Last fall, most Ghost Whisperer's fans were shocked by Jim's death. Most of the people who commented on the various posts I wrote about the topic claimed they would never watch the series again even if actor David Conrad was sticking around. As I said back then, I was willing to give the show a chance and see where the writers were taking us with this Sam/Jim 2.0 storyline. So now that it's been a few months and especially in light of what happened in the March 6 episode, am I still willing to stick with the show? Are you?
Before I tackle the whole Sam/Jim storyline, I must revisit my first opinion about Jamie Kennedy, who plays Eli on the show. Back in October, I said that I didn't care about Eli because of Kennedy's one-dimensional acting. On the other end, I also said that the addition of Eli was "nice" because it gave Melinda a sidekick that not only could help her as Payne did but also could interact with the dead.
I must admit that Eli/Jamie Kennedy has grown on me. Kennedy's acting is getting better each week -- he still isn't a fantastic drama actor but he isn't as bad as when he was first introduced on the show. We still may not know a lot about Eli but his presence is helpful to Melinda's quests. He is no Dr. Payne but at least he offers Melinda someone to turn to and that truly believes everything she experiences and sees. Delia may be a believer now but she still is a tad skeptic at times; thus, she can't offer 100% support all the time.
Let's get to the real subject: Sam/Jim 2.0. Over the past months, I've enjoyed seeing Melinda try to flirt with Sam and make a connection. However, it was painful to see people from Sam's life -- aka the woman he wanted to propose to -- come in and out and put the potential Jim/Melinda reunion in danger. It was also a nice change to see David Conrad interact in new ways with Melinda. Before, it was mainly in bed, at the kitchen counter or in the living room talking about ghosts or babies.
I was a happy camper when Melinda finally told Sam/Jim 2.0 her secret two episodes ago. His WTF?/You are kidding me reaction was no surprise. However, seeing him tag along this week and actually be open minded about the whole thing surprised me. I was mostly surprised because I expected the show to have Sam/Jim 2.0 be a skeptic for a few weeks. Sadly, those of us who watched the March 6 episode know that the adventure in ghost chasing/helping didn't end well at all: Sam/Jim 2.0 said he wasn't an official believer, Melinda told Sam that he was in fact Jim, and Melinda said that if he couldn't accept her "work" and that he is Jim, they couldn't be together. Ouch.
Is it the official end of Jim and Melinda's relationship? I sure hope not as they are the core of the show and I don't think the GW's Powers That Be are ready to break them forever as it would mean a huge drop in ratings. My guess is that Jim 2.0 will take a few step backs and will slowly realize that Melinda is telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth not only about ghosts but about Jim's ghost actually being in Sam's body. Now that he knows he is Jim's ghost, he will probably do more soul searching and notice those little things that he thinks/does that could prove he is Jim.
Oh a side note, Kenneth Mitchell probably thought he landed a pretty good gig when signing up to be Sam on one of CBS's most popular shows. Sadly for him, he doesn't have to use his acting chops at all; he only needs to stand in a certain angle so the camera catches his reflection, etc. Talk about a bad acting gig. Personally, I was sure that when Sam/Jim 2.0 would interact with Delia or Eli, etc., that we would see Mitchell and not Conrad since those characters can't see Jim's ghost in there. I wonder if the actor knew what he was getting into when he signed up to play Sam?
Now that we've seen a few episodes of Sam/Jim 2.0, what do you think of the storyline? Are you one of those viewers who vouched never to watch again when Jim died but couldn't help yourself and watched every episode anyway? If so, what made you change your mind? What do you think of Eli? Let your voice be heard in comments below!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-07-2009 @ 3:38PM
Sharon said...
I tried watching it after Jim died, but it just didn't feel right.
I watched a couple more episodes and stopped.
I'm just not interested anymore.
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3-08-2009 @ 2:28PM
Erica said...
I agree, I have lost all interest in this show now
3-14-2009 @ 6:43AM
Kranendonk said...
Jim got his Memory back tonight :D
Its safe to watch it again!!!
3-07-2009 @ 4:48PM
Amy said...
I do like how Jim is more of a focus on the show than before, as their relationship is really the heart of the show.
However, there's no closure or followup on the reason why Jim died, which is her involvement with the afterlife. That should be expanded or explained, because losing more people she loves (including Jim again) by continuing to help people should be keeping her up at night.
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3-07-2009 @ 7:31PM
Syd said...
I didn't think it'd work. It does. It's sweet seeing the romance kindle. But, enough is enough... bring Jim back!
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3-07-2009 @ 7:35PM
KMF said...
I have been watching, but the Jim 2.0 storyline is frustrating for me. They could have gone in so many better directions. I know it's like we get so see Jim and Melinda fall in love all over again, but all it ends up being is her crying because he doesn't get it or dredges up the she's a freak/crazy insecurities in her. And Conrad still doesn't have that much to do!
