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crack_van2009-03-01 12:52 pm
rispacooper.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2009-03-01 12:52 pm
Entry tags:
Fandom Overview, Psych
Hi! I’m Rispa, and I have the pleasure of introducing people to Psych this month. That’s right, introducing. I’ve looked, but unless I’m totally blind (possible) I don’t see a Psych overview page so I get to write that up too. (You can’t see it, but there is dancing involved here). I’m a slasher, but even if you don’t plan on watching the show through a slashy lens, you should know it’s still one of the funniest shows out there.
Though of course, it will still be pretty slashy. And fabulous.
*ahem*
Psych
Follow the fake cut...
Psych is a comedic mystery show (or maybe a mysterious comedy show, hmm) set in Santa Barbara, California, about Shawn Spencer, a hyper freak with issues a rather energetic and intelligent guy who happens to have to been trained in how to be the world’s best detective since he was a child. His father, a cop, wanted his son to be The Best Detective Ever, but pushed too much for his son’s training, especially after his wife left him. (Kids love memory games and lessons in police work instead of being allowed to play, as everyone knows). As a consequence, Shawn, who was already bright and rebellious, has done everything in the world but become a cop. (No really, he’s wandered the world and held a startling number of different jobs). In fact, he’s pretty much anything to avoid Santa Barbara and piss off his dad at the same time.
Of course, he can’t avoid his home, or police work, forever. He’s too good at it, and deep down, he likes helping people. He just doesn’t want the title (or the work) of being a cop, so he does things like phone in tips. Good tips. Like, case-solving tips. Like, the kind of tips that start making the police suspicious that maybe Shawn knows too much because he’s a criminal too, so they arrest him. And since they don’t believe anyone could be that good of a detective, Shawn ends up telling the police that he’s a psychic just to get out of trouble.
(Oh yeah, he’s also a very practiced liar. Did I mention that? Brilliant detective, hyper-observant, photographic memory, big fat liar… He’s really more of a con man.)
And since he likes it so much (the detecting part, though also the lying, lying is fun) Shawn ends up as a PI, working with his best friend and business partner Gus alongside the real detectives of the Santa Barbara PD, who are mostly none too pleased to have them there. Maybe it’s all the loud, bizarre “visions” Shawn likes to have. Though it could be the countless pop culture references.
Let’s be honest, the premise is cheesy, and the detective-so-good-it’s-like-magic thing is something to be found back with the real Sherlock. But those aren’t why I love the show. I love it because it has a fantastic ensemble cast. I love it because over three seasons I’ve watched emotionally-immature Shawn settle back into his hometown, start to piece together some sort of relationship with his dad, learn responsibility, and actually develop as a character. And I love it because that was all while he was solving fairly entertaining mysteries and offering up a ridiculous amount of laugh-out-lines dialogue and commentary.
Oh and the gay. There’s a lot of gay. And I’m not just talking about Hornstock.
Honestly, it’s all Shawn; he’s a twitching, twirling, flailing, lying, manic, crazy mess of groping and innuendo. (And crime solving of course).
Cast of characters:
Shawn Spencer (played by James Roday):
The son of one of the SBPD’s most respected cops, he has spent most of his life defying his father and destroying all his father’s hopes for him. He’s in his early thirties, but emotionally he’s about fourteen. He’s very smart, although most people assume he’s an idiot, probably because he acts like an idiot. Even the people who know him, and know better, still can’t believe some of his antics (yes, I said antics) but even when they doubt him, they know that deep down, under the lies and the mani-pedis and the pink shirts, he will solve the case.
Delights in tormenting pretty much everyone on the show but Detective O’Hara and Chief Vick. This includes his dad, Detective Carlton Lassiter and his best friend Gus. Obsessed with pineapple and any and all 80’s movies.
