Psych is turning 20 years old today, which means it’s time to bust out a pineapple and celebrate. The show, which aired on the USA Network during its Blue Sky era from 2006-2014, follows the highly observant Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez), who poses as a psychic to use his perception abilities to solve crime with the Santa Barbara Police Department. Joining him are his best friend Gus (Dulé Hill), dad Henry (Corbin Bernsen), detectives Carlton “Lassie” Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) and Juliet O’Hara (Maggie Lawson), and SBPD Chief Karen Vick (Kirsten Nelson). One of Psych’s strengths was its ability to tow the line between humor and drama. While most case-of-the-week procedurals are quite serious, Psych embraced its silliness, which makes it so rewatchable. While there are a lot more shows that use the psychic-detective trope (looking at you, The Mentalist), Psych stands out from the pack with its endless pop culture references, sunny Santa Barbara setting (even though it was filmed in Canada), and close chemistry between its cast. To celebrate its anniversary, I have named my top ten favorite episodes below in chronological order.
- “Spellingg Bee” – Season 1, Episode 2
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The first great episode of Psych comes early in the series. Shawn investigates the death of a spelling bee master, which leads to the second greatest reading of the word “Banana” in the 2000s after Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl.” This episode also introduces Juliet, Shawn’s romantic interest and Lassie’s new police partner. Other things worth mentioning in this episode include Gus’ grudge against Shawn for ruining his chance at spelling bee glory decades ago, and Shawn’s dad attempting to teach him responsibility by making him finish a doghouse he started in his youth. Psych‘s world-building always revealed fun and surprising facts about Shawn & Co. which in turn led to character development over the course of the series.
- “American Duos” – Season 2, Episode 1
Shawn and Gus go undercover on an American Idol-like show to protect one of the judges, Simon Cowell stand-in Nigel St. Nigel (Tim Curry), from murderous attempts on his life. Everything about this episode is spot-on, from the Paula Abdul-like Emilina Saffron (a pitch perfect Gina Gershon), to Shawn and Gus’ disastrous audition to their final performance of Tears for Fears’ “Shout.” I would watch this over American Idol any day (and I’m honestly shocked no one has tried this premise for a reality TV show before).
- “Lassie Did a Bad Bad Thing” – Season 3, Episode 11
Though the episode title implies Lassie did a bad (bad) thing, we all know he would never commit a murder–which is why this episode sees Shawn and Gus try to prove his innocence after a power outage makes Detective Lassiter look like a cold-blooded killer. This episode is full of random little details which makes it funnier, such as a man named Kenny Loggins in the holding cell (not to be confused with the actual “Danger Zone” hit-maker Kenny Loggins). The end increases the stakes when Shawn gets knocked out and taken hostage by the actual murderer. But of course, Lassie does a good (good) thing and saves the day.
- “Shawn Takes a Shot in the Dark” – Season 4, Episode 9
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Psych didn’t often foray completely into drama, but when it did, it went all-in. This episode sees Shawn’s life in danger after a case goes wrong and he gets shot in the shoulder. Leaving clues for Gus, his dad and detectives to unravel (“Trunk yelrfx ocone pol peac sig” is quite the riddle), they work to rescue him before it’s too late. Of course, this being Psych, there’s plenty of comic relief, such as Shawn babbling to his captors, as well as a final Fast and Furious-style car chase that leads to his rescue. One of the highlights of the entire show.
- “Mr. Yin Presents…” – Season 4, Episode 16
Season four of Psych really went all-in on the drama! This episode, which is the highlight of the three-part arc chronicling serial killer Yang (an eerie Ally Sheedy), sees Shawn being tormented when both his girlfriend Abigail (Rachel Leigh Cook) and friend/detective/obvious romantic interest Juliet’s lives are in danger. The fear and panic on everyone’s faces feels real; Juliet would deal with the emotional aftermath in future episodes, adding an extra layer of importance to this story. The episode also serves as an homage to Hitchcock movies with nods to Psycho, North by Northwest and Vertigo.
- “Dual Spires” – Season 5, Episode 12
James Roday Rodriguez is a huge fan of the cult show Twin Peaks, and this installment of Psych, which also serves as the show’s 100th episode, serves as a love letter to fans of both Twin Peaks and Psych alike. Directed by future Marvel helmer Matt Shakman and written by Roday Rodriguez, the episode follows Shawn and Gus as they travel to a quirky town named Dual Spires and investigate the death of a young woman. Even for those who haven’t seen Twin Peaks, the episode is enhanced by the spooky-yet-intriguing story, and you can tell how much effort went into making such a strong 100th installment. With so much love and care put into the show, it’s no wonder it’s still beloved years later.
- “We’d Like to Thank the Academy” – Season 5, Episode 13
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The Karate Kid is one of my favorite movies of all time (and Cobra Kai one of my favorite shows), so you can imagine my delight at THE Karate Kid himself Ralph Macchio guest-starring on Psych. When Shawn and Gus are sent to official police training (honestly, what took them so long??), Macchio’s Nick must give them the skills they need to not do anything illegal or dangerous on the job. The training montage is a highlight, as is the climactic action scene set at a grocery store. I could wax on about this episode, but I think I’ll just leave it there.
- “Last Night Gus” – Season 6, Episode 2
If it isn’t obvious yet, Psych loved doing homages to other TV shows and movies. This time, it’s The Hangover. When Shawn, Gus, Lassie and Woody (Kurt Fuller) wake up with no memory of the night before and a dead body that points to them as suspects, they have to figure out real quick who the real culprit of the murder is. The scene in the morgue is a standout, as is everyone trying to figure out what the heck they were up to the night before. Shawn trying to figure out what he drunk-dialed Juliet about adds another layer of intrigue. And never forget the hilariously bad CGI explosion. Maybe Psych didn’t have the budget for visual effects, but the laughs in this episode alone more than make up for it.
- “Shawn, Interrupted” – Season 6, Episode 6
Only Psych could catch a killer to a Kenny G album. Shawn goes undercover at a mental institution to catch a murderer Lassiter investigated, and it goes as well as you’d expect. Shawn is always hilarious undercover (“I’m Shawn. This is my associate MC Clap Your Handz”), but this is one of my favorites due to both the silliness and seriousness of it–Psych is often at its best when it combines the two. The episode also features another Breakfast Club alum with Molly Ringwald guest starring (aka Archie’s mom from Riverdale!) For some fun trivia, in addition to Ringwald and Sheedy, Judd Nelson and Anthony Michael Hall also guested on Psych, leaving Emilio Estevez as the only main cast member of the movie to not be on the show.
- “Office Space” – Season 7, Episode 11
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Psych’s last truly great episode comes last into its seventh season. Similar to “Last Night Gus,” Shawn and Gus once again seem to be suspects of a murder when Gus’ boss winds up dead and Gus ends up accidentally tampering with the entire crime scene. Shawn too looks guilty when he tries to help Gus tidy the space and ends up tripping, getting a bloody nose and sneezing everywhere. The near-silent physical comedy as they both try to clean up the crime scene might just lead to the funniest five minutes in Psych history. At the heart of Psych is Shawn and Gus’ friendship, and “Office Space” highlights this perfectly.
Honorable Mentions
“Scary Sherry: Bianca’s Toast” – season 1, episode 15
“Sixty-Five Million Years Off” – season 2, episode 2
“Neil Simon’s Lover’s Retreat” – season 6, episode 9
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