Posted by Dustin on 11.15.2008 at 1:14 pm

Last night’s “Ghost Whisperer” featured Melinda dealing with the aftermath of Jim’s death. While Jim hung around, avoiding meeting his father and going into the light with his older brother who had been waiting years for him, another teenage girl ghost was hanging around. She couldn’t communicate with Melinda though, Jim’s presence was blocking her.

Melinda kept trying to get Jim to move on, to go into the light, but for some reason he wouldn’t. She asked him to leave her alone, which he did, and went off to torture Eli with his new found powers. Melinda was then able to hear and help the girl. As it turned out, she was the step-daughter of the cop who shot Jim. She died the month earlier from anorexia and the father didn’t see the signs. He was guilt ridden and went back to work way too early, and then blamed himself for shooting Jim. She blamed herself for what happened to her dad. Melinda helped them both and in a sense helped herself move on to.

At the end she told Jim he needed to go, to move on, but she’d see him again one day. They were standing near an accident where paramedics pronounced a young man dead. Jim then knew what he had to do and soul jumped into the body after the other man’s soul moved on. The guy, who was pronounced dead came back to life. To everyone he looked like the dead man, to Melinda he looked like Jim. However when he spoke to Melinda, he asked “Do I know you?”

The previews for next week have Melinda and NuJim talking. He doesn’t know her, but feels a close connection to her he can’t explain. Eli tells her that past life memories rarely ever fully resurface. Dehlia tells Melinda she’s getting what few people ever get, a second chance at her one great love.

Okay I have to admit, until the guy died at the very end, I didn’t actually see this coming at all. I’m not sure I really like it either. It’s a bit creepy. I mean we saw that guy go into the light before Jim jumped in him, so what? Was he ripped back into his body? The guy doesn’t seem to remember Melinda. If it’s not the original soul, is it Jim with amnesia? Will the guy not know who he is? His blood family on earth now has to suffer too?

I have a feeling I know where this is leading. Last season this is what Melinda’s unknown biological father was doing to the man she thought had raised her, jumping into his body and beating him up. Because of the strike, there was some major confusion and or re-wrights it appeared at the time, as Melinda’s half-brother and that storyline were just dropped (but then again he turned out not to even be her half-brother did he). However when that storyline was in effect and he was working with all those evil souls underground and gathering others, a comment had been made that “they had found a way to come back.” I’m thinking they may be headed there, that this will lead to the miraculous and full return of Jim. I’m not sure if I really like that either, as it really stretches reality. But I’m still sticking this thing out.

In related news, CBS has picked up “Gary Unmarried” for a full season, and the buzz is a 2nd season looks good. While I’m happy for Jay Mohr, I’m bummed as a Payne fan.