Burton “Gus” Guster (played by Dulé Hill):
Shawn’s best friend since childhood. The aggravated Watson to his Holmes. Responsible, fastidious, well-mannered, and disturbingly fashion-conscious. He tries to act as the voice of reason, but more often than not helps Shawn with his bizarre investigative methods. They are so close to finish each other sentences but while Shawn likes intuitive leaps, Gus is fond of actual evidence. Their friendship is constant give and take (mostly Gus giving, and Shawn taking, though there are several touching exceptions).
Gus is…well Gus is adorable. He’s afraid of everything from ghosts to naked men, possesses extraordinary scent-identification abilities (the “Super Smeller”), likes to crack safes, and seems determined to pretend that he likes his day job more than fighting crime. Plays online poker, but not very well. He’s also a total geek and model-hot. See? *adorable*
Henry Spencer (played by Corbin Bernsen):
A bit of a hardass, especially in the first season. Henry is featured in flashbacks at the start of every episode as well as within the episodes themselves. He was initially portrayed as something of an unreasonable jerk, and though he remains a perfectionist, and stubborn, as the show has progressed (and Shawn has grown up) we’ve started to see his softer side. He loves his son, but was a little lost as a single parent, especially to a child like Shawn.
Likes his things clean and done properly. Also fond of bubble baths. Dislikes dogs.
Detective Juliet O’Hara (played by Maggie Lawson):
O’Hara begins the show as a new transfer to the SBPD, and her friendly (possibly too friendly) attitude has her out of place and alone in the department. Her presence is actually one of the selling points for the show for me, because we get to see take on more confidence as a detective. She’s pretty and perky, at least at first, but she’s got a temper and some quirks of her own. She’s also supposed to be Shawn’s love interest, or at least, the person he is interested in. So far, after observing a lot of Shawn’s behavior, she’s still managed to resist him.
Likes big, buff guys with badass attitudes—complete opposites of Shawn. Reassembles her gun when stressed, takes her dancing very, very seriously. Also a former comic book geek, gets a little too involved when undercover. Didn’t quite know what to make of Lassiter when she was first made his junior partner, but over time they have developed a rapport a lot like Shawn and Gus have, fist bumps included.
Detective Carlton Lassiter (played by Tim Odmundson):
Don’t expect the usual angry cop out to get the know-it-all private eye. Oh he’s an angry cop (very angry, something about his almost-divorced status) and he doesn’t like Shawn, but he’s gone way beyond that simple archetype. Lassiter (or “Lassy” as Shawn has dubbed him) despite being the frequent victim of Shawn’s fake “visions” and completely disbelieving in the idea of any psychics, has actually proven to be one of Shawn’s closest friends—even though both of them would deny it. He’s also pretty badass, always there to save the day when needed, or throw a certain fake psychic against a wall, or whip out the handcuffs…*cough* He’s a little bit vain, pretty insecure, and has some seriously dorky hobbies, but that’s part of his unique charm. Very loyal to the department, and O’Hara.
Likes Civil War reenactments, guns, Ravi Shankar, catching bad guys, some obscure 1980’s movies, guns, and catching bad guys. “Oh Sweet Justice”
Other Recurring Characters:
Chief Vick:
Took over from the previous Chief at the start of the series, and she came with some tension since Lassiter was supposed to have her job. Things have smoothed out since then. The Chief spends her time either being fantastically hard-assed at her job or worried about her new baby. Doesn’t quite believe in Shawn, but knows he gets results.
Buzz McNab:
One of the few cops in the precinct we see a lot and know by name. Shawn saves his life before his wedding. Despite his loyalty to Shawn for that, and his general innocence, (call it sweet-faced stupidity if you must) seems to exist in awe of Lassiter most of the time.
Canon Pairings: The central pairing of the show is actually Shawn/Gus, though sadly not in a slashy way (unless you ask a Shus fan). Their complicated friendship is continually being tested, mostly by Shawn’s irresponsible side, but Shawn always comes through for Gus in the end. Their fist bumps shall be things of legend.
The main het relationship would be Shawn’s continued pursuit of Detective O’Hara, which starts with her first episode and continues at least until the end of Season Three (we’ll have to wait to see if there’s more). Despite a few hints that she might like Shawn in return, she has yet to even agree to a date.
