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'Ghost Whisperer': No, he's really dead
Since it happened last week, I'm not counting this as a spoiler: yes, Jim is indeed dead. He is no more! He has ceased to be! He's expired... but not quite gone to meet his maker. Ah, yes, therein lies our episode of Ghost Whisperer tonight. For years, we've watched Melinda work to cross ghosts over. It's her way in the world - find a ghost, cross it over. But what if the ghost is her soulmate, and he has no intention of going anywhere?
Jim is indeed dead. We open on him in the afterlife, greeting his big brother Dan, who tells him he's been waiting for hours - or years, who knows - at the families' favorite fishing hole. Dan wants to cross over with him to meet their father together, but Jim doesn't want to follow him into the light. He only wants to see Melinda again, and he refuses to leave her. Behind the fishing dock is their living room...
Jim returns to their house, haunted by visions of he and Melinda at their wedding, his own death, and then ending with Melinda in their kitchen with Delia. Melinda says she hasn't seen Jim for two days, even though Jim is right there. Another spirit appears, a young woman in a bathrobe, and Melinda isn't able to see her either. The spirit throws an apple and disappears.
The next morning, Jim's mom arrives at the house. Jim touches her face, and she breaks down in tears. The fishing hole appears again, out of nowhere, nice ghostly moving between time and space, very Beetlejuice, and Dan tells him again that it's time for Jim to pass on. He also tells Jim that Melinda's grief is so strong, it's blocking her gift; the veil between her and the dead is strengthened by her personal emotion. Dan tells him that if he doesn't cross over soon, there won't be a choice, and that Dan won't be able to wait much longer.
Back to Melinda, who is speaking out loud to Jim. Jim tries to answer, and give her a sign, but he's unable to do anything. However, the other spirit is able. She begins to destroy all of the crystal in the china cabinet while Jim looks on. The spirit throws a fork, yelling "I would if I could," narrowly missing Melinda's head. She mistakenly thinks it's Jim, who desperately tries to get her to hear him.
The next day, at the funeral home, Jim watches his friends gather (and remarks "nice turnout".) Tim, Jim's old friend, gets up to deliver the eulogy, and starts out by saying he was going to talk about the loss of Jim, but instead, all he can think of is what they all gained by having Jim in their lives. He then puts on "Good Lovin'" by The Young Rascals. No, seriously. And everyone gets up and dances. While it could have been a touching moment, they could have chosen a true "rockin' song," a song from after Jim was born, but whatever. It's touching. Yadda yadda.
During the ensuing dance party, Melinda finds a moment of joy, and then can see Jim.
That night, Melinda tells him that he has to cross over. Jim says that he doesn't want to, and that he thinks it may be better if he stays. Melinda tells him that it's part of her gift, to help him cross over, no matter what. He also tells her that she has another ghost haunting her. Later, Jim's mom heads home, and she tells Melinda that she feels lighter, and happier, no matter how she should feel. Jim tells Melinda to say that he wants everyone to be happy, and with that, and a hug, she leaves. Jim then sees angry bathrobe spirit again, and jumping through space and time (cool spirit trick, that) follows her back to a room where she is yelling at an unknown man. He returns home to Melinda.
Melinda tells Jim again that he needs to cross over, that it's not right. Jim tells her that being together in this new way has to be better than never seeing each other again - and Melinda says that while she'd like nothing more than to stay in the house with him forever, it's not meant to be. It's their "fork in the road" until they meet again. Jim refuses, saying that his road is with her, and he can't let it go just because he's dead. Melinda tells him she doesn't want him coming around anymore, and that if he really does love her, he'd cross over, and save her the constant pain.
After leaving Jim, Melinda then sees the other spirit, who insists that she has to help "him" and then rips out a chunk of her own hair. Off duty from spirit-helping or not, that'll get you noticed.
Jim then heads to Eli's and has a little ghostly fun waking him up. Jim tells Eli that Melinda has all but thrown him out in order to get him to cross over, but he's worried for her safety with the other ghost hanging around. He says that until she's out of the picture, he isn't crossing over. And all Eli needs to do 
is help Melinda out.
