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« Ghost Whisperer
May 4, 207: Death of a Loved One
First, let's share a collective sigh-o-relief, shall we? *Sigh* No death of a loved one... yet. I was so tense every time Jim left the house, and the moment I saw Delia's close encounter with "death by stereo," I started to get really upset. I thought, "She finally learns Mel's secret, then gets killed a couple weeks later?! Didn't they do that last year? Why are they doing it again?!" Luckily, they didn't. Everyone we love in Mel's circle is still standing, but... for how long? Although Payne didn't seem anywhere near death's door at any point in the episode, I was getting sad about him going on that sabbatical. I'm glad he decided to stay... May sweeps needs Payne.
It felt as though tonight's episode was like lining up dominoes — slow-going at times, but it's a steady build into an avalanche of apocalyptic-y goodness. I have to say, I was riveted... absolutely riveted, just as I was last week. I think my favorite scene this evening was of the underwater visions of the ferry sinking into the abyss: It was beautiful and so eerie. The audio captured that sickening, claustrophobic sound of deep, deep, dark waters... very scary, but also just awe-inspiring. When Melinda first opened the curtains, the blue glow and the white mist swept me right into one of my favorite horror movies, John Carpenter's The Fog (the only version that should have ever been made, thank you very much). The car-avalanche was quite impressive, too. I think the Ghost Whisperer folks may have spent a pretty good deal of the budget on this episode.
Although we didn't get to see The AntiGhostWhisperer often tonight, Gabriel's moments during this episode were effective... just enough to keep that continual question mark in the air, and everyone on edge. I really love the sexual tension between Mel and him... it adds more layers to his foreboding presence. I realized tonight that I like Gabriel and Ignacio Serricchio the way I liked Billy on Six Feet Under, played by Jeremy Sisto. Jeremy Sisto is so gorgeous and magnetic, and an unbelievably amazing actor who does dark and creepy so well; I just love to be rattled by him. I sort of feel that way about Gabriel.... Is that wrong? Am I a bad person? [giggle]
While I'm on the subject of gorgeous actors who do dark really well, what a pleasant surprise to see special guest star Julian Sands! Love him.
But... I will never love another Ghost Whisperer man the way that I love Jim.
Finally, I like it that the show is busting out of Grandview a bit, traveling to Europe and Russia and showing just how far-reaching Mel's gift potentially may be. Get ready for 511....
Your thoughts on this episode, Scoobies?
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May 5, 2007 1:05 AM
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Jeannine, I burst out laughing at your term "death by stereo". Very funny.
I can't wait til next week's episode. Loving the kids coming from around the world, all seemingly connected through surviving their accidents to Melinda in some way. This promises to be my very favorite storyline of the entire series. Hope they don't ruin it with some simplistic "duh" conclusion.
I didn't see the flirty stuff that posters were talking about last week between Payne and Melinda. By his expression when they hugged, I think he feels more than friendship for her, but unlike some folks, I don't think he's ever acted on it, via his mannerisms, etc.
One thing that bugs me is Melinda running out in the middle of the night all alone, i.e over to Payne's and then to the unknown house given to her by a strange voice over the phone. Luckily for her (and us) it was Julian Sands.
And I'll leave it for others to talk about the nightgown (dress?) she wore to go visiting in the middle of the night, though I'll probably have more comments tomorrow. 
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May 5, 2007 2:05 AM
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Excellent. A blog a few hours after the show. We haven't had one of those since early in the season.
This is crunch time. There is definite unease for Melinda. I do have one question. Did the water disappear after the visions for Melinda or did she have to clean up every time? In previous eps, everything would return to normal after the vision. But it seems like it didn't do that here. Hence the flood insurance line from Melinda.
There wasn't any flirting between Payne and Melinda this week. But I can tell you that Payne wouldn't turn down Melinda if she propositioned him. It does seem like the show is preparing for the Payne character to leave. I don't think he will be leaving in a pine box however.
I also don't think Delia will die. That would be two years in a row that someone who worked at Melinda's store bit the big one. It would almost become a joke like being Spinal Tap's drummer. The two main candidates for me remain Tim and Jim. I still think it will be Tim that dies. But does Melinda love Tim? I say that because she stated it will be someone she loves that dies. This will be interesting. I'll stick with Tim. He could still hang around the show as a ghost.
Good seeing Julian Sands. I liked that movie Warlock he was in several years ago. He was a busy guy. He was in London, Moscow, Rome and now the US. Of course the show did the Alias trick and Sands wasn't really at those locations. Always liked how Alias did that. They show the background establishing the city they are at and then show the actors. I half expected Sydney Bristow to show up in this ep.
So is there going to be another disaster happen in Grandview? That also is pushing the reality. I too like it when the show goes out of the city because Grandview looks like a TV set and not a real town.
I guess we are stuck with the Scoobies moniker even though that is too closely identified with Buffy. I personally would take Ghosties over Scoobies.
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May 5, 2007 3:35 AM
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I'm with Speedy re the Scoobies name. Maybe because I'm not a kid. I actually don't have to be called anything, but yep, Ghosties would be oh, so much better.