Non-Canon Pairings (there are pretty much the three, possibly four, main groups):
Shawn/Lassiter (I will resist my urge to photo-document their love and just show one fantastic pic)
Shawn/Gus
Gus/Juliet (usually presented as a corollary to Shawn/Lassiter)
Juliet/Lassiter
There’s pretty much evidence for any of them, but my bias tends toward Shawn/Lassiter (or Shassie). Because Shawn and Gus are so very close and such believable friends, I have a lot of issues imagining them crossing the line and entering a relationship. But good authors can always convince me of anything. Also I just love the Lassipants. So most of my recs will be Shawn/Lassiter, with a few gen and Gus/Shawn stops along the way.
Links list:
Psych Slash on LJ
Shawn_Lassiter on LJ
Psych Fic
Psych Fiction, also on LJ
Psych on Yuletide
Overall, Psych is possibly one of the funniest shows on tv right now, with moments of drama and actual character development to keep it from getting too cheesy or stale.
Most of my screen caps from invinoveritas screencaps gallery. Thanks, guys!
Back for some recs later.
Though of course, it will still be pretty slashy. And fabulous.
*ahem*
Follow the fake cut...
Psych is a comedic mystery show (or maybe a mysterious comedy show, hmm) set in Santa Barbara, California, about Shawn Spencer,
Of course, he can’t avoid his home, or police work, forever. He’s too good at it, and deep down, he likes helping people. He just doesn’t want the title (or the work) of being a cop, so he does things like phone in tips. Good tips. Like, case-solving tips. Like, the kind of tips that start making the police suspicious that maybe Shawn knows too much because he’s a criminal too, so they arrest him. And since they don’t believe anyone could be that good of a detective, Shawn ends up telling the police that he’s a psychic just to get out of trouble.
(Oh yeah, he’s also a very practiced liar. Did I mention that? Brilliant detective, hyper-observant, photographic memory, big fat liar… He’s really more of a con man.)
And since he likes it so much (the detecting part, though also the lying, lying is fun) Shawn ends up as a PI, working with his best friend and business partner Gus alongside the real detectives of the Santa Barbara PD, who are mostly none too pleased to have them there. Maybe it’s all the loud, bizarre “visions” Shawn likes to have. Though it could be the countless pop culture references.
Let’s be honest, the premise is cheesy, and the detective-so-good-it’s-like-magic thing is something to be found back with the real Sherlock. But those aren’t why I love the show. I love it because it has a fantastic ensemble cast. I love it because over three seasons I’ve watched emotionally-immature Shawn settle back into his hometown, start to piece together some sort of relationship with his dad, learn responsibility, and actually develop as a character. And I love it because that was all while he was solving fairly entertaining mysteries and offering up a ridiculous amount of laugh-out-lines dialogue and commentary.
Oh and the gay. There’s a lot of gay. And I’m not just talking about Hornstock.
Honestly, it’s all Shawn; he’s a twitching, twirling, flailing, lying, manic, crazy mess of groping and innuendo. (And crime solving of course).
Cast of characters:
Shawn Spencer (played by James Roday):
The son of one of the SBPD’s most respected cops, he has spent most of his life defying his father and destroying all his father’s hopes for him. He’s in his early thirties, but emotionally he’s about fourteen. He’s very smart, although most people assume he’s an idiot, probably because he acts like an idiot. Even the people who know him, and know better, still can’t believe some of his antics (yes, I said antics) but even when they doubt him, they know that deep down, under the lies and the mani-pedis and the pink shirts, he will solve the case.
Delights in tormenting pretty much everyone on the show but Detective O’Hara and Chief Vick. This includes his dad, Detective Carlton Lassiter and his best friend Gus. Obsessed with pineapple and any and all 80’s movies.
