SPOILERS - TVSquad Talks To James Roday on "Psych" Season 5, Gus, and Yin-Yang Killer

[JamesG]

James Roday Talks "Psych" Season Five, the Evolution of Gus and the Yin Yang Killer
by Rich Keller
posted Jul 14th 2010


This is a big week for USA Network.

In addition to the premieres of "White Collar" and "Covert Affairs" on Tuesday, and new episodes of "Burn Notice" and "Royal Pains" on Thursday, the granddaddy of USA's original series, "Psych", returns for its fifth season tonight at 10PM ET.




Yes, after living under the shadow of "Monk" for the last four seasons, "Psych" is now the big man on campus. And that puts James Roday -- who's a writer and producer on the series in addtion to starring as fake psychic Shawn Spencer -- in an interesting position.

It'll be a challenge to make the show even better than it has been.





In an interview with TV Squad, Roday talks about the upcoming season, Gus's continuing evolution and what's going on with the Yin Yang Killer.



Warning: Spoilers ahead









The show's fifth season.

Roday says being the senior show on the network puts everything in perspective.

"It feels like we started this thing yesterday," he admitted. "It's been a heck of a run and we've been lucky to be part of the show."

Glimpsing into the show's future, he's optimistic. "It's starting to feel like we're not going to be put out to pasture yet."











There will be more dramatic elements

Over the last few seasons, Roday and creator Steve Franks have slowly increased the amount of drama in the series, particularly in the episodes focusing on the Yin Yang Killer.

According to Roday, it was done to keep the show fresh.



"The changes were sort of a litmus test to see if the dramatic elements added to the show were okay or alienating the audience."

And, while they don't want to lose what made the show fun from the start, Roday says it's good to take a breath once in a while so Gus and Shawn's antics don't start turning viewers away.



But is the show chucking away all the craziness for a more dramatic tone?

Roday says viewers shouldn't worry about it getting too serious. However, they'll continue to inject some more drama into the season because, as he says, "You just can't get away with guys in their thirties running around 100 percent of the time. You can get away with it 94 percent of the time."











Will Shawn's mother return this season?

While absent last season, Roday says there's a very good chance viewers will see Cybill Shepherd return to "Psych" as Shawn's mother.

Especially since the Yin Yang Killer storyline will be ending.











What's the status on Henry Spencer's new role with the police department?

At the end of last season, Shawn's dad took a position with the Santa Barbara Police as liaison between the department and its civilian divisions, including the Psych Detective Agency.

According to Roday, they're definitely running with that storyline throughout this season. "It's created a new energy and dynamic. We're seeing Henry in a different light."











What's the status on the Yin Yang Killer?

Roday says fans will see an end to the Yin Yang Killer arc this season since, according to him, it was supposed to be a three-parter.

"We were all pretty jazzed about the Yin Yang Trilogy because it was something new," said Roday. "We know what the audience suspects, but these things help us flex our muscles to keep in the game."




Roday admits that the Yin Yang episodes haven't featured the show's normal wacky and crazy antics.

"There's going to be that one week where everything is going to feel different; that the characters are thrust into situations they were never in before."

Despite the change in tone for those particular episodes, Roday says the cast members -- Dulé Hill, Maggie Lawson, Timothy Omundson, Kirsten Nelson and Corbin Bernsen -- have been looking forward to it all.





The biggest question is how the Yin Yang Killer story will end.

Roday admitted that the writers and creators threw the kitchen sink into the plot of last season's finale, so they really need to up their game for the last part of the arc.


And who is the Yin Yang Killer?

"Of all the storylines of the show, that's the one the producers keep close to the vest," said Roday. "There's a rumor, but the only person who knows is Steve, and he's not telling."











Will Shawn and Juliet get together?

"It's going to be a pretty big season for Juliet and Shawn," said Roday.


What's more important is Juliet's reaction to her abduction by the Yin Yang killer in last season's finale.

"There's some residual effect from Yin, but you won't necessarily feel it every episode," said Roday. "Juliet's emotions will bleed into the first episode and will probably resurface when Yin makes his or her return."











The evolution of Gus

While he hasn't gotten some of the best storylines, Dulé Hill's role of Burton "Gus" Guster continues to evolve.

"From beginning to end, it's been one of the most consistent character arcs we've ever had," said Roday. "Look at him in the pilot and now: It's two different guys! For me, anyway."




"We're always looking for ways to shine a light on things we don't know about Gus," said Roday, who provides the example of the 'High Top Fade Out' episode from last season, in which Shawn discovers Gus was part of an a cappella group back in college.

"Watching Gus grow up has been a delight, both as an actor and a fan of the show."











Will there be a Christmas episode this season?

After taking a break last season, Roday says there will be a Christmas-themed episode come the holiday season, which will pay a bit of a homage to It's A Wonderful Life.











Where do all the '80s pop references come from?

"Between myself and Steve, we have the '80s covered pretty well," said Roday, with Steve throwing out references Roday will know, while Roday passes along information on cult and horror stuff.

"That's one of the things people love about the show," said Roday. "People have bonded with the fact that the characters remember things that fans remember."











Will Young Shawn still be part of the opening sequences?

Most of the opening sequences of "Psych" have featured flashbacks of Young Shawn (played by Liam James) getting caught doing something by, or learning a lesson from, Henry, which had some kind of connection to the rest of the episode.

Unfortunately, those days may be ending.



"Young Liam has finally hit puberty, hit a little growth spurt, and we have to roll with that," said Roday. So they may need to move to rebellious, high-school Shawn for the opening sequences.

"Frankly, we're running out of Young Shawn ideas," admitted Roday, "and it would be interesting to show where the relationship broke down with his father and why they broke down."

http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/07/14/ja...h-season-five/