Why do we commit ourselves to absurd things without end? Psych, a mystery show I watched back when it first premiered occupied about 2 or 3 months of my life. It never matched Monk in terms of the intricacy of its cases or the emotional and comedic heights of the defective San Francisco defective. However, I found myself watching at least 1 episode per day for months to complete the show. While it's 8 seasons fortunately only amounted to 120 episodes, it still occupied too much of my time to justify watching it.
Nonetheless, for comfort television in the mystery genre, it's light-hearted and simple entertainment that fills a niche. Like Monk, it's comedic nature and mostly episode of the week format are compelling features. One can skip or miss several episodes of Psych but resume watching at nearly any point. Of course, this can be a drawback when the series is on the air too long, which happened with Psych. The show probably should have ended after 5 or 6 seasons, given a proper conclusion instead of the finale setting the show up for a film.
However, after one tolerates the rocky pilot and initial episodes, the show begins to grow on you. The premise is undeniably absurd, but as a mystery-comedy series, it works. James Roday's character, Shawn Spencer, is mildly insufferable, sarcastic, and full of interminable pop culture references. Somehow, despite his immaturity and other character flaws, women are drawn to him. His keen sense of observation, honed by his cop father with whom his relationship is also flawed, makes him seem extraordinary to many. His best friend, Gus, is often a flat Watson to his Sherlock.
While Gus is undeniably book smart and has a wealth of knowledge in pharmaceutical products, which sometimes plays a key role in solving cases, he's usually the butt of jokes, becomes an excuse for bland racial humor, or serves as a babysitter for Shawn. Julia, the Santa Barbara police detective who is a love interest for Shawn, is part of the series endless will they-won't they love angle. Lassiter, another police detective, dislikes Shawn but gradually grows to work beside him despite never believing in his "psychic" detective methodology.
At its best, Psych depicts a great detective who is defective in other ways (childish nature) confronting the darker side of sunny Santa Barbara. Murder, kidnappings, assassinations, ethnic slumming (Indian, Chinese, and other cultures are exploited for local color in some episodes), ghost stories, grisly past crimes, and even serial killers are brought down by Shawn and Gus. Along the way, genre-bending, homages to great TV series or films (like Polanski's Chinatown), and mild emotional growth occur. For instance, the relationship between Shawn and his father improves over time.
His romantic life also develops, first with a serious relationship with a high school flame, then with Julia (although this one is dragged for far too long). Moreover, fans of Phylicia Rashad are treated to her guest appearances as Gus's mother. Some cases, particularly the first one involving a serial killer who targets Shawn's mother, is well-written and suspenseful. Naturally, as many shows of this ilk are wont to do, Yang is brought back too many times and loses her creepiness. Some of the other episodes, which attempted to break out of the conventions of the show, such as a musical, were also less than spectacular.
Overall, Psych is acceptable comfort television. Anyone searching for a serious mystery drama will not find what they're searching for here. As a successor of sorts to Monk it falls short. But it does bring a contradictory Santa Barbara to life. The Watson-type character should have been better, yet the show does feature a large cast of quirky characters who are endearing. Woody, the inappropriate and comedic relief of a coroner, is especially funny with his innuendo or when coming on to Chief Vick. If only the show ended after season 5 or 6, then it would be easier to rewatch.
Nonetheless, for comfort television in the mystery genre, it's light-hearted and simple entertainment that fills a niche. Like Monk, it's comedic nature and mostly episode of the week format are compelling features. One can skip or miss several episodes of Psych but resume watching at nearly any point. Of course, this can be a drawback when the series is on the air too long, which happened with Psych. The show probably should have ended after 5 or 6 seasons, given a proper conclusion instead of the finale setting the show up for a film.
However, after one tolerates the rocky pilot and initial episodes, the show begins to grow on you. The premise is undeniably absurd, but as a mystery-comedy series, it works. James Roday's character, Shawn Spencer, is mildly insufferable, sarcastic, and full of interminable pop culture references. Somehow, despite his immaturity and other character flaws, women are drawn to him. His keen sense of observation, honed by his cop father with whom his relationship is also flawed, makes him seem extraordinary to many. His best friend, Gus, is often a flat Watson to his Sherlock.
While Gus is undeniably book smart and has a wealth of knowledge in pharmaceutical products, which sometimes plays a key role in solving cases, he's usually the butt of jokes, becomes an excuse for bland racial humor, or serves as a babysitter for Shawn. Julia, the Santa Barbara police detective who is a love interest for Shawn, is part of the series endless will they-won't they love angle. Lassiter, another police detective, dislikes Shawn but gradually grows to work beside him despite never believing in his "psychic" detective methodology.
At its best, Psych depicts a great detective who is defective in other ways (childish nature) confronting the darker side of sunny Santa Barbara. Murder, kidnappings, assassinations, ethnic slumming (Indian, Chinese, and other cultures are exploited for local color in some episodes), ghost stories, grisly past crimes, and even serial killers are brought down by Shawn and Gus. Along the way, genre-bending, homages to great TV series or films (like Polanski's Chinatown), and mild emotional growth occur. For instance, the relationship between Shawn and his father improves over time.
His romantic life also develops, first with a serious relationship with a high school flame, then with Julia (although this one is dragged for far too long). Moreover, fans of Phylicia Rashad are treated to her guest appearances as Gus's mother. Some cases, particularly the first one involving a serial killer who targets Shawn's mother, is well-written and suspenseful. Naturally, as many shows of this ilk are wont to do, Yang is brought back too many times and loses her creepiness. Some of the other episodes, which attempted to break out of the conventions of the show, such as a musical, were also less than spectacular.
Overall, Psych is acceptable comfort television. Anyone searching for a serious mystery drama will not find what they're searching for here. As a successor of sorts to Monk it falls short. But it does bring a contradictory Santa Barbara to life. The Watson-type character should have been better, yet the show does feature a large cast of quirky characters who are endearing. Woody, the inappropriate and comedic relief of a coroner, is especially funny with his innuendo or when coming on to Chief Vick. If only the show ended after season 5 or 6, then it would be easier to rewatch.
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