Tito Jackson’s B-day. Review: Psych - "Cirque Du Soul"

Season 7, Episode 6

Air Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 10/9c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

“Quick, say something to your mom to provide proof of life.” – Gus

Gus (Dule Hill) plans a “big boy day” in an effort to spend some quality time with his girlfriend Rachael’s (Parminder Nagra) son, Maximus (Mateen Devji). When Maximus rejects his list of things to do, Shawn (James Roday) suggests the circus; little does Gus know that’s the location of their next case

I really enjoyed how much I found myself relating to Gus and his efforts to not only win over Maximus but his realization that his relationship is a package deal. My last relationship was with a woman who had three kids and like Gus, I tried to find ways to bond with the kids without their mother, including a day where the kids and I went to the zoo, which, at times, felt like a circus. Oftentimes, Gus’ girlfriends are put in an episode as a joke or a plot twist where they turn out to be a killer or just plain crazy. Here, Rachael is being taken seriously and Gus seems to be putting in some real effort. I think anytime a show can connect with its audience on a deeply personal level, as it does for me during “Cirque Du Soul,” the writers are doing something right.

I admit, in the beginning I was against the Gus and Rachael relationship. As I said in my “Juliet Takes a Luvvah” review, “Throughout the many seasons of Psych, in many ways the main relationship has belonged to Gus and Shawn.” But, in “Cirque Du Soul” they address my concerns in a way that works for me. There is a quick, but pivotal scene between Henry (Corbin Bernsen) and Gus where they talk about Gus’ relationship with Shawn. Henry explains the last time Shawn appeared to act out and seemed reckless and uncaring about other people’s feelings was the day his mother moved out. When Gus asks what Henry’s point is, he replies, “In all those years, the one constant in Shawn’s life has been you. Now here you are, you met this great girl and he’s facing his worst fear. And what you see as being purely selfish, might just be him afraid that he might lose something else that is very important to him.” Gus gets it, and it leads to a heart-to-heart with Shawn, talking things out in a port-a-potty just as the bad guys are closing in. “Before I use you as a human shield, there are some things I want to say,” Shawn tells Gus.

Then, there’s Lassiter (Timothy Omundson), who gets engaged to his newly paroled girlfriend, Marlowe (Kristy Swanson). We’re seeing a kinder side of Lassiter but my eyes could have done without his bubble bath scene. It’s interesting to see this part of him; yet I have mixed feelings because, much like Lassiter, we know very little about Marlowe. Only time will tell whether they’ll make it to their wedding day.

I thought the circus as a background was fun, providing a perfect stage for Shawn and Gus who often act like two clowns. I especially liked their acrobatics—flipping over the fence or getting down from the roof of the port-a-potty. How Shawn thought it was possible for him to match some of those amazing moves is beyond me.

While the crime surrounding “Cirque Du Soul” is one of the series weaker ones, this episode is really about the growth of relationships. Not just the ones I’ve already mentioned, but the one between Lassiter and Juliet (Maggie Lawson). Let’s also not forget the relationship forming between Gus and Maximus. Several characters are at a crossroads with their relationships and the writers could have taken the silly route, as they have done in the past. I am surprised that not only do they take the mature course, but I actually enjoyed the direction being taken and look forward to what the future brings.

In honor of the recent landmark 100th episode of Psych, Your Entertainment Corner is running a new Contest with a giveaway valued at $120. It ends Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 11 PM EST.

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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.