Ghost Whisperer...any good?

[Old Master]

I haven't had a chance to check this show out (TV can't lock onto CBS), but I understand it's quite good. To anyone who's seen it, what's your opinion? Excellent show, or "Tru Calling" wannabe?

[prydain]

Not like Tru Calling at all. Both series are great, I even own Tru on DVD. Ghost Whisperer is more like Medium, yet completely different, and kinda better. It's not slow like Medium and she doesn't solve a case, so it's not "Law & Order: Special Pyschics Unit" like Medium is. It's definitely a well-written and well-acted series. Some episodes are creepy and spooky and some are tearjearkers. It's well worth the 10 million or so people who tune in on Fridays for it.

[darkness]

Tru Calling pales in comparison, Ghost Whisperer is anything but a wannabe. You haven't seen good entertainment till you've seen it. Take my word. ;) It deserves more viewers than what it is getting now.

I originally had my doubts about the show, mainly because of Jennifer Love Hewitt's acting. But I was so so so wrong, she's wonderful in it. Truly gifted actress.

[prydain]

Well as much as I love both I'd rather have Tru Calling back if I was forced to choose. Eliza Dushku is a goddess.

[darkness]

Trust me I am a die-hard Tru Calling fan and that would please me to almost an unimaginable extent, but Ghost Whisperer is simply better. (My opinion) :)

[prydain]

Yeah. I can understand.

My favorite "otherworldly" shows this season are Supernatural and Night Stalker though.

[Vilandra]

I saw the episode with Sean Maher - can't decide if I only liked itg because of him though lol :)

[prydain]

Was that the Firefly guy?

[Vilandra]

Yes - Simon on Firefly :)

[prydain]

Ah. He's a good actor.

[Oblivion]

I've only recently saw an episode (The one when she helps some girl who's still haunted by her dead twin sister?) of the show, and I can't really decide if I'd like it or not. Jennifer Love Hewitt is not my cup of tea at all, not because I don't think she's a great actress...I just don't like her much. Although the concept is definitely pretty intresting, so I guess I'll have to try not be biased and see if I could catch a few more episodes.

Although I have to say, even though their absolutely nothing alike, I'm a die-hard Tru Calling fan ^_^. It's all about Eliza Dushku! ;).

[Angels baby101]

I really wanna see this i plan on watching the next episode I love Jennifer love hewitt so hopefully its a good show, i'll end up having to record it and all to watch it.

[Captain Kundalini]

I have been thoroughly captured by this show.
I've seen several episodes, beginning with the woman who attempted suicide to be with her lover.
Jennifer Love Hewitt is wonderful, beautiful, sexy and vulnerable, caught between two worlds.
Then I saw something that made my blood run cold.
Melinda had just helped out some Lost Boys and the only survivor of a tragic fire (BELKER of Hill Street Blues!) and was walking happily along when she saw a man sitting in a chair across the street looking at her.
Without moving, he was suddenly standing up. Then he started laughing.
The hair on the back of my head stood straight up! He is the Laughing Man
and he is haunting Melinda.

He isn't just laughing, though. He has a message for her.
Have you figured it out? I have.
Beware of him because the Laughing Man will return!

[goldenboy]

OK, the laughing man was good, yes.

I was shocked how much I like this show. Another successful, formulaic, episodic show. JLH I never liked, at all. Too chipper, giggly, something. But she’s better here, less annoying—and there’s a little darkness, sadness mixed in with her brightness, so it’s good.

And you guys might think I’m nuts, but I wish it were a little darker, bleaker—like Melinda didn’t always “solve” the ghost’s earthboundiness. Everything’s always cleanly wrapped up at the end. But there is that emotional catharsis each time, so it’s good in a tearjerking way. I’m just so used to arcs and continuing character problems now (creepy tattoo man took awhile to resolve, I guess)...

But, thumbs up for sure, don’t mean to be a downer.

Medium, which is good too, is going for a much more realistic acting style, credible domestic situations...but Ghost Whisperer has a little more poetry, magic to it...something...

[teentitan]

The only way to classify this show is "chic sci-fi". Don't get me wrong it's a good show. My wife like's it because it's not the usual dark creepy show but she too is anoyed with how the show ends showing someone (like laughing guy) but the next week it does not pick up the previous ending.
Personally I think they cannot make it too scary because Hewitt's eyes are too big and doe-like to try and pull off scared or menacing.