Eli tries to convince Melinda to understand Jim's point of view, and he says he just wants to help her, and help the ghost too. Melinda then says that she can't do it - she wants nothing to do with ghosts, period.
Meanwhile, back at the fishing hole, Dan tries yet again to get Jim to understand what's happening, and he says he's crossing over without him. Jim again refuses, even after seeing his father in the light. Dan, however, crosses over, leaving Jim in the lonely dark.
The bathrobe spirit isn't leaving Melinda alone, and she's becoming more insistent. Melinda, even through her own grief, asks her what has happened, and the spirit says that she hurt her stepdad, and that she, in some way, is the reason for Jim's death. Melinda heads to Eli for help, and he breaks down the ghost's appearance pointing to anorexia. While Eli tries to get information at the hospital, Jim appears and helps Eli with the spying. Handy ghosting again. When the nurse looks up recent deaths from anorexia, Jim reads the names, finding a Caitlin Mahoney. While he's there, Jim watches a man die, and head into the light. He then touches the body briefly, and trembles when the hand briefly reanimates. Creepy.
At the same time, Eli and Melinda head to one of the addresses Jim got off the computer, and Melinda sees a man. Without us seeing him, Melinda approaches him and says "remember me?" That night, Melinda asks Jim to come back, and Melinda tells him all about Caitlin, and who her stepdad is. He's one of Jim's policeman friends, Carl Neely, the detective who shot Jim. He returned to work after Caitlin's death to work through his own grief. In truth, he shouldn't have been back on the job yet.
Melinda tells Carl that she doesn't blame him for Jim's death, and that Caitlin is watching him, and wants him to be ok. When Melinda tries to explain Caitlin's point of view to Carl, she ends up telling Jim how their love was real, and that their kind of love never goes away, but just becomes stronger. Jim tells Carl that he doesn't blame him either. Caitlin heads into the light, and before she goes, she tries to get Jim to go too. He tells her "not quite yet."
After Melinda leaves, Jim appears to her in her car as she's stuck in traffic at the scene of an accident. She tells him he needs to do the right thing, and he replies, "I know." He looks out onto the accident and disappears. Melinda chases him into the people surrounding the accident, and after a spirit leaves one of the victims, Jim jumps into the body. Melinda yells "Jim, you're back!" only to have The Body/Jim reply "do I know you?" Well, that'll make things more difficult from this point on for the soulmates.
Thoughts and musings:
Well, I don't really have any specific glib thoughts. I'm weirded out by this whole thing. The writers and producers swear up and down that David Conrad isn't going anywhere, but this is what we get? The teaser implied that Melinda gets a second chance with The Body/Jim from this point on, but I can't see that working out. Doesn't that too go against Melinda's nature? Is this how she's going to have a baby, and if so, eww? I agree that this twist will indeed make for some meatier plot lines for David Conrad and Jennifer Love Hewitt, but I can't help but think the shark is circling the waters for Ghost Whisperer. Le sigh.
Seriously. "Good Lovin'"?
No kidding about jumping the shark if he really is dead and his soul stays to inhibit another body??? dumb, dumb, and dummer.
| Nov 14, 2008 7:34:01 PM | #Seriously, I want to know who is responsible for this horrible mess.
Jim dead? Why not go back to the original ghost busting.
I cried, and I'm not into the sappy stuff.
My 11 year old son and I have enjoyed watching it
Untill now and I sum it up in his little words friday night tv is now ruined.
Jennifer I will always be a fan.
Lucy needed Desi(ilove lucy), Turk needs Carla (scrubs)Jim needs Pam.(The office)
RIP ghost whisperer
As many have said in the past, a big part of the allure of this show was the purity and constancy of the love shared by Melinda and Jim. They were a rare example of a happily married couple honoring their commitment to one another. The path the writers are taking is too close to cheating for me. It make Melinda less true and undermines her character. It's also a little twisted.
Shark! Everyone out of the water!
Jaybird | Nov 14, 2008 7:39:36 PM | #I decided to give GW one more shot after last week. I wanted to see if Jim was really dead and what they were going to do with the story. So, body snatching it is! I am done. I'll treat this show like I treat Roseanne (where, in my mind, the series ended the year before it actually did) and for me, GW will end the episode before Jim died.
