Season 8, Episode 5
Air Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2014, 9/8c on USA
Rating:
“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I’ve been murdered.” – Gus
Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) and Shawn both think Russ killed himself but as Gus searches though the apartment, he realizes how much he and Russ were alike. Convinced neither of them would ever commit suicide, Gus believes Russ was murdered.
Gus: “Find me a clue; find me a clue, now.”
Shawn: “There are no clues; I can’t just make stuff up.”
Gus: “That’s all you ever do.”
Gus takes the lead to prove he, or should I say, Russ was murdered. The first stop is Russ’ employer, California Coast Insurance (CCI), which looks surprisingly a lot like Gus’ employer, Central Coast Pharmaceutical. There, Gus is shocked to learn the employees of CCI aren’t upset about Russ’ death at all.
Quan Phung (Fane Tse), an employee who seems all too eager to call dibs on Russ’ things, prompts Gus to give an emotional speech in front of the employees at Central Coast Pharmaceutical—oops, CCI about grieving the loss of a coworker. “A man has died and you must at least let his hard drive cool before you may claim his computer as your own.”
Together Shawn, Gus, and Emanuelle team up, not only to solve the mystery behind the insurance scam but, more importantly, to find out who killed Russ.
I enjoyed “Cog Blocked” simply because it’s a rare Psych episode that makes you think. What would happen if you were to die? How would those around you view or remember your life? Gus’ dedication to the case, however, is less about the murder and more about trying to find validation in his own life by examining Russ’ life and comparing it to his.
“Cog Blocked” is the beginning of the end for Psych and it is no surprise that the episode is followed by a special announcement from Roday and Hill about the March 26, 2014 series final. Although “ rumor” has it, this will not be the last we see of Shawn and Gus.
The big disappointment is what the writers seem to be doing to Shawn’s character — reverting him back to the way he was in the “Pilot.” Shawn has come a long way from being the lazy slacker who bounces from job to job, ignoring responsibility. Shawn’s behavior in “Cog Blocked” is annoying, and for that reason, I am thankful Gus is the focus of the episode. I am not sure I could have handled Shawn’s exasperating behavior for the entire episode. I wish the writers would take a different approach because it would be a shame if Psych ended without some kind of growth and maturity from Shawn. *hint hint*
Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “Cog Blocked.”
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Greg Staffa
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