Alan Zenuk | USA

James Roday as Shawn (left) and Dulé Hill as Gus return for season 6 of “Psych.”

The show revolves around Shawn Spencer, the pop-culture obsessed son of a former detective. His father taught him amazing observational and reasoning skills, skills that make him an incredible detective.

He is so good, in fact, that when he figured out a crime based solely on information from the local news, the police department brought him in for questioning, assuming that his perfect knowledge required him to be the one that actually committed the crime.

To save himself, Shawn claimed he was a psychic, and he has been working for the Santa Barbara police ever since.

This season will revolve around Shawn’s close misses in maintaining his lie as a psychic. In the first episode, he had to beat a lie detector test given by Carlton Lassiter, the police department’s head detective, who has suspected (but never been able to prove) Shawn’s lack of psychic aptitude.


The show’s real hilarity comes from Shawn’s inability to take any situation seriously. He constantly derides his colleagues and makes references to obscure ’80s movies. He makes up a fake name for Gus when they meet new characters. And when he uses his heightened observational skills to find a clue, he puts his hand to his head and says whatever comes to mind in order to get people to understand what he is talking about.

Each episode generally centers on some specific film or cultural reference. “Psych” had episodes based on “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park,” “The Mummy,” generic Bollywood films and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Shawn and Gus generally resolve conflicts with normal murder reasoning (as in someone faked an alien landing so they could get away with murder), but watching Shawn and Gus do all they can to try not to believe in alien abductions is fantastic.

The characters themselves are appealing—not just because of their attractiveness, but also because of the way the actors play their characters. Everyone manages to fit together in a surprising way. “Psych” also makes good use of guest characters and actors.


“Psych” is USA’s longest running show for good reason. Its casual combination of pop-culture (some of it so quick and obscure you won’t notice), witty jibing between Shawn and Gus and creative solutions to every murder has made it a big hit for the network.

It remains to be seen how long they can keep it going, but the show has remained consistently funny and interesting. “Psych” puts a great twist on the detective drama that most other shows have trouble topping.

Everyone should try watching “Psych.” The first five seasons are available on Hulu Plus and Netflix, and the sixth season runs on USA at 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. Go watch it. It’s funny.

Courtesy of FOX

Best Use of the Banana Stand
In “Pier Pressure,” the narrator explains that, back in the day, the banana stand was a popular place to meet drug dealers, inspiring a song: “Big Yellow Joint.” For this reason, Buster hopes that George-Michael will be able to procure some weed for Lucille Two.

Best Reaction from Lucille
Lucille hires a private detective, Gene Parmesan, to try to track down Oscar in Mexico. What she gets is a master of disguise who dresses up in very varied costumes, evoking squeals of delight, memorably frantic hands and screams of “Ahhhh! I knew it!”

Best Running Gag
The Bluths accidentally adopt a Korean son to whom they give the name Annyong. “Annyong” is the Korean word for hello, so naturally it is the first thing he says to them. Whenever someone addresses him as Annyong, he immediately chimes in with a response of “annyong.” This leads to some memorable glares from Lucille and outbursts from Gob. The best part of the joke? Annyong’s real name turns out to be Hel-loh.
The one-armed J. Walter Weatherman is a close runner-up in this category. A friend of George Sr., he teaches the Bluth kids lessons involving his prosthetic arm falling off. This mainly just terrifies them.

Most Valuable Guest Star
Martin Short, the legendary comedian, guest-starred in “Ready, Aim, Marry Me!” as the Bluth family’s (not real) Uncle Jack, a former radio star and fitness guru who needs to be carried around by a strong man named Dragon. Armed with a golden catchphrase of “Throw me at ‘em!” (and he was indeed thrown at ‘em), Short proved again why he’s such a master of physical comedy.

