The recognition of some reveals fades over time, whereas others retain their loyal fan base and proceed gaining new viewers. Psych falls into the latter class. The premise follows the incorrigible Shawn Spencer, a person with eager observational abilities who opens up a personal detective company together with his greatest good friend, Burton “Gus” Guster, pretending he’s a psychic. They seek the advice of with the Santa Barbara Police Division, generally involving Shawn’s father, Henry, a retired police detective.
Psych episodes mix the comedy, drama, thriller, and procedural genres. It options sharp, fast-paced, and intelligent writing chock full of popular culture references. With eight seasons, three subsequent TV motion pictures, and extra in improvement, the 120 greatest Psych episodes showcase why it continues to be such a well-loved sequence.
1. “Mr. Yin Presents” (Season 4, Episode 16- 2010)
Though Psych episodes carry laughs greater than anything, when the present does drama, it does it beautifully. On this second installment of the “Yin/Yang” trilogy of episodes, the infamous serial killer, Yin, once more attracts Shawn and the SBPD into his tangled internet, using Alfred Hitchcock’s canon of movies. However this time, he forces Shawn to decide on between saving Juliet or his girlfriend Abigail. Crammed with pressure and emotion, the episode’s intelligent writing and distinctive performances elicit real tears and chills, with bits of its trademark type of comedy thrown in for good measure.
Just one query remains- which second stands out essentially the most? Would it not be Mary’s unhappy finish as he asks if there’s racquetball in heaven, Shawn and Henry rescuing Abigail, or Juliet breaking down in Lassiter’s arms? Whereas not the funniest episode, “Mr. Yin Presents” proves to be the best as a result of it demonstrates why Psych episodes stay beloved. They provide viewers a well-paced, inventive story delivered to life by characters the viewers cares for.
2. “Final Night time Gus” (Season 6, Episode 2- 2011)
Essentially the most outrageously hilarious episode of Psych takes inspiration from the film The Hangover and, for a lot of followers, surpasses it. The episode facilities on Shawn, Gus, Lassiter, Henry, and Woody waking up with large hangovers and hazy recollections of the night time earlier than. With a homicide to be solved, their recollections slowly emerge in one of many craziest episodes of tv to ever exist. “Final Night time Gus” makes followers snicker for the whole thing of the episode, with Dulé Hill’s comedic abilities particularly on full show.
3. “An Night With Mr. Yang” (Season 3, Episode 16- 2009)
The primary “Yin/Yang” episode shocked followers with one of many first overwhelmingly dramatic Psych episodes. The story sees the return of an notorious killer who emerges as a result of they imagine Shawn to be a worthy opponent of their twisted sport of riddles and clues.
Although the drama and worry intensify, particularly when viewers notice Shawn’s mom has been kidnapped (a chilling second), the comedy nonetheless abounds. Gus’s antics intimating Michaeli Jackson, and Mary’s one-liners about Ryan Reynolds utilizing ankle weights carry the laughs amongst the stress.
4. “Tuesday the seventeenth” (Season 3, Episode 15- 2009)
Psych’s homages to movies, particularly horror movies, grew to become the sequence’ trademark. They by no means disappoint with these entries. However “Tuesday the seventeenth” stands out above the remaining. Impressed by Friday the thirteenth, this episode sees Shawn and Gus reunite with a good friend from childhood, Jason, who’s reopening the camp all of them went to. However folks preserve disappearing, and one thing (or somebody) lurks within the shadows.
The methods this episode (penned by star James Roday Rodriguez and sequence creator Steve Franks) channels the Friday the thirteenth motion pictures astonishes followers. Nothing wanting extraordinary, “Tuesday the seventeenth” blends a scary, unnerving tone with a lot of comedy. In different phrases, it brilliantly accomplishes what Psych episodes do greatest.
5. “Lights, Digicam, Homicidio” (Season 2, Episode 13- 2008)
The best episode to rival “Final Night time Gus” in laughs could be “Lights, Digicam, Homicidio.” This one sees a Spanish cleaning soap opera star murdered on digital camera, however the man technically accountable claims he’s harmless. To research correctly, Shawn and Gus ingratiate themselves on set, with Shawn getting the position of “Chad” on the telenovela.
This episode shines due to its side-splitting laughs from begin to end. It’s additionally the primary notable time (apart from the primary Christmas episode) that filmmakers give the theme track a brand new spin, which occurs steadily all through the sequence. And the Spanish vocals completely set the tone for the episode to come back.
6. “Shawn Takes a Shot within the Darkish” (Season 4, Episode 9- 2009)
Shawn usually will get himself into scrapes, and this episode showcases one of the crucial harmful. Whereas investigating one crime alone, he stumbles upon a unique one and finally ends up shot and kidnapped. Using the talents taught to him by his father, the workforce races to seek out him with the clues he leaves behind.
