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« Ghost Whisperer
Episode Recap: "Don't Try This at Home"
Bloody Mary [Spin], bloody Mary [Spin], bloody Mary [Spin]. Did you ever play that game? I did several times at grade-school slumber parties, and here's the secret: the reason "Bloody Mary" pops out at you in the mirror is... you're so dizzy after spinning around three times, you wind up seeing your reflection "behind" you. But do not try this at home!
Actually, at the start of the episode, when the first "victim" landed herself in the hospital, I thought, "It's kind of what's supposed to happen when you play that Bloody Mary game in the mirror!" Was I right, or was I right?
After a pretty eventful season premiere, I don't have much to say about this episode, and not because it was bad. It just didn't really connect any dots about the big "Grandview secret" or all of the other unanswered questions. But that's OK, I'm sure we'll get a few episodes of the "semi-serialized" variety for a few weeks, and then the dots will start lining up during November sweeps. It just seems to work that way, eh?
But what bugged me about tonight's episode:
1) Still not enough Jim and Delia for me. They seem to be focusing mostly on Payne, and as much as I love that character, I hope they don't focus on him so much that it ruins a good Payne. It wouldn't be the fault of Jay Mohr's, but of the writers. We all love Jim, so why blow him off? Most of us love Delia, so why blow those characters off to show more scenes with Payne? It's just not necessary for the betterment of the show.
2) Did the whole "Bloody Mary on the Internet" thing make you feel like somebody in the boardroom said, "This is what the kids are doing these days, let's write that"? I found it a bit forced, and not very necessary as a way for us to get to know the circle of friends affected by Rachel's ghost.
What I liked about this episode:
1) Autumn Reeser! Hey ya, Autumn, Michael Ausiello isn't your only TV Guide blogger fan, OK?!
If you all don't know who I'm talking about, you missed out on the best O.C. season ever (well, it was about as good as Season 2). Unfortunately, it was the last season. [Single tear] Autumn, as the character Taylor, turned out to be one of my favorite characters on The O.C. and I was really sad the show got canceled, because (sorry, Mischa), once mopey Marissa left the series and they brought Taylor into the group of four, the show really found its groove again. I think they could have done at least one more season but... oh well. (Autumn played the character of Sloan tonight.)
Now then, back to Ghost Whisperer.
2) This one had a nice, creepy vibe, but again, not too creepy. I would be surprised about the increase in blood (and fingernails), but c'mon, this episode revolved around Bloody Mary, so I don't think they're suddenly trying to get all CSI on us or anything.
What was done right about the way this ghost was impacting the students was that it felt a little bit like The Ring, in which word got around about "the ghost," so everyone was daring each other to try that (urban)-legend thing that could potentially kill ya. That's actually pretty realistic... at least, realistic enough that I tried it with my friends back in the day....
3) Finally, what I liked about the episode is that it said to me, "Halloween is right around the corner!" And I love me some Halloween.
Your thoughts on tonight's episode? I'm not commenting on the cleavage, because it never really fits into what bugs me or what's fun about the episodes.... It sort of sits somewhere... in between.
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Oct 6, 2007 3:35 AM
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Hi Jeannine. So glad you're getting the blog up earlier than last year so this old fogie can still remember the episode! Thanks.
From the previews all week I thought this would be much scarier than it was. It actually was disappointing in that it came off as unscary, easily explained, and sometimes stupid. You're right, the website thing was a real bust.
I thought the ghost guy in the records room basement was supposed to be from the dark side, but tonight he came off as her friendly messenger whom she could go to for answers. Not even creepy.
And even though I love Jay Mohr, some of his acting tonight was way over the top. The scene at Melinda's where he's telling her about the urban legend/myth..wow, he was practically shouting it. Reminded me of hyper Ross on Friends.
All that aside, I did enjoy watching it, but I wasn't spooked....except the very end held some promise when Melinda and Jim leave the shop, and there reflected in the door is possibly "Bloody Mary" looking very spooky. Wonder what's up with that and why she didn't show her face to Melinda at some point.
Clothing...not so bad at all. Didn't love the keyhole dress, but thought everything else was great. Jeannine, I and others know this isn't a part of the story, but it's fun as hell to comment on.
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Oct 6, 2007 6:14 AM
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Bah, that's not over-the-top. My father is a college prof, and that's EXACTLY how he acts when he really gets caught up in something he finds exciting.
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Oct 6, 2007 12:01 PM
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I suppose it was excitement. I don't have a college prof dad to compare him to. It seemed over the top to me, plus over the top is okay, but the "acting" over the top in this case was a bit much.
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Oct 6, 2007 12:36 PM
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I actually liked this episode. I thought the crossing over of Rachel was very touching and moved along in the same lines as the other cross-overs go...I teared up.
One thing that bugs me a little is that everything seems to happen at one time on this show and once a little light is shed, they bury everything and go back to business as usual and everything resurfaces at one time.
I, too, was wondering about the records guy. He seemed to be aiding her more than hindering her; he wasn't mean to her like last week. Strange.
That's all I really have to say about this episode...I just love this show no matter what, so I love all the episodes. next week's show looks pretty good...looks like it has some very touching potential.
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Oct 6, 2007 3:00 PM
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For those wondering about the ghost in the records room, he had a number of appearances as "cute-guy god" in Joan of Arcadia. In this episode of GW, I too noticed he didn't seem as hostile as he had last week. And the dead girl didn't have any trouble crossing over. I thought the "bad ghosts" were blocking the light so people couldn't cross over anymore. It seems that some weeks they're not as efficient at that as others.
