Okay. This episode was soooo much better than the last. Both the ghost story, and the stories surrounding the main characters were engaging, well written, and easy to get invested in.
So let’s start with the ghost story. This time, we’re adding a new twist with the concept of reincarnation. It was a cool idea to have a ghost be identified by all of his past lives as well as his most recent one. Of course, the idea of multiple identities within one ghost leads Melinda to visit Professor Payne for help. The banter between these two about how he wanted to stay one step ahead added some nice comedic moments to the episode, with the final stamp on the gag being delivered by Jim, who is also one-upping Melinda's ghostbusting skills.
Eric’s story becomes linked to Jim and Melinda in a way they never imagined. This was such a great way to bring back Melinda’s doubts about having a child. I was completely shocked when Melinda realizes that the reason she has been feeling sick is not because of having to deal with Eric’s multiple identities, but because his next identity was to be that of her and Jim’s child. Woah! The reactions that result from her and Jim are written well within their pre-established feelings about parenthood, which is an issue that has come up several times before. The conversation they have in the living room was something that I think both of them needed. While the two of them, as I’ve said before, are clearly partners who are willing to sacrifice most anything for one another, they have never within the world of the show explicitly stated that to one another, and definitely not in the midst of a big life moment like this. It has just been kind of a general assumption based on character observation and interaction. I think this story, if anything, solidifies them as a couple that the show is not going to mess with. Raising doubt about whether or not one of them might be able to handle a big life change, like the one presented in this episode, allows viewers to question what would happen to the core of the show were something to separate the two of them. Honestly, for me, Jim and Melinda’s relationship is extremely important to the overall appeal of the show. My heart broke just a little bit when Eric says he will stay for Melinda, and she says that is why she wants him to leave. I feel like it completely tears her up that she is not ready for something that she knows would make Jim so happy. The fact is, her reasons for not being ready are completely understandable and within reason, something that Jim also realizes. I do hope though that she can work through these feelings and get to a point where she is ready for a child, as her and Jim will make excellent parents, as Eric so duly noted.
I was so happy and excited for Delia in this episode, and then that ending just totally ruined it. Why do I feel like Jim might end up in some trouble for this one, since he assured Melinda that Tim was just shy around women, but that he is really a nice guy? I’m sorry, but standing up a date does not make you look like a “nice guy.” There will be fallout, I just don’t know who is going to take the brunt of it. Unless Tim magically had some brilliant excuse for why he was a no show.
Overall, this was a great episode. It has interesting stories, and the way they all twisted together was well done. Kuddos to the writers of this episode. No season arc stuff this time, but I was okay with it because of all of the character development/story progression that went on. When I tend to get upset is when we get a boring episode of the week that also has no tie to the rest of the season. This episode was by no means boring. Anyway, onward to episode 14.
Best Moment:
-Jim and Melinda discussing whether they are prepared to take on Eric as a child.
Best Quote(s):
Professor Payne: You know what? I think I'm a little tired of you using me just for my brain.
Melinda: Oh, if only that were possible, but so much of your mouth comes with it.
Eric: Sounds crazy.
Melinda: Eric, you're dead and yet you're standing here talking to me. Let's get a grip on what's crazy.