Review: 'Ghost Whisperer'

It's not uncommon for a drama to "reboot" itself four or five years into its run. At that point, stories tend to be harder to write around the collected mythology of the show. The characters fall into predictable grooves, and the audience begins to feel as if they've seen it all before.

But it is unusual for a show to rework its basic premise in as jarring a fashion as has been done this season on "Ghost Whisperer." Producers have essentially killed off one of the main characters in an effort to "reboot" the romantic aspect of the series. It's a gutsy move, and while I'm not sure I agree with the reasoning behind the decision, I have to admire the gamble.

In recent interviews with me, producers have discussed that they are aware how much loyal viewers have been drawn to the intense romantic relationshio between series leads Melinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and husband Jim (David Conrad). But since they were married in episode one, there was a feeling that viewers had missed out on their courtship and early romance.

While some shows might tackle that problem with some flashback episodes, producers Ian Sander, Kim Moses and P.K. Simonds figured out a way to keep at least the spirits of both Melinda and Jim together. While at the same time giving a "logical" explanation of how they can begin their romance anew.

Over the three episode story arc, viewers have seen Jim accidentally shot, then refuse to allow his spirit to move into the light. Instead, he jumped into the body a newly deceased man. So Melinda is left feeling connected to a guy who has amnesia, and doesn't remember his old life, or the spirit's life as Jim. And yet, Melinda sees the guy as Jim, and for his part, he feels drawn to Melinda in a way he can't quite understand.

Tonight's episode begins with Melinda watching over Sam/Jim in the hospital. He doesn't remember anyone, and it's not even clear that Jim is somewhere in there. The rest of the episode marches along in the way you would expect. Melinda's friends are skeptical, Sam's family doesn't understand why she's hanging around, and there are a couple of emotional moments before it all is nicely resolved and Sam/Jim is living in Melinda's garage. Although he's not quite sure why.

All of this does "reboot" the romance, but it just seems contrived and a bit of a stretch. Despite a comment late in the episode that Melinda's work with spirits might be giving this miracle as a thank you, it doesn't seem like the "right" thing to do. Having Jim's spirit in someone's body is a bit of a cheat, and it does seem as if Melinda is doing the same thing she often accuses others of doing. Not moving on with their lives.

Yes, she and Jim had a once-in-a-lifetime romance. But lots of people do, and they don't get the luxury of cheating the afterlife in order to stay together. In the end, it seems to me that if you believe the premise of "Ghost Whisperer," then this turn of events rings quite hollow. It's more the moves of a television executive than someone who truly believes in the core beliefs of the show.

I'm not a hard-core fan of the show, but in the end, it's all a bit of a turn-off. I'm interested to see what other people think after watching the episode.