Ghost Whisperer review from someone who's seen it

[Looking4Love]

Unlike many of the people who have 'reviewed' Love's new show, I have actually seen the pilot. There may be a few minor changes between the (downloaded) version I've seen and what makes it to air, but I don't see that much changing.

I like the show and I would still like it if I weren't a fan of Love. The first thing that sticks out to me is that it's definitely an adult role. There's no mistaking that she's not a teenager anymore. They don't go out of their way to portray this; rather, it comes across naturally. She's a newlywed who runs a business.

My biggest and maybe only criticism is that they didn't get into the backstories enough. We don't know who knows she sees ghosts, if it's a secret, how she's dealt with it, etc. I'm hoping that they bring those points along (soon) in upcoming episodes. Another minor thing is that it's hard to tell who exactly is a ghost sometimes. I suppose that's done purposely with the viewers seeing the world as Melinda (Love's character) does, but she actually knows who's alive and who's dead. They could get into how she tells the difference in forthcoming episodes, also.

Other than the couple of points I just mentioned, I think it's really well done. The acting is good. Love carries the show well. You can see some of the complexities that come with this 'gift' already. Love's body language and facial expressions are really good. The supporting cast does well, too. I hope Aisha Tyler has a bigger role coming up. I like the husband character, too, even though I'm jealous that he gets to snuggle up to Love and I don't ;) .

This show is definitely not a Medium clone. There are the obvious similarities with the subject matter, but it ends there. GW deals more with the relationships with the departed to their living loved ones while Medium deals with solving crimes.

There are a lot of different ways they can go with Ghost Whisperer, so they should be able to keep it fresh. For instance, they could explore 'bad' ghosts versus 'good' ghosts. They could have an angle with others who see the ghosts and Melinda either teaches or learns from them. The writers just need to keep from falling into the trap of writing the same show over and with different ghosts and families. I'm confident that they're smart enough to do that, though. If the public gives this show a chance, I think they'll like it.

I like the chances of this show sticking. I just hope that CBS sticks with it and lets it build an audience if it isn't a hit right away. It may take a little bit to take off because it takes on a difficult subject and is probably geared more towards a female audience (or at least I think it'll be perceived that way). I do think that if guys tune in for the babes, they'll come back for the show if they're at all into this ghost stuff.

If anyone else has seen the pilot, please feel free to add anything.

[herbertlens]

I pretty much agree with that. It does seem more directed at a female audience. I think they will need to introduce something to increase the drama... some kind of a nemesis. As a "ghost of the week" thing it could get stale.

It was well done though. I particularly liked the scene where she had to give the old guy the message from his wife about where to find a key... it is an amusing, playful scene about simple concerns the dead could have for the living and a long way from the darkness of Medium.

[i love love]

Interesting, when you mention a female audience, do you mean more emotional interaction than physical action? I like the idea, I just hope it can hang in there long enough to prove itself. As usual it will all come down to the writing and dialog, even some of that physical action too otherwise typical TV audiences could drift away.

[Looking4Love]

Originally posted by i love love:
Interesting, when you mention a female audience, do you mean more emotional interaction than physical action?

Yeah, pretty much...plus women seem to be more open about spirits and ghosts and such. I do think that guys will dig GW, too, but I think that women would probably check it out first.

[Trotter]

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Thanks for your review Brent I found it really intresting.

I have not be lucky enough to see it yet, but I look forward to hearing what other people felt about it...... [img]smile.gif[/img]

LOVE YOUNG GIFTED & GORGEOUS

[dan5card]

I totally agree that they have to let this show build an audience if it doesn't take off right away... Remember Cheers and Seinfeld were dangerously close their first years on of being cancelled.... Hopefully it will seperate itself from the other ghost shows and find it's own niche with an audience... Looking forward to seeing it.... Thanks for the review

[StarHawk221]

Not only those shows but if I remember correctly Party of Five was on the edge as well when it was being aired... I believe the fans were the ones who saved it. Although I could be wrong. Either way whether it lasts or not (and I hope it does) it'll be great to see Love on TV again!

[Still Dirrty]

I saw the pilot and I got the whole Tru Calling feeling. Especially with the ghost saying 'help me.' Now I don't mind it, since I loved Tru Calling, but I think they could have executed it better to give it a more original feeling. Maybe it'll change and they reshoot the pilot, who knows.

[Trotter]

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Thanks for your review Miss J...I was about to welcome you to the board but I see you have a couple of posts to your name already.... [img]smile.gif[/img]

Not long to go now..... [img]smile.gif[/img]

LOVE YOUNG GIFTED & GORGEOUS