Killing off a main character on a television series is tricky. Especially in today’s world when everyone can find out the latest rumors and behind-the-scenes controversies on the Internet. But when there is none of that, it can be a complete surprise when a major death occurs on a TV show. This has worked both ways in either propelling a series forward for a few more successful seasons or causing the series to die quickly itself. I mention this because a major character of Ghost Whisperer dies early into the fourth season. Now the question is if the series would see a growth in viewership or find itself six feet under.
Ghost Whisperer stars Jennifer Love Hewitt as Melinda Gordon. Melinda lives in the fictional town of Grandview with her husband Jim (David Conrad) and has the ability to see and communicate with the dead. Each episode of this series deals with one or more ghosts seeking Melinda’s help in relaying a message or completing a task that will put the spirit to rest, and allow them to cross over into “The Light,” a metaphor presented by the show as its conception of Heaven.
**I usually don’t give spoilers for storylines, but this “death” is really the central storyline that affects everything going on during this season, so it has to be talked about. So quit reading or skip to the end, if you don’t want to be spoiled.**
The main storyline this season revolves around the death of Melinda’s husband, Jim. This happens during the sixth episode, which is called “Imaginary Friends and Enemies”. So as Melinda tries to deal with the loss of Jim, every ghost she encounters after his death also has to come to terms with the life they are leaving behind and cross over into another life. Luckily for all the Ghost Whisperer fans, David Conrad is not gone from the show too long. Jim’s love for Melinda eventually lets him stay in this world and take over the body of Sam, whose spirit has just crossed over into The Light. Of course, there can’t be a happy ending just yet, as the new Jim develops amnesia and doesn’t remember who Melinda is. You really have to suspend disbelief for most of this season.
As one character dies, another is introduced. Jamie Kennedy plays Eli, a young psychology professor who experiences near death and comes away with the ability to hear ghosts. He denies this talent until Melinda convinces him the truth. Like the good comedian that Kennedy can be, Eli is the much needed comic relief on the show this season. He never goes overboard with the comedy, though. In the end, Kennedy makes Eli a likeable character and one you want to see stick around for awhile. In addition, Jennifer Love Hewitt is still at her best, and David Conrad shows off his acting skills with his new storyline.
The central storyline for this fourth season is really farfetched, but in the world of Ghost Whisperer it makes sense. The strong acting from cast is able to keep things together when it could easily have fallen apart. Jamie Kennedy surprisingly fits in nicely with the other core cast members. Sometimes killing off a main character, but then bringing them back with an amnesia storyline or something similar, could mean that the writers have run out of ideas. You might think that is somewhat true with Ghost Whisperer at the beginning, but by the end of the season, you will most likely change your mind. Ghost Whisperer continues to be one of the most consistently solid shows on network television today.
Episodes:
Disc One:
Episode 1 – Firestarter
After being rescued by Jim from a fire at the Rockland University, Eli has a near death experience. Melinda becomes friends with Eli and soon discovers that they both have the same abilities.
Episode 2 – Big Chills
Melinda reunites with some of her former high school classmates after one of the group dies unexpectedly.
Episode 3 – Ghost in the Machine
Melinda finds a ghost who is haunting young girls in Ned’s online gaming community.
Episode 4 – Save Our Souls
Melinda and Jim go away for a romantic getaway cruise and Melinda finds a confused and angry ghost who is haunting another couple.
Disc Two:
Episode 5 – Bloodline
Melinda discovers that the ghost of high school athlete is following a family that was not hers.
Episode 6 – Imaginary Friends & Enemies
While Melinda and Jim are at his friend’s wedding, a young girl’s imaginary friend plays a dangerous game of hide and seek. It is up to Melinda to calm the ghosts who are causing the havoc.
Episode 7 – Threshold
Melinda has a hard time helping a troubled teenage ghost while Melinda deals with drastic changes to her personal life.
Episode 8 – Heart & Soul
Melinda finds herself drawn to a man suffering from amnesia and she has a deep need to help him recover his memory.