Looking forward to this show in a few weeks... they usually do a pretty good/scary Halloween episode. ![]<img border=](http://community.tvguide.com/images/emoticons/devil.gif) ">
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Oct 6, 2007 4:39 PM
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Did anyone else catch Jim's look when he came to pick up Melinda for dinner and passed Payne leaving the shop? I think he's moving into "Why is that guy always hanging around my wife" territory. Tension is gonna build between hubby and wife and hubby and prof, I'm thinking.
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Oct 6, 2007 8:37 PM
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I've been watching this show long enough to know that a lot of times the previews will make the episode look like it's going to have a lot more scary stuff than whats in it. Not a complaint, just an observation.
I thought the web site thing was actually pretty goulish, with the clock counting down the time that the girls had left.
The guy in the records room didn't seem as threatening, but maybe he feels telling stories about the towns sordid past would help convince her that it is a bad place to stay in.
I too feel that Payne is becoming a crutch for both the character and the show. He's turning into someone who can give all sorts of exposition, without her looking things up herself. As much as I like the character I think there should be a little less Payne involved.
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Oct 6, 2007 10:39 PM
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I know some of you have commented on the "records guy" being from Joan of Arcadia, but I couldn't place where *I* remember him from (I never watched J of A)... he's the kid who worked in the home depot-style store in the last Final Destination movie. Cool death scene.
I agree about the ep not being all that scary, but I didn't mind. I just like the telling of the story and the crossing over part. Nothing can scare me like the movies I would sneak out of my room to watch in the middle of the night while my mom was asleep. (you're not the only one watching messed up movies at a young age, Jeannine) All the stuff she forbade me to watch: Nightmare on Elm St., Poltergeist, Amityville Horror, The Exorcist, The Shining... THESE are scary movies.
I used to freak myself out so badly and no one could understand since I "didn't" watch scary stuff. And I'd be afraid to sleep at night, so I'd fall asleep during the day in school and the nurse told my mom she thought I had narcolepsy... and thus began my life as a night-owl.
Today's movies just don't seem to have that "fright" factor for me. The last modern movie that truly scared me was The Blair Witch Project. Mostly b/c it was my first weekend in my first apartment alone... and also b/c of what you DIDN'T see... my imagination worked overtime in that scene they were sitting in the tent and heard children laughing (rule of thumb: laughing children in the middle of the night in a place where NO children should be around = FREAKIN' SCARY!) I slept with the lights on for 6 days!
And speaking of "Redrum," Jeannine... b/c of that movie... twins STILL creep me out to this day.
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Oct 7, 2007 6:20 PM
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This episode highlighted a couple of problems I have with this show. But before I go on with that subject, let me make it clear, I overall love this show and try to never miss an episode. It is on my must-see list with 24, Heroes, Bones, NCIS, Medium and Supernatural. Ok, now on with the bad stuff:
1 - I love Jay Mohr and what he brings to this show but his character very seldom, if ever, provides Melinda with any information or assistance that makes him invaluable to her or an essential part of the team. Don't get me wrong, I know Jennifer's character is numero uno, but good teamwork helps any show.
2 - Jim and Delia - The actors who portray these characters are terrific but let's be honest, their characters are so unimportant to the show that it's not funny. Some here say Jim is the perfect husband, I say he is the perfect neutered husband. The man gets to show no traits other than support and love. That's a VERY one-dimensional character. As far as Delia is concerned, friends for Melinda who aren't involved in the occult or supernatural in some way are just filler. And the character of Delia is too old anyway. It just doesn't click with Melinda. As least her previous friend was in her age range. Have Delia leave town and bring in a new female character who is a witch maybe.
Ok, that's all for now. Thanks for letting me express my opinions.
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Oct 8, 2007 10:31 AM
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Finally got around to watching the show. I enjoyed the episode. Had some good scenes in it. Autumn Reeser really wasn't looking too good in this ep. And Season 1 will always be the best season of the O.C. But the last season was the second best.
Daesey-Glad someone remembered that I mentioned the Joan of Arcadia connection last week. You mentioned some good horror movies. Always loved The Shining even though Stephen King hated it. Didn't care for Blair Witch at all. Good horror movies are very hard to do. They are either too jokey or not enough story. Last great one I saw was the British movie "The Descent". Great movie.
I think Payne did help out. He told her about the mirrors and the importance of them. The show may overdo him a bit. I am sure the other characters will take more center stage in future weeks.
I will disagree with you Jeannine about Delia. I don't think most of us like her. It is probably evenly split. I still like Andrea a lot better. I also agree with the last poster. Jim is one dimensional. He seems like a fantasy husband to me and not that realistic. I haven't seen much depth to him.
Not sure if the records guy was trying to be helpful or trying to spook Melinda. I think it was the latter. And he must know that the real Bloody Mary is out there. I wonder if Bloody Mary knew the Candyman at all. They both come at you in similar ways with the name being called out 3 times. Probably lived down the street from one another.
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Oct 9, 2007 9:29 PM
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I say skip Moonlight (which is a terrible show) after GW and go to ABC and watch Women's Murder Club.
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Oct 12, 2007 8:27 AM
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Moonlight is an awesome show, it's only been the 3rd episode.
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Oct 13, 2007 2:45 AM
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