Psych: The Complete Third Season – DVD Review

By June L. Aug 17, 2009, 15:53 GMT

Fake psychic detective Shawn Spencer (James Roday) and his best friend Gus (Dulé Hill) are cracking the case – and cracking up audiences everywhere – in all 16 Season Three episodes from the quick-witted detective series Psych. After earning a reputation for taking on the unusual cases that leave most sleuths scratching their heads, Shawn and Gus are in for more mayhem this season as they tackle mysteries that range ...more

The USA Channel series “Psych” is clever and fun!  There are excessively silly moments, “groaner” type jokes, and wildly impossible solutions to the crimes. 

There are also laugh out loud scenes, excellent acting, perfect comedic timing, and entertaining stories that put a twist on the usual police drama plots.  What else could one ask for in episodic crime/comedy?

Psych is the story of Shawn Spencer (James Roday) the clever and creative adult child of a now retired but dedicated policeman Henry Spencer (Corbin Bernson).  Shawn has slacked his way through life, with everyone including his father expecting him to mature, become serious and take his place as a respectable member of one of the law enforcement agencies. 

In an errant moment, Shawn rather than be caught for a misdemeanor, claims to be psychic and as a result ends up as the Santa Barbara Police department’s resident soothsayer.  He also pulls in his good friend Burton “Gus” Guster (Dule Hill) to aid in his investigations, forming psychic detective agency. 

Their results depend more on Shawn’s ability to remember and connect things that he sees, rather than anything paranormal.  Although the audience does get a hint from time to time that Shawn has some degree of a special precognitive skill, it is evident that his cleverness is his strongest weapon.

Beginning each episode with a flashback that sets the tone for the story is a stroke of genius.  We usually see Shawn and Gus in some event in their youth that mirrors the lesson or the action of the episode.  These two have not progressed much from their childhood personalities, which is both frustrating and endearing. 

Their childlike confidence in their abilities to solve the crime makes us sympathetic, regardless of the unbelievably stupid machinations they use to reach the solution.  And yet we laugh and want more of their unusual detection stories.

Season 3 follows the same format that we enjoyed in both Seasons 1 and 2.  Why change a dynamic that works well?  From ghost hunting, to a big high school reunion and even to discovering more about themselves in some serious moments, Shawn and Gus keep audiences enthralled.

The witty dialog is peppered with references to modern day movies, television characters and other recognizable elements of our culture.  We love the fact that Gus is addicted to reality television, and that Shawn can talk his way out of just about every situation.  Along the way in season three are special treats for the audience, such as Cybill Shepherd as Shawn’s mother Madeleine (in perhaps a nod to her “Moonlighting” character Maddy) a police psychologist, who comes back into the lives of the Spencer men. 

Shawn still blames his father for the family break-up, and Madeleine has some revelations that will make him see things a bit differently.

Psych Season 3 is boxed as a book holding 4 discs with 660 minutes of show.  There are great specials to enhance viewing, such as commentaries by cast and crew, a gag reel, special montages, video commentaries and pod casts. 

Fans of the show will want to add this set to their collections, and if you have never seen Psych, now is your opportunity to own and enjoy the inventive show.  Multiple viewings are as funny as seeing the episodes for the first time.

Psych:  The Complete Third Season is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for this version of the DVD in the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.