Ghost Whisperer – S2E11 – Cat’s Claw
This was another decent episode. The highlight of this episode was far and away the Payne/Melinda story. There is once again a third “true” member of the ghost busting squad. I qualify a true member as someone who knows about Melinda’s gift, and knowingly helps rather than assisting on more of a “random favor” level.
I wondered how they were going to incorporate Payne discovering Melinda’s gift, and I have to say, I think they did a fantastic job with it. Payne is a pretty open-minded guy anyway, considering his field of study, so I wasn’t terribly surprised that he was so quick to accept what Melinda told him. However, placing him in a position where he essentially has no choice but to accept that there is no rational explanation for what he is seeing eliminates the ever frustrating drama that is usually associated with Melinda telling people she can talk to the dead. In fact, I think that is one of the reasons why I liked this episode. It did not have that type of unnecessary drama. There was also the fact that Payne may have still been a tad drunk when she revealed the information, which might expand the range of things you believe. However, at the end when he comes to get his car, he pretty much lets her know that he accepts what she told him, and that she can consider him a friend. In terms of Payne’s personal life, it would appear that there is a wife or girlfriend in the picture, but not one whom he is necessarily on the best of terms with. He also appeared to have a little bit of a crush on Dr. Gorgan, so there was that too.
This episode’s ghost story was another tragic love story. It was decent, but it didn’t really do anything for me. It was definitely a subplot to the whole ‘Payne finding out ghosts exist’ story. I did appreciate the fact that Dr. Gorgan accepted the fact that Melinda was talking to Martin’s spirit so easily during that end scene. It works, because she alludes to the fact that Payne told her what happened (granted we don’t know specifically what he told her), and there is also the element of not really being able to get to upset with the woman who just saved your life. They had already explored the disbelief thing so much with Payne and his drunken visit that it would have been redundant had Dr. Gorgan also thrown the usual disbelief speech into the mix. I’ve said before that, while I understand the reality of the reaction, to see it over and over, episode after episode, gets really draining. I guess you could argue that it builds relatability with Melinda, as she likely feels the same way, but as a viewer, it’s just monotonous.
Overall, I really liked the Payne story, and I look forward to seeing how his newfound knowledge will affect his contributions to future ghost busting stories. Jim doesn’t seem all too thrilled when Payne comes around, so it will be interesting to see if there is any further development or insight into their relationship. There was no reference to Romano this episode. I’d still like to see him brought back into the spotlight again. They keep alluding to his army, but we don’t know what it means to the story or to the spirit world. We also haven’t gotten much explanation of the five signs of death. There is so much potential with that storyline. They have barely brushed the surface. Anyway, next episode. Let’s go.
Best Moment:
-Final scene with Melinda and Payne
Best Quote:
Jim: I'll try not to wake you up.
Melinda: Please do! I like to know you're back.
This was another decent episode. The highlight of this episode was far and away the Payne/Melinda story. There is once again a third “true” member of the ghost busting squad. I qualify a true member as someone who knows about Melinda’s gift, and knowingly helps rather than assisting on more of a “random favor” level.
I wondered how they were going to incorporate Payne discovering Melinda’s gift, and I have to say, I think they did a fantastic job with it. Payne is a pretty open-minded guy anyway, considering his field of study, so I wasn’t terribly surprised that he was so quick to accept what Melinda told him. However, placing him in a position where he essentially has no choice but to accept that there is no rational explanation for what he is seeing eliminates the ever frustrating drama that is usually associated with Melinda telling people she can talk to the dead. In fact, I think that is one of the reasons why I liked this episode. It did not have that type of unnecessary drama. There was also the fact that Payne may have still been a tad drunk when she revealed the information, which might expand the range of things you believe. However, at the end when he comes to get his car, he pretty much lets her know that he accepts what she told him, and that she can consider him a friend. In terms of Payne’s personal life, it would appear that there is a wife or girlfriend in the picture, but not one whom he is necessarily on the best of terms with. He also appeared to have a little bit of a crush on Dr. Gorgan, so there was that too.
This episode’s ghost story was another tragic love story. It was decent, but it didn’t really do anything for me. It was definitely a subplot to the whole ‘Payne finding out ghosts exist’ story. I did appreciate the fact that Dr. Gorgan accepted the fact that Melinda was talking to Martin’s spirit so easily during that end scene. It works, because she alludes to the fact that Payne told her what happened (granted we don’t know specifically what he told her), and there is also the element of not really being able to get to upset with the woman who just saved your life. They had already explored the disbelief thing so much with Payne and his drunken visit that it would have been redundant had Dr. Gorgan also thrown the usual disbelief speech into the mix. I’ve said before that, while I understand the reality of the reaction, to see it over and over, episode after episode, gets really draining. I guess you could argue that it builds relatability with Melinda, as she likely feels the same way, but as a viewer, it’s just monotonous.
Overall, I really liked the Payne story, and I look forward to seeing how his newfound knowledge will affect his contributions to future ghost busting stories. Jim doesn’t seem all too thrilled when Payne comes around, so it will be interesting to see if there is any further development or insight into their relationship. There was no reference to Romano this episode. I’d still like to see him brought back into the spotlight again. They keep alluding to his army, but we don’t know what it means to the story or to the spirit world. We also haven’t gotten much explanation of the five signs of death. There is so much potential with that storyline. They have barely brushed the surface. Anyway, next episode. Let’s go.
Best Moment:
-Final scene with Melinda and Payne
Best Quote:
Jim: I'll try not to wake you up.
Melinda: Please do! I like to know you're back.