TV Review: Psych 3.8 - Gus Walks Into a Bank

Posted by Kevin Carr (kevin@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 13, 2008

Psych, USA, Airs Friday 10/9c

Episode: “Gus Walks Into a Bank” (Season Three, Episode 8)

Synopsis: Gus (Dulé Hill) makes a routine stop at the bank for his weekly deposit, leaving Shawn (James Roday) in the car. While Gus is inside, a bank robber draws a gun and takes the entire building hostage. Luntz (Gary Cole), a cocky hostage negotiator is brought in to help, but Shawn manages to get into the bank and start a negotiation of his own.

Review: It seems that the showrunners of Psych are trying some new things for the new season. This isn’t a standard episode featuring a murder or a crime that needs to be solved. Rather, it falls into the pattern of a hostage movie. Gus is in real peril, which puts Shawn in a more intense, less snarky mood. He gets in his expected jabs, but Shawn is clearly more emotionally involved in the case. Additionally, with Shawn at odds with Luntz, he warms up to Detective Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) to help him save face after losing lead on the hostage case. There are a nice divergences from the routine plots, although I hope it doesn’t become the norm as I prefer the more lighthearted and breezy storylines we’ve seen before.

Like last week’s episode, the show devotes some time to Shawn’s crush on Detective O’Hara (Maggie Lawson), who happens to be dating Luntz. Chalk up another reason why Shawn hates the guy. Even though he’s the catalyst of this show, Gus takes a back seat to Shawn’s antics, which I expect from his character in any perilous situation. The episode isn’t exactly Inside Man or The Negotiator, and it beats the pants off of that awful hostage subplot in Desperate Housewives a few years back. With the danger level a little higher, the tone was a bit off-set and will work only for a mid-season finale.

And, if you missed this first run, you’ll have missed the latest Big Adventures of Lil’ Shawn & Gus. It has nothing to do with hostages or banks, but rather follows the kids in their search for $2 for the ice cream truck as it runs down the street. Not the best of the bunch, but still cute.

Up Next Week: Reruns, my friends. This episode was the half-season finale. Look for Psych to return in January with all new episodes.

For more coverage of your favorite shows, check out the Control Freaks Archive.

Did you see Psych this week? If so, feel free to discuss below.

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