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« Ghost Whisperer
February 23, 2007: Bed, Bath and Voodoo
A heartfelt thank you for doing such a great job filling in for me last week. I had to play "catch up" all week, and prepare for Oscar weekend, so I just didn't have time to return. Once it was Friday, I thought... "well sheesh, by now, it's old news and... they all covered last week's episode so well... maaaan, they don't even need me!" Thank you also for wishing me well, because it definitely worked and I am feeling 100 percent again.
Now then, let's get into the new episode.
I really hope last week's promos didn't literally scare off too many of you, because this was one of my favorite episodes ever. At first, I was prepared to be annoyed that this was going to become a poor attempt to cash in on a popular horror franchise [zombies], or that it was about to become another "crime drama" mystery in an attempt to compete with Medium. Thankfully, this episode became one of the most creative and well written of the season, and I really had fun watching it.
Judging from last week's comments on the “absence of Payne,” I'm sure I wasn't the only one cheering upon seeing Jay Mohr's name in the credits. As always, he contributed lots of spark to the show, and it's no wonder he's so missed when he's not on. I did wonder about his voodoo candle.... Do you think he may have consulted his own Shaman, and has used that candle to help draw his wife to the light? Did you notice it was on a shelf next to an artifact of a mask? It could be another clue about her. What do you think?
Speaking of great casting, I really enjoyed watching one of my favorite actors, Jamie Bamber from Battlestar Galactica, in the role of Bryan. He did a great job covering a wide range of emotions, and once the other ghost came into the picture, I thoroughly enjoyed watching both of them, especially once they got to the quick-witted banter from the reunion on to the end.
I think what I liked best of all was that this episode really kept its sense of humor. As I mentioned above, I loved the interaction between the two ghosts, and that it covered a lot of emotional ground with two very talented actors. This episode had just enough of a spooky feeling without getting too dark (although, there's no such thing as too dark for me), and also that perfect amount of sweet. It felt good to shed a few emotionally satisfying tears of closure once the ghosts crossed over; that's my favorite kind of Ghost Whisperer ending.
Now then, about this episode's weaknesses. It was good to see Tim working his butt off on apologizing to Delia, and I'm glad she didn't give in very quickly. I still would like to know what the heck happened, and it annoyed me that we still don't get closure on that. (Frankly, I don't know that we will.) I remain annoyed that Delia doesn't know about Mel's gift, and I hope that the writers do consider letting her in on it soon, because we're all getting pretty frustrated over seeing Camryn Manheim in such a “wallpaper” role (yes, I just now made up that description).
Although those two Delia stories remain a bit of an irritating question mark for me, the other intriguing question mark remains, and that is, Payne's wife: dead or alive? And I'm going to proclaim it right here, right now: Ghost Whisperer powers-that-be: you need to cast Jay Mohr as a permanent character soon!
Anyway, this episode really reminded me of why I like and still watch Ghost Whisperer, and I hope it did that for you all, too.
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Feb 24, 2007 8:46 PM
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Wow, do I disagree about the episode!
I was just totally thrown off by the dead body walking around. I usually can give the show some slack--I don't believe in ghosts but don't have trouble with Melinda talking to them and helping them and/or their families...
But this episode, with the inhabited body walking around, just made me actually say, WTF? Having other people seeing the dead body (and thus seeing the ghost) just threw me off. And yes, I know people can see an actual dead body if it was moving around...but I guess I didn't like the ghost(s) interacting with other people.
I watched with my sister who was not bothered by this so I'm guessing my opinion will be an unpopular one.
I just found it...off-putting. I can't say why the body walking around disturbed me. It's not a squeamish thing...and I don't mind zombies in horror films... It really might just be that (on this particular show) it interacted with other people who usually cannot interact with ghosts like Melinda can...even though it was in an actual body...
Eh.
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Feb 24, 2007 9:18 PM
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Funny, I find myself in agreement with both Cruciatus and Jeannine.
My one disagreement with Jeannine is that I do NOT think this was great, but it was enjoyable.
My agreement with you, Cruciatus, is about the zombie part. I agree with what you said, but have to say here that I would be anti any zombie scenes. I detest zombie movies, don't find them scary at all, so the body usage part of this epi was EH for me, for sure.
I think that Tim sort of gave a reason for his bad treatment of Delia and that was just that he was scared when it felt like it was getting too serious. Hey, it's not a good reason, but it may be the only reason we're gonna get.