Best One-Liner Character
Dr. Fishman, or ”Dr. Wordsmith,” a recurring character who works at the hospital, has a tendency to deliver lines that are so literal that they become ambiguous. A personal favorite: In “Let ‘Em Eat Cake,” the doctor has some bad news about George Sr. When he alerts the family that “we’ve lost him,” the family assumes that George Sr. has died. Instead, he escaped out the window, wearing Annyong’s Uncle Sam wig.

Best Recurring Character
Gob’s “bleep”-heavy, incredibly offensive hand puppet Franklin Delano Bluth definitely takes the cake. Whether he’s knocking people out because of his ether-soaked lips, recording “It Ain’t Easy Being White” on his album “Franklin Comes Alive” or testifying during George Sr.’s trial, he’s a funny addition to any story arc, especially when Buster uses him as a replacement for his hook hand.

Best name for Ann (Her?)
Both Michael and Maeby continually refer to George-Michael’s girlfriend Ann Veal as “Bland” despite George-Michael’s protests. Close runner-up: “Egg.”

Best Tobias Gag
What is perhaps the longest-running joke in the series involves the constant hints about Tobias’ sexuality (including his novel, “The Man Inside Me”). When Tobias leaves the model home, he decides to return disguised as the falsetto-voiced British nanny “Mrs. Featherbottom.” While everyone knows the truth, they go along with the charade, because Mrs. Featherbottom is an excellent (and free) housekeeper. The character is introduced in “The Immaculate Election,” but the best bit is in “Meat the Veals,” when Tobias’ alter ego attempts to fly down the staircase to the floor using an umbrella, a la Mary Poppins. It doesn’t work.

Best Use of the Hot Cops
Before showering audiences with “illusions,” Gob was a stripper for the Hot Cops, a stripper crew that makes several appearances both in flashbacks and storylines throughout the series. In “Pier Pressure,” Michael plans to use the group as part of an elaborate plan to teach George-Michael not to dabble in drugs. Of course, the Hot Cops don’t come off as a real police force, and Michael is quickly one-upped in lesson-making by J. Walter Weatherman, the one-armed man.

Best use of the line, “I’ve made a huge mistake”
Many characters in Arrested Development have spoken the words “I’ve made a huge mistake.” It was most memorable in the episode in which Gob discovers he is the father of Steve Holt, George-Michael’s high school rival, as he says he’s made a “huge tiny mistake.”

I’ll be doing an Emmys live blog. Sorry it’s a bit late coming, so here’s what’s happened so far at 7:36 p.m.: apparently the Emmy voters hate everything that is not “Modern Family,” because Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell won the first acting awards, and the show won the Directing and Writing awards. Cool. Chris Colfer didn’t win, though, because his role isn’t, you know, funny, so that was really exciting.

7:40: Jane Lynch just called it the “Modern Family” awards.  I guess that’s appropriate. Charlie Sheen just came out. Interesting… “Two and a Half Men” is premiering tomorrow.

7:41: Wait, he’s presenting his old category “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy.” What’s going on???!!

7:42: EMMY VOTERS, not okay. Carell wholeheartedly deserved this award. Not okay.

7:45: Why are the women going on stage? I thought Amy Poehler had won before I realized what was going on.

7:47: Melissa McCarthy won – that’s totally unexpected! I don’t like “Mike and Molly” at all but I’m really happy for her. Sweet speech, too, but I’m really confused.

7:54 – Yeah, “The Office” would probably be more funny if Roger Sterling joined. Screw Aaron Paul. “Breaking Bad” isn’t even eligible for nomination this year. I do like this segment though. NATHAN FILLION! I love you. And Leslie Knope should come on this show. Yay Cee Lo.

7:57 – I love the Emmytones. Can Zachary Levi from “Chuck” just come sing for me please?

8:01 – So scared for Outstanding Reality program.

8:02 – EMMY VOTERS I HATE YOU. “Top Chef” won last year on a weak season and it had it’s best season ever (probably best reality season of any show, ever) and it lost. No fair.

8:03 – Amused at the “Nicolas of Cage” cover in the Jon Stewart presentation. Oh wait, “The Daily Show” won? Color me shocked.. it’s like it’s won before!

