As my screenname sort of suggests, I am doing a study of Psych for an American studies class. Part of the assignment is to go to internet blogs and the such to see how the fans react to a given thesis. So, if you fellow Psych fans wouldn't mind helping me out, I would certainly appreciate it!

Thesis (more or less): USA Network's Psych is a harsh critique of the justice system. Evidence used: mostly how Shawn continously fools the SBPD into thinking he is a psychic, as well as his constant manipulations of Lassiter and O'Hara to solve the cases/get him more evidence.

Please, feel free to agree, disagree, provide proof for or against the thesis, etc. Thank you!

sounds like a cool class. Intresting idea, although i think it's mainly just a funny idea that shawn is constantly fooling them.but it's possible that the writers are trying to incorprate that stament through Psych,

Yes i agree.

HARSH maybe not, but hilariously jaded possibly! I think psych's soul purpose is to entertain us by poking fun at police stereotypes and psychic phenomenon. It can be viewed as a justice system critique, but only loosely. TV in general uses a basic variety of stereotypes on All humorous cop shows.

Did you ever notice that most of the police on Psych have Irish surnames or an Irish background? ( a very dated TV stereotype). From a justice system standpoint, it could be argued that writers have given the MAIN characters(Shawn and Gus) a higher authority than the SBPD(who's characters don't meet the standard of real police officers.) Another jaded example of the justice system being critiqued is the Henry(ex cop) vs. Shawn(fake psychic detective) dynamic.

The best example i can give to help further develop your study would be how the creator/producer/writer Steve Franks critiqued the justice system in his own life, by making this show.

Hope you understand the words above, because after reading them...I became confused. Good Luck on the study.

I concur.

When I went to college, Psych wasn't on the air. I did a paper on the pop culture in English Composition class. It had to be a show which we hated but had a cult following. I could not do it on Star Trek because I like the show but not enough to be consider a true fan. I chose Gilligan's Island because I really hate this show, but it had a good fan base. I know, Gilligan's Island?

Although the show portrays its police characters as clueless, Lassiter will never believe that Shawn is psychic. Lassiter just doesn't have any proof and rolls his eyes when Shawn goes into his visions. Henry feels that Shawn is being disrespectful to police by fooling them believing he is psychic. Remember Henry drilled Shawn since he was little to notice things other people may missed; Shawn uses this gift to help police solve crimes. Shawn does teases Lassie, but Shawn gives Lassiter credit in solving two cases last season and constantly helps Juliet or Jules, as Shawn and Gus call her, whenever she asks. Remember Henry always wanted Shawn to join the police force. This is the closest Shawn will be without being a cop.

I got an A on my paper, I hope you get the same grade. Good Luck!

I guess I agree! Good luck!

Thank you very much, all of you! I'm sure this will be a great paper with your contributions!

Your welcome!