Yep, loved having Jay Mohr on. Would like more scenes with him.
Now, as always, I must say something about Melinda's clothes. I think someone must be listening to us or others about her "risque" necklines or her "maternity" look, because I didn't see that once this show...except in her nightie, and that was ok. But that blue dress with the huge white collar??? Was she trying out for the part of a school teacher in "Grease"? Or maybe June Cleaver? BAD
My one other nitpicky....when the heck are they gonna stop having shows about teenagers and Melinda going to that damn high school? That's at least 3 this season, isn't it? Enough already.
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Feb 25, 2007 2:40 AM
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I really enjoyed the episode. I don't need this show to be Touched by a Ghost Whisperer every week. It just would get very boring if they did that. They need to mix it up. And they do seem like they are doing that.
It's funny that they touched on things this week that I had hoped they would resolve. Like the Tim situation. I was fine with his explanation. I am glad that Jim gave him some grief. And Tim finally grew a pair and tried to apologize to Delia about it. And how long has it been since the broken date? It seemed like they made it not that long ago. But I would have thought it would have been at least a few weeks. I guess in GW world, it was only a week or two.
Also glad to see Professor Payne back in action. He does have some good banter with Melinda. I still think his wife is dead.
The zombie angle was cool. I have always loved zombies. It was a neat twist this week with two ghosts and finally finding out what happened to the one guy. I enjoyed the sister line. That was amusing and cutting. The guy definitely deserved hearing that.
I think I have come to the conclusion that it is fine with me that Melinda dresses sexy in nightware. Dayware is too distracting to the story though. So big thumbs up again to Melinda and her nightware. I did find it funny when she dressed like a pilgrim. Or maybe that is the new style these days. Either way, I thought pilgrim.
I still find it unbelievable that most of the town people don't know about Melinda's gift. The Dead Zone is a similar show with a person who has a gift. And those town people knew only after a few times he did his thing. I think she does have to tell Delia soon. Delia can't be that dense where she sees Melinda talking to herself, strange stuff hapening, Melinda being distracted all the time and taking off with no warning. It strains credibility if she is kept in the dark for much longer. And it seems a little cruel to keep her in the dark. They've known each other long enough. It is time for Melinda to tell her.
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Feb 25, 2007 2:53 AM
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Did we ever find out why the first ghost lost a middle toe? Did he happen when he died? And was it of any significance other than to verify to Jim that the body and the ghost were one in the same?
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Feb 26, 2007 9:49 AM
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Cyndi- I think that's all it was (re:the missing toe); just a way for Jim to put two & two together. I knew that almost immediately after Jim asked about the 2nd body at the morgue. As an EMT, you don't drop off one body and then go asking about another during idle chit chat. Whatever.
Pinkie- Just like a guy, eh? Being worried things are getting "too serious" even before the first actual date!!! 
Jeannine- I think Payne's wife is absolutely dead (although, I think I typo'd in a previous post that I thought she was alive--- sorry, meant to write DEAD... oops!). Also, when he gave Melinda the candle and was talking about its supposed use as a help for crossing over spirits... he mentioned after something like, "well, maybe it's just a regular candle after all." I think he probably DID try to use it to get his wife to move on, but it didn't work.
I have an idea... if they're not going to give Camryn's character a real purpose other than to babysit Melinda's store while she solves her supernatural mysteries... get rid of her, replace her with a full-time assistant to run the shop, and make Jay Mohr her sidekick
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Feb 26, 2007 10:24 AM
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I liked the episode, but found it a little at odds with the GW 'mythology', that is that ghosts expend a lot of energy to move objects and such. Just last week, the ghost got really tired after moving furniture closing doors and just plain making things difficult for his ex-partner in crime. I would think that animating a body for hours at a time would be unlikely based on that.
As far as not telling Delia, here is my take. Her friend knowing about her ability and what was happening on the plane caused her death. I get the feeling there will be a payoff down the line as far as thats concerned. Although because of keeping the secret Melinda at times appears irresposible and even sometimes rude to Delia.
And I will fall into the Paynes wife is alive camp. It seems almost every ghost is suprised that Melinda can see them and their first words are usually 'you can see me?'. I can see why too, not being seen or heard by anybody for weeks, months even years while walking among them would be un-imaginable. Just my take on things.
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Feb 26, 2007 11:27 AM
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Hey Daesey4! Glad you're back. Missed your comments.