Caroline | Nov 14, 2008 7:49:53 PM | #I have watched every show and didn't believe Jim was really going to die. But tonight wasn't REAL. I couldn't believe what I was watching. If something isn't broke don't fix it. Jim and Melinda made the show, now all the changes..... and how can he be in someone elses body? You are losing me as a devoted fan. mary
Mary | Nov 14, 2008 7:56:52 PM | #Hmmmm. I don't know if Jim will slowly becomes evil. If a soul stays too long in the world, it might get evil (like in Final Fantasy X). Also if he possess someone's body after that person is dead, would that means that the body will decay just like an episode in season 2?
Felix | Nov 14, 2008 8:17:27 PM | #Sadly, GW ended for me last week. Big mistake killing Jim off. After reading the postings here on West Coast, don't even want to finish watching.
Yuk
Saw the show tonight.Not sure how long I'll be watching it.Gee!this reminds me of the movie "Ghost".Wish you writter should of though more clearer.I will watch it a few more times.But it starts to become boring and the new Jim go to the light in time.I'll be finding something else to be watching on friday nights
Diane | Nov 14, 2008 8:30:38 PM | #So, that was kinda like "Heaven Can Wait", huh?
SISSERS | Nov 14, 2008 8:31:58 PM | #Ugh! I am so conflicted with this show right now! I don't think there has EVER been a TV couple more right than Jim and Melinda. I have watched the past two episodes and cried my eyes out and now Jim is in someone else's body. How can that even work. The writers should have never let Jim die in the first place.
SheShe | Nov 14, 2008 8:36:01 PM | #I'm heartbroken over the turn of events. Jim and Melinda let us believe in true love for an hour every week. It wasn't boring, it was beautiful and the show was entertaining and we were left with a sense of fulfillment at the end of every episode. Now I'm left feeling disappointed. The writers better fix this fast or the show is history.
Kim | Nov 14, 2008 8:41:27 PM | #Please Ghost Whisperer, save yourself! Have this Invasion of the Body Snatchers be a short-lived experience. Jim needs to learn a little about life after death so he can realize that he can continue his journey with Melinda; knowing more about her and what she does. Find a way to bring him back quickly!
Allara | Nov 14, 2008 8:45:31 PM | #Here's what I don't want to see... Melinda getting pregnant by the host body that Jim is currently in. Why? well because it still won't be Jim's kid genetically and it's really no better than cheating on her husband. She better already be pregnant and Jim is only sticking around long enough in the other body to find out about it. Once that happens he goes into the light.
J | Nov 14, 2008 9:01:33 PM | #Okay, I hate that Jim is dead. Hate, hate, hate it. Not sure if I will stick with the show, because I hate it so much and I am so mad at the writers.
But I got to admit, I loved this episode - it kept me guessing and I cried through the whole thing. The scene that really got me was the one on the porch where Melinda is talking to the cop/dad but really is talking to Jim about their love. It was really good. Ten hankies. Classic Ghost Whisperer.
The "Jim in another body" twist surprised me. I don't know if it creeps me out, or if it intrigues me. I will give it another couple weeks, at least.
Doesn't mean I forgive the writers for killing Jim. I hate them for it. I loved the whole Melinda-Jim perfect marriage fantasy. If only to experience a healthy relationship for one hour a week.
WHAT A MISTAKE! JIM WAS "OUR" EYES INTO MELINDA'S WORLD. THE VIEWING AUDIENCE IDENTIFYED WITH HIM. IT WAS BAD ENOUGH REPLACING A CHARISMATIC ACTOR, LIKE JAY MOHR, WITH THIS JAIME K. WHO HAS ALL THE PERSONALITY OF SOGGY COLE SLAW! IF MS. HEWITT HAS DECIDED TO END THE SHOW, WELL SHE DID. FOR ME, AT LEAST. THIS BODY SNATCHING PLOT IS LUDICROUS. WHO TOOK OVER THE REINS...WES CRAVEN? BAD MOVE.
