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Ghost Whisperer

Ball & Chain

Season 4, Episode 10, Aired 12/19/08

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Episode Summary

Melinda helps a ghost who must come to terms with her marriage in order to cross over.

8.7

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Cast & Crew

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Jennifer Love Hewitt

Melinda Gordon
David Conrad

Jim Clancy
Camryn Manheim

Delia Banks

Fan Episode Reviews (5)

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Very good episode with persecutor.

9.5

"Superb"

By leoss92, Jan 24, 2009 Report Abuse

4.10 - 'Ball & Chain' told us about kidnapped women, who was keeped underground. I remember 3.04 - 'No Safe Place' with another persecutor. I really liked that episode, so I liked this such much. The story of women was really beautfiul. Of course, it's not great that that man could detain them. But the storyline was really, really good. There was a lot of funny moments, like scary Melinda about what Sam/Jim thinks about her, but I could see sad moments, like when Tammy i saying goodbye to her husband and children. The ending was really good, One Republic and Sam/Jim//Melinda. For me it was the best episode in 4. season and I really, really liked this one. ;)moreless

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The dead Jim is still here and Melinda puts her life in danger

9.5

"Superb"

By vicky24c, Jan 15, 2009 Report Abuse

In this episode of Ghost Whisperer, the following happens. Melinda deals with a ghost who doesn't know that she is dead. Melinda soon tracks down her ex-husband who tells her that Tammy left him over 2 years before and he hasn't seen her since. He believed that she had a metal health problem and doctors believed that it was bi-polar, although it was never confirmed as she couldn't go to see the doctor. Melinda and Eli soon learn that the ghost was reported missing over 6 years ago by her then Husband and her kids. We then learn that she left her 1st husband for her 2nd husband, Roger. Melinda sees bruises on Tammy's (the ghost) wrists and believes that her Husband may have been abusing her. Tammy soon remembers that she did not leave her first Husband and kids; she was in fact kidnapped by Roger. At first he kept her locked under the floorboards tided up. He kept her locked up and soon he managed to control her. We soon learn that on the day which she disappeared he drugged her and made it look as though she killed herself in the woods. Melinda soon discovers that he is doing the same thing to the woman he is married to now. Melinda finds her locked under the floorboards. She frees her and when the husband returns her attacks both of them. Luckily they manage to free themselves and lock him under the floorboards. We then see the 2nd wife reunited with her real husband and her baby daughter. Sarah (who is also known as Tammy) speaks to her real husband through Melinda and she then crosses over.moreless

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This is definitely a filler episode. It doesn't really need to happen. The story behind the ghost was decent. The twist in the end made it seemed like one of those Asian horror flicks (without the gore).moreless

6.0

"Fair"

By puppybunny1, Dec 20, 2008 Report Abuse

I had great hopes for the Jim/Sam storyline. Either Sam/Jim needs to go on with his current life or leave. I have to say that I am disappointed in the direction. Rena Sofer could have done better as the ghost. She was much better in Heroes and 24. The guy that plays the villain must be typecasted. He had been a villian for a lot of shows. This is definitely a filler episode. I don't think that Eli is up to par. He needs better scripts. The writers/producers need to not make this show into a soap opera. Jim/Sam needs to decide to either leave or stay.moreless

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Pretty dull episode.

7.0

"Good"

By thefanof, Dec 20, 2008 Report Abuse

Outside of the brief flash of the man attacking Melinda with a poker this was a pretty unexciting episode of Ghost Whisperer. Eli had some funny lines, but his performance just wasn't up to par and the ever irritating Jim/Melinda storyline continues to ruin this show.

Part of my dislike for this episode was the guest spot by Rena Sofer (Just Shoot Me, Coupling). An overrated, unappealing actress who always seems to find work.

But that was not the main problem. This was simply a filler episode if I've ever seen one. Still, I feel obliged to give it a 7.0 because it was not all bad, just not the Ghost Whisperer we all know and love.moreless

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What is great about this episode is that the ghost isn't what scares you, it's her story.

9.5

"Superb"

By an9el215, Dec 20, 2008 Report Abuse

Well, in this episode Melinda has to help a woman remember the reason why she died. Usually I'm scared out of my mind watching this show. The ghost just freaks me out most of the time, but in this episode I was definitely more freaked by her horrible 2nd husband. That was definitely a surprise for me that he was revealed to have actually kidnapped her from her family and brainwashed her. Again, the sadness that comes along with ever episode was there. I know the characters are fictional, but I just can't help but feel their pain also. One thing I did not enjoy about this episode is the dragging of Jim/Sam. Two weeks ago I couldn't wait to see what would happen from the ring he found. Well, nothing. They need to get moving on this Jim/Sam thing because it's getting boring. I was already upset that Jim had to die and now he's there, but not. It's becoming a bit annoying because now it's whether or not he'll stay or go. Decide and get it over with. If they have him go though, I'm not sure how well the show will go on.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Sam's actual face is only seen in the mirror of his truck while Melinda is talking to him. Edit
Notes
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- Featured Music: Say (All I Need) by OneRepublic. The Man Who Can't Be Moved by The Script. Not Out by Greg Laswell. Living For Today by Deathray. Edit
- International Air Dates: Denmark: February 24, 2009 on Kanal 4 Latin America: February 26, 2009 on Sony Entertainment Television The Netherlands: March 8, 2009 on Net 5 Australia: April 30, 2009 on Channel 7 Norway: April 30, 2009 on FEM New Zealand: June 25, 2009 on TV2 United Kingdom: July 14, 2009 on Living Turkey: November 11, 2009 on CNBC-e Slovakia: April 18, 2010 on JOJ Czech Republic: June 8, 2010 on AXN Finland: July 4, 2011 on Nelonen Edit
- David Burke (Thomas) also worked with Camryn Manheim (Delia) in the season 1 episode The Inmates of Ally McBeal. Edit
Quotes
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- Eli: So I told my friend Detective Blair I found the body hiking as opposed to breaking and entering which is how I found the last dead body I called in to her. How may times can you do that before they haul you away? Melissa: Well they haven't locked me up yet. Eli: Oh that's wildly reassuring. Edit
- Eli: (to Melinda) I gotta go. If you don't hear from me, bring bail. Edit
- Melinda: I'm wondering if her imprint is due to mental illness and not her death. Eli: She's stuck in a loop because she's loopy. Makes perfect sense. Melinda: You're not helping. Eli: No it does, really! Edit
Allusions
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- The title alludes to the 2004 romantic comedy of the same title. Edit
- Melissa refers to Stockholm Syndrome. This is a condition whereby an emotional bond is created between the abused and an abuser, and is considered a survival strategy. This psychological condition was given this nickname due to a very well publicized event which began in Stockholm on August 23rd, 1973. A bank was entered by two men with machine guns and they held four hostages there, strapped with dynamite, for the next 131 hours. After being rescued their media interviews made it clear that the hostages supported their captors, so much so that one female hostage later became engaged to one of the criminals. Law enforcement personnel have long recognized this syndrome with battered women who fail to press charges or who stand bail for their abusive partner. Edit