[Vilandra]

LMAO teentitan :D

[goldenboy]

The only way to classify this show is "chic sci-fi". Don't get me wrong it's a good show. My wife like's it because it's not the usual dark creepy show but she too is anoyed with how the show ends showing someone (like laughing guy) but the next week it does not pick up the previous ending.
Personally I think they cannot make it too scary because Hewitt's eyes are too big and doe-like to try and pull off scared or menacing.


Agreed. I'm always wanting to disparage the actors and the writing and I keep watching! LOL. It's kinda Oprahfied, feelgood, but I'm a sucker for paranormal stuff...laughing guy is a redeeming quality...heh...

[teentitan]

It definitely has like you said that Oprahfied feel about it and that has kept it on tv. That's why I said it's "chic sci-fi" that takes the control of the remote out of the guys hands, lol. Tried to take it away from my wife once and I gotta admit the fingers are healing nice. Besides the women on the show are easy on the eyes!
One thing though they better put some kind of an edge on it. If they don't I strongly feel that we will end up with another Joan of Arcadia show. Hot year one, dieing year two and oh there was no year three was there?

[goldenboy]

Never watched Joan, but didn't they try to give her an evil nemesis right before it was yanked? Same with Tru Calling...a narrow, repetitive story pattern, then tinkering with a nemesis (too little too late).

i guess Ghost Whisperer could carry on for awhile like Touched by an Angel or Quantum Leap or something. Self-contained, feelgood stories. But this is set in the same little town each week—needs serious, long-term, edgy character arcs, think you're right...

I guess the downside is that arc-heavy shows tend to tank in syndication. But all my faves arc-heavy: Buffy/Angel, 24, Lost...

[Allycat]

But this is set in the same little town each week—needs serious, long-term, edgy character arcs, think you're right...

Take the example of Gilmore Girls... fill the town with all kind of excentric recurring characters... it works for GG very well!

[goldenboy]

Take the example of Gilmore Girls... fill the town with all kind of excentric recurring characters... it works for GG very well!

That could maybe work. That worked for the show Northern Exposure too, for a long time. Seems like the arc-heavy shows that are breakouts, wildly popular have large, interesting casts: Desperate Housewives, Lost...

[teentitan]

The show does not have to be arc heavy but it could pickup the next week where the previous week ended. EG: series opener she's at the cemetery for the burying of the lost soldier from Viet Nam. A family is around a grave and the father looks up and says "You can see us?" (notice all the ghosts say that?) I figured that they were going to do a story but no something completely different. It's frustrating.
Also just where is this little town that has a comedy club, photo studio, schools close to a big city and big vacation playgrounds? Pretty eccentric strategically placed town isn't it? lol

[goldenboy]

just where is this little town that has a comedy club, photo studio, schools close to a big city and big vacation playgrounds? Pretty eccentric strategically placed town isn't it? lol

Sorta like Groening's Springfield. It's got desert, mountains, midwestern plains, oceans...


The show does not have to be arc heavy but it could pickup the next week where the previous week ended. EG: series opener she's at the cemetery for the burying of the lost soldier from Viet Nam. A family is around a grave and the father looks up and says "You can see us?" (notice all the ghosts say that?) I figured that they were going to do a story but no something completely different. It's frustrating.l

You're right. It would be fun to have the eps sort of flow into eachother a little more. On the other hand, I get what they're doing—showing that Melinda sees dead people—everywhere, all the time—and she chooses to ignore some.

Personally, I'd love to see something like what the X-Files, Angel, Buffy did: self-contained eps, plus a recurring, epic storyline interspersed throughout a season, or the whole show. I can't handle traditional episodic TV anymore (all I do is bitch, bitch, bitch, heh...)

[Vilandra]

Wentworth Miller on JoA was definitely a good thing...too bad we didn't get to see how it all played out. Luckily there's Prison Break lol

[goldenboy]

Wentworth Miller on JoA was definitely a good thing...too bad we didn't get to see how it all played out. Luckily there's Prison Break lol

Oh, was he the bad guy? Didn't even realize...

[Vilandra]

Yup ;) That was why I wanted to watch Prison Break lol :D

[prydain]

I only saw three episodes of Joan of Arcadia's second season...the finale was one of them, and it was incredibly awesome and I decided I was finally going to become a weekly viewer...and then it got CANCELED! Grr...

