PSYCH "Remake" Not Improvement

Article first published as PSYCH "Remake" Not Improvement on TheTVKing.

USA's Psych feels like its taking a victory lap as the series wraps up. I say this because, rather than delivering typical episodes, the writers are getting more creative more often and doing some zany things, from musicals to a European excursion. This week's latest installment, "Remake A.K.A. Cloudy... With a Chance of Improvement" is actually a redo of a season one episode, working off what is a very similar script and storyline, albeit with a different killer.

The original episode (which I re-watched this week) was the twelfth one that aired, "Cloudy... With a Chance of Murder," way back in February of 2007. It is a relatively normal entry in which Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dule Hill) help a bumbling defense attorney named Adam Hornstock (Michael Weston, House M.D.) clear his client of having murdered her lover, a newscaster. In the original version, the victim's jealous assistant (Keegan Connor Tracy, Once Upon a Time), is the culprit.

This time around, the defense attorney is still played by Weston, but now the suspects are a plethora of recognizable faces, rather than the relative unknowns used last time. The guest cast includes Ralph Macchio (Ugly Betty, Eight is Enough), Janet Varney (Burning Love), Katharine Isabelle (Being Human), Carlos Jacott (Big Love), Lindsay Sloane (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch), Alan Ruck (Spin City, Ferris Bueller's Day Off), Ray Wise (Twin Peaks, and a previous Psych guest star twice over), and Dana Ashbrook (also Twin Peaks and Psych). This roster lends the whiff of a stunt episode to the mix.

It isn't surprising Psych would finally get around to a tribute to itself. It has, after all, paid homage to many other shows and movies in the past. With its offbeat sense of humor, it makes total sense to go in this direction, especially if the end is nigh.

That being said, "Remake A.J.A. Cloudy... With a Chance of Improvement" adds little to the series portfolio, and it would be hard to argue it's even a bit better than the first, no matter what the title suggests. I believe part of this is because it picks a very run-of-the-mill entry to play off of, and the other part is that it doesn't do much to change things. The one thing the new one has over the old is that in the original, it's very clear the team hasn't figure out what the show is yet, exactly, whereas here, there's a welcome level of comfort and confidence.

In fact, the character dynamics are much closer to the current relationships that the original chemistry, despite the insistence of text on screen that this takes place years ago. While Jules (Maggie Lawson) says she isn't amused by Shawn, we know it's not true. Lawson doesn't do enough to convince us of that, which, as funny as it is when Shawn insists they will be together, something that can be added to the story in hindsight, is too bad. Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) also goes too soft on the boys.

A couple of things that are nice additions is that Henry (Corbin Bernsen) talks to a baby at the beginning, rather than a child, and Woody (Kurt Fuller), now an important part of the ensemble, is a witness in the case. But even in this, they waste Woody, not even setting him up to be a pal or have his current job.

Overall, "Remake A.K.A. Cloudy... With a Chance of Improvement" is a disappointment. Not because it's not entertaining; it's about as much so as a mediocre, typical Psych episode. Instead, it's the missed opportunities like the jokes that weren't done (such as using an old theme song) that keep it from being memorable. It's a good idea, not executed as well as it could have been, though it does have some good references.

Psych airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on USA.

Psych takes "Neil Simon's Lover's Retreat"

     In the mid-season finale of USA's Psych, Shawn (James Roday) tries to get romantic with Juliet (Maggie Lawson) on a retreat, hence the title, "Neil Simon's Lover's Retreat." But their room is robbed by a con artist couple, Clive and Barbie, (Jason Priestley, Call Me Fitz, and Jennifer Finnigan, Better With You) that they befriend, and then a dead body turns up. Meanwhile, Gus (Dulé Hill), Lassiter (Timothy Omundson), and Henry (Corbin Bernsen) grow tired of being alone, and soon end up helping to solve the case. Except, Henry is pursued by a crazy chick named Chelsea (Arden Myrin, MADtv, Suburgatory), whose digits he got in a bar.

     Cool fact: "Neil Simon's Lover's Retreat" is written by actor Carlos Jacott (Big Love), who guest starred in last week's episode. Also, Tony Hale (Arrested Development, Chuck) guest stars as the real murdered, bringing the total of significant guest stars in this episode to an astounding four. Great job!

