March 3, 2011 - 4:33pm
'Psych' stays strong in mid-season premiere
BY JACOB AXELRAD
“Psych” mid-season 5 premiere
Wednesdays at 10 p.m.
USA
To those out there who have remained in mourning since the mid-season finale of USA’s “Psych” season five over the summer, have no fear. Shawn and Gus are back. For fans of the series, these names represent nothing less than the Butch and Sundance of cable TV. To the uninitiated, this is the dynamic duo that solves crimes for the Santa Barbara Police Department, with a little help from psychic abilities. Well, not psychic per se – Shawn, (James Roday, “The Dukes of Hazzard”) the protagonist, is a detective who uses heightened abilities of observation to convince those around him of his “psychic” powers. Gus, (Dulé Hill, “The West Wing”) his childhood best friend, serves as the voice of reason to Shawn’s outlandish and eccentric private eye.
The premier follows in the tradition of the show’s trademark sardonic humor. It never takes itself too seriously. A murder case lands our two beloved leading men in Vancouver. Not too long after this a familiar face reenters the series – Pierre Desperaux, (Cary Elwes, “The Princess Bride”) the international art thief whom fans may remember from the season four premier. Elwes’s performance is easily the strongest aspect of the episode. Watching this beloved British character actor at work is a treat that anyone can enjoy. His familiar wit and charm on display in roles such as Robin Hood in the Mel Brooks comedy “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” are in full force as the conniving yet sympathetic con artist.
The endearing repartee between Shawn and Gus remains present, but it unfortunately takes backseat to the emotional drama between Shawn and Juliet, (Maggie Lawson, “Smallville”) his co-worker and crush. The two shared a momentous kiss in the mid-season finale and it’s only natural that this plot point be developed. But to have this overshadow both the crime-solving portion and Shawn and Gus’s relationship isn’t worth it.
The show’s mechanics are as strong as ever. The writing is fast-paced and snappy; the actors work well together and never overreach. One can only hope that future episodes won’t belabor the romantic issues. These are OK as a sidebar, but the show’s strengths, as exemplified by the smart decision to bring back Elwes, lie in comedy. And if this episode is any indicator, there’s plenty more in store.
