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ship_manifestoTitle: The Thin Line Between Love and Hate - The Shawn/Lassiter manifesto
Author: Theresa![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
elphaba_thropp
Email: prettyfloralbonnet@gmail.com
Fandom: Psych
Spoilers: Up to 1.12 Cloudy...Chance of Murder. If you haven’t watched them, and don’t like being spoiled…DON’T READ THIS. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Notes: No one I know is into this fandom, so it hasn't been read over. Please tell me if I screwed anything up.
Special Thanks:gabriellemb for letting me use all of her screencaps.
The Show
Psych is an hour-long comedy series that airs Friday nights at 10pm on the USA Network. It's about how Shawn Spencer, with help from his best friend Burton Guster (or Gus), pretends to be a psychic so he can solve crimes.
The Characters
Shawn Spencer is the main character in the show. He has an eidetic memory, which his father cultivated from a young age. His father wanted him to become a cop, but things became strained between him and Shawn (not helped by his divorce from Shawn's mother). Instead Shawn bounced around from job to job never settling down.
His only constant friend seems to be Gus. While Shawn is a very likeable guy, he doesn't seem to be able to make lasting connections with people. He also seems to always want to please them and usually lies to everyone, except Gus.
In the beginning Shawn used this skill to call in tips to the police after watching the news. Unfortunately, his tip on the electronic store robbery was too good, so Det. Lassiter believes that he is the accomplice. To avoid being arrested Shawn claims to be a psychic. The police, of course, don't believe him. Shawn, however, had made a few observations while waiting in the precinct. After being released, Interim Police Cheif Karen Vick offers Shawn a job as an "outside consultant". This gives Shawn the idea to open up his private detective agency (with Gus of course) aptly named Psych.
Det. Carlton Lassiter is a ten year vet to the Santa Barbara Police department. He is the youngest person to become a head detective and he is very proud of all he has achieved on the force.
Lassiter's personal life isn't going as well as his professional. He and his wife have been separated for five months at the beginning of the series. On their anniversary he tries to send hummels as a present. She sends them back to Lassiter with a note reading, "Carlton, Separate means apart." He then brings them down to the shooting range and destroys them.
He was involved with his partner (as of the pilot episode) Det. Lucinda Barry. They have tried to keep it quiet because she thinks that he is "barely seperated" from his wife and she doesn't want people to think she's "climbing the ladder the hard way". Shawn discovers their affair after witnessing Lassiter subtlety stroking her hair during his interrigation. Soon after, Lucinda is transferred. The excuse used is that she wanted to be closer to her mother, who was recovering from an industrial accident. The affair did not continue.
Lassiter is a work-a-holic and a perfectionist. He wants everything done his way. He will voice his opinion, loudly, to anyone in earshot even if that person happens to be Cheif Vick.
He is also very smart. Besides Shawn, he is the best investigator on the show. He doesn't deal well with people who aren't as smart as he is.
Why I ship Shawn/Lassiter
Part 1: The Silliness
Shawn likes to get under Det. Lassiter's nerves. He does this in a variety of funny yet oddly flirty ways. For example, Shawn has taken to calling him, Lassi, Carly and Lassi-face.
Other examples of the silly nature of the Shawn and Lassiter relationship come in the form of Shawn's "visions":
As you can see this involves a lot of face touching. And may I note, that Lassiter doesn't seem to pull away at the obvious intrusion of personal space.
And anyone who has actually watched the show remembers the "Dazzle and stretch" incident. For those who don't know. Shawn has realized that a victim, who was an apiring actress, had just gotten her big break. This means that the police were wrong in calling it a suicide. To get his point across, Shawn "channels" the spirit of the girl. Lassiter sees the commotion in the chief's office and sits down to watch. Shawn then decides that Lassi makes a comfy chair. Again, Lassiter doesn't hurt him.
If you can't read it, the letter says:
"To Lassy: On the alpine highway of life... You are my all weather tires. H & K's, Shawn."
Yes, he was telling the police about the tire tracks at the scene of the crime, but it was adorable anyway.
Part 2:The Fights
I think the name says it all.
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
Part 3: The Oddly Touching
I think one of the episodes that featured many touching moments in Shawn and Lassiter's relationship had to be "From the Earth to the Starbucks". In this episode, we see a very drunk Lassi airing out his grievances to Shawn. But despite all the badness, he still turns to Shawn and tells him that he "astounds" him.
Next Shawn takes it upon himself to solve the case that has Lassiter so depressed, but he wants to make Lassiter think he solved it without Shawn's aid. He tells Juliet that he just wants to get him, "back on his feet."