Erndog | Nov 14, 2008 9:32:57 PM | #WHAT A MISTAKE! JIM WAS "OUR" EYES INTO MELINDA'S WORLD. THE VIEWING AUDIENCE IDENTIFYED WITH HIM. IT WAS BAD ENOUGH REPLACING A CHARISMATIC ACTOR, LIKE JAY MOHR, WITH THIS JAIME K. WHO HAS ALL THE PERSONALITY OF SOGGY COLE SLAW! IF MS. HEWITT HAS DECIDED TO END THE SHOW, WELL SHE DID. FOR ME, AT LEAST. THIS BODY SNATCHING PLOT IS LUDICROUS. WHO TOOK OVER THE REINS...WES CRAVEN? BAD MOVE.
Erndog | Nov 14, 2008 9:32:58 PM | #This is just getting more and more ridiculous. Do CBS and the writers think the audience is this dumb and gullible. Why they are ruining a good show with this silly storyline is beyond me. Ghost Whisperer has always been solid until now and the direction they are taking it will surely be the demise of it. If this doesn't turn out to be a dream, I can't see any future in this show and even if it is only a dream the damage has already been done. They are really demeaning Jim's character. All I know CBS is good ar throwing good shows out the window like they did with Moonlight.
Angie | Nov 14, 2008 9:33:19 PM | #Man, I was crying within the first minute of this episode! But by the first commercial I was just like "huh?"
Felix: yeah I could see little signs that being dead might bring out Jim's dark side in some way.
And really, how does that work that he was able to bring this guy back to life? Does that mean he could have jumped back into his own body? At least he didn't jump into Whoopi Goldberg!
The whole thing is intriguing though. And I totally love the show, but I'll admit it was moving toward the boring side. Like the excitement of each episode was "how will Melinda re-phrase this ghost's message?"
Why do the creaters of a really good show suddenly go off on some wierd tagent and ruin the show?
cbs - make this a dream and bring back the purity of the original show.
I love Ghost whisperer, its me and my daddy's Friday night get together. But this was heartbreaking, I missed last weeks episode and had read a few blogs, but long story short we watched both episodes tonight. HEARTBREAKING!!!! I am not excited about this whole body switching thing! It was cute in Heaven can Wait and in the Chris Rock remake. I don't like this and I hope that they fix this cuz I was so in love with Melinda & Jim and I just don't know if the series can go on without them. I will give it to the end of the season.
TrulyMadlyDeeply | Nov 14, 2008 9:55:00 PM | #Wait, but my dad pointed out tonight, and is it just us or does Melinda (JenniferLoveHewitt) Kill off anyone that she gets close to. Pardon the pun, but seriously the African American girl that used to own the shop with her, the professor, and now Jim? Is there a pattern here?
TrulyMadlyDeeply | Nov 14, 2008 9:57:26 PM | #I started watching it for the same reason everyone else did: a married couple who are fine but experience conflict OUTSIDE the home. It was almost like a supernatural Hart to Hart. Sweet and silly, but something you grow to love. Then I could feel the vibe this season about how loved ones are threatened, and I knew what they were going to do. They can't 'un-kill' Jim, so they think they can be clever. I think they should pull a Dallas, and have the entire season be a dream. That's really the only way to save the show now. But really, it didn't save Dallas.
Crazy Loco | Nov 14, 2008 10:24:17 PM | #I am so mad that they made Jim die! I hate it, hate it, and hate it even more. If Jim could go into that dead guy's body, then why didn't he go into his own! The writer's of this shoe was gone completely insane! This used to be my mom's and my thing every Friday night. We would watch ghost whisperer and numbers. CBC's producers are getting rid of the best shoes like Moonlight!
MadBeyondBelief | Nov 14, 2008 10:32:10 PM | #I have watched this show since it began. Killing off Jim was possibly the worst plot twist I have ever seen. I shall no longer be watching Ghost Whiperer.
Howie S | Nov 14, 2008 10:34:40 PM | #WHY, WHY, WHY... I HOPE THIS IS A DREAM... MY KIDS N I CHILL TOGETHER FOR THIS EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT... NOW WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO... JIM SHOULD NOT BE DEAD... PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE BE JUST A DREAM!!!
DREAMCATCHER | Nov 14, 2008 10:45:27 PM | #
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