The Mentalist Recap – Season 2, Episode 10 – Throwing Fire – air date 12/17/09. In this episode, Jane and the CBI team investigate a baseball scout’s murder. In the process, Jane gets hit in the head with a wayward baseball. As a result, he begins getting flashbacks of his childhood, and his father. Needless to say, these are not especially positive flashbacks, as his father used him in schemes to make a living.

Tossed into the fray here are two star pitchers, their very aggressive fathers, an equally aggressive partner that the baseball scout left behind, the scouts angry ex-wife, and Jane himself, who refuses medical attention (much to Lisbon’s consternation and Cho’s frustration).

We get a great deal of insight into the world of baseball, and how in your mid-twenties you can be deemed “old”. There is also some interesting insight into ho Jane grew up, and what made him who he is today.

Every story has its own story!

The Mentalist Recap – Season 2, Episode 9 – A Price Above Rubies – air date 12/10/09. In this episode Jane and the CBI team investigate the murder of a wealthy jeweler during a jewelry heist at a charity event. I loved the opening scene – a large ballroom, people dressed to the nines, and Jane acting as MC!

All is not as it seems (in Jane’s world, all is never as it seems!). The person who seems to be number one for having committed the crime is found dead, and the family members surrounding the wealthy charity patroness (husband and nephews) … well, they all have their own quirks!

Great sparks between Lisbon and Jane, and some gentle nuances between Rigsby and Van Pelt.

Medium Recap, Season 6, Episode 10 – You Give Me Fever – air date 12/04/09. In this episode Alison’s visions take on a desperate importance after samples of a deadly disease disappear. He virus is spread by people to people, and has an 85% mortality rate.

Alison dreams about a car crash – and then sees it happen on her way to get a flu shot. She then develops flu-like symptoms, tells this to one of the detectives she works with, and is visited at home, early in the morning, by medical personnel in bio-hazard suits. It seems that the man in the crash – a man who worked for the company that owned the viral samples – was infected, and meant to kill himself.

The information on the crash is televised – the next day, Alison goes to work, only to find out that 20% of the staff has called in sick, and a good percentage of the rest of them are wearing bio-masks.

Alison has a dream about the head of the bio company – that he is the one creating the problem. He has infected a male employee that he is in a relationship with – which, in the end, goes badly. Alison confronts the company head, who denies everything, and tells her she has no proof anyway. By a strange twist of fate, he compromises his own immune system, and dies of the regular flu.

The good news – Detective Scanlon asks for Lynn for her hand in marriage – and she accepts!

Quite an interesting – and realistic – episode.

Ghost Whisperer Recap – Season 5, Episode 10 – Excessive Forces – air date 12/04/09. In this episode the ghost of a high school boy accuses a Grandview policeman of murdering him. The shooting in question was actually attributed to the accused policeman’s partner … so what is going on! But wait … wrong shooting! The accused policeman also tickets Eli for a tail light issue, and has Melinda’s car towed while she is in the police station.

It seems that the murdered boy’s best friend brought him into the ER, barely conscious. And both Dillon (the murdered boy) and Jake (his best friend) knew the policeman’s daughter (Ann Marie). Somehow along the line Eli gets ticked by the accused policeman for a tail light violation, Melinda has her car towed (and inadvertently dismantled in an erroneous drug check), and the accused policeman’s mailbox is trashed.

It turns out the death was accidental. Good story re making assumptions, an excessive parenting.

“Ghost Intervention”, a new four part series premiers December 12^th at 9 pm EST on the TLC channel. The focus on this show is that it will document a team of women with psychic abilities as they try to help families that have reported paranormal activity in their homes.

This will be an hour long show, with the women investigating the homes before they meet with the families living in them. During the meeting with the family, they will be discussing the soure of the psychic conflict, and how it can be removed from the home.

The investigative team includes intuitive medium Sierra Campbell, Dawn Claire, a self proclaimed “Bliss Guide”, ordained minister Tiffany Johnson and case manager Raiya Davidson.

The Medium ReCap – Season 5, Episode 16 – The Man In The Mirror – air date 11/27/09. In this episode, Allison goes into a coma and enters the body of Todd Emory, a patient at the hospital Allison is taken to. This is a repeat episode, but well worth watching again. Every time I see a repeat episode, I am made aware that Allison’s husband Joe really never was as weak a character as I once thought him to be.

It is hysterical to see Todd Martin whip up a costume for Allison’s youngest daughter, with her oldest daughter fuming in the background! (Todd Martin temporarily resides with Joe and the kids while Allison is in the hospital, in a coma.) Then there is Joe, kneeling by Allison as she comes to consciousness, praying that she comes back as herself, and not as Todd Martin, who is currently coding, due to a bubble that his wife injected in his IV line!

