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Psych, USA, Airs Friday 10/9c

Episode: “High Noonish” (Season Four, Episode 3)

Synopsis: Detective Lasseter’s beloved childhood stomping grounds – an old west town tourist trap – has fallen on hard times. Someone is trying to sabotage the town, so Lassie brings in Shawn and Gus to help solve the mystery. James Brolin guest stars as the sheriff who calls Lassie “Binky.”

Review: By the time I watched this episode, it dawned on me that Psych is not one of those mysteries that you could ever hope to solve. As far as mysteries go, the writing isn’t well constructed. Clues are left out, or revealed at the last minute in a wrap-up, and sometimes the story seems to be cobbled together haphazardly at the last minute.

But this is not why I enjoy Psych. Rather, I love watching the interaction between Shawn and Gus, as well as their connection to the supporting characters. In this case, “High Noonish” was a great episode, allowing Shawn and Gus to get entirely silly in their old West get-ups.

It was nice to get a sepia-toned snapshot into Lassie’s past, which gives him a shred of humanity that we don’t normally see. But while Lassie got a chance for some unfiltered screen time, it became his story and somewhat detracted from the banter between Shawn and Gus. Sure, Lassie’s funny but not perfect for an anchor character of the week.

James Brolin did a fine job, although he did seem to be holding his nose a bit throughout the process. Apparently Barbra’s beau needs some spending money of his own.

And finally, may I say that the pineapple was one of the hardest to find in this episode. I found it, but it took some doing.

Episode: “The Devil Is In the Details… and in the Upstairs Bedroom” (Season Four, Episode 4)

Synopsis: After a student at a Catholic school commits suicide by jumping off of a campus building, Shawn and Gus show up to help out. Their childhood priest, Father Westley (Ray Wise) suspects a rash of demonic possession, and Gus is convinced. Shawn, however, thinks there’s a real-world explanation and uses his fake psychic abilities to prove it.

Review: Part of what makes watching Psych so much fun is the way pop culture references are woven into the episodes. In this installment, much like last season’s “Tuesday the 17th” episode, there are several direct references to a specific film. In this case, the writers take some pot shots at The Exorcist.

Like anything else from the Psych canon, this show was a bit far-fetched, and things fell into place a little too easy at times. However, you shouldn’t be watching the show for crack investigative work. Instead, Psych gives us an opportunity to see Shawn and Gus be silly together.

Highlights of the episode actually have nothing to do with demonic possession at all, but rather when Henry gets hooked on those devilish video games that Shawn left at his house. It also helps that Shawn and Gus are paired together through much of the show, letting their comic chemistry come through. And I share Shawn’s angst at the severe lack of Catholic school girls in this show.

Up Next: A week off until September 11 when someone attempts to kill Lassie, resulting in Shawn and Gus coming to the rescue.

Read More: TV for Movie Lovers

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