8:04: I am pretending that “Top Chef” won. It is making me happier.

8:13: Lonely Island + Michael Bolton = colored me confused. I do like this song, though. WHAT’S GOING ON????? John Stamos and Ed Helms look great. I wish JT was in this number. He’s can’t be too cool for the Emmys if he hosted the ESPYs, right?

8:15 – I miss JT.

8:16 – Ian Somerhalter is pretty. I miss “Lost.” The awards are so strange this year I am hoping “Lost” has a shot.

8:18: Didn’t “The Daily Show” already win? I’m confused.

8:19: SURPRISE! “Daily Show” wins again!

8:28 – I’m irrationally annoyed that “Fringe” was not included in the drama monologue, because it’s clearly not a comedy and it is the best show currently on TV.

8:30 – Omg, “Friday Night Lights” just won an award over “Mad Men.” The world might be ending and I’m the happiest person in the world. I actually just started crying.

8:32 – These are the strangest awards in the world. Who’s Margo Martindale? I don’t think I’ve ever heard that name before.

8:41 – Martin Scorsese won. Of course he did. At least it’s not as obvious as the Tonys do in their drama roles to movie stars, but sort of close enough.

8:43 – This is to be expected but I’m happy for Peter Dinklage. Not that I’ve ever watched “Game of Thrones” but still.

8:55 – Good for her! That’s a really ugly dress. I wanted Connie Britton to win, but I rather an FNL writing award so I’m still good for now. We’ll see how Kyle Chandler fares.

8:59 – Kyle Chandler!!!!!!!!!!! Jon Hamm was crying because he knew it was his only shot, but I’m so so so so so so so so happy! FNL might have a chance! (Apologies that this live blog is so incredibly biased.)

9:01 – Miniseries time! Time to do homework.

9:33 – They should have introduced Anna Torv as Anna Torv from “Fringe.” “Fringe” is back on Friday! Everyone should watch!

9:37 – She only needs the T to get the EGOT! Yay Kate Winslet.

9:48 – I officially hate “Mad Men.” I’m glad it’s not on right now. Thank god it cannot be nominated next year. Poor choice, Emmy voters, poor choice.

9:57 – Once again, I’m not surprised. I love “Modern Family” but I hate Emmy dynasties. Let something new win next year, please.

Courtesy of AMC.TV

Rosie’s death is the event that launches AMC’s new crime drama, “The Killing,” which is premiering Sunday night at 8 p.m. central. Set in Seattle, the show could become a “Twin Peaks” clone—though of course it has some differences. It has three main storylines, each of which connect to Rosie’s murder. First, there’s the mystery plot that focuses on Seattle homicide detective Sarah Linden and her partner, Stephen. Sarah is going to get overinvolved in this case, to the point where it becomes her life. Though the detectives will be a major focus, the show is not a standard crime procedural like “Law and Order.” These detectives become consumed in Rosie’s case, meaning there is no villain-of-the-week to worry about.

Next, “The Killing” will take an in-depth look at Rosie’s family. The Larsens are the model family—a hardworking dad, a loving mom, and three children, a girl and two boys. Of course, their world gets torn apart when an unknown villain kills Rosie. Viewers will get to know the Larsen parents quite well while watching their quest to return to normalcy. But their daughter’s murderer is out there, and may even be someone they know.

Finally, what good would a serialized crime drama be without suspects? AMC watchers will spend some time with Darren Richmond, a major local politician known as “Seattle’s JFK.” Seeing as how Richmond is neither a police office nor part of the grieving family, he (or someone from his staff) will probably become the focus of the investigation. His connection to Rosie? We don’t know. But I am sure all will be revealed as the show goes on.

“The Killing” has a pretty awesome feature on AMC’s website that allows you to take a virtual tour of Rosie’s bedroom. From her clothes (argyle sweaters) and her décor (pink paint and butterflies), she seems to be a regular high school girl. But when you delve into her computer files, things become a bit more ominous and we begin to see why this girl was murdered. I’m guessing that based on the format used on “Twin Peaks,” details about Rosie’s life will not be uncovered quickly. This feature gives us a peek into a the life of a girl with quite a collection of secrets.