Fantastic episode!

Ghost Whisperer Reap – Season 4, Episode 4 – Save Our Souls – air date 11/27/09. In this episode Jim and Melinda are on a romantic getaway cruise when she encounters a very confused (and angry!) female ghost haunting another couple.

This is, as you can see, a repeat episode. It is the very first episode of this series that I ever saw. Having seen more of the show, and able to put things into better context, I really enjoyed watching it again.

One thing that struck me was the wardrobe – much more subdued than the current shows. I like the show better when it is based around where Melinda lives – it makes her seem more “real”, and allows ancillary characters, such as Delia, Eli and Ned to provide context and sub-plots.

I also loved that this episode featured one of my favorite actors – William R. Moses. And … you will adore the socialite ghost that is having so much fun on the cruise that she refuses to cross over!

The Mentalist Recap – Season 2, Episode 1 – Redemption – air date 11/26/09. In this episode Minelli assigns the Red John case to Sam Bosco (fearing that Jane and Lisbon are too close to it). Jane decides to help with one more case – the murder of a woman who has been accused of stealing one million dollars.

This is an episode that I had seen before, but that was well worth watching again! The first few minutes show Jane solving a crime solely by the use of his intuitive powers, an by paying attention to body posture.

The primary case for this episode – that of the murdered woman – goes a long way towards setting the groundwork for the interaction between team members Jane, Lisbon, Cho, Rigsby and Van Pelt, and gives us a birds eye v iew into Bosco’s personality, and his attitude towards Jane.

Excellent episode!

The Mentalist Recap – Season 2, Episode 8 – His Right Red Hand – air date 11/19/09. In this episode Jane and the CBI team investigate a shocking crime within the CBI facility. A shooter somehow makes it into the facility and shoots Bosco and his team – three members dead, Bosco critically injured.

This was the most intense, heartfelt episode that I have watched to date. It goes to the core of the show – Jane’s search for Red John, the man who killed his wife and child. There are some amazing scenes – the shooter being interviewed by Jane (the shooter is not Red John, it is a woman who has fallen in love with him), hospital scenes between Bosco and Lisbon and Bosco and Jane, and the CBI supervisor telling off a TV crew that wants to know how he feels with three members of his team dea and one critically injured.

Two major characters written out of the show in this episode, and an intensified plot twist. If you have not seen this episode, go on line and see it. Stunning writing and plot, which will be integral to future shows.

Ghost Whisperer Recap – Season 5, Episode 8 – air date 11/13/09. In this episode Melinda becomes involved in a murder mystery revolving around a powerful real estate couple when the ghost of the victim leads her to his body. Oh – the victim is half of the power couple – the husband!

The power couple – toxic to each other! In the end – perhaps there was no murder after all. There is toxic mold, and toxic anger – and two dead people.

Meanwhile, Aiden is learning magic – and his boundaries in the magical world. Then there is the ghost of the little girl in Aiden’s closet!

Medium Recap – Season 6, Episode 8 – Once In A Lifetime – airdate 11-13-09. Allison has visions of the boy from school that Ariel has recently started dating – in those visions he shoots a man to death. Bridgette, in the meantime, is center stage in a drama of her own creation – she has posted video of a neighbor making a fool of himself that her father has to take down from the Internet.

Back story – a seventeen year old murder, a baby whose father is not his father, and a mother with a tragic secret. Allison learns some powerful life lessons – and Joe is coming in as a much stronger character (which I for one am very, very happy to see!)

Incredible scenes in this episode – including the “ghost” of the boy’s father that visits his son every night for the entire first year of his life – because his son can see him for that length of time, after which the baby will lost the ability to see spirit. This episode rocks!

Mentalist Recap – Season 2, Episode 7 – Red Bulls – air date 11/12/09. In this episode Jane and the CBI team are investigating the kidnapping of a California heiress. In a strange twist of events, Jane ends up (willingly) working with Bosco on the case. Small agenda of the Red John files here.

Kidnappers turn out to be drug dealers going for bigger money through kidnapping … and then there is the interesting connection between the husband of the sister of the kidnap victim and drug use.

Along the way Van Pelt is shot three times through her Kevlar vest, causing Rigsby to see his life flashing before his eyes. Well, anyway, he goes after the shooter himself, and takes her down.

Interesting growth in the Van Pelt/Rigsby relationship, in the Lisbon/Bosco relationship, and in Bosco as an individual. If you want to know if Jane got to see Bosco’s updated Rd John file … well, you will have to watch the show! (They are available on line.)

Medium Recap – Season 6, Episode 7 – New Terrain – air date 11/06/09. In this episode Allison rents an SUV after her car is damaged. As rentals go, this is an interesting vehicle – the satellite radio allows her to hear other people’s conversations!

