Thursday, July 29, 2010

Psych You Out in the End: Psych Season 1 Review


USA Network

To be honest, the only reason I purchased Season 1 of USA's Psych was because it was on sale for 14.99. This wouldn't be the type of show I would normally buy. I'm not usually into the whole police/cop show. That being said, this is one of the funniest shows I have seen in quite some time. After I saw a few episodes, I went out and bought Seasons 2 and 3.


The show stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer and Dule Hill as Burton “Gus” Guster. The show is about a perpetual slacker (Spencer) with a photographic memory who uses this memory to convince the police that he is psychic. Shawn and Gus then start a detective agency and Shawn also convinces his clients that he's psychic. Gus is the “smart” one and the skeptic, and often assists in solving the cases using his intelligence, and always assists in getting Spencer out of trouble.


The way in which Spencer has his “visions” is often hilarious and ridiculous. He and Gus solve almost every case using his unique skill set, in which he was trained by his former police officer father when he was a child. The chemistry between Gus and Spencer is the highlight of the show, often entertaining in it's own right.


The supporting cast, police officers Carlton Lassiter and Juliet O'Hara also contribute to the entertainment of the show, O'Hara by her quiet acceptance of Spencer's abilities, and Lassiter by his complete dismissal of Gus, Spencer and his abilities (both real and imagined).


One of the most impressive aspects of the show is its utter lack of sex and violence, especially in a TV landscape filled with both.


This show reminds me of another show, Eli Stone, that ran on ABC for two seasons. In that show, though, the visions were real, and often assisted Eli in solving the cases. This show is less serious, and more humorous, though certain aspects are similar.


I look forward to the next 3 seasons of the show. Hopefully the casts can keep the chemistry and humor that they share this season.


4 out of 5 stars

1 comment:

  1. Michael Scott HannaJuly 29, 2010 at 10:02 PM

    Shows like this are rare. No sex, no violence - yet, its interesting. You dont find that often!

    ReplyDelete