To try to solve the mystery before the homicide detectives do, or at least to enjoy a good new show, tune into AMC on Sunday at 8 p.m.

4. To a married man you’ve been on and off in love with for years (“Gilmore Girls”–Rory to Dean): At the end of season four, Rory ends her complicated freshman year of college by sleeping with her high-school boyfriend, who just happened to get married a few episodes earlier.

3. After convincing yourself you’ve found the perfect guy who you love madly, sleep with him only to have him turn him into a huge jerk (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”–Buffy to Angel): Our favorite vampire with a soul was cursed to lose his soul after experiencing a moment of perfect happiness, which apparently happens to coincide with the moment of orgasm. Even undead, he’s a typical male.

2. After saving yourself for marriage and getting married in your sophomore year of high school just to have sex (“One Tree Hill”–Haley to Nathan): Haley didn’t want her recently emancipated boyfriend to grow up without her and with Internet porn, so this was the next logical solution.

1. During a Madonna montage (“Glee”–Finn to Santana): This one needs no explanation. It was just weird.

‘Skins’ (MTV, Mondays, 9 p.m.): It’s television’s biggest, baddest scandal of 2011 (so far, anyway). It’s been compared to child pornography, and the Parents Television Council has convinced dozens of advertisers to add it to their do-not-sponsor lists. “Skins” is MTV’s new scripted show about a group of middle class high schoolers who have lots of sex, drink a ton and get high quite often. In other words, it’s what every parent wants his or her children to avoid.
MTV imported the show from Great Britain, where it realistically depicted the lives of troubled teenagers. Unfortunately, they adapted the show a little too exactly. The American pilot episode was an exact replication of the British pilot, though the characters had different names and producers made the show’s content more US-friendly.
“Skins” revolves around Tony, the ringleader of his bunch of friends. In the pilot, Tony tries to get his friend Stanley laid. Unfortunately, Stanley’s in love with Tony’s girlfriend, and the girl that Tony lines up for his friend overdoses on pills and almost dies.
“Skins” has a lot of issues to work out—basically, it needs to figure out how to adapt to American television without compromising too much of the British core. Tune in and see how it turns out.

‘An Idiot Abroad’ (Science Channel, Saturdays, 9 p.m.): The duo that birthed the sitcom-changing “The Office” and the witty A-List-self-deprecation-fest known as “Extras” is now taking a stab at reality TV. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send the round-headed Karl Pilkington—their podcast co-host who is often dubbed by Gervais as a “real life Homer Simpson”—to the Seven Wonders of the World. Karl often tries to put on a brave face, but it’s difficult with Gervais and Merchant intentionally setting up activities they know he will loathe, like forcing him to ride a camel in the desert while everyone else gets to travel in jeeps; or setting up a Chinese massage that involves setting parts of Karl on fire. Most people would consider this experience wondrous and life changing. Karl does not. He does not see the point of ever leaving England; he thinks that going to China will somehow begin an addiction to toad that cannot be satisfied when he gets back to England; he gets offended when a hospitable Indian gentleman offers him a stay at his house with no bathroom. But Karl’s ignorance and his changes through the series are awkward, endearing and hilarious.

‘Being Human’ (Syfy, Mondays, 8 p.m.): The premise of Syfy’s new show “Being Human” sounds like the beginning of a joke: A vampire, a werewolf and a ghost walk into a bar…I mean, share an apartment. It sounds so silly, and yet, it’s an incredibly fun show. It centers on Aidan (a vampire) and Josh (a werewolf), two young doctors striving to have a normal life. Josh changes into an evil wolf once a month, and even with a concrete room serving as a cage in his basement, it does not seem like it’s too much fun. Aidan has an incredible bloodlust, and it cannot help that he accidentally killed a co-worker early in the first episode. To top it all off, the Boston brownstone that the doctors move into to give the appearance of normality is inhabited by the ghost of a dead woman, Sally, whom only they can see and hear. The characters are not stereotypes of the monsters they have within. The show poses a lot of interesting questions about what it means to be different, and it is definitely worth a watch.

