Psych – Point Break, CSI: Miami’s Adam Rodriguez, and Muurrdderr

I am literally hot off the red-eye from Vancouver, but am filling in for the family McDuffee as they enjoy their summer vacation. I must admit — watching Psych after having just visited the set and talking with the cast gives armchair criticism a slightly different feel (putting a real face to the character face). Although the head writer seemed kickass cool, I wasn’t crazy about this episode. It didn’t give me the geek squeal I experienced during “Not Even Close … Encounters.” Yet I still found it enjoyable in parts. Adam Rodriguez (who seems everywhere courtesy of his Ugly Betty guest spot) was hot, and the writers didn’t define the charismatic, key-flip Tommy by ethnicity (heck, even Scottish Angus Macfadyen went against nationality type in playing the French Paget). Anyways, scan below to check (or contest) things I enjoyed about this episode, including flipping the formula and random questions.

Formula Flipping

I enjoy season 5 because the writers seemingly find ways to play with the existing formula. Henry’s concern for Shawn’s driveway drag racing showed a different take from the usual Shawn/Henry prank-off/consternation flashbacks. At this point, I’m starting feel as if the flashbacks aren’t as necessary. While I enjoy them, they don’t necessarily show the same insight as in seasons 1-3. I feel they could just start off in present day and save the flashbacks for later, or just skip them altogether. Another twist I liked from the usual formula included jumping to Lassiter and Juliet after the present day crime, as opposed to Shawn and Gus. I also liked watching Lassiter and Juliet interview suspects before Shawn and Gus did.

The head writer and James Roday admitted that the show continues to play with the established format while highlighting new things about the characters, which I believe includes Lassiter’s obsession with the drag racing gangs. Another thing I like includes watching Lassiter and Gus find what Shawn witnessed (i.e. episodes 5.1 and 5.3). My only complaint during seasons 1-3 surrounded the seeming utter cluelessness of the Santa Barbara PD, and wondering what Gus “brought to the table” outside his super-sniffer and kickass lavender-scented hair (which Shawn called out in 5.2 and Lassiter in this ep). But, this season Gus’ contributions have definitely increased outside the sidekick level, including his logic about the drag racing and noticing Gina’s lie. Side note: Good on Shawn/the writers for using the past formula to figure out the real criminal. My other kudos to the writers  surround the increase in Shawn/Gus asides. I love that the villains always give them time for their back-and-forths a la old school theater before continuing with the action.

I just noticed this season’s dip into different territory class-wise (unless I’m forgetting a few eps). Ordinarily, most of the episodes focus on crime in the middle-to-upper-class (which, um, is the Santa Barbara demographic), but this season, with the triads and the drag racers, we see a slightly different area.

Other things I liked

• Shawn buying Gus astronaut ice cream (“damn right”)
• Gus’ perverted clapping
• Shawn and Gus’ squirrel wallet fight
• Gus still uses product he picked up from the “Black and Tan” model episode  (nice continuity)
• Shawn getting his “Paul Walker” on
• Shawn and Tommy racing for hot dogs (this is the second hot dog reference I noticed. Are hot dogs the new pineapple? I wish I had noticed this before my set visit.)
• Shawn’s crazy drag racer face (a la Troy’s fight face in Community)
• Henry’s drag truck
• Gus as Road Rash/Mellow Rush/Crank Shaft/G-Force/Mrs. Widdlebury, and Shawn as Torch
• The show’s soundtrack
• Shawn quoting from Point Break
• Wow, since when is Gus so badass?
• Shawn living life one quarter mile at a time and talking like a movie poster
• Gus calling out Shawn’s Point Break references
• Shawn asking if he should wear his windbreaker or pea coat to storm out
• Rice Krispies treats as a distraction
• Shawn pulling an Axel Foley
• In the Psych-outs, when Dulé flubs a line, the crew says he spent too much time tap dancing in between the shoots (which he actually does)
• Roday mentioned it in the interview, but the season has definitely returned to the antics of season 1, with Gus crying “I’m going to kill you”

Random thoughts

• Really? Shawn was able to look at a phone with an unfamiliar OS and view all the photos in less than 2-3 minutes? NCIS: LA also featured a quick cell phone texting scene which I cry foul on, considering I can barely find the camera button
• James Roday’s portrayal of Shawn this time around doesn’t seem to have as much energy as it did last season
• Has JR’s body type changed? I didn’t notice it in person, but he always seemed so rangy in the past
• Where’s the chief? I know Henry’s her in-between, but even so
• Why didn’t Shawn use his bike in the drag race? We haven’t seen it in awhile
• What is up with Shawn pushing Tommy to do whatever it takes? Is that foreshadowing for the S-ster?

Quotes

The writing definitely continues to bring it. As a result, I’ve pulled out quotes into another post. Check back for it later.

Clacked by An Nicholson
on Aug 13, 2010 @ 11:00 EST5EDT