And I'm also with you on the "ANOTHER DISASTER IN GRANDVIEW?? headline. That is stretching the imagination too much.
Maybe the message is actually for Jim and not for Melinda, then it would make more sense if Tim were to die.
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May 5, 2007 9:45 AM
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I think this was the best ep so far - for me at least. Was on the edge of my seat and couldn't believe how great the disaster scenes were and agree, must have cost a bundle to do this, but shows that Ghost Whisperer is staying around, since I'd heard some whispers wondering about its fate.
I haven't a CLUE as to what disaster will be occuring nor who will die, or whether Melinda is supposed to have the ability to change the future. I wonder though whether we WILL know next week. Seems to me it's been much too much of a build up to be able to neatly tie it together (and I thought the kids were victims of her imagination, or part of the people she "sees", was amazed they were THERE - like SPOOKY - and wasn't it Melinda the one in where, was it Italy or Russia, was drawing??) like HELP - but isn't next week the finale for this season and aren't they going to leave us with a cliff hanger till Fall? That's what I think is going to happen - build up - a bit of an answer - and a LONG WAIT!!
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May 5, 2007 9:45 AM
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My husband and I were confused over the scene where Melinda walks through the courtyard. We thought it was fairly clear, even for GW, that she was wearing her nightie. And then to find out that, no, she was actually wearing day wear...
I thought the Payne scene was sweet and adorable. I think he's grand. In fact, I'm fonder of him at this point than I am of Melinda. He may be my favorite character.
Alas, poor Jim needs to go. I like the actor but the character has no point.
In general, I thought last season's finale had much more dramatic integrity. I actually teared up when Andrea was revealed to be a ghost. I thought the entire season closer last year was very classy. This year's seems a little over-the-top, but any season with Professor Rick is a good one.
I should add, I did love a lot of the effects.
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May 5, 2007 10:45 AM
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speedy1383: I too refuse to be called a "scooby." 'Ghosties' is good, or even possibly 'whispies' for Whisperer? 
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May 5, 2007 11:13 AM
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Obviously, what happened last night has to be tied somehow to Gabriel & whatever other force is "blocking" the light. Didn't Melinda & Payne even discuss that last night? I too thought the effects were good: the sinking ship, complete with groaning and splitting of the wood... the falling cars (altho why someone passing by didn't go to her & ask if she was alright, since she was running & diving like a crazy woman). As for Speedy's mention of the water/seaweed... when it happened in her house, she started to use towels to soak it up (that could RUIN her floors!), but at the store, the water receded/disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Also, like Speedy, I too think the town of Grandview looks too much like a Hollywood set-- which of course it is, but other TV "towns" seem to look real enough. I guess it's the quaint little shops, and the fact that all major things like coffee shops and the fire/rescue department seem to be centered around that town square. We never get a sense of perspective on how large Grandview is. It seems to have a fair-sized hospital, and the university has to be pretty close, and yet the "town" scenes make it look like Mayberry. And yet almost every week she's driving somewhere on some dark, deserted highway.
As for Melinda's clothing... I give the wardrobe department a "D" for this episode. Having her run around in the middle of the night, visiting an unmarried man at his house after midnight wearing that filmy nightgown-looking dress... that was bad!! When she & Payne hugged, I got the definite impression he has feelings for her. Not that he'd ever ACT on them. The man is a shameless flirt to most women, but I think he hids behind that flirtiness when it comes to Melinda. He even said in this episode that she's the bravest person he ever met.
As for Jim... as much as I love him, and love to look at him, and think it's great that Melinda has someone she can trust and who totally believes in her... but I also agree w/ "xmasbaby" that his character doesn't serve much purpose. He's mainly a sounding board for Melinda. If he were to get more involved in her cases (in a believable way, which could be tricky) I think that would be better. But he more or less fills the same purpose as the husband on Close to Home, and that handsome hunk got killed at the end of the first season. I'd really hate to see Jim die, but it could be possible and wouldn't necessarily be the death-knell of the show. (Imagine how motivated Melinda would be to stop the 'bad guys' from blocking the light! And besides, if Jim loves Melinda as much as he says he does, he'd hang around a while to 'help' her.)
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May 5, 2007 11:56 AM
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I'm not sure whose supposed to die, but I keep coming back to it being Jim. It just seems they keep eluding to it being him. Maybe it's just because the writing "death of a loved one" was on his back. Though it would be sad if it was him. He, unlike the husband on Close to Home, seems more than just filler. Even though he can't see what Mel sees, he tries to help, whether it's a sounding board, or getting records(police or medical) on dead people or family members of deceased. Also, he's just in a ton more scenes than the hubby on Close to Home. I have to say I'd be surprised if it was Delia. Mainly because it was Andrea last year. It would almost seem like a let down if it was Delia. What about Delia's kid? Never thought about Tim.
I guess my question would be, does this loved one have to know about Mel's secret, or not? Because as far as I know, Tim doesn't know Mel's secret.
