Ghost Whisperer (season 2)

Ghost Whisperer season 2

DVD cover
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 22
Broadcast
Original channel CBS
Original run September 22, 2006 – May 11, 2007
Home video release
DVD release date Region 1: September 18, 2007
Region 2: February 25, 2008
Region 4: April 2-June 13, 2008/2009

The second season of Ghost Whisperer, an American television series created by John Gray, commenced airing in the United States on September 22, 2006, concluded May 11, 2007, and consisted of 22 episodes. The series follows the life of Melinda Gordon (Jennifer Love Hewitt), who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. While trying to live as normal a life as possible—she is married and owns an antique store—Melinda helps earthbound spirits resolve their problems and cross over into the Light, or the spirit world. Her tasks are difficult and at times she struggles with people who push her away and disbelieve her ability. In addition, the ghosts are mysterious and sometimes menacing in the beginning and Melinda must use the clues available to her to understand the spirit's needs and help them.[1]

Ghost Whisperer's second season aired in the United States (U.S.) on Fridays at 8:00 pm ET on CBS, a terrestrial television network, where it received an average of 9.90 million viewers per episode.[2]

Plot

In the second season, Melinda crosses over Andrea and meets Delia Banks (Camryn Manheim), her son Ned Banks (Tyler Patrick Jones; Christoph Sanders in later seasons), and Professor Rick Payne (Jay Mohr), all of whom, by season's end, come to learn of Melinda's ability, with varying reactions. Delia remains slightly skeptical. The second season revolves around the thinning veil between the living and the dead. Melinda meets Gabriel, who has similar abilities to hers. But Gabriel is working for the Shadows (as yet unnamed) and working to make sure that ghosts do not cross over into the light, and in fact is working to block the light from all ghosts.

At the end of the season, Melinda finds four children, each of whom have survived a different accident and have been prophecising about a tragedy. Melinda believes she has to protect these children and at the one-year memorial walk for the plane crash, she pushes the children out of the way of a collapsing monument, but is struck and killed by it herself. She sees the light, and a ghost appears and talks to her. The children resurrect Melinda (it was actually the children's job to protect her). When questioned by Jim, Melinda reveals that she believes the ghost was her father, Tom Gordon (played by Martin Donovan), and that he told her she has a brother.

Development

Ghost Whisperer is based on the work of "Spirit Communicator" James Van Praagh,[3] who is co-executive producer[4] and regularly updated a blog about the show through LivingTV.[5] The stories are also said to be based in part on the work of "Spirit Communicator" Mary Ann Winkowski.[6] Development of the show dates back to at least two years before its premiere.[7]

The show was produced by Sander/Moses Productions in association with CBS Television Studios (originally Paramount Network Television in season one and ABC Studios (originally Touchstone Television in the first two seasons) and CBS Paramount Network Television in seasons two and three).

The show was filmed on the Universal Studios back lot in Los Angeles.[8] One area on the lot is Courthouse Square from the Back to the Future trilogy, though it has been drastically modified to depict Grandview. For example, the clock tower in Back to the Future has been completely covered up. Cast and crew members believe that the set gets visits from real spirits.[9]

Sound effects were completed at Smart Post Sound.[10] Visual effects for the pilot and some season one episodes were completed at Flash Film Works.[11] Visual effects for nearly the entire series were created at Eden FX.[12]

Creator John Gray grew up in Brooklyn, New York, which is not far from Grandview-On-Hudson, west of the Hudson River. Piermont is often referenced in episodes as the neighboring town, which is accurate to real life as Grandview-On-Hudson is actually located just north of Piermont. Professor Rick Payne worked in the fictional "Rockland University," and perhaps not coincidentally, the actual Grandview, New York is a village located in Rockland County, New York.

Cast

Episodes

No. in
Series
No. in
Season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
231"Love Never Dies" (Part 3)John GrayJohn GraySeptember 22, 200610.33[13]

Melinda tries to mourn the loss of her dear friend Andrea, but the mysterious man with the wide brimmed hat will not let her cross over. Alarmed by Andrea’s ghost, Melinda seeks the help of Professor Rick Payne, an expert in the history of the supernatural and the occult. As time runs out, Andrea’s soul starts to slip away and Melinda must get her to cross over, before it is too late.

