TVSquad

(S02E16) "One more time, buddy. For justice." -- Shawn Spencer

Where has the time gone? After a very short second half, the second season finale of Psych is upon us. And, despite the semi-disaster that was the season premiere, it was a pretty decent sophmore run for the show. We got to see a good bit of development from all of the characters, an easing of the psychic element of Shawn's abilities, and some extra focus on those who surround the young Spencer. One can only hope that the show's run on NBC come March will interest some more fans to the program.

Gallery: Psych: Shawn (and Gus) of the Dead

If it does bring in extra viewers for the third season, which begins this summer, they will be in for a treat that many fans of the show have been waiting for (SPOILER BEGINS HERE!): the introduction of Shawn's mother. I wasn't too surprised at the ending of this week's show; it was either going to be Shawn's mom, Henry's announcement that he was going to marry the woman he dated last episode, or that he was taking (Interim) Chief Vick's place as head of the Santa Barbara Police Department. Since we had a brief glimpse of her during the flashback opening, possibly the first time that has happened, I had a feeling that his mother would be tied into the episode one way or another.

Being that Henry Spencer is a pretty serious and un-imaginative guy, I'm guessing (hoping) that Shawn's mom will the free-spirited one and the person that Shawn looked up to more during her time at home. Then again, she could be as straight-shooting as her ex-husband. I'm curious to find out who they will cast as Shawn's mom. Gus got the motherly Phylicia Rashad as his parent, but I don't see someone similar being Shawn's mom. I'm thinking maybe Heather Locklear or Farrah Fawcett as the mom -- in other words, some 70's or 80's hottie. I'd be interested in your opinions.

Going back to (Interim) Chief Vick -- she's not Interim any more. Finally! I was lamenting in last week's column how, after two seasons, she still wasn't the permanent replacement. And, I was pretty convinced that she was actually leaving the show. Luckily, Shawn was able to step in and help her keep her job, minus the Interim attached to the title, thanks to a little side investigation he was doing concerning the Mayor and someone definitely not his wife. Why does it seem all politicians on television have a problem keeping it in their pants? If this is the way politics works in the real world I'm surprised the country hasn't totally collapsed.

Anyway, glad to see that the Chief is staying and that she has Shawn to thank for it. I think that's what makes Shawn so special and Psych work so well. Even though he seems to be in it all for personal glory he definitely wants to be someone who helps people out. But, I think he also wants someone to acknowledge that he's doing something nice, something special. Unfortunately, as of late, Shawn hasn't been getting that acknowledgment.

Take this week's reveal, for example. Shawn was able to tie two murders together and set up an elaborate reveal at the museum. However, as his description of the events went on Lassiter, O'Hara and even the assistant curator of the museum were able to piggyback onto the reveal and add their own information to it. Because of that, Shawn was left alone, like last week, without the usual adulation that he receives from the public.

This is good for Shawn because it makes him a bit more humble and mature. You heard him when Gus asked if he was the sensible one while the investigation was ongoing. Shawn's response: more and more it seems like it. I think that scares Shawn a bit as he as been the free-wheeling part of the Shawn-Gus team for the longest time. Granted, he still has his impish side, but he is taking his job much more seriously than when he first opened the agency.

I won't talk about the 80's retro-references this week, even though there were a number of them. What I will mention are some of the callbacks that were made. The most important one was the display of the dinosaur that Shawn and Gus discovered way back in the episode 'Sixty Five Million Years Off'. Well, it was actually Gus who discovered the dinosaur; Shawn, as usual, just got the credit. The other callback was made by Gus while he was watching Shawn talk to the museum's assistant curator on surveillance cameras. There were mumblings on how Shawn would mention obscure 80's references and then talk about his motorcycle -- the one that he doesn't even ride.

Despite Shawn's lack of psychic calls, this season finale went back to the roots of the show, making in quite enjoyable. I'm glad you could join me in the journey and hope to see you back here in the summer.