I've said from the beginning that his wife is dead. I knew the minute we saw a note from her on the refrigerator back several episodes ago. I hope we're proved right because I'm just so sure. Hate to be wrong!!
I'd forgotten about that missing toe. I think you're all correct about the why of it. Just so he and we would know who was running around. Kind of hokey! I'd still like to know why his toe was gone!
I'm a freak for detail.
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Feb 26, 2007 11:51 AM
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Matt1158 - I like your theory on Payne's wife. Totally plausible. But, let me give you something else to ruminate... Don't you think if his wife's ghost is hanging around all the time she would know who Melinda is and what she can do? That would explain why she didn't seem surprised to be seen. Also, Melinda has, on occasion, mistaken a ghost for a real person at first glance and chance meeting. All the subtle hints but no definitive stance keeps pointing to a bait n' switch...
And hey back, Pinkie! I've been trying to keep up, but have been dealing with some personal issues lately that have been keeping me from viewing most shows on the night they air, so I tape them for later. A lot of the time it's been a few days, so it seems like a moot point to add my comments. I'm almost caught up... but I'm still two weeks behind in Medium!! So, I've been steering clear of THAT blog! Thanks for acknowledging my brief hiatus... It feels good that someone noticed..lol
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Feb 26, 2007 1:49 PM
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What bothered me about the whole zombie thing was the inconsistancy of it. When he jumped over the fence he broke his body and then proceeded to bend it back into shape, and then run off as if nothing was wrong. Come on - he's not Clair from Heroes! I could have got over this with the thought that the ghost could make him run like normal, but later when he had the glass sticking out of him after the fight at the reunion they acted as if he was affected by it! One or the other people. He either should have been affected or acted as if nothing was wrong (except making sure no one sees the wound of course.) Speaking of the wound. What a walking jock strap that guy was! If I were that girl, we would not be engaged anymore. My guy does something like that he's out the door - or at least I'm going to yell at him. Not make excuses 'cuz he's had too much to drink. What a couple of losers they both were.
Definitely want more of Payne, and I too want CM's role expanded. Missed some epi's at the beginning so can't weigh in on the wife. Kind of hope she's a ghost thou - that would be fun.
Her outfits were less revealing, but what was with the white collar on the blue dress? It was OK except for that.
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Feb 26, 2007 3:08 PM
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YES, welcome back, Daesey! Of COURSE we notice when you're not here! I hope that catching up on your favorite shows is helping you get some rest in as you deal with your personal issues. *HUGS*
LOL... I guess I'm the only one that really liked this episode! Oh well.
About the toe missing, I remember the ghost talking about how he'd run over a bunch of glass and cut his feet. Of course, the toe missing was also a clue, but running over glass is "how" it happened, I guess.
Oh, and the "pilgrim outfit" I think was their attempt at dressing her "vintage," which didn't work very well.
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Feb 27, 2007 12:19 PM
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Have they ever mentioned why Melinda doesn't use Jim's last name?
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Mar 3, 2007 6:09 PM
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to the idiot who doesn't believe in ghosts, change the channel you moron!!! maybe " the girls next door" is more your style...a whole lot of T&A for someone without alot of brain.
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Mar 12, 2007 9:20 AM
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I don't usually post on this blog although I do usually read through it as I enjoy the show. But the last comment made here made me want to say something and I'm going to say it very politely.
Danandtracy45, that was an incredibly rude thing to say. Personally, I'm not sure if I believe in ghosts or not but I still enjoy watching the show - I feel that way about a lot of "supernatural" shows like Buffy, Angel, Charmed, and more currently Supernatural...don't know if I believe in the existence of all the things they have in the shows but still love watching them.
Anyway, Danandtracy45, as for your comment directed at Cruciatus, s/he (sorry - don't know if you're male or female!) says I don't believe in ghosts but don't have trouble with Melinda talking to them and helping them and/or their families... What s/he DID have a problem with in this particluar episode was the dead body walking around. Nothing to do with ghosts. Therefore, IMO, your rude comment was uncalled for.
Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion and should not be attacked for expressing it. Personally, I enjoyed this episode. I can see Cruciatus's point but it didn't bother me - maybe because I'm used to Buffy, et al!
Thanks for listening.
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Mar 14, 2007 5:36 PM
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Awww, play nice ghosties, okay? Truly. 
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Mar 15, 2007 11:23 AM
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