Disc Three:
Episode 9 – Pieces of You
Melinda discovers the secret behind a girl who has been missing for 12 years.
Episode 10 – Ball & Chain
Melinda helps a ghost who must come to terms with her marriage in order to cross over.
Episode 11 – Life on the Line
Melinda helps a family who are in distress after a bizarre accident. Meanwhile, Delia wishes she was still a skeptic after she experiences her first ghost.
Episode 12 – This Joint’s Haunted
Melinda will face her greatest fear as she embarks on a road trip with Sam. Along the way, they encounter some troubling incidents.
Disc Four:
Episode 13 – Body of Water
After a mass grave is unearthed, Grandview suffers from a mass haunting but Melinda’s biggest fear comes to town as well.
Episode 14 – Slow Burn
Melinda assists the ghost of a domineering mother who is keeping a very dark secret.
Episode 15 – Greek Tragedy
After Sam catches Melinda in several lies, he rethinks his relationship with her.
Episode 16 – Ghost Busted
Sam’s response to the news of Melinda’s special gift is not what she expects.
Disc Five:
Episode 17 – Delusion of Grandview
Sam helps Melinda as she tries to figure out what is happening to a kindergarden class before anyone gets hurt.
Episode 18 – Leap of Faith
A mechanic who used to be a high powered business professional has a lot in common with Sam.
Episode 19 – Thrilled to Death
A young woman in Eli’s apartment building is being haunted.
Episode 20 – Stage Fright
A ghost causes problems for a television show that is filming in the Grandview town square.
Disc Six:
Episode 21 – Cursed
Melinda discovers that the spirits trapped in a dollhouse have other plans.
Episode 22 – Endless Love
Melinda has to figure out how to plan for her wedding and help a young lady get vampires to leave her alone.
Episode 23 – Book of Changes
Melinda hopes she can protect her baby after a ghost visits her.
The twenty-three episodes are presented in anamorphic widescreen with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The transfer is great with minimal color issues. On par with previous seasons.
The audio is available in English 5.1 Surround sound or English 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo sound. There are optional English subtitles.
“The Jamie Kennedy Experiment” Featurette –
This runs 9 minutes and it features interviews with David Conrad, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jamie Kennedy, Camryn Manheim, Kim Moses, Ian Sander, Christopher Sanders, and PK Simonds. They talk about Kennedy’s new character, and discuss the character’s role on the show.
“Season 4: Love Never Dies Featurette –
This runs 11 minutes and it features interviews with all the talent listed above except for Jamie Kennedy. They talk all about season story arc of Jim’s death and return as Sam.
“Scoring the Spirit World Featurette –
This runs 9 minutes and it features interviews with stars Grant Conway, Gordon Fordyee, Moses, Sander, Simonds, Mark Snow, and Lindsay Wolfington. They talk about the music for season four and how important it is to pick the right music because it can set the stage for a scene.
“The Other Side III” Webseries –
More webisodes for the show that total 30 minutes.
“Interactive Haunted Dollhouse”
This is an game that can be played from a DVD player. Jim is stuck in the dollhouse. You click on different parts of the room and answer season four trivia questions to move him ahead and out.
“Interactive Fashion Style Guide –
This is another interactive guide to the show’s costumes. It includes “Fashion Guide,” where you can learn more about the main cast’s outfits, and “Ghost Mash Up,” where you can make your own ghost costume.
“Grave Mistakes –
Another interactive game. You navigate through a graveyard and answer trivia questions to escape.
Season four featured a lot of cast changes and roles, but despite that it is still a solid season. Ghost Whisperer won’t scare you silly, but it does give you a nice mix of comedy, emotional
drama, and thrills. So check this show out if any of that intrigues you.
Paramount Home Entertainment presents Ghost Whisperer: Season 4. Created by John Gray. Starring Jennifer Love-Hewitt, David Conrad, Camryn Manheim, and Jamie Kennedy. Running time: 1015 minutes. Rated: NOT RATED. Released on DVD: September 20, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
