why Leverage's cheerfulness is different from Psych's cheerfulness

[kattahj]

The latest Psych ep has reminded me of a conclusion I reached some time ago - that the cheerful tone of Psych is very brittle, and that this is probably the reason why h/c fics are so popular (and why I crave them myself). It's not because Shawn has issues - the characters of Leverage have issues too, and I have no particular desire to see them

Comments

[roseveare]

Haha. Yes, that makes sense to me. I like your Shawn impression.

[kattahj]

:-) Thanks!

[roniabirk]

I must find this fic you speak of. :-p

[kattahj]

Searching for h/c on PsychFic is rather rewarding. I have mixed feelings about that site, since it doesn't allow slash, but that's hardly the authors' fault.

[likeadeuce]

That's really interesting to think about. I think what you're referring to as the cheerfulness of 'Leverage' has to do with why I didn't keep up with the show after 3 or 4 episodes. The tone (and this is purely personal, not a criticism of the show) wasn't really what I wanted to see from the premise and subject matter. It all feels kind of surface-y to me. Whereas I haven't really watched Psych regularly, either, but I thought there was a better balance between the comedy and the more serious underlying subject matter -- Shawn's relationship with his father, etc. And maybe that is because Shawn's humor is more consciously written as a defense mechanism. Interesting to think about.

Not that I really know enough about either show to do much analysis, but you've reminded me I want to revisit Psych.

[kattahj]

I can totally see why Leverage might not be everyone's cup of tea - but for me, I've seen so many angsty shows lately that both Leverage and Psych are a relief to watch - shows that can, at least sometimes, let you have fun without depressing the hell out of you at the same time. Nothing against the angstier shows, but I think I'd had too many of them too close together.

[likeadeuce]

It's not so much the lack of angst as the lack of -- cynicism, I guess? Or moral ambiguity? The antagonists are all clearly awful people that the protagonists are always clearly in the right, which makes a weird disconnect with the underhanded things they're doing. I don't know what the moral/ interpersonal stakes are for the characters, and the fact that this bothers me is clearly a sign I'm taking it too seriously.

I can definitely see the appeal of the show as escapism, it just doesn't work with my brain.

[kattahj]

Heh, that makes sense! I guess I tend to think of the show as an updated version of Robin Hood, and react accordingly. :-)

[kattahj]

Despite my love for Dulé Hill, I think the determining factor with Psych is Shawn - either you love him, or you only find him annoying (even people who love him will find him annoying). Personally, I think he's a lot like my dad. :-)