As for Tru Calling...if it matters, Jack was planned from the very beginning. At least, an opposite for Tru was always planned. It was originally going to be Luc but FOX refused to let them do it...I think that was the reason for the delay.

[goldenboy]

I only saw three episodes of Joan of Arcadia's second season...the finale was one of them, and it was incredibly awesome and I decided I was finally going to become a weekly viewer...and then it got CANCELED! Grr...

As for Tru Calling...if it matters, Jack was planned from the very beginning. At least, an opposite for Tru was always planned. It was originally going to be Luc but FOX refused to let them do it...I think that was the reason for the delay.

Silly nets, always meddling!

[Karma]

The show isn't on over here in the UK yet, but I did catch one episode when I was on holiday in America and I really liked it. I think its a show I could really get into :)

[N4H]

OK, so I've seen all of Season 1 now, and I can offer an opinion. :popcorn:

Started out watchable, even enjoyable in the first quarter. Got tedious until the last 2 or 3 eps. Last night's finale blew my frikkin mind.

(And Kudos to me for not spoiling the UK people just now. I get careless, and do that sometimes. ;) )

[goldenboy]

OK, so I've seen all of Season 1 now, and I can offer an opinion. :popcorn:

Started out watchable, even enjoyable in the first quarter. Got tedious until the last 2 or 3 eps. Last night's finale blew my frikkin mind.

The last two eps were really good, bordering on greatness. If you can just deal with the old-fashioned CBS-y feel, acting...

Finally, getting good, dark...like there's actually something at stake with the lead characters' lives. Hopefully they'll play up the arciness next season a lot more.

[teentitan]

Couldn't agree with you more GB and N4H! The last two epi's were great and jaw-dropping!!! There are so many possibilities for next year I am eager to see how the writers keep the lovey-dovey chick line going with the new emerging semi-darkness theme.
On a side note of observation does anyone else think Jon Seda has had some bad plastic surgery? His look sure has changed since Homicide hasn't it?

[N4H]

The last scene of the second to last one, and the last 5 minutes of the finale were what really dropped my jaw. I was saying to myself, "Wow. Why couldn't you have done this all season? I would be so loving this show."

[prydain]

Even though I like this show I stopped watching after the episode where the chick's hubbie got possessed because I never had time. I still have to catch up but now I'm eager because of the things I'm hearing.

Was the finale better than...say, Supernatural's?

On a side note, the finale is rated a 9.8/10 on TV.com, which is pretty cool.

[goldenboy]

I'd say the GW finale is better than the series as a whole. I thought the Supernatural finale was like a good episode, but with a cliffhanger. Nothing mindblowing.

We may be talking GW up too much, but I bet you'll like those eps.

[Black Eye Guy]

I finally found this show on TV, It's on in the middle of the day on an Irish Channel, and I really like it, It reminds me of Tru Calling.

[prydain]

How?!?!? It's nothing like Tru Calling in my opinion, these comparisons boggle the my mind.

Tru Calling - Hot, strong woman works at a morgue and goes back in time whenever a dead body asks her for help. This show is a sci-fi crime show basically, although she's trying to prevent the crime.

Ghost Whisperer - Delicate young woman talks to ghosts and helps them move on to the afterlife. No life saving involved. Or time travel.

[Black Eye Guy]

lol, I don't know, but there's something about it that reminds me of TC. They are kinda similar, Young women with a gift helping people each week, Also it's the fact that the episodes are so similar, Like the episodes of Tru Calling were very similar to each other, as are those of Ghost Whisperer.

[prydain]

Just like every Law & Order episode is like another one, as well as CSI and Touched By An Angel, etc? ;)

[Black Eye Guy]

well yeah.. I'm so not explaining it right, lol. But it does remind me of Tru Calling!! ;)

[prydain]

Yeah I guess I can vaguely see where you're coming from, but the differences in the show's are bigger than the similarities.

[Black Eye Guy]

Ok wow!! I just saw the first halfof the season finale! And it was amazing, I mean really incrediable, I am dieing (Pun intended :)) to see the second part tomorrow!