Justin Lubin | NBC

From left to right: Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer and Aziz Ansari as Tom Haverford on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.”

‘American Idol’ (FOX, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7 p.m.): Last week, we wrote about the changes this new season of “American Idol” is bringing to the air. The first audition episodes have caused even the veteran Idol watchers among us, to be pleasantly surprised. After nine seasons of creating critiques based exclusively on the words “yo” and “dawg,” Randy Jackson has finally stepped up his game as the only remaining member of the original judges’ panel. Jennifer Lopez seems to be filling the Paula Abdul role quite nicely. Though she has trouble verbalizing the word “no” when contestants need to get off the stage, she has kind critiques for everyone and can still criticize when the going gets tough. Steven Tyler was the biggest surprise of all. He loves the music, first and foremost, and can often be seen clapping his hands along with the auditioner in sheer delight. The show has cut down the number of completely terrible auditions, which will probably keep some viewers away, but we believe it’s a much more enjoyable viewing experience. The new changes will hopefully make the rest of the season better, but we will have to see.

Michael Becker | Fox

L-R: Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest answer questions at the American Idol press conference on the Idol set in Milwaukee on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010.

Last season was kind of a dud. Paula Abdul left and took her craziness with her. New judge Ellen DeGeneres was too nice to insult anybody, but it turned out she was also too nice to judge anybody. The bland contestants gave very few amazing performances. “Entertainment Weekly” welcomed season nine winner Lee DeWyze back into obscurity just a few weeks after his album was released. And most importantly for the audience, famous judge Simon Cowell left the show to bring his singing competition, “The X Factor,” across the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s obvious that things are going to be very different this year. Once Simon left, judges Ellen and Kara DioGuardi both abdicated their thrones, though Kara’s exit may not have been as voluntary as it seemed. Only Randy Jackson remains from the original judging panel, which is strange enough on its own. To make the situation even more odd, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are joining the judging team. Is “Jenny from the Block” going to be a good mentor? Does this mean contestants will never butcher Aerosmith songs again? We can only hope. At least the return to three judges means the contestants will actually have time to sing.

More changes will come as the season progresses. Returning executive producer Nigel Lythgoe eliminated the semi-final rounds, which will allow the judges to reduce the field to 20. Then, America will get just one chance to determine their finalists, most likely the standard final 12. Hopefully these changes will be exciting and bring “American Idol” back to its original awesomeness. Tune in tonight at 7 p.m. on FOX to watch the auditions and see all these new changes for yourself.

Chris Haston | NBC

“The Office”—“Classy Christmas” episode 711—Pictured: Brian Baumgartner as Kevin Malone, Kate Flannery as Meredith Palmer and Zach Woods as Gabe Lewis.

Note: By the time Student Life goes to print, we won’t have seen what is sure to have been the awesome “Community” claymation special. And I think we can all agree that the severe lack of Mariah Carey Christmas songs on Tuesday’s “Glee” automatically makes it ineligible for contention on this list.

‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’
‘A Very Sunny Christmas Special’
If you’ve always thought Christmas specials lacked crime, depravity and a naked, sweaty Danny DeVito being birthed from a couch, then “A Very Sunny Christmas Special” is perfect for you. How do the worst people on earth spend their Christmas? Dennis and Dee attempt to “Christmas Carol” Frank as punishment for always buying what Dennis and Dee want for Christmas but keeping the gifts for himself. Meanwhile, Mac and Charlie confront their own Christmas ghosts as they realize that what they thought were typical Christmas traditions were actually bouts of petty theft and prostitution. Hilarity ensues.

