Psych!

If you are a true Psych-O, you know that “Psych” will return tonight with a continuation of a perfect blend of humor and tension by characters whose personalities have been developed and mastered since the first episode, when an immature Shawn Spencer (James Roday) lures the always-responsible Gus (Dulé Hill) into a “one-time” detective gig.   

After a plot-reflecting flashback of Shawn’s childhood, every episode of this cleverly written show consists of a bold, modern “whodunit” plotline with many twists and turns, always keeping the audience on their toes. The cast’s good timing drives the jokes and even serious points home like a truck pulling a toboggan. Sure, the detective show might develop some crazy, dramatic, overacted, and sometimes corny scenarios, but they are soon mixed with a joke or hysterical query by Shawn that brings the show back to real life. His personality is so bold, childish, and downright hysterical that I can’t help but coming back week after week just to see what kind of trouble he got himself in. The show draws out a perfect mix of laughs and gasps that scare away MOST of the corniness.

The characters of “Psych” really drive the storyline, taking it to a whole new level of heart and personality. One of the most compelling characters is boss-lady Karen Vick (Kirsten Nelson), the chief of police who seems to always be in charge of straightening out Shawn’s mess.

Then there’s Shawn’s dad, Henry Spencer (Corbin Bersen), the strong willed, top gun ex-cop that brings the main character back to Earth (from his crazy ideas, bold requests, or absurd suspicions) by giving the thirty-something detective a lawn mowing chore or taking away his Xbox.

Next is Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundson), the head detective of the Santa Barbara Police Department that is always jealous of the entrepreneur, rookie, and competitor, Shawn, who constantly seems to solve the cases quicker and more accurately. And worst of all? The rookie claims he’s psychic.

And, of course, Juliet O’Hara (Maggie Lawson), the junior detective that is appropriately named “Juliet,” probably because she is the Juliet to Shawn’s Romeo, the Elliot to his J.D., the Ross to his Rachel. Even before they were dating, there had always been some underlying tension between the two as they worked together, arresting bad guys and solving cases.

Saving the best for last—

“My name’s Shawn Spencer, and this is my partner, ‘Squirts Macintosh,’” or “‘Usain bolt,’” or even “‘MC Clap Your Handz. With a Z.’”

Shawn’s complex character is an incredibly smart detective, but he doesn’t want to be. Why would he want to grow up and be normal and have a boring job? So he created an exciting one by putting on a psychic mask and using the detective abilities his father gave him as a kid to outsmart the best in the business. But he could never let them know he’s a fake, so Shawn covers it up through pointless arguments and hilarious jokes, delivered in a way that no actor could possibly portray better than James Roday.

And the partner he refers to is none other than Burton “Gus” Guster, the “psychic’s” assistant, there for a better insight, picking up on things that Shawn couldn’t when he was too busy with his jokes or dog-like attention span. They’ve known each other since they were kids and aren’t afraid to go back to fighting like kids, either.

Despite the slight moments of cheesiness (or maybe because of them), "Psych” is a smart, entertaining, and funny show. Season 7’s going to kill it—I can’t wait.