Final appearance of: Aisha Tyler

First appearance of: Jay Mohr
242"Love Still Won't Die"John GrayJohn GraySeptember 29, 20069.73[14]

Melinda is introduced to Grandview real estate agent Delia Banks, after she catches her son Ned stealing some collectible concert tickets from her store. At first Melinda assumes the young boy has just lost his way, but his behavior may be the work of a ghost. Melinda's scheming ex-boyfriend Kyle (Michael Landes) pays her a visit from beyond the grave.

First appearance of: Camryn Manheim, Tyler Patrick Jones
253"Drowned Lives"Ian SanderJed SeidelOctober 6, 20069.77[15]
Melinda meets a couple who have just moved to Grandview. When they tell her that they think their house is haunted, Melinda befriends them in order to aid the ghost of a six-year-old girl who drowned there the previous summer.
264"The Ghost Within"Frederick E.O. ToyeLois JohnsonOctober 13, 200610.18[16]
Melinda purchases a set of ornaments at a flea market, after a spirit draws them towards her. Melinda struggles at first to understand the ghost's message, but when she touches one of the ornaments and shuts her eyes, she finds herself transported wherever the ornament depicts.
275"A Grave Matter"Eric LaneuvilleCatherine ButterfieldOctober 20, 200610.27[17]
Melinda visits the cemetery where Andrea was laid to rest and, whilst there, is called on by the ghost of a man who was buried in the wrong grave. When Melinda tries to get the ghost to cross over by helping him reconcile with his hostile wife and daughter, she is reminded of how her father abandoned her and her mother.
286"The Woman of His Dreams"John F. ShowalterCatherine ButterfieldOctober 27, 200610.88[18]
Jim has a ghost who died during surgery come to his dreams. Melinda and Jim find that the ghost, a supermodel, cannot cross-over as she wants to save her little sister from suffering the same destiny. Jim's friends are frightened by the crazy events that occur at his house.
297"A Vicious Cycle"Eric LaneuvilleJeannine RenshawNovember 3, 200611.12[19]
Melinda and Jim's first camping trip is interrupted as Melinda helps the ghost of a woman who left her husband and young daughter. Before the woman can cross over Melinda must find the woman's daughter and help her to learn the truth about her parent's past in order for her to be safe now.
308"The Night We Met"Peter O'FallonDavid FallonNovember 10, 200611.46[20]
The ghost of chef who died in a fire at a Chinese restaurant meets Melinda after the restaurant he died in burns for a second time. He demands that Melinda go out and find the person that really set the fire he was blamed for.
319"The Curse of the Ninth"Peter WernerBreen FrazierNovember 17, 200610.13[21]
When Melinda meets a nightclub waiter who has not played his guitar since his friend died, she finds that he is being haunted by two ghosts.
3210"Giving Up the Ghost"Peter O'FallonJim KoufNovember 24, 200610.57[22]
A high school baseball pitcher Justin finds that he is haunted by the former baseball star pitcher. The ghost is out for revenge on the coach who he blames for his death.
3311"Cat's Claw"Victoria HochbergJim KoufDecember 15, 20069.66[23]
While Melinda is at the University's botany lab she deals with some telekinetic events while dealing with a plant from Peru that is bleeding. Melinda finds that she must help a Doctor save herself.
3412"Dead to Rights (aka. Dead Reckoning)"Peter WernerWendy MericleJanuary 5, 200711.18[24]
Melinda has trouble talking to a ghost only to find that it's because he is not dead but is in a coma. While Lisa, his wife is in a legal battle against his parents to take him off of the life support. Meanwhile Delia struggles with teaching Ned about closure while also finding closure for herself.
3513"Déjà Boo"Gloria MuzioLois JohnsonJanuary 12, 200710.44[25]
Melinda finds that she must stop a ghost who doesn't want to be reincarnated again. Melinda finds out that someone knows her secret. Delia has second thoughts about dinner date.
3614"Speed Demon"James FrawleyAlan Di FioreFebruary 2, 200710.66[26]
Melinda's Jeep breaks down on a deserted road and a young woman who owns an auto shop comes by to help. Melinda meets a ghost who comes to her in the form of a skeleton. Melinda must first decipher the mysterious code that is linked to the drag racing society. Melinda finds that Ned is involved with the society and needs his help. Ned lies to his mom and sneaks out to go to the drag races. At the end the ghost finds closure and crosses over into the light.
3715"Mean Ghost"Ian SanderJeannine RenshawFebruary 9, 200711.16[27]

Melinda gives a speech on her career at Grandview High. While she's at the school she sees a group of cheerleaders who are having some mean and vicious things happening to them just as their cheerleading semi-finals are approaching in just a few days. Melinda discovers that the dead cheerleader can't cross over and someone else has been casting spells on the squad.