    "Neil Simon's Lover's Retreat is a fun spin on a normal Psych episode, which plays with relationships. The pairing of Lassiter, Henry, and Gus is unexpected, yet enjoyable. Shawn is a main focus in both Henry and Gus's lives, so with him out of town, it seems natural that the two might come together somewhat. Lassiter is generally less social, but his character is softening over time, and wanting to hang out with his co-workers socially, especially when his least favorite, Shawn, is out of the picture, makes sense. Plus all three are somewhat inept with their interpersonal skills, so they make a sensible grouping.

     Even bigger is Juliet and Shawn's romantic relationship, which gets some rare time to breathe in "Neil Simon's Lover's Retreat." The two have been together for a little while now, and their relationship is progressing slowly. Usually, each episode of Psych contains only a small amount of their chemistry, with the main mystery being the central storyline. This week, that is thankfully more balanced.

     Interestingly, commit-phobic Shawn brings a ring with the intent to propose. Juliet never finds this out, and when the subject of their relationship is broached, she says she isn't ready. Is she covering because she doesn't want to pressure Shawn, the same way he babbles his agreement with her feelings? Or are they both on the same page, but aren't quite ready to speak it out loud? Hopefully, it's the latter, because a marriage between the two would really shake things up.

     Even better, the ring is discovered by Gus. Will he give it back to Shawn? It has taken Gus some time to be all right with Shawn and Juliet as a couple. He certainly feels lonely, and often like the odd man out. Is Gus ready to share his best friend in such an important way? Or might he hide the ring for awhile, hoping that will prevent Shawn from making the huge step before Gus can come to terms with it? Sadly, Psych ends without answering any of these questions, and will probably take their time (a.k.a. the rest of the reason) before settling anything for anxious viewers.

     Psych will return in late February on USA.

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     Please click here to get DVDs and streaming episodes of Psych.

Big Love takes us "Where Men and Mountains Meet"

     It ended with the wives. Of course, it had to. After five seasons, HBO's Big Love finished with a startling, powerful climax, and with a family held together by deep love, no matter what judgments society makes about them. I do not know what most viewers' reaction is to the death of patriarch Bill (Bill Paxton) yet, but I thought that, combined with the group hug and remix of the original theme song, is the perfect ending to a wonderful series. And the episode title, "Where Men and Mountains Meet"? Epic!

     Bill has to die. That's the only way the series could have satisfactorily wrapped up his story. I did not care for the story arc of Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin) being underage when she married Bill, and thus, am disappointed that Bill's name is so blemished by the incident. Having had plenty of time to accept the bad twist, though, Bill is in a corner where, if he had lived, he would surely have tarnished his name, likely served jail time, and lost his senate seat. But killing Bill off right after his triumphant stand for polyagmy in the senate and his huge turnout at his Easter Sunday services, he is a martyr and a hero, rather than a man who would spend many years trying to rebuild himself, if he ever could.

     In retrospect, Bill's death is much less of a surprise, when considering the points mentioned in the preceding paragraph. The weight of what was about to happen hit me moments before shots rang out on the lane. But there was no way I can think of to predict the method of Bill's murder ahead of time. While the seeds for such were laid, they were done so subtlety, it wasn't even on the radar as a possibility. For Bill to die senselessly at the hands of his neighbor, Carl (Carlos Jacott), upset over things that had nothing to do with Bill, is a shocker. I would have assumed Alby (Matt Ross) would do it, or at least a fanatic upset over Bill's political actions.

      But Alby's plot wraps up early, arrested as Bill held a gun to him in the courthouse at the end of the previous episode. Bill has already won the Juniper Creek battle.

     And what of Bill's vision of Emma Smith (Rebecca Wisocky)? This is a turning point for him. While debatable what exactly changes in Bill during that sequence, it is apparent Bill is undergoing some type of revelation. I like to think that he is realizing the power one woman had in the founding of the church, and through that, accepting Barb's (Jeanne Tripplehorn) holding of the priesthood, which he affirms as he dies. It is hard for Bill to change his beliefs, but he has done so a number of time, most notable embracing 'the principle' after living in a monogamous marriage. Accepting that women are not separate but equal, but instead, true equals, is his last transformation he needs to undergo.