Burton “Gus” Guster (played by Dulé Hill):
Shawn’s best friend since childhood. The aggravated Watson to his Holmes. Responsible, fastidious, well-mannered, and disturbingly fashion-conscious. He tries to act as the voice of reason, but more often than not helps Shawn with his bizarre investigative methods. They are so close to finish each other sentences but while Shawn likes intuitive leaps, Gus is fond of actual evidence. Their friendship is constant give and take (mostly Gus giving, and Shawn taking, though there are several touching exceptions).
Gus is…well Gus is adorable. He’s afraid of everything from ghosts to naked men, possesses extraordinary scent-identification abilities (the “Super Smeller”), likes to crack safes, and seems determined to pretend that he likes his day job more than fighting crime. Plays online poker, but not very well. He’s also a total geek and model-hot. See? *adorable*
Henry Spencer (played by Corbin Bernsen):
A bit of a hardass, especially in the first season. Henry is featured in flashbacks at the start of every episode as well as within the episodes themselves. He was initially portrayed as something of an unreasonable jerk, and though he remains a perfectionist, and stubborn, as the show has progressed (and Shawn has grown up) we’ve started to see his softer side. He loves his son, but was a little lost as a single parent, especially to a child like Shawn.
Likes his things clean and done properly. Also fond of bubble baths. Dislikes dogs.
Detective Juliet O’Hara (played by Maggie Lawson):
O’Hara begins the show as a new transfer to the SBPD, and her friendly (possibly too friendly) attitude has her out of place and alone in the department. Her presence is actually one of the selling points for the show for me, because we get to see take on more confidence as a detective. She’s pretty and perky, at least at first, but she’s got a temper and some quirks of her own. She’s also supposed to be Shawn’s love interest, or at least, the person he is interested in. So far, after observing a lot of Shawn’s behavior, she’s still managed to resist him.
Likes big, buff guys with badass attitudes—complete opposites of Shawn. Reassembles her gun when stressed, takes her dancing very, very seriously. Also a former comic book geek, gets a little too involved when undercover. Didn’t quite know what to make of Lassiter when she was first made his junior partner, but over time they have developed a rapport a lot like Shawn and Gus have, fist bumps included.
Detective Carlton Lassiter (played by Tim Odmundson):
Don’t expect the usual angry cop out to get the know-it-all private eye. Oh he’s an angry cop (very angry, something about his almost-divorced status) and he doesn’t like Shawn, but he’s gone way beyond that simple archetype. Lassiter (or “Lassy” as Shawn has dubbed him) despite being the frequent victim of Shawn’s fake “visions” and completely disbelieving in the idea of any psychics, has actually proven to be one of Shawn’s closest friends—even though both of them would deny it. He’s also pretty badass, always there to save the day when needed, or throw a certain fake psychic against a wall, or whip out the handcuffs…*cough* He’s a little bit vain, pretty insecure, and has some seriously dorky hobbies, but that’s part of his unique charm. Very loyal to the department, and O’Hara.
Likes Civil War reenactments, guns, Ravi Shankar, catching bad guys, some obscure 1980’s movies, guns, and catching bad guys. “Oh Sweet Justice”
Other Recurring Characters:
Chief Vick:
Took over from the previous Chief at the start of the series, and she came with some tension since Lassiter was supposed to have her job. Things have smoothed out since then. The Chief spends her time either being fantastically hard-assed at her job or worried about her new baby. Doesn’t quite believe in Shawn, but knows he gets results.
Buzz McNab:
One of the few cops in the precinct we see a lot and know by name. Shawn saves his life before his wedding. Despite his loyalty to Shawn for that, and his general innocence, (call it sweet-faced stupidity if you must) seems to exist in awe of Lassiter most of the time.
Canon Pairings: The central pairing of the show is actually Shawn/Gus, though sadly not in a slashy way (unless you ask a Shus fan). Their complicated friendship is continually being tested, mostly by Shawn’s irresponsible side, but Shawn always comes through for Gus in the end. Their fist bumps shall be things of legend.