“Shawn Takes a Shot within the Darkish” proves distinctive within the sequence with one the best contrasts of sunshine and darkish moments and the emotional realization of how a lot Shawn means to Juliet.
7. “American Duos” (Season 2, Episode 1- 2007)
Psych pays homage to musical competitors reveals like American Idol with this hilarious installment. The story sees the host of American Duos (a scene-stealing Tim Curry) terrified after a number of makes an attempt on his life. So, Shawn and Gus go undercover as contestants to assist within the investigation, leading to ridiculous antics that make viewers snicker to no finish.
Their audition to Aha’s “Tackle Me” and their last efficiency of “Shout” by Tears for Fears, dressed as Curt Smith and Michael Jackson, creates two of the sequence’ funniest and most memorable moments. Heaps of reward additionally goes to visitor star Gina Gershon, who offers viewers an exaggerated, riotous efficiency no fan will overlook.
8. “Heeeeere’s Lassie” (Season 6, Episode 11- 2012)
On this unnerving, darkly humorous episode, Lassiter strikes into a brand new constructing and begins seeing weird issues. Questioning whether or not he’s dreaming or hallucinating, he begins to query his sanity. Begrudgingly, he asks Shawn and Gus for assist however slowly turns into unhinged. Impressed by The Shining, the inventive allusions to the movie’s characters and imagery give viewers the suitable combine of snickers and chills.
9. “From the Earth to Starbucks” (Season 1, Episode 10- 2007)
Psych followers love “From the Earth to Starbucks” for quite a few causes. Shawn and Gus examine the homicide of a scientist at a planetarium, leading to a wholesome dose of hilarity. Standout moments embody Shawn’s ridiculous spiel for a present about constellations. Making issues up as he goes alongside, he rambles on concerning the “Olympic Rings, the Hammer of Jeff, and Monkey with Rash” and the galaxy that could be as “huge because the Indian Ocean.” Followers additionally keep in mind this installment as the start of Gus’s long-running tried pickup line, “You hear about Pluto? That’s tousled, proper?”
This early episode additionally reveals Lassiter in a weak state, admitting how a lot Shawn amazes him, shifting his character to one thing refreshingly deeper. As Shawn, Gus, and Juliet work to get him out of his hunch, viewers see the earliest moments of their heartwarming and hilarious teamwork that make Psych episodes distinctive.
10. “Workplace House” (Season 7, Episode 11- 2013)
The methods Shawn and Gus spiral uncontrolled in “Workplace House” places this entry in a category of its personal. The episode sees Gus uncover his boss at his pharmaceutical firm useless in his workplace. When he by chance tampers with the crime scene to a ridiculous diploma, he calls Shawn for help, making it worse. These moments alone lead to raucous, “I can’t breathe” laughter. However the entirety of the episode delights, comparable to how the thriller unravels as the 2 pals scramble to cowl their tracks. Most importantly, “Workplace House” demonstrates the distinctive comedic chops of James Roday Rodriguez and Dulé Hill.
11. “100 Clues” (Season 7, Episode 5- 2013)
Followers of the film Clue adore this episode that pays homage to the comedic thriller film, right down to its visitor stars. The episode reunites Clue’s Christopher Lloyd, Leslie Ann Warren, and Martin Mull as friends at a rock star’s banquet. Shawn and Gus additionally attend, giddy on the considered a secret chocolate room and instrumental (together with Lassiter and Juliet) in fixing the inevitable homicide. Roday Rodriguez makes up for the dearth of Tim Curry with some spot-on references. Hilarious and endlessly intelligent, the actors give their all and create foolish, unforgettable shenanigans.
12. “Yang 3 in 2D” (Season 5, Episode 16- 2010)
The “Yin/Yang” trilogy ends spectacularly when a kidnapped lady escapes, and the workforce works to finish this reign of terror. Compelled to make use of Yang’s experience, Shawn and Gus fall prey to Yin’s traps. The episode showcases a few of the strongest reveals of the sequence and a genuinely touching scene between Shawn and Gus after they imagine it’s their last moments.
13. “Scary Sherry: Bianca’s Toast” (Season 1, Episode 15- 2007)
The tip of the primary season offers audiences the primary vital occasion of a tonally totally different episode. The story sees Juliet go undercover at a sorority home after a sister dies in a tragic accident. Shawn and Gus assume there may be a connection to the city legend of Scary Sherry that they keep in mind from childhood.
The primary episode written by Roday Rodriguez, “Scary Sherry” has the whole lot a Psych fan may ask for: Shawn and Gus hilariously getting scared (as they usually do), a narrative that unfolds to an thrilling climax, and hints of horror blended with comedy, one among Psych’s seminal attributes.
14. “The Best Journey within the Historical past of Fundamental Cable” (Season 3, Episode 4- 2008)
One among