Patrick McElhenney | FX

Season 5: “D.E.N.N.I.S.” Top L-R: Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton

‘Futurama’
‘Xmas Story’
It’s the end of the year, but Fry just can’t get into the holiday spirit. Maybe it’s because he can’t decide whether to buy Leela a $500 parrot or 500 $1 stink lizards. Maybe it’s because “Christmas” now goes by “Xmas.” Or maybe it’s because Robot Santa, played by a menacing John Goodman, is trying to shoot him with a machine gun. Really though, what would Xmas be without Robot Santa’s mistletoe? Sorry, I mean TOW missile. The Planet Express crew should actually be thanking the homicidal Santa at the end of the episode. If it weren’t for him, they wouldn’t have bonded through fear or gotten to sing a heartwarming rendition of “Santa Claus is Gunning You Down.”

‘Seinfeld’
‘Festivus’
So you hate what the holidays have come to stand for: Christmas music being played in October, consumerism and colorful sweaters. In that case, Festivus is the holiday for you. All you need is an aluminum pole, upper body strength and a strong sense of disappointment in your friends and family. On Dec. 23, invite everyone you love over for dinner, and celebrate with the traditional “airing of the grievances” by informing them how they’ve failed you in the past year. This is followed by “feats of strength,” a wrestling match between the head of household and a person of his or her choosing. Remember, Festivus does not officially end until the head of household is pinned to the ground.

‘Rugrats’
‘A Rugrats Chanukah’
This blast from the past was the most entertaining and informative Chanukah special of our day. Granted, we don’t remember much of what Grandma Minkus told Tommy, Chuckie, Phil and Lil about the Maccabees, but we still remember that this episode was a thing, and that’s more than we can say for any episode of “CatDog.”

‘30 Rock’
‘Christmas Special’
The episode where Liz Lemon got—wait, what’s the past tense of scam? Is it scrumped? The episode where Liz Lemon got scrumped. After being uninvited from her parents’ house for Christmas, Liz puts all of her energy into buying gifts for underprivileged children—only to be scammed by two middle-aged men—only to then go on to ruin the Christmas of their children. And the amazing Elaine Stritch is back as Jack’s mom because he backed into her with his car—and waited eight minutes before calling 911. But after Jack finds out his mother whored herself out to Mr. F.A.O. Schwarz for his childhood presents, they make up and sing a duet at the show’s end. That’s the magic of Christmas, folks.

‘The Office’
‘Benihana Christmas’
Directed by Wash. U.’s own Harold Ramis, this episode of “The Office” is one of the series’ best. After creepily photoshopping his head onto his girlfriend’s ex-husband’s in a family photo, Michael is dumped by Carol right before the office Christmas party. As a pick-me-up, Andy suggests that the boys go to “Asian Hooters” (Benihana), and despite Dwight informing the table how to best kill a goose, Andy and Michael each score waitress dates. Back at the office, party planning politics have come to a head when Pam and Karen team up against Angela and throw competing Christmas parties. Shockingly, the party with the alcohol beats the party with the crafts—but in the spirit of Christmas, Pam offers to merge the two and create one amazing, karaoke-filled holiday party.

Matthias Clamer | USA Network

From left to right: Carlton Lassiter, as played by Timothy Omundson; Burton ‘Gus’ Guster, as played by Dulé Hill; Henry Spencer, as played by Corbin Bernsen; Juliet O’Hara, as played by Maggie Lawson; Shawn Spencer, as played by James Roday; Chief Karen Vick as played by Kirsten Nelson.

If you’re not familiar with the show, you should be. In a send-up of traditional cop shows, James Roday plays Shawn, a guy whose dad really, really wanted him to be a cop. Nearly every episode begins with a flashback of Shawn’s dad trying to hone the necessary skills for police work in his son. It worked: Shawn has a photographic memory. But he also has a problem with authority, so instead of going to the police academy, he ends up pretending to be psychic to explain why so many of his hunches are good, working as a private investigator and assisting the police with some of their cases.