Starring Mary J. Blige and Madeline Zima.
3816"The Cradle Will Rock"James ChressanthisJed SeidelFebruary 16, 200711.35[28]
Melinda accompanies Delia to the local jewelry store so she can get her newly refurbished engagement ring. An armed robbery occurs while they are in the jewelers. Later, the ghost of jewelry salesman visits Melinda and she must help him make things right again.
3917"The Walk-In"Eric LaneuvilleBreen FrazierFebruary 23, 20079.54[29]
A body goes missing from the morgue and Melinda searches for the body. When the ghost visits Melinda she finds she needs help from Professor Payne to figure it out.
4018"Children of Ghosts"Frederick E.O. ToyeTeddy TenenbaumMarch 30, 20079.36[30]
Melinda and Jim become foster parents temporarily for a young girl whose mother is missing. The ghost of the mother comes to Melinda and tells her where Melinda can find her body. The mother confesses a secret to Melinda and Melinda and Jim set out to help the little girl.
4119"Delia's First Ghost"Kim MosesJeannine RenshawApril 6, 20079.66[31]
Melinda helps Ned deal with a ghost who had just put a scare into him. Melinda also helps a ghost who appears to without any clothes on. Delia sees that Melinda is once again talking to herself and Melinda decides it's time to share her gift with Delia.
4220"The Collector" (Part 1)Ian SanderTeleplay: Jim Kouf
Story: Melissa Jo Peltier
April 27, 20079.20[32]
Melinda meets a man who has the same abilities to see and talk to the dead. Melinda later learns that he has a different plan for the dead. A ghost enlists Professor Payne to help Melinda.
4321"The Prophet" (Part 2)John GrayJohn GrayMay 4, 20079.25[33]
Five accidents, and four signs, something else is going to happen. Melinda becomes concerned for the safety of the people she loves when a ghost prophet shows her visions of the future. The fellow Ghost Whisperer, who Melinda doesn't trust is still in Grandview.
4422"The Gathering" (Part 3)John GrayJohn GrayMay 11, 20079.15[34]

Continued from "The Prophet"

Melinda visits the Mayor of Grandview and asks him to cancel the memorial dedication they are holding. She speaks to the ghost of a mail person and is looking for a young girl named Kristen. Later, Melinda and Professor Payne search for missing children after their Nanny says that they left with a man named Gabriel. Meanwhile, a mysterious man tries to get Melinda to stop helping the good guys.

References

  1. "2006-07 primetime wrap". The Hollywood Reporter. May 25, 2007. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  2. Ghost Whisperer on Ghost Whisperer on LivingTV
  3. Real-life 'Ghost Whisperer' inspires Living TV - TV dramas - MSNBC.com
  4. Ghost Whisperer on LivingTV
  5. Universal Studios Hollywood - What's New
  6. SCI FI Wire | The News Service of the SCI FI Channel | SCIFI.COM
  7. Ghost Whisperer Television Show-Mix Checks in on Creating Audio Sounds for Ghost Whisperer TV Show
  8. Flash Film Works - Ghost Whisperer
  9. EDEN FX
  10. "Program Rankings 9/18-9/24". ABC Medianet. September 26, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  11. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 3, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  12. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 10, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  13. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 17, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  14. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 24, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  15. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 31, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  16. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 7, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  17. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 14, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  18. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 24, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  19. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 28, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  20. "CBS Rolls a Lucky 13". CBS PressExpress. December 19, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  21. "Weekly Program Rankings Through: January 7, 2007". ABC Medianet. January 9, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  22. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. January 16, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  23. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. February 6, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  24. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet (Through 02/11/07). February 13, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  25. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. February 21, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  26. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. February 27, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  27. "Weekly Program Rankings Through 04/01/07". ABC Medianet. April 3, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  28. "Weekly Program Rankings From 04/02/07 Through 04/08/07". ABC Medianet. October 3, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  29. "Weekly Program Rankings From 04/23/07 Through 04/29/07". ABC Medianet. May 1, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  30. "Weekly Program Rankings From 04/30/07 Through 05/06/07". ABC Medianet. May 8, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  31. "Weekly Program Rankings From 05/07/07 Through 05/13/07". ABC Medianet. May 15, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
General references