     Barb's embrace of the priesthood is a major conflict point in this final season. Had the show continued on, I am fairly confident this season would have ended will Bill and Barb separating over their disagreement. Instead, as an ending is imminent, Barb rejects her new religion to return to her family. I don't believe she is rejecting her convictions or ideas, nor do I think that she intends to end the fight with Bill. But her family is more important than her self, and so she returns to the fold. I think Bill would have eventually welcomed her as a priest holder into his church, and in the end he did. She becomes, seemingly, the leader in his stead. She was always the true driving force in the marriage anyway, and in the end, that is revealed to all.

     The story of the show is of the family. More importantly, it is of the wives. As the three ride down the highway in Barb's new car, even Nicolette (Chloë Sevigny) allows a smile to tug at her lips, however fleetingly. These three very different women have come together over the same man and the same values. The show ends with the three hugging and Bill's ghost watching on with pride and love. Even without Bill, they stay together. Their marriage isn't just about him. The car ride shows that, before the tragic ending, and reminds us of the powerful feelings shared between them.

     Nicolette gets the ending she deserves. With Barb, she finally accepts her own feelings. Her insisting she doesn't like touching, but allowing Barb to pull her into a hug, is the perfect in-character demonstration of this. Nicolette also gets to make up with daughter, Cara Lynn (Cassi Thomson). While the audience knows Nicolette's hurtful words to Cara Lynn are really directed back upon herself, Cara Lynn doesn't, until Nicolette basically shows her. Two years of plot pay off in that moment as daughter finally understands mother, and having accepted herself, Nicolette can accept Cara Lynn.

     Margene, I feel, is the weak link. So she leaves her little kids with Barb and Nicolette so she can go help poor people? I understand that Margene is young as Bill dies, and she still has much to accomplish with her life. But I just don't see her abandoning her children this way. Even if she took them with her, which doesn't seem to be the case, she wouldn't actually get much charity work done, so it would be a waste of time. Her ending is the most self-serving, and thus, the most dissatisfying.

 

     Not far away, another moving death, this one much easier to see coming, is playing out. Frank (Bruce Dern) sweetly holds wife Lois (Grace Zabriskie) in his arms as she slips into death courtesy some drugs Frank apparently injected her with. It is a shame it took such a tragic story as Lois's dementia to bring the warring pair back together. For most of the series they fought bitterly, both attempting to murder the other. Yet, in these final moments we see the real love between them that has existed for decades, and how their relationship must have been when it was new. It is a tear-jerking scene, and leaves Frank slightly better as a human being. Lois herself has already been redeemed, as she struggles with a disease wrongfully inflicted upon her.

     For those who question if Frank also has injected himself, so that he could die with her, as I first wondered, the series creators have insisted that no, Frank is not dead. He lives on. I really hope he isn't caught and arrested. He deserves jail time, but not for Lois. He actually treats her right in the end, and thus should gain a reprieve.

     Finally, Ben (Douglas Smith) ends up with Heather (Tina Majorino). As soon as Heather makes her first appearance after Sarah (Amanda Seyfried) left the cast at the end of the fourth season, it is obvious that Ben and Heather are going to be together. There is simply no other reason to bring her back. At first, the pairing is awkward. Then it isn't, because Heather has always been drawn to the family, so it makes sense she would marry to stay involved with them. Ben has only flirted with polygamy for the same reason any teen boy would - more women to sleep with. He can give it up for a woman he truly cares about, and he is protective of Heather, so love is not far behind.

     Going into this episode, I wanted to see all the supporting characters return in some form. Instead, I am very glad that didn't happen. Don (Joel McKinnon Miller) is around, and we get a glimpse of how Sarah and Scott (Aaron Paul) turn out, and that is plenty. Getting to its core is far more fitting than serving all of the debris that revolves around the family. I am also grateful that Tansy is only mentioned, after not being seen all season. Let's be honest; he recast was a mistake, though writing her out did feel awkward. As such, if the original actress could not be got, it's better not to see her at all.

     One last musing: I understand the final shot is of the wives living on together, and it is very appropriate. I had thought, and still think seeing the family reunited in heaven would have also been nice. I don't think my idea is better than what aired, but it would have made a good ending credits sequence, no? Ah, well.

     Thank you, Big Love for a big, loving story that was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.


Article first published as TV Review: Big Love - "Where Men and Mountains Meet" on Blogcritics.

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