Eli is getting better though, I have to say. But I miss Payne. I am going to keep on watching for now, see where it's going.
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3-07-2009 @ 8:08PM
Paige Barrow said...
I am one who vowed not to watch it again and I absolutely have not watched it again - despite my husband begging me to. I'm sad about it, because I truly loved the show, but I made the right decision. They killed Jim and they killed the show. Sadly, I'm 100% done with Ghost Whisperer.
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3-07-2009 @ 9:31PM
Martha said...
I was not happy when Jim was killed but I still love the show and have continued to watch. I am enjoying the two of them finding each other again.
What I do not understand is why your reviews stopped. There was no explanation and when I asked via email, I never got an answer. Not getting the reviews is very dissappointing to me. I don't usually chime in but I really enjoy reading what you and everyone else has to say. So, what's up, are you going to do them again consistently?
The same thing happened with Hell's Kitchen. Show reviews to start the season and then nothing. Why does this happen?
Thanks,
Martha
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3-08-2009 @ 9:29AM
Isabelle Carreau said...
Hello Martha!
We don't review every show. Back in August or September (sorry, my brain doesn't recall when exactly), a post was written about the changes that would be done to the site and why and stopping to review some shows was explained.
As for Ghost Whisperer, it's the type of show we don't review regularly but I make it a point when something major happens to write a post or two about it (see last fall's post when I wrote about Jim's death before it, when it happened, and after it).
When GW is concerned, you can expect reviews/comment posts here and there depending on the action and WTF?/OMG! moments that happen in an episode.
3-07-2009 @ 9:40PM
david said...
Let's move on if it can't work out he has to get it back his memory or move on to another plot.
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3-07-2009 @ 9:54PM
GL said...
I was unconcerned by the death of Jim and looked forward, as per usual, to watching what would come next. Although I liked the character, it was refreshing to see a show be that bold.
Unfortunately, I find that I don't give a rat's bum now and hardly ever watch. Jim 2.0 isn't awful, but I find myself unwilling to sit through another episode revolving around this relationship.
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3-07-2009 @ 10:09PM
EG said...
I said I wouldn't watch anymore. I did watch a couple since Jim died, but it just doesn't feel right, and I keep forgetting to tape it, as I work that night.
I feel I'm not really missing anything.
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3-08-2009 @ 5:35AM
Rica said...
No way, Jamie Kennedy is not growing on me, his acting is getting worse, the way he says lines with the wrong pathos, it's incredibly distracting and it reminds me that I'm watching a television show with a terrible actor in a role (instead of the opposite which would be an actor so good he makes you forget you're watching a TV show). I can't wait til Jamie disappoints J-Love somehow in the dating field (since they're dating), and then she boots him from the show (since she is producer). Not that I'm hoping the worst for her love life, but she does deserve someone better than Jamie Kennedy.
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4-30-2009 @ 12:47PM
evah said...
Was not a fan of GW until the Jim/Sam storyline.
Hopeless romantic...what can I say!!!
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3-08-2009 @ 11:23AM
evah said...
Never liked the show until Sam/JiM storyline.
Hopeless romantic...go figure!!!
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3-08-2009 @ 4:29PM
Martha said...
Thank you Isabelle for answering my question. :-)
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3-09-2009 @ 2:27PM
singlegalkansas said...
I love David Conrad and love watching it for him, if they had the other actor their I wouldnt care to watch. I really liked how they could have come together but now I am disappointed but still keep watching cause David C is so cute, but also I want to see how it resolves...strange tho I kind of thought it would be cool if Eli-Melinda got together...but of course there is no one in her heart except Jim!!
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3-10-2009 @ 4:41AM
Steve said...
I stopped watching after Jim died. GW was my favorite show and I miss it. I tried watching a few episodes after Jim died, but the whole feel of the show changed. I liked Jim, but if he was dead, then let him eventually cross over. I thought the storyline would be about Jim refusing to leave Mel, and eventually he'd realize how he was hurting her ( and haunting her) by sticking around, and so he'd cross over out of his love for her, so she could move on. But no, we got a far worse storyline, one that changed the rules of the show (jump the shark moment). Plus the show is supposed to be about ghosts, not about lost love, and the few shows I watched felt more like a soap opera. That just doesn't interest me.
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3-10-2009 @ 4:44AM
Steve said...
Oh, and did they EVER explain what happened to Mel's mom? Her son-in-law died and she wasn't there, and the character was never even mentioned! As I understood it, Mel's mom owns a flower shop somewhere nearby.
3-14-2009 @ 6:43AM
Kranendonk said...
JIMS BACK!! WOOT WOOT!
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