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osprey_archerHappy birthday, ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
silksieve! And many happy returns.
***
I watched the pilot episode of Psych last night (and how irritating is it that the first DVD only has the pilot episode? I NEED MY PSYCH FIX. THAT IS NOT ENOUGH).
The pilot doesn't quite hit the Psych tone yet. The edges are much harsher, both for the plot and the characters. Shawn's father in particular is a much harder character than in later seasons, where he's mostly a grumpy old codger; here he's a real jackass. I'm glad they toned it down, because I kept wanting to punch him through the screen. Telling your children that they're terminal screw-ups will not make them do better, mmkay?
It does have the ancillary benefit of explaining the "Ghosts," the episode in season three where Shawn's mother shows up. The first time I saw that episode I was quite confused by the sudden outburst of seriousness - Shawn actually cries, or gets close to it.
As a tangent: I think a version of Psych with more serious character development would be really interesting. As Psych's serious episodes tend to feel off-kilter it's just as well they don't, but it would still be really interesting, and I think the actors could handle it. The problem would be getting the right script.
But back to the pilot: the other thing I noticed is that the relationship between Shawn and Gus seems off. Usually Shawn comes up with crazy plans and Gus pretends to be irritated while secretly loving it. I think that's the dynamic they were going for here, but it hasn't quite gelled yet. Shawn fluctuates between irritating and charming, instead of being both at the same time as he usually is, and Gus seems too straitlaced; there doesn't seem to be any overlap between them to explain their friendship.
So the pilot isn't quite Psych yet, but it's still solidly entertaining, and I'm looking forward to more. I'll just have to wait impatiently until Netflix gets me the next disc.
silksieve! And many happy returns. ***
I watched the pilot episode of Psych last night (and how irritating is it that the first DVD only has the pilot episode? I NEED MY PSYCH FIX. THAT IS NOT ENOUGH).
The pilot doesn't quite hit the Psych tone yet. The edges are much harsher, both for the plot and the characters. Shawn's father in particular is a much harder character than in later seasons, where he's mostly a grumpy old codger; here he's a real jackass. I'm glad they toned it down, because I kept wanting to punch him through the screen. Telling your children that they're terminal screw-ups will not make them do better, mmkay?
It does have the ancillary benefit of explaining the "Ghosts," the episode in season three where Shawn's mother shows up. The first time I saw that episode I was quite confused by the sudden outburst of seriousness - Shawn actually cries, or gets close to it.
As a tangent: I think a version of Psych with more serious character development would be really interesting. As Psych's serious episodes tend to feel off-kilter it's just as well they don't, but it would still be really interesting, and I think the actors could handle it. The problem would be getting the right script.
But back to the pilot: the other thing I noticed is that the relationship between Shawn and Gus seems off. Usually Shawn comes up with crazy plans and Gus pretends to be irritated while secretly loving it. I think that's the dynamic they were going for here, but it hasn't quite gelled yet. Shawn fluctuates between irritating and charming, instead of being both at the same time as he usually is, and Gus seems too straitlaced; there doesn't seem to be any overlap between them to explain their friendship.
So the pilot isn't quite Psych yet, but it's still solidly entertaining, and I'm looking forward to more. I'll just have to wait impatiently until Netflix gets me the next disc.
