(S03E01) Ahhh! The Boys of Summer are back! No, not The Beach Boys, or the song by Don Henley, or the lineup for the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers. I'm talking about Shawn Spencer and Burton "Gus" Guster. For the last two summers this fake psychic and his over-excited friend have joined us on the crime comedy Psych. Now, they are back to tackle a third season that, according to stars James Roday and Dule Hill, should be a good one.
We have already provided an early look for the season premiere, so this review is more to flesh out the events of the episode. Plus, it is also a chance to continue last year's tradition of pointing out all of the pop references spouted by the characters. And, starting this season, to let you know where the pineapple is located in each episode. Please get your mind out of the gutter!
It wasn't surprising that it was actually Shawn's mom who left Henry Spencer, rather than the other way around. Henry can be a hard-ass but, as he displayed throughout last season, there is another side to him. It was good that he finally had it out with Shawn concerning his attitude towards him. We can only hope that this one-on-one, combined with Madeline's revelation, that their relationship turns a corner.
James Roday stretched his dramatic muscles a bit with this episode. He was doing that here and there towards the end of last season as further layers of his character were peeled away, but it all came to a head this week. It was a nice change of pace from the carefree Shawn Spencer that we normally see. Particularly near the end where Shawn really lashed out and actually seemed near tears. I'm not sure how many more times I'd like to see this side of Shawn because I think it could distract from the comedic side of the series. But, a few more dramatic turns certainly wouldn't hurt.
As for tonight's mystery...who knew it was going to be Shawn haunting the house? Then again, as he explained how he made the lights flicker and how he grabbed someone from the supermarket to walk around in a wedding dress, it sorta made sense that this would be something he did. For those who were disappointed in this reveal there was the actual mystery involving the affair between Gus' boss and his secretary.
Before we go, time for the pop references. They all appeared during the first few minutes of the episode. These included an unopened package of Shrinky Dinks, Furby, and a mint condition copy of Dynamite magazine featuring the cast of Square Pegs. Also, mention of Jello cake, which is something I have never had a chance to partake in. As for the pineapple? I have no idea where it was this episode. If anyone else knows please let me know.
Next week on Psych: While I'm out covering Comic-Con, Shawn and Gus go to their high school reunion.
Giveaway Monday: That '70s Show The Complete Series Stash box set
Giveaway Monday: Back to You season one DVD
Six shows that I am watching pretty regularly this season
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-19-2008 @ 12:24AM
JT said...
I thought this was an outstanding episode to begin the season. With a little more drama mixed in with the already excellent comedy. I do believe the first 80's reference that I noticed was at the very beginning in the flashback to 1995. When Henry opened the car door to find Shawn sitting in the drivers seat, Shawn looked very much like the Judd Nelson character of John Bender in The Breakfast Club (1985). Again, great episode from a great ensemble cast.
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7-19-2008 @ 2:04AM
Debby said...
there was a lamp in the office Shawn's mother used that looked like the base had a pineapple design carved in it - maybe?
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7-19-2008 @ 2:20AM
Aaron said...
it was pretty good, definitely better than last seasons premiere, it had more humor, but also some decent dramatic elements that made for a change of pace for the show. i only had a few complaints:
1)we only saw small, almost unimportant parts with the chief and Jules, i thought they would have at least some parts in it.
2)they seemed to tie all the loose ends of the mystery together a little too quickly, i mean, i get that Shawn did it, but really, they couldn't have elaborated a bit more?
3) and finally, i felt that the episode ended way to suddenly, and i know they wont sum it up at the beginning of next weeks episode.
also not to mention that they totally cheated us out of a psych out. but all in all it was a great season premiere they are definitely changing things up a bit, but its a good move. i hope.
OH!, and the pineapple reference was the pineapple in Henry's fruit basket, its visible when they put out the sandwiches.
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7-19-2008 @ 2:23AM
bc said...
I especially liked how flashback Lassiter looked with the '80s-style "pornstache". That's a pop reference by itself, as well as a comment on his style cluelessness.
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7-19-2008 @ 4:34AM
nickmagoo said...
just wanted to say this is the second time in a week i've a guest star (gus's immediate boss who gives him the ultimatum) from 'the middleman' (abc family - fun show) within a week on another show...
good episode overall, although i do like to see more of sean's 'psychic' ability...
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7-19-2008 @ 2:04PM
kkingdon said...
The pineapple was in the scene where Shawn's mom, dad and he are in the kitchen. (Lower left side of the picture.)
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7-19-2008 @ 3:30PM
Tess Capra said...
I especially liked Gus's attempts to remove Shaun from his office building -- a silly fight that probably was an exact copy of one they had at 12 years old.
"Don't you dare go boneless on me, Shaun."
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7-19-2008 @ 7:37PM
sakura said...
Loved that episode.
I really liked the flashback, as soon as it was mentioned in the pilot I knew that we would hear about this 'stolen car arrest' again. I was grinning as soon I heard Henry say 'stolen car'.
And we have an actual pineapple this week! :D
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7-20-2008 @ 12:27AM
bruce said...
Don't forget the reference to Lawn Darts! Gotta love a good game of LD. A few kids get mortally hurt and they literally ban the sale of a toy. Unfreakinbelievable. Lawn Darts were Darwin in action. People don't stand in front of real dart boards and get hit, so why would they stand on the virtual 'dart board' on the law to get hit (and killed) by a lawn dart? Let them die - the gene pool needs a lot of chlorine as it is.
Anyway... liked the lawn dart reference.
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7-20-2008 @ 11:03AM
diane said...
it just seemed kinda off. maybe it was that the supporting characters didn't really get their due this week other than lassiters pornstache (that was funny) and killed the normal flow of the story. Gus was outstanding this week as Fearless Gus and man upped to take care of things. I think we'll see the biggest change if they keep this character. Mostly it was the stumbling around of the Spencer family that threw things off.
Also they threw in Moonlighting in as detectives when Gus and Swan are walking out of Gus' office building. Thats a big one I can't believe didn't get a mention especially with Cybil Sheppard special guest staring.
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7-20-2008 @ 10:52PM
graham said...
I was a little confused with the timing of action taking place at the "haunted" house and back at the police station. It switched from night to day and back to night again while they were investigating. Was this supposed to take place in one day? Didn't Shawn have dinner plans for that same evening? And why did he act like is Dad shouldn't be at the restaurant when they obviously made the plans.
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7-21-2008 @ 11:07AM
Ruan Caiman said...
I was really disappointed in the way this ended - with Shawn being a liar and a blackmailer! The whole point of Psych was that he had to pretend to be a psychic because his observational abilities are too good to believe. Now, he's abusing his reputation as a psychic to commit his own crimes. What? For a "good guy" to go this far to get his way, I think goes past his normal bending of the rules.
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7-21-2008 @ 4:00PM
Peter North said...
Look in the picture of Gus and Shawn looking throught the fish tank, there is a pinapple in the lower right corner.
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7-21-2008 @ 10:57PM
pak31 said...
Loved this episode, there was a different feel to it but it was great. A few people on the USA forum were upset at the premiere but us true Psych fans understand the whole meaning behind it. Right?? Loved the references from the eighties, the lawn darts was priceless. I can't wait for more episodes.
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