What the heck happened?

Part of the dynamic energy of this show comes from the conflict between Lassiter and Shawn, and yet Lassiter got hardly any camera time in these latest episodes. He was on and off so quickly that I wondered whether the character was going to be discontinued. (I hope not!)



Imagine if Lassiter was beholden to Shawn for saving his life somehow – what a conflict that would set up inside him whenever he had to deal with Shawn. It would up Lassiter's blood pressure 20 points, inject more energy into the relationship and keep things going.

Yeah, or you could completely flip around that scenario. In fact, I just had a scene pop into my head.

Imagine a reluctant Lassiter in a position where he had to save Shawn's life. I could just see him murmuring the likes of "I'll never forgive myself for this," before rushing in to save the day. Shawn would be like "Oh Lassie, you saved my life!! I'm forever in your debt!" and Lassiter would just be like "Whatever. :|" Shawn would then insist on doing anything he asked, and Lassiter would tell him to stop calling him Lassie. "Sure thing, Lassmaster (or some other ridiculous nickname)!" would follow, and Lassiter would shake his head and walk off while Shawn continues to call out to him, and the scene fades out. By the beginning of the very next episode, Shawn will have already gone back to calling him Lassie, perhaps even moreso than usual.

Lassiter's one of those characters that you just have to drop into goofy situations like that, for him to truly live up to his potential. I could see all the pent-up frustration he gets--mostly due to Shawn--eventually bursting out, causing him to flip out and lose his head in a future episode. That would definitely be a sight to see.

Lassiter = Frank Burns.

Please tell me you guys get the reference.

I got it.

But you're totally right.