After the case is solved and Lassiter gets the credit he takes Shawn aside to ask him what was said at the bar that night, since he can't remember. Shawn tried to make him feel better by saying his wife wants him back. Lassiter knows that he didn't say that, so Shawn says he sensed it. Lassiter responds by saying, "You didn't sense it either, but thanks for trying to help." This is when Shawn says the words back to Lassiter, "Detective, you astound me."
For someone who couldn't wait to cuff him earlier in the season, I think this episode shows the growth of their relationship. Lassiter may not believe he's a psychic, but now he knows that Shawn is a good guy and he seems to count him as a friend.
The other episode that seemed to have many touching moments was "Cloudy...Chance of Murder". Shawn and Gus manage to get themselves hired as consultants for the defense in a homicide trial. Who happens to be the arresting officer...Det. Lassiter, of course. Instead of putdowns and threats, he seems to be encouraging Shawn to figure this case out. He also backs up his validity as an investegator with the judge.
"Lassiter: Absolutely.
Shawn: Did he just say absolutely with a little half-smile? I'd like that printed out, please. I'm thinking of shellacking it on a nice piece of maple. Maybe a little découpage!"
Trying to get the familiar snarky relationship back with Lassiter, Shawn tries dissing the weatherman (the victim) when he runs into Lassi and Juliet on the courthouse steps. Lassiter only says that he has better things to do. Shawn glibly asks, "Dinner with your cat?" Lassiter only grabs his shoulder than asks Juliet if she's coming before walking away. Juliet tells Shawn that he's missing something right in front of his face and it's sad. Shawn again gets confused.
Lastly, Shawn has been complaining the entire episode about his motorcyle being impounded. He doesn't have the money to pay for the many tickets he's recieved, so he figures the best way to get it back is the police auction. After his father and the defense attorney both offer to pay for the bike, Officer McNab tells Shawn that it's been taken care of internally. Shawn doesn't understand what that means until Lassiter walks out of the auction room.
In conclusion
Let's face it, both Shawn and Lassiter are screwed up in the head. Shawn has issues with his father, who drilled the memory and reasoning skills upon him. Lassiter has issues with his ex and with people in general. They both can't let things go. But I think they can help each other. Shawn can help Lassiter relax and let things go once in a while so he can finally have fun. Lassiter can help Shawn by being someone who will take control once and a while and take care of Shawn for once.
Fandom Recommendations:
http://psych.usanetwork.com/ The official Psych site with episode info and character blogs.
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
psych_slash for all your slashy needs
shawn_lassiter for a more specific Shawn/Lassiter fan
get off my lap! (or: slashing psych omg) The best Psych picspam ever. Also, where I found my screencaps. bygabriellemb
Fanfic Recommendations:
Multiple Times byauntie_climatic Warning rated R!
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
House Guest bybunnygrl4313
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5
Naked Man Quota bycandyflossrain Warning rated R!
Connection byrustys_head
Varying Degrees of Con-Artistry (Or: Six things no one knew about Shawn Spencer, and one thing he didn't know about himself) bylucia_tanaka
Prolonged Exposure bylucia_tanaka
A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two That Don't Know How To Forge Documents byhail_d
Author: Theresa
elphaba_throppEmail: prettyfloralbonnet@gmail.com
Fandom: Psych
Spoilers: Up to 1.12 Cloudy...Chance of Murder. If you haven’t watched them, and don’t like being spoiled…DON’T READ THIS. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Notes: No one I know is into this fandom, so it hasn't been read over. Please tell me if I screwed anything up.
Special Thanks:
gabriellemb for letting me use all of her screencaps.The Show
Psych is an hour-long comedy series that airs Friday nights at 10pm on the USA Network. It's about how Shawn Spencer, with help from his best friend Burton Guster (or Gus), pretends to be a psychic so he can solve crimes.
The Characters
Shawn Spencer is the main character in the show. He has an eidetic memory, which his father cultivated from a young age. His father wanted him to become a cop, but things became strained between him and Shawn (not helped by his divorce from Shawn's mother). Instead Shawn bounced around from job to job never settling down.
His only constant friend seems to be Gus. While Shawn is a very likeable guy, he doesn't seem to be able to make lasting connections with people. He also seems to always want to please them and usually lies to everyone, except Gus.
In the beginning Shawn used this skill to call in tips to the police after watching the news. Unfortunately, his tip on the electronic store robbery was too good, so Det. Lassiter believes that he is the accomplice. To avoid being arrested Shawn claims to be a psychic. The police, of course, don't believe him. Shawn, however, had made a few observations while waiting in the precinct. After being released, Interim Police Cheif Karen Vick offers Shawn a job as an "outside consultant". This gives Shawn the idea to open up his private detective agency (with Gus of course) aptly named Psych.