The conversation she hears – someone is being kidnapped. The next day the person who was kidnapped goes in to rob a bank – wearing a bomb that ends up going off! Then the bomb maker is located – after the fact – he has been blown up too!

Hmmm … and how about that bomb expert! Maybe the money was not blown up with the robber after all.

Déjà vu moment at the end of the show with Allison’s oldest daughter, a friend from school, and Allison’s new car – that’s right, she bought the SUV with the interesting satellite radio!

Well written, well executed show! Ten on my scale of one to ten!

Ghost Whisperer Recap – Season 5, Episode 7 – Devil’s Bargain – air date 11/06/09. In this episode Jim suspects a colleague is involved in the sudden appearance of a med student (Tina). He experiences a paranormal episode in the locker room after a surgery where he loses a nineteen year old patient, while Aiden continues to experience his shadow friends (that his mother does not see!).

The missing med student (Tina) appears to Melinda – in her profession as a stripper. She has been murdered, and it is connected with her work. However, it is not connected with Jim’s colleague, but with Eli’s teacher! And the Shadows are truly upset about this!

And … all of this is connected with the very special book that fell into Melinda and Eli’s hands in an earlier episode.

Stunning special effects in this episode!

The Mentalist Recap – Season 2, Episode 6 - Black Gold and Red Blood – air date 11/05/09. In this episode, Jane and the CBI team are investigating the murder of a man from blunt force trauma. And … Jane is arrested for planting a bug in Bosco’s office – for which he is put in jail.

Telling evidence on the murder victim is the glitter on his face, and the book that he has with him – with the word vulture in large letters on one page. Then there is the family feud between the dead man’s family and his wife’s family, his wife’s stepmother and oil money.

The murderer is caught – after Jane escapes from jail, with the help of a mouse. Thanks to a bit of slight of hand from Lisbon, Bosco finds it in his best interest to let Jane go and not press charges.

Medium Recap - Season 6, Episode 6 – Bite Me – air date 10/30/09. In this episode, Allison dreams that she and her family are part of the classic horror film “Night of the Living Dead”. In her dreams the film is their reality – they are living the story.

In the 9-5 world, Allison is drawn into an investigation of the disappearance of a funeral home owner, and his subsequent murder. Did you know that the chemicals in embalming fluid are also connected with the making of drugs? (No, the funeral director was not into the drug business.)

Both Allison and the funeral home owner’s daughter seem to be coming up with the same physical issues – burns, scratches and bites – for no seeming reason. (Allison finds them when she wakes up from her nightmares.)

This was a well done episode – perfect for Halloween!

Medium Recap – Season 5, Episode 6 - Head Over Heals – air date 10/30/09. In this episode Melinda is haunted by the Headless Horseman from “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. Then there is her son, Aiden, who is being told by his unseen friends to put away his Halloween costumes because they are bad. Why are they bad? Because they mask the person wearing them so that the person cannot be seen clearly.

This is all connected with the family of Aiden’s teacher – a wealthy family with many secrets. Then there is the question of crossing over – is it possible to partially cross over – for half of a person to cross over, and half remain behind as a shadow?

Unlke most episodes, I felt that this one was very uneven – starting out with silliness and poor acting, then moving into a more solid plot line. And how convenient that we can move Delia back into the shop on a “temporary” basis, after they changed her 9-5 to realtor!

Great Halloween decorations!

The Mentalist Recap - Season 2, Episode 5 - Red Scare - air date 10/30/09. In this episode Jane and the CBI team investigate the murder of a wealthy architect in an allegedly haunted mansion. The previous owner, now deceased, was very much into the paranormal, and held seance at the mansion. It is said that it is his ghost that haunts it.

Through the auspices of a very learned local bookseller, Jane learns that the previous owner was also into bootlegging - that is how he made his fortune. He also learns that there is allegedly a fortune hidden in the home.

The family member that sold the mansion (due to inability to pay back taxes) becomes irate after the sale, when she finds out that the new owner plans to gut her family home. Then there is the new owner's wife, who was seen parked by the mansion on the night her husband died. In the end, it is the seemingly innocent one that is guilty - all for greed.

Oh, and Rigsby finally tells Van Pelt that he loves her. Yes!

Medium Recap – Season 6, Episode 5 – Baby Fever – air date 10/23/09. In this episode, much to Joe’s chagrin, Allison is having dreams about babies! She is investigating the kidnapping of a young baby (very probably by the housekeeper), and his mother’s strange response. Even stranger is the older sister whose ghost show’s up, telling Allison that her baby brother is not safe in their house.

Allison finds the baby once (in a very strange place, in a house with no one else in it), and takes it home. Joe makes her turn it in, which she does (but not happily). Then she has another dream, goes to the baby’s house, sprays mace in the mother’s eyes and steals the baby out of concern for his welfare. The real person behind the kidnapping scheme – not the housekeeper, who is found dead.

