosts, but it continues to be so refreshing that the show doesn’t shy away from shocking the audience with graciously lovely moments like this. It’s a large part of the show’s appeal, but more than that, it gives the characters so much range by allowing them to grow and heal four seasons in.
Trevor’s arc in Ghosts’ “The Work Retreat” is also a lovely reminder that sometimes, one person is enough to remind the rest of the world how impactful you were. Back then, Trevor Lefkowitz didn’t give Pinkus his pants to be remembered. No, he gave Pinkus his pants because he didn’t want someone else to know the humiliation he did, and that one, seemingly small gesture made T-Money the legend that he is.
The ghosts already acknowledged his heroism back in Season 1, but the decision also made him a true hero to those Trevor wanted to impress most — the aspiring analysts who’d want to be just like him someday. It gave him a legacy that matches his genuine goodness and the fierce loyalty he holds for those he cares about.
What are your thoughts on Trevor’s journey in Ghosts‘ “The Work Retreat?” Let us know in the comments.
