Your Entertainment Corner

Goodbye. Spoiler-Free Advance Review: Psych – “The Breakup”

Season 8, Episode 10

Air Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2014, 9/8c on USA

“I’ve made a decision.” – Shawn

Rating: ★★★★★

Shawn and Gus

Following the events of “1967: A Psych Odyssey,” I questioned whether Psych had used up much of the emotional storylines most shows save for their series finales. After all, we saw the departure of Chief Vick (Kirsten Nelson) and Juliet (Maggie Lawson), and then, in “Shawn and Gus Truck Things Up,” it looked like we were saying goodbye to Henry (Corbin Bernsen). By the time we get to “The Breakup,” it appears most of the goodbyes have been said.

After viewing the chaos that is “A Nightmare on State Street,” which I feel ignored a large group of fans during a time when the creative team behind Psych should have been honoring them, I started having concerns about how the finale would be treated. I also wondered whether all of the fans’ questions would be answered. More on that later.

When the DVD with the “The Breakup” showed up at my door, I was excited and nervous because while I’ve seen other shows come and go, Psych is a show I have been a huge fan of from day one. It is my passion for shows like Psych that is one of the reasons I started writing for Your Entertainment Corner. In many ways, getting ready to watch “The Breakup” felt like preparing to say goodbye to a close friend. Knowing “The Breakup” is directed by show creator Steve Franks provided little comfort.

“The Breakup” starts off a little differently than previous episodes and  had me curious about what was really going on. As the episode progresses, it quickly falls into what seems to be the typical Psych mystery. Midway through, it’s clear “The Breakup” is on pace to be another classic Psych episode. “The Breakup” is filled with tons of humor and one of the funniest car chases I have ever seen on TV. My focus slowly shifted and became a desire to find closure for the show. As each minute passed, I found myself wondering how the writers would tie up eight wonderful seasons. I admit, as a fan of the series from day one, I had some worries.

Then, it happens; the show shifts into closure mode and my first reaction was an irritating, ‘What the hell?’ Surely this isn’t how the show is supposed to end? Thankfully, that feeling was short-lived, and as the episode races to its conclusion, I had no clue what an emotional roller coaster ride I was about to get on.

No, this is not when I lost it.

Fears I had about too much emotion being spent in earlier episodes went flying out the window as my eyes began to water. I tried to stay strong but Lassiter (Timothy Omunsdon) finally gets me to break down and cry. There, I said it; I cried during a touching scene I wish I could more fully describe but since this is a spoiler-free advance review, I don’t want to take anything away from your viewing experience by describing the specifics of the scene.  Suffice it to say, for the first time in ages, I found myself talking to the TV, asking Lassiter like a friend to do something specific and when he does it, I just lost it. It is one of those moments where, after eight seasons, you understand a character so well, you know how they will react to something. Lassiter’s moment is only the beginning of what makes “The Breakup” fabulous, and by the time everything is said and done, the entire episode makes sense. What a wonderful way to close out the series!

“The Breakup” has several fun surprises, including a cameo by a famous actor, which I thought was a bit awkward. In addition, USA Network fans will love a very funny reference to another character from one of its other series. There is also a great inside joke, and despite having previously said I would love to see it happen, I didn’t catch it until my third viewing. Hopefully, other fans will be able to pick it up faster than I did.

Psych may be leaving but it is going out on the top of its game. “The Breakup” is a spectacular, emotional episode that will go down as one of Psych’s best—not because it’s the final episode of the series but because of its quality. Fans will have most, if not all, their lingering questions answered. Although, there is one single shot I felt was missing that left me with a question. The answer is hinted at in “The Breakup” but never really answered or explained. Maybe one day they will make Psych: The Movie and I will get my answer.

Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “The Breakup” after you watch it. Since I am filing this review in advance of the episode airing, I would also like to know what you would like to see happen in the series finale and what questions you hope get answered.

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All photos © 2014 USA Network, a division of NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.