Is this a stretch? Maybe. After five seasons, you’d think Shawn might have built up enough of a reputation that he could quit faking psychic episodes and just work honestly as a P.I. with great observational skills. But this way is a lot more fun. Shawn as a character is incredibly entertaining to watch—whether it is the constant stream of aliases he comes up with for his partner Gus, the myriad pop culture references, his random love of pineapple or the various ways he comes up with to present his “psychic flashes.”

For the last season or two, though, Shawn has actually grown a lot as a person. He’s still snarky and immature, but his endless womanizing turned into a serious love for one of the cops he works with, Juliet O’Hara. And after the requisite amount of will-they-won’t-they, in the most recent episode, the two shared their first kiss.

The catch? Juliet already has a boyfriend. A really rich boyfriend (played by Nestor Carbonell—i.e. Richard Alpert from “Lost”) who is suspiciously similar to Shawn in a lot of ways and who’s planning to take her on vacation in his helicopter.

Now, you can bet that the rest of the season will involve a certain amount of cat and mouse between the two. But this isn’t “Bones.” The show is about a lot more than just that one relationship, and this is one case where the will-they-won’t-they couple could actually get together without completely ruining the show.

In the meantime, in and among the inevitable relationship drama, Wednesday’s episode promises a whole mess of guest stars, notably Cary Elwes reprising an earlier role and almost the entire cast of Twin Peaks (a show that aired briefly in the 90s, which was apparently similar to Psych in a lot of ways). Elwes’ character, Pierre Despereaux, is an art thief/insurance fraud perpetrator who bills himself as the perfect criminal, and the last time we saw him he was saying that he’d always dreamed of escaping from prison.

Tune into the USA network Wednesday at 9 p.m. for Shawn vs. the man who was the Dread Pirate Roberts. This could get interesting.

If you want to see Cadenza’s favorite “Psych” moments, check out our blog at www.studlife.com/funcooker

Courtesy of AMC

The episode had a lot of ground to cover. Would Don and Co. be able to save Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce? Would SCDP ever rake in new business? Was Joan still pregnant? Would poor Sally ever be happy? Is it possible for Betty to not suck all happiness out of every room she walks into? Luckily, the writers were able to answer all these questions. They paced the episode effectively by quickly jumping from scene to scene and from character to character; this 42-minute episode was comprised of about 35 scenes. As a veteran viewer, it felt somewhat jarring, especially considering the extremely slow pace “Mad Men” has taken in seasons past. But for this episode, it worked, as it signified the great change that was to come.

For the first time in a very long time, Don seemed legitimately happy. It is incredibly odd watching Don Draper smile and mean it. He spent time with his kids in the happiest place on Earth (Disneyland), and he got closure over Anna’s death. Plus, he found someone, Megan, who will seemingly love him unconditionally. Megan probably knows that Don has some deep dark secret from when the State Department came calling, but it does not matter to her.

Things are looking up for the firm, too. Peggy and Ken finally closed a new account. SCDP will remain in business, at least until next season. “Tomorrowland” paid less attention to the business, however, as it needed most of its 35 scenes to tend to the characters. Joan kept Roger’s baby, pretending it was her Vietnam-bound husband’s; she and Peggy shared a fun “men are ridiculous” moment; Don finally recognized Peggy as the powerful woman she has become; and Betty pined for Don when packing up the house they had made a home together.

“Tomorrowland” was a great conclusion to the even greater season four. The season switched up the dynamics of seasons past, starting at a brand new firm with Don the divorcee living in Greenwich Village. In the past 13 episodes, Don has significantly changed from the depressed man who asked a hooker to slap him in bed in the season opener. This season has actually brought changes for most characters: Pete prepared to become a dad (for real, this time), and Peggy came into her own. Betty floundered without someone to blame for her unhappiness, and Roger fell apart after losing both Lucky Strike and Joan. Not everyone is in a better place than before. But, for once, Don is content. As viewers, we do not really know how to deal with this, but we trust the writers by now. Hopefully, everyone will have enough time to deal with the new Don Draper once “Mad Men” returns next summer.