Psych 3x15 Review
As follow-up to my Preliminary Psych Squee Post from last night, here's a slightly more coherent review post in which I attempt some somewhat "in-depth" character analysis (which really just means I prattle on about how much I love Carlton).
Favorite Parts:
+ LOLPINEAPPLEPINATA!
+ "If you're looking for your pocketknife it's still in my back."
+ "Do it for the children"
+ Excited!Lassie + Supportive!Vick = Love (Also, Lassiter is a cheesy, awkward, romantic and I love it)
+ Billy can be my camp counselor any time (and play strip cribbage...)
+ "At least take something pointy" (Golden advice, that is)
+ Shawn came out of the closet....
+ "Iago!" "What's the parrot from Aladdin have to do with this?"
+ Strip Cribbage.
+ Lassie's speech to his wife (More on this below)
+ GUS THREW A NOODLE!!! (I seriously could not stop laughing at that part)
Random Supernatural Guest Stars Also Showing Up On Psych:
+ Sonja Bennett. Annie for this episode; Pamela in "Croatoan".
+ Luisa D'Oliveira. Sissy for this; Jenny in "It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester"
What Really Got Me To Love This Episode:
Character growth. Particularly where Shawn and Carlton are concerned.
First, on Shawn's part, he's grown so much since the beginning of Psych, but the largest growth spurt I've noticed has been through this season. He sort of took charge this episode. Not aggressively, and not very much like someone who honestly expects to be followed, but he tells the others what they should be doing. And he does what he thinks needs to be done, even if he has to do it on his own. This isn't a Shawn that runs at the first sign of having to take responsibility for something.
Not that I think first season Shawn would have abandoned everyone...but I think there would have been a lot more screaming and Shawn running around like a chicken with its head cut off. (If that makes sense)
And Carlton. Oh Carlton. I have never wanted to *SMOOSH* a fictional character more than I wanted to *SMOOSH* Carlton Lassiter last night. His little speech to his wife about letting her go? OMG. It made my eyes sting a little...and television DOES NOT make me teary-eyed.
It was heartbreaking (especially given how excited and hopeful he was at the start of the episode) but it was also an excellent demonstration of how he's grown in the past couple of years.
"Two years ago I would've lit them on fire and put them back in your purse" had Carlton pretty much saying 'I'm not the same person'. And it's true. First season Carlton was a bitter, slightly selfish, man. He lashed out (mostly at Shawn) and was very much set in his ways.
The past two seasons have been like watching Carlton slowly let other people help him through life. He's let Juliet close (to the point he asks her for advice on his personal life). He accepts Shawn's help on cases, even to the point of seeking it out on occasion. The banter between Carlton and the other characters (particularly Shawn) isn't so much condescending anymore as it is teasing/playful. It's competitive, but not as arrogant.
Carlton now isn't bitter, he's just...tired. He fought hard for a long time and he finally realized it wasn't getting him anywhere. He 'grew' enough to let his wife go so that they both can move on. Third season Carlton seems like he's in a place where he can do that (the moving on, I mean). (If I had any luck at all that'd mean he'd be moving on to Shawn...)
I love that character SO MUCH. And I think Tim Omundson plays him remarkably. He can do the snarky bastard!Lassie, but he can also do the lonely heartbroken!Carlton and I love him for it. *SMOOSHES*
Random other bits:
Kudos to James Roday for the directing/co-writing/acting bit. This episode played well on multiple levels (funny, creepy, romantic, heartbreaking). It wasn't my favorite episode, but it's definitely up there. I wouldn't mind watching another episode written/directed by him.
Favorite Parts:
+ LOLPINEAPPLEPINATA!
+ "If you're looking for your pocketknife it's still in my back."
+ "Do it for the children"
+ Excited!Lassie + Supportive!Vick = Love (Also, Lassiter is a cheesy, awkward, romantic and I love it)
+ Billy can be my camp counselor any time (and play strip cribbage...)
+ "At least take something pointy" (Golden advice, that is)
+ Shawn came out of the closet....
+ "Iago!" "What's the parrot from Aladdin have to do with this?"
+ Strip Cribbage.
+ Lassie's speech to his wife (More on this below)
+ GUS THREW A NOODLE!!! (I seriously could not stop laughing at that part)
Random Supernatural Guest Stars Also Showing Up On Psych:
+ Sonja Bennett. Annie for this episode; Pamela in "Croatoan".
+ Luisa D'Oliveira. Sissy for this; Jenny in "It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester"
What Really Got Me To Love This Episode:
Character growth. Particularly where Shawn and Carlton are concerned.
First, on Shawn's part, he's grown so much since the beginning of Psych, but the largest growth spurt I've noticed has been through this season. He sort of took charge this episode. Not aggressively, and not very much like someone who honestly expects to be followed, but he tells the others what they should be doing. And he does what he thinks needs to be done, even if he has to do it on his own. This isn't a Shawn that runs at the first sign of having to take responsibility for something.
Not that I think first season Shawn would have abandoned everyone...but I think there would have been a lot more screaming and Shawn running around like a chicken with its head cut off. (If that makes sense)
And Carlton. Oh Carlton. I have never wanted to *SMOOSH* a fictional character more than I wanted to *SMOOSH* Carlton Lassiter last night. His little speech to his wife about letting her go? OMG. It made my eyes sting a little...and television DOES NOT make me teary-eyed.
It was heartbreaking (especially given how excited and hopeful he was at the start of the episode) but it was also an excellent demonstration of how he's grown in the past couple of years.
"Two years ago I would've lit them on fire and put them back in your purse" had Carlton pretty much saying 'I'm not the same person'. And it's true. First season Carlton was a bitter, slightly selfish, man. He lashed out (mostly at Shawn) and was very much set in his ways.
The past two seasons have been like watching Carlton slowly let other people help him through life. He's let Juliet close (to the point he asks her for advice on his personal life). He accepts Shawn's help on cases, even to the point of seeking it out on occasion. The banter between Carlton and the other characters (particularly Shawn) isn't so much condescending anymore as it is teasing/playful. It's competitive, but not as arrogant.
Carlton now isn't bitter, he's just...tired. He fought hard for a long time and he finally realized it wasn't getting him anywhere. He 'grew' enough to let his wife go so that they both can move on. Third season Carlton seems like he's in a place where he can do that (the moving on, I mean). (If I had any luck at all that'd mean he'd be moving on to Shawn...)
I love that character SO MUCH. And I think Tim Omundson plays him remarkably. He can do the snarky bastard!Lassie, but he can also do the lonely heartbroken!Carlton and I love him for it. *SMOOSHES*
Random other bits:
Kudos to James Roday for the directing/co-writing/acting bit. This episode played well on multiple levels (funny, creepy, romantic, heartbreaking). It wasn't my favorite episode, but it's definitely up there. I wouldn't mind watching another episode written/directed by him.