Det. Carlton Lassiter is a ten year vet to the Santa Barbara Police department. He is the youngest person to become a head detective and he is very proud of all he has achieved on the force.
Lassiter's personal life isn't going as well as his professional. He and his wife have been separated for five months at the beginning of the series. On their anniversary he tries to send hummels as a present. She sends them back to Lassiter with a note reading, "Carlton, Separate means apart." He then brings them down to the shooting range and destroys them.
He was involved with his partner (as of the pilot episode) Det. Lucinda Barry. They have tried to keep it quiet because she thinks that he is "barely seperated" from his wife and she doesn't want people to think she's "climbing the ladder the hard way". Shawn discovers their affair after witnessing Lassiter subtlety stroking her hair during his interrigation. Soon after, Lucinda is transferred. The excuse used is that she wanted to be closer to her mother, who was recovering from an industrial accident. The affair did not continue.
Lassiter is a work-a-holic and a perfectionist. He wants everything done his way. He will voice his opinion, loudly, to anyone in earshot even if that person happens to be Cheif Vick.
He is also very smart. Besides Shawn, he is the best investigator on the show. He doesn't deal well with people who aren't as smart as he is.
Why I ship Shawn/Lassiter
Part 1: The Silliness
Shawn likes to get under Det. Lassiter's nerves. He does this in a variety of funny yet oddly flirty ways. For example, Shawn has taken to calling him, Lassi, Carly and Lassi-face.
Other examples of the silly nature of the Shawn and Lassiter relationship come in the form of Shawn's "visions":
As you can see this involves a lot of face touching. And may I note, that Lassiter doesn't seem to pull away at the obvious intrusion of personal space.
And anyone who has actually watched the show remembers the "Dazzle and stretch" incident. For those who don't know. Shawn has realized that a victim, who was an apiring actress, had just gotten her big break. This means that the police were wrong in calling it a suicide. To get his point across, Shawn "channels" the spirit of the girl. Lassiter sees the commotion in the chief's office and sits down to watch. Shawn then decides that Lassi makes a comfy chair. Again, Lassiter doesn't hurt him.
If you can't read it, the letter says:
"To Lassy: On the alpine highway of life... You are my all weather tires. H & K's, Shawn."
Yes, he was telling the police about the tire tracks at the scene of the crime, but it was adorable anyway.
Part 2:The Fights
I think the name says it all.
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
Part 3: The Oddly Touching
I think one of the episodes that featured many touching moments in Shawn and Lassiter's relationship had to be "From the Earth to the Starbucks". In this episode, we see a very drunk Lassi airing out his grievances to Shawn. But despite all the badness, he still turns to Shawn and tells him that he "astounds" him.
Next Shawn takes it upon himself to solve the case that has Lassiter so depressed, but he wants to make Lassiter think he solved it without Shawn's aid. He tells Juliet that he just wants to get him, "back on his feet."
After the case is solved and Lassiter gets the credit he takes Shawn aside to ask him what was said at the bar that night, since he can't remember. Shawn tried to make him feel better by saying his wife wants him back. Lassiter knows that he didn't say that, so Shawn says he sensed it. Lassiter responds by saying, "You didn't sense it either, but thanks for trying to help." This is when Shawn says the words back to Lassiter, "Detective, you astound me."
For someone who couldn't wait to cuff him earlier in the season, I think this episode shows the growth of their relationship. Lassiter may not believe he's a psychic, but now he knows that Shawn is a good guy and he seems to count him as a friend.
The other episode that seemed to have many touching moments was "Cloudy...Chance of Murder". Shawn and Gus manage to get themselves hired as consultants for the defense in a homicide trial. Who happens to be the arresting officer...Det. Lassiter, of course. Instead of putdowns and threats, he seems to be encouraging Shawn to figure this case out. He also backs up his validity as an investegator with the judge.
"Lassiter: Absolutely.
Shawn: Did he just say absolutely with a little half-smile? I'd like that printed out, please. I'm thinking of shellacking it on a nice piece of maple. Maybe a little découpage!"
Trying to get the familiar snarky relationship back with Lassiter, Shawn tries dissing the weatherman (the victim) when he runs into Lassi and Juliet on the courthouse steps. Lassiter only says that he has better things to do. Shawn glibly asks, "Dinner with your cat?" Lassiter only grabs his shoulder than asks Juliet if she's coming before walking away. Juliet tells Shawn that he's missing something right in front of his face and it's sad. Shawn again gets confused.
Lastly, Shawn has been complaining the entire episode about his motorcyle being impounded. He doesn't have the money to pay for the many tickets he's recieved, so he figures the best way to get it back is the police auction. After his father and the defense attorney both offer to pay for the bike, Officer McNab tells Shawn that it's been taken care of internally. Shawn doesn't understand what that means until Lassiter walks out of the auction room.
