I've always thought that Psych was too silly, too lax, and each episode too inconsequential on the grand scale. There's those out there that enjoy the and don't mind the way the show is. The writers have been hesitant to approach the show with nothing other than fun in mind, but the Season 3 finale, "An Evening With Mr. Yang," set a new standard for what the show could achieve. It was funny at times, dramatic at other times. The solid blend of action, drama, and comedy was what Psych should always be. The writers haven't--and probably never will--embraced this concept, but we should cherish those few episodes when such circumstances arise.
"Mr. Yin Presents" takes the drama already established in "Mr. Yang," and capitalizes on the dramatic possibility of the show, upping the ante to new heights. The episode, directed by James Roday, starts off with the typical humorous dialogue, but quickly descends into a Hitchcockian nightmare for Shawn and the police. There are references to Hitchcock films from Vertigo to North by Northwest. James Roday, with his best effort, attempts to emulate the style of Hitchcock in the later half of the episode and still keep the Psych vibe.
Mary, the creepy Yin Yang killer expert, is back and is first suspected of being Mr. Yin. The evidence is all there, but it's all been planted. Shawn is given the most difficult choice of the season--unrelated to food or clothing. He can either save Juliet or Abigail. Of course there's a better solution. With the help of the police, both can be saved. Shawn goes for Abigail, and the rest go to save Juliet. At first, it looks like a difficult choice, but Shawn is a loyal guy. He would save his girlfriend over the girl he pines over. Everyone is saved in the end, and it's a happy ending of sorts. Abigail breaks up with Shawn which allows Shawn and Juliet move forward. Mary is given the proper burial to his bizarre specifications
The episode ends with Mr. Yin looking at a picture of Mr. Yang and Shawn as a child. Looks like we'll have another good season finale next season. I know the tone of the show will never reach this level on a regular basis, but the writers and cast have proven several times they have the ability to bust out an amazing episode when they want. The whole cast was involved, the action there, the drama was intense, and the comedy still rang through the bleak prospects. Awesome episode!
Score: 9.5/10