[NIX]

OMG i watched the first one on E4 last night!!
wow that progs wicked, it got me all emotional like buf used to.... loving it....and cool with the actors i already know from miss match, 24, csi and charmed...wicked - i will most definately be watching a lot more of this show :D

[prydain]

My dad is watching GW right now, it's part one of the finale. I don't want to see it because I want to see it ALL but the few scenes I've seen so far have been REALLY good, like WAY better than the show usually is. Wow.

[prydain]

Hate to bring up a really old thread but there's no other GW general discussion thread. I just wanted to post my opinions on the show now, because I've actually seen enough now to actually give an actual opinion.

I still haven't seen much of season one - I've seen like three episodes (including the pilot) towards the beginning of the season and I saw the two part season finale. I've been renting season two from Blockbuster ($5 a freaking disc!) and I'm halfway through it.

I have to say, this is now one of my very favorite shows. Season two has had its dark moments, but what I like about it is that even when its dark the show focuses on the positive more than it does the negative - most of the shows I watch are the opposite, and are pretty dark and cynical. I like the relationship that Melinda and her husband have, even if it's a little too perfect. The main characters are all likable and are good people. It's just a nice change from the television that I usually watch.

Several episodes so far have hinted at the overall mythology and the finale...Melinda's been seeing some creepy things, a few episodes have ended on a dark note, you get the idea that there's going to be a good vs evil fight, and the veil between our world and the spirit world is getting thinner...it's all quite intriguing.

I even like the standalone stories, and I like that with every season it still keeps that format but has smaller threads running through. This show just would not work well as a serialized show, anyway, the whole premise works as a story-of-the-week type thing.

Also, I never thought too highly of JLH but I like her a great deal on this show. Not only is she very attractive, but her acting doesn't bother me at all, and she really makes her care for and like her character. Sometimes the eyeliner is a little too thick but whatever.

And the show is visually attractive, too...and no, I'm NOT just talking about Hewitt's supple...nevermind. The show just looks really good, at least in widescreen. And that fake town is beautiful. :)

Is anyone who posted earlier in this thread still watching it? Or am I the only one now?

[goldenboy]

I watched the premiere. I like that they're delving into Melinda's family background, the history of the town, the fact the Jay Mohr's a regular. This may all bode well...

[N4H]

I'm going to give you a spoiler Pry. This is for every Ghost Whisperer episode with the exception of the more than excellent 2 part season 1 finale.

Melinda will discover spooky goings on involving dead spirits. Ooh scary. Is there evil abrewin? But no wait it turns out, the bad guys were really good guys. They were just misunderstood. Yes, Seventh Heaven crowd you were right along. This is a world of goodness and virtue. The sun always shines, everybody is really sweet, except for brief moments.

I was sold on GW after the Season 1 finale, but that didn't last long. I still check it out from time to time, but overall, for me, it stinks. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. There are 3 good episodes of Ghost Whisperer. The first one you ever see, and the Season 1 two part finale.

[edb]

I'm still watching. :) Hoping it might get a little darker this season, and like goldenboy said, also hoping Jay Mohr as a regular will help things along.

Oh, and yes, I still cry at the endings 'lol' I do feel they get a little samey each week but it still doesn't stop me watching. ;)

[prydain]

K except for a few episodes of season three I'm finally caught up. And boy N4H you are dead wrong. Did you watch the three-part second season finale? The show has gotten a lot darker and the mythology is getting very interesting and involving. The show has evolved into an almost different series now. And season three is supposed to have several ongoing arcs which will be included even in the standalone stories. (Sort of like Supernatural.)

I'm definitely sold on this show now...if the rest of the third season continues like this this will definitely be one of the better shows on TV.

[N4H]

Yeah I saw the Season 2 finale arc. I thought it paled in comparison to season 1's, and I thought the reveal was what I call a "rubber spider" (after the reveal from the Stephen King mini-series IT). It disappointed.

Although I've gotta admit, I saw last week's, and I'm kinda sold. The series is evolving. I'm going find a way to see the next one.

[prydain]

Although it wasn't as "big" as the season one finale I found myself enjoying it a whole lot more. Probably because it really laid the groundwork for them to start delving into the mythology. Those kids were interesting. The guy who's collecting souls was pretty interesting too. The final moments weren't that much of a 'shock' I guess but still cool. And I loved Melinda's visions throughout.

And I've grown to love her new friend (I think her name is Catherine Manheim or something) more than the girl who died.