There has been a rising interest in the world of mediums over the last few years. Charlatans like John Edwards (thankfully, no relation to me) have tapped into the people's tragedies by making them believe it is possible to communicate with dead loved ones. Not to come off sounding to cynical, I do have my own set of beliefs when it comes to the supernatural and have little doubt that some form of communication might indeed be possible. Just not from hoaxsters with TV shows. Still, this interest has begun to spill over into the world of episodic television. Just in the last couple of years we've seen shows like "Medium" and "The Ghost Whisperer" draw big ratings, with both readying for further seasons. This month Paramount is releasing the 1st season of "Ghost Whisperer", and of the two shows, I really wasn't sure which one would have the better chance of success. Of course, this train of though materialized before I ever saw a single episode. It was all about the casting. Patricia Arquette was cast in the lead of "Medium", while Jennifer Love Hewitt starred in "Ghost Whisperer."

I had never been much of a fan of either actress and really doubted that either show would find an audience.

Proving that I can be VERY wrong, both series went on to find great success, even allowing Arquette to win an Emmy. I've sine seen both shows and am surprised to admit I like them. Even though the main premise is fairly similar, the shows are very different. In "Ghost Whisperer", Hewitt stars as Melinda Gordon, a woman with the ability to communicate with the dead. While it is a frightening talent she would probably rather not have, she cannot turn away from those who approach her for help. In most cases, the spirits are held her on Earth by unfinished business and it is up to Melinda to help them 'go into the light' as it were.

Paramount (who is also releasing "Medium") is releasing the 1st season of "Ghost Whisperer" on DVD this week, and I spent the last couple of weeks watching the 22 episodes that make up the set. I found the series to be oddly compelling, not so much because of Hewitt, but because of the stories that involved the spirits asking for her help. A few come across as a little formulaic, but most are actually quite creative and very emotional. Though some of the episodes are atmospherically scary (after all… there's ghosts…), the series almost seems a little more like "Touched by an Angel" than say, "Supernatural."

For example, in the Pilot episode Melinda is approached by the spirit of a soldier who was killed during the Vietnam Conflict. She helps him reconcile with his son so that he can finally rest. Or in the episode "Miss Fortune", she must help convince the ghost of a magician that his brother was not responsible for his death in order to bring closure to his restlessness.

Paramount's DVD offers up some terrific transfers in their 6-disc set of "Ghost Whisperer", and it is especially evident in the style of the special effects used in the series. There are times that the 'visions' are quietly disturbing, which are touched upon in one of the set's featurettes. And speaking of featurettes, there are quite a few. "Can You See Me?" offers an overview of the series' first season, while "Second Sight" focuses more on the clairvoyants in the series. There's also a tour of Grandview (the town Melinda lives in with her husband), a look at the show's mythology, and a fairly funny blooper reel.

"Ghost Whisperer" is a much better show than I expected, and considering it's in its 3rd season, audiences are agreeing with me. Paramount has been doing a great job with its DVD releases of it’s newer series, and are continuing this level of excellence with the 1st season of "Ghost Whisperer."

Episodes:
Pilot (Commentary by John Gray and Kim Moses)
The Crossing
Ghost, Interrupted (Commentary by Ian Sander and Kim Moses)
Mended Hearts
Lost Boys (Commentary Ian Sander and David Conrad)
Homecoming
Hope and Mercy
On the Wings of a Dove
Voices
Ghost Bride
Shadow Boxer
Undead Comic (Commentary by John Gray and Aisha Tyler)
Friendly Neighborhood Ghost
Last Execution
Melinda's First Ghost
Dead Man's Ridge
Demon Child
Miss Fortune
Fury
The Vanishing
Free Fall
The One

Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt
Extras: "Can You See Me?", Second Sight - The Clairvoyants of Ghost Whisperer, A Tour of Grandview, Ghost Whisperer Mythology, Scare Tactics, Blooper Reel
Specifications: Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: 10/31/2006
Region: 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Ghost Whisperer: Season 1 a B.