In the meantime, Marie cannot get a song out of her mind. It turns out that she is meant to help an adult song finish a song that he and his father were working on when the father suddenly died.

What do we have to look forward to as TV fare on Halloween Eve (the Friday night before Halloween)? Some really great stuff, actually! On Ghost Whisperer, we will see the headless horseman from Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” come to life to haunt Melinda. (She gets even more upset when the book shows up at Aiden’s school!)

On The Medium, Allison’s dreams are taking her into the classic 1968 horror show “Night of the Living Dead”. (The series cast is inserted into the classic film.) All of this to help her solve the murder of a funeral director.

Great prelude to Halloween!

Ghost Whisperer Recap – Season 5, Episode 7 – Cause For Alarm – airdate 10/23/09. In this episode Melinda helps one of Eli’s patients – a man who is haunted by his sister’s death. He is also a genius with deep shadows of his own – his first love, and his fear of someone leaving him, as his sister did when she died.

The patient (Chad Lowe) is bringing out new software, being compromised in his own house (which has a “safe room” because he is so paranoid), and being shadowed by a real time son that he knows nothing about.

Good show – Melinda has a new hairstyle (straight, with highlights), and I still am not comfortable with Delia moving out of the antique shop and becoming a realtor.

Then there is Melinda’s son, and the “people” that he sees. All in a nights work!

The Medium Recap – Season 6, Episode 4 – The Medium Is The Message – airdate 10/16/09. In this episode Allison is having dreams of coded messages, and finds herself driving down the street, seeing all signs in a strange code. She begins to worry that the messages she is seeing are part of a problem left over from her surgery.

She attends a book signing for a book written by someone who claimed to hear the deathbed conviction of a suspect in a serial killing case from ten years ago.

However, Phoenix begins to experience the same type of serial killing, and Allison thinks her dreams about the coded messages are connected to the killings. The codes are the same, the manner of killing is the same. But this killer is left handed, while the killer from ten years ago was right handed.

The serial killer is arrested, on some very interesting evidence. At the same time, a shooting from ten years ago is resolved. The two are connected, in a very unique manner.

Joe begins a new job – working for a young hotshot who only wants him to sit at his desk each day so he can keep money coming into his section (part of a larger company). The resolution to this may surprise you!

Ghost Whisperer Recap – Season 5, Episode 4 – Do Over – aired 10/16/09. In this episode Melinda tries to protect her son from his dreams while trying to solve the mystery of the haunted morgue. Delia has a date from hell, then starts receiving mystery presents!

Sam brings home an old hospital instrument (one that was being thrown out), not realizing that it carries the energy of a physician that has been unable to cross over since he died of a heart attack – right after performing heart surgery.

Melinda see the surgery being performed – in her dining room – at the same time every night. She thinks that the patient died.

The physician also thinks that he has killed his patient – who did flat line for three minutes, but then came back to life and lead a highly productive, respected life. The physician is then able to cross over, and his patient can release his guilt, for thinking that he caused his physicians death.

But … if it was only the energy of the physician that had not crossed over, who is haunting the morgue?

The Mentalist – Season 2, Episode 4 – Red Menace – air date 10/16/09. In this episode Jane and the CBI team investigate the murder of a lawyer with questionable scruples whose one and only client is a notorious (and very powerful) motorcycle gang.

The lawyer keeps things so close to his vest that he chooses to have no employees – no secretary, no nothing. He has an office – with an interesting red door. His wife asks no questions – nor does his teenage son. They say they love him – but Jane thinks they may just love the lifestyle.

Is there a mole inside the gang? (If not – there should be! They have incorporated two other gangs in recent history, and are into the whole spectrum of illegal activities that gangs do.) Did the sister of a man that was killed by the biker leader (who, of course, got off scot free) kill the lawyer because he was an easier target? Does the lawyer himself have some bad habits he is not being open about? What does Rigsby have against bikers?

Great show – but it should have ended when it ended, and not with the final scene.

“Eastwick” is a new series on ABC - all about the ladies of Eastwick, and their supernatural powers. Created by Maggie Friedman, it is based on John Updikes novel “The Witches of Eastwick”, and the 1987 film adaptation (truly great movie starring Jack Nicholson as a very believable devil!, and Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer as the three women).

The TV show follows the lives of three current day women who meet at a wishing fountain and become friends. They are normal (if unhappy) women, with normal (if unhappy) lives and normal powers. That is, until they meet a stranger in town – Darryl Van Horn – who befriends them, opens their hearts and unleashes their true powers. We might guess that Darryl has an agenda – and he does! But does even he know what door he has opened by giving their powers full reign?

The show airs Wednesday nights on ABC.