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What happened to "Psych"?

While part of me is sad to see that there's just one more episode left in the Psych series, another part of me is glad. The reason for that is I've been thoroughly disappointed in the eighth and final season. I started noticing the series going downhill in the seventh season, after six very strong ones. There were still some funny episodes in season 7, but there were also times when it appeared as if, due to the added romantic elements, Psych was going to become like Friends and turn into a romantic dramedy or soap opera. That element has definitely faded in season 8. However, it's been replaced by sub-par writing, extreme randomness, and a sense of, "Were the writers and actors high when making these episodes?"

This season has honestly appeared to me to be one where the writers and actors weren't 100% certain if it was going to happen, and at the last minute, decided to gather all the "fun," random ideas they could, and place it on the screen - devoid of any real rationale. Last night's episode was a prime example of this, where Gus' character spent almost the entire duration in a dream-like state and screaming. If he uttered more than ten words throughout the course of the episode, I'd be in shock. This episode was following one where Mira Sorvino took over for Shawn's "girlfriend" Juliet and Lassiter asked Shawn and Gus to be more annoying than usual so they could scare her away into transferring, which could have led to Juliet coming back to work with them. How the writers went from that episode to a zombie-filled nightmare one is anyone's guess. Like I said - I think it was drugs... With these extraordinarily random episodes, who knows what will be in store for viewers in the series finale next week.

Not only have the episodes come across as more random than a David Lynch impersonator whom suffers from ADHD, they've also lacked the humor and wit from past seasons. What appealed to me most during the show's first six seasons were the sarcastic one-liners, as well as the grand chemistry between the two leads - Shawn and Gus. Anymore, those witty one-liners have been replaced by the actors coming across as less intelligent than kindergarteners, getting themselves into awkward situations as a result, and then watching them try to wiggle their way out of such predicaments. There was a reason why Shawn was able to convince so many he was psychic - the man was a great observer and highly intelligent. Why the writers decided to strip the latter of those two qualities from him is beyond me.

In any case, for as disappointed as I've been with this season, the series has provided a great number of smiles and laughs through the years, and due to that, I'll be sad to see it go. If anyone is unfamiliar with the show and is curious to see it, I'd recommend checking out the first six seasons. There will actually be an all-night marathon tomorrow night starting at midnight EST (so, technically, Saturday morning) on USA, where six of the cast's favorite episodes will be featured. More information can be viewed at this link - http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/03/17/usa-invites-psych-fans-to-psych-all-night-marathon-on-friday-march-21/245380/. Thanks again for all the laughs, Psych, and best of luck with all of your future endeavors.

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