The main het relationship would be Shawn’s continued pursuit of Detective O’Hara, which starts with her first episode and continues at least until the end of Season Three (we’ll have to wait to see if there’s more). Despite a few hints that she might like Shawn in return, she has yet to even agree to a date.
Non-Canon Pairings (there are pretty much the three, possibly four, main groups):
Shawn/Lassiter (I will resist my urge to photo-document their love and just show one fantastic pic)
Shawn/Gus
Gus/Juliet (usually presented as a corollary to Shawn/Lassiter)
Juliet/Lassiter
There’s pretty much evidence for any of them, but my bias tends toward Shawn/Lassiter (or Shassie). Because Shawn and Gus are so very close and such believable friends, I have a lot of issues imagining them crossing the line and entering a relationship. But good authors can always convince me of anything. Also I just love the Lassipants. So most of my recs will be Shawn/Lassiter, with a few gen and Gus/Shawn stops along the way.
Links list:
Psych Slash on LJ
Shawn_Lassiter on LJ
Psych Fic
Psych Fiction, also on LJ
Psych on Yuletide
Overall, Psych is possibly one of the funniest shows on tv right now, with moments of drama and actual character development to keep it from getting too cheesy or stale.
Most of my screen caps from invinoveritas screencaps gallery. Thanks, guys!
Back for some recs later.
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This is AWESOMECAKES. Can't wait!
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Argument: This show isn't gay at all!*
*Please respond with many
sexyphotographic refutations. *sits back and waits for the various and inevitable citations of gay*no subject
Also, there is lap sitting and butt slapping, and one incident of thigh handling.
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Teh gey:
See? Don't you want to be in the fandom now? :D
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I have to admit, they had me at the theme song. I love that theme song.
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And one day I will write that.
BE AFRAID.
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That sounds like FUN.
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Wow, I never really had the urge to read Psych fan fic (love the show, but haven't been particularly "fannish" about it.)
However, today after watching the latest season finale, curiosity about fic kicked in. I started poking around fanfiction.net tonight, but because I am too lazy to find good fic myself, quickly came over to
I guess I picked the right night to pick up an interest in Psych fic *g* Looking forward to the recs!
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Psych represent!
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Oh noes! More pics is better!! How will people believe it really is the grope-y-est (possibly, maybe, not an actual word) show *ever* if you don't give them proof??
ps. Totally forgot how unfunky H-Stock's hair was. Poor Hornstock. :/
Pps. Awesome overview.:D
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You know, I did find screencaps of the kitchen wrestling. And the thigh groping. And a still of Lassiter's face after Shawn smacks his ass. Then of course there's the handcuffs offering.
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You know, I did find screencaps of the kitchen wrestling. And the thigh groping. And a still of Lassiter's face after Shawn smacks his ass. Then of course there's the handcuffs offering.
.....I want to say that I'm off to my bunk but really, I'm just going to find cool stuff on youtube. For 'research'.
Ps. 2.0: You totally forgot to mention Shawn's Daddy!issues and how Lassiter is basically Henry, just a bit younger and more suspiciously single.:)
Am appalled of this shoddy subtext handling!:P
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I mean, Lassiter is like the acceptable Henry. And all girls grow up and marry their dad. And Shawn is a girl.
The equation solves itself.
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And Yay! for that.:D
I think Lassiter is just that little bit more flexible than Henry (I meant mentally, shame on you) and in the right kind of company. He has to change to keep up, to learn that new Shawn type of thinking 'cause otherwise Shawn would just run rings around him.
...tho, he does that anyway. But this way he stops on occasion to sit in Lassiter's lap and do other 'entertaining' thing on his person.
speaking of subtext
Re: speaking of subtext
Also, imagine when Henry picks up on this. I mean, Shawn is everything but subtle.
...wait, in fact, I bet Henry notices before Shawn! Way, *way* before Shawn.:)
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TRUFAX, yo. Even valleygirls don't get that much enjoyment from a manicure.
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Plus, if you're short on gen/het recs (is there a max number of recs for a one-month setup?), I have a few I can share. :p
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