I really like Payne, and hope he sticks around. The hug he gave Mel, melted my heart. It was so cute, I think Mel's the first woman he's really connected with and cared about since his wife died. Now I don't want anything romantic to happen between them, but I do think they both care about each other. Crossing my fingers that the pilot Jay Mohr did, doesn't get picked up so he can stay on full time next season--of course this is based on whether or not GW gets renewed.
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May 5, 2007 1:05 PM
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I wish they would have made this show into a 2 hour show versus 2 Fridays in a row. This is my favorite show. Melinda did wear alot of skimpy tops but She is still a good actress. I love Jim and I don't think he is not a good part of the show. The writers could do a better job with his character. They haven't been as loving to eachother this season. I wonder why. This is the best show on tv.
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May 5, 2007 3:06 PM
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With my earlier comments, I didn't mean to imply that Jim is 'fluff,' or 'useless.' Like his counterpart on Close to Home, he is loving and supportive, and always encourages his wife in any way he can. Jim DOES help Melinda out, but mainly by looking up accident reports, etc. But let's face it, that's the kind of stuff that anybody could do. We rarely see Jim do anything that Payne or Delia or Melinda herself couldn't do. (I'm not talking bedroom stuff, here folks.) Payne, with all his arcane knowledge of myth and folklore, actually provides more practical help to Melinda than Jim does. That's why I wish Jim would be more involved in the cases somehow-- even if he just goes places with her, to protect her, which he has done from time to time. I want him to be more than just a cardboard cutout "support staff" to Melinda, because the more he does, the more valuable his character is.
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May 5, 2007 3:59 PM
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Melinda's visions have been quite outrageous this season -- but totally in a fun, entertaining way! -- and this episode was right up there with the Amazon (Peruvian?) jungle episode and the freaky elevator ride in the hospital! Still, like everyone else I enjoyed the prophetic scenes very much and agree that the ferry and car scenes were impressive. More so was the whole deal with the number 5, as well as the fact that CBS scheduled the finale to air on May 11 (or did GW choose to mention that date in the episode to coincide with next Friday?? Either way!).. 
How great was it to see Camryn Manheim finally having enough depth of material to show her tremendous talent? Both her and Jenn's performances were spot on in the hospital scene. And loved that they mentioned Andrea, and Melinda's confession that Andrea died because "she knew". Overall, one of the best episodes!
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May 5, 2007 4:07 PM
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I have to say that while I was really excited about this episode, nothing really happened. I am frustrated with the under usage of Jim and the subsequent overusage of Payne. I think he's an interesting character but most of the time he seems to play a much bigger role in Melinda's life than her own husband does.
And I am really frustrated with Melinda's denseness. She is always looking to Payne for all the answers and she spent most of the episode clueless about what was happening, if she actually thought about everything she would be able to figure some things out on her own. She's so passive and she should know by now that she needs to take action, she should be seeking out ghosts like Gabriel is and start fighting back by bringing peace to as many spirits as she can.
I know that Delia has fans but it wouldn't have bothered me all that much if she is the loved one that dies. But I do think they should have written Andrea out a different way if they were going to go down the road of death to a loved one for the season finale when they have just done it for the season before.
I am looking forward to next week and I hope that Melinda doesn't wait around for the answers to come to her.
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May 5, 2007 5:20 PM
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While I dont post here very often, I do come and read faithfully every week. I have to say that "scoobies" should be off limits and totally saved for us fans of the buffyverse. Stick with Ghosties or any other relatable term - just not Scoobies.
Also - I have to say that I have not witnessed an OUNCE of sexual tension between Melinda & Gabriel. Melinda's wearing of flirty and non-existent clothing should not be mistaken for flirtatiousness. She is a kind soul and open to everyone - I think her initial encounters with Gabriel were very close & intimate - but that does not necessarily have to translate to sexual tension. And the scene on the hospital?? Where on earth do you get sexual tension from that? Sorry - that's a stretch and a half.
Someone mentioned it was a good thing that the person who showed up at the house was Julian Sands... how do we know that's a good thing? Seems a bit early to make that call. We dont know why hes there or why he was gathering surviving children from these incidents. It may turn out to be nothing, but lets not assume hes a good guy just yet.
Delia was so lying in the hospital when she said she would believe Melinda.
Jim can't die. At least not this season. I think that would be far too devastating for Melinda. However, I think that stems more from my deep crush on him. I like to live vicariously through Jim and Melinda and pretend my marriage was anywhere near as awesome as theirs! BUT, if he did have to go, I would love to see Prof Payne do some consoling...
'Til next week...
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May 5, 2007 5:24 PM
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Hi carol2369, I agree with you that there hasn't been any sexual tension between Melinda and Gabriel. That never even entered my head. What on earth was sexual about any of their encounters?
And I'm the one who said I was glad it was Julian Sands. Yes, it is an assumption on my part to think he's good, and I'm going to go against your advice not to assume it. I believe he's a high level researcher of the paranormal, more so than Payne. I believe he's been gathering evidence for them all to use against Gabriel. Now I could be wrong, but this is the sort of stuff I read in novels and watch in movies since forever. And it feels right to me. I'm not asking anyone to believe it, but I think I'm entitled to believe it until proven different.
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May 5, 2007 6:12 PM
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