In conclusion
Let's face it, both Shawn and Lassiter are screwed up in the head. Shawn has issues with his father, who drilled the memory and reasoning skills upon him. Lassiter has issues with his ex and with people in general. They both can't let things go. But I think they can help each other. Shawn can help Lassiter relax and let things go once in a while so he can finally have fun. Lassiter can help Shawn by being someone who will take control once and a while and take care of Shawn for once.
Fandom Recommendations:
http://psych.usanetwork.com/ The official Psych site with episode info and character blogs.
psych_slash for all your slashy needsshawn_lassiter for a more specific Shawn/Lassiter fanget off my lap! (or: slashing psych omg) The best Psych picspam ever. Also, where I found my screencaps. by
gabriellembFanfic Recommendations:
Multiple Times by
auntie_climatic Warning rated R!part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
House Guest by
bunnygrl4313part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5
Naked Man Quota by
candyflossrain Warning rated R!Connection by
rustys_headVarying Degrees of Con-Artistry (Or: Six things no one knew about Shawn Spencer, and one thing he didn't know about himself) by
lucia_tanakaProlonged Exposure by
lucia_tanakaA Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two That Don't Know How To Forge Documents by
hail_d
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 07:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 08:03 am (UTC)I really recommend the show. There's going to be a marathon on the Sci Fi channel on Wednesday if you can check it out. I'm not sure on the times though. =0)
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 08:12 am (UTC)Yay! You like NCIS! Haha.
At any rate, I will see what I can do. I probably won't have a lot of time to watch it then, but I'll try to check it out at some point.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 08:20 am (UTC)Also, NCIS is awesome. Gotta love it.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 07:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 07:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-14 02:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 08:07 am (UTC)Secondly, I think you didn't quite mean what you posted when you wrote, His father wanted to be a cop, but things became strained between him and Shawn
Maybe his father wanted him to be a cop? Or detective really.
But other than that, excellent anaysis! :)
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 08:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 08:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 10:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 08:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 08:26 am (UTC)Also, thank you for writing a wonderful fic!
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 09:50 am (UTC)I did notice a few typos in this sentence: He and his wife have been seperated for fiive months at the beginnig of the series. Should be: He and his wife have been separated for five months at the beginning of the series.
Also, on the note Lassiter's ex-wife sent back with the non-Hummel figurines-- She sends them back to Lassiter with a note reading, "Seperated means seperate!" --I believe that the letter read was, "Carlton, Separate means apart."
Hope that helps. :) Again, terrific job.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 06:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-14 08:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 10:08 am (UTC)failedtaken my psych (HAHA I DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE THAT!) exam.no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 06:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 01:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 06:12 pm (UTC)You know it's so unfair that at school they actually want you to show up to class and do the work. =0P
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 06:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 06:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 01:36 pm (UTC)Well. He lies to Gus, too.
Lovely manifesto. XD They really are too touchy for words.
Hey! Now we need to get people to put up Shawn/Juliet and Shawn/Gus and Lassiter/Juliet and maybe a Lassiter/Gus manifesto for free month! Then we'll have them all covered!no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 06:16 pm (UTC)And I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Hopefully some others will do the other pairings soon, even if it's not part of the free month.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 02:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 06:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 04:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 06:19 pm (UTC)I'm glad you enjoyed it.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 08:01 pm (UTC)The show has also been really nice to S/L lately :D Heck, to the extent that it creeps me out. I get all nervous and confused when Lassiter is so nice and understanding.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 10:01 pm (UTC)And I'm confused with all the Lassi niceness as well. Hopefully all will be explained soon. It is kind of creepy when he's nice.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 09:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-13 10:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-14 01:34 am (UTC)And fantastic by the way. You described their relationship and proved it PERFECTLY <3 Great job *adores*
no subject
Date: 2007-02-21 01:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-21 01:23 am (UTC)not that I have any personal experience in this or anything).Anywho, you picked some seriously adorable pics, and summarized the appeal very nicely. I think the love/hate title might be a little overstating the case (I think of it more as the thin line between love and superficial annoyance), but you definitely hit all the important points!
no subject
Date: 2007-04-21 08:07 pm (UTC)Nice manifesto!
Date: 2008-02-03 05:48 am (UTC)Nice manifesto.
Facts maybe to add? Lassie wife name is Victoria Parker and her father Irving Parker.
Isabelle
no subject
Date: 2008-02-09 06:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-14 06:52 pm (UTC)also, this is wonderful.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-10 07:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-11 02:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-23 08:58 am (UTC)