Have you read a synopsis for a movie or television episode that sounded so “bonkers” or over-the-top, you just had to check it out? That’s what happened when I came across the Highway to Heaven episode, “Ghost Rider”. I’ve seen enough episodes of this show to have an idea of what to expect. But then I read the synopsis for “Ghost Rider” on Hallmark Family’s website, which is the following:

“A lonely female novelist is in love with a legendary spy hero who has been dead for 20 years. She buys his sports car, that is being auctioned off, only to find out that his ghost comes with the car.”

For the 11^th Annual Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon, I had an excuse to not only check out “Ghost Rider”, but to also write about it. However, just because a movie or tv episode sounds “bonkers”, doesn’t mean it will be. Two examples from 18 Cinema Lane are the Lifetime movie, Sea Change, and the 1977 picture, The White Buffalo. Will “Ghost Rider” prove to be as “bonkers” as it sounds? Let’s travel down the highway of this review!

Episode Name: Ghost Rider

Season 3, Episode 24

Premiere Date: April 1^st, 1987

What I liked about this episode:

As I mentioned in this review’s introduction, the synopsis for “Ghost Rider” sounded “bonkers”, due to the story containing a car inhabited by a ghost. But that was not the primary focus of the story. Instead, the creative team behind Highway to Heaven placed more emphasis on Mark and Jonathan helping Birdy Belker. Birdy is a mystery writer who is not only interested in espionage, she’s obsessed with a special agent named Roger Bolt. Jonathan and Mark attempt to give Birdy the courage to live a more satisfying life, one where she can thrive and tell her own tales of adventure. Birdy’s story reminded me of Tracy’s story from the Touched by an Angel episode, “Perfect Little Angel”. A similarity between these episodes is how a major theme is being brave enough to reach your potential.

What I didn’t like about this episode:

Toward the beginning of the episode, Jonathan explains to Mark (and the audience) who Birdy is and why she needs their help. This explanation is presented as a voice-over, as if Jonathan were talking about events from a story in the mystery/noir genre. The voice-over was a good creative choice, making the episode unique from others of Highway to Heaven. However, this voice-over was included in only one part of the story. I wish that creative element was more consistently incorporated into the episode, with Jonathan’s voice-over appropriately fitting Birdy’s interest in espionage.

The story itself:

When I talked about what I liked about “Ghost Rider”, I said the story placed more emphasis on Jonathan and Mark helping Birdy develop the courage to reach her potential. While the episode features a car inhabited by a ghost, these elements were woven together in a way that fit within the established brand/tone of Highway to Heaven. The reason for Birdy possessing the car was because Mark encouraged her to purchase it, in an effort to help her find a new perspective on life. The ghost’s existence in the story had less to do with haunting and more to do with their place in the Afterlife. There was also a creative approach to the type of story about “never meeting your heroes”. In the case of “Ghost Rider”, the reality of who Roger Bolt was affects Birdy’s fantasy of him.

The other factors from this episode:

• I already mentioned in this review how Birdy is a mystery writer. However, she uses the pen name ‘Natasha Gudonov’. When you say that last name quickly, it sounds like “good enough”. This joke is even acknowledged by the ghost after they learn more about Birdy. Personally, I found the joke to be the most cringe-worthy part of this episode.
• In a typical Highway to Heaven episode, Jonathan will reveal his true identity as an angel toward the end of the story. He will discreetly use his angelic abilities throughout the episode as well. But in “Ghost Rider”, Jonathan is more honest with Birdy, sharing the truth about himself shortly after they meet. He’s even straightforward about his angelic abilities. I liked this change in storytelling! It gave “Ghost Rider” some creativity and allowed the story to stand out from other Highway to Heaven episodes!
• For this part of my review, I will be spoiling “Ghost Rider”. If you have not seen this episode and are interested in watching it, skip ahead to the part of my review titled “my overall thoughts”.

Earlier in this review, I said there was a creative approach to the type of story about “never meeting your heroes”. In “Ghost Rider”, Birdy receives the opportunity to meet Roger Bolt, as he is the ghost inhabiting the car she purchases. During this initial meeting, Jonathan reveals how, during Roger’s life, he was an arrogant womanizer. This information shocks Birdy. However, earlier in the episode, Birdy tells Jonathan and Mark how she knows everything about Roger. With that said, wouldn’t Birdy have known about Roger’s true persona?

My overall thoughts:

In my review’s introduction, I talked about wanting to check out “Ghost Rider” because of the synopsis on Hallmark Family’s website. But looking back on this episode, I feel that synopsis does the story a disservice. Yes, a story of a ghost inhabiting a car sounds “bonkers” on paper. How that concept was incorporated into “Ghost Rider”, let alone Highway to Heaven, actually worked better than I expected! As I said in my review, more emphasis was placed on Mark and Jonathan helping Birdy thrive in life. This part of the story, along with the ghost inhabiting the car, fit within the established brand/tone of the show. “Ghost Rider” does have its flaws, such as Jonathan’s voice-over being inconsistent. But, overall, I found this episode to be fine and pleasant!

Rating: A 3.5 out of 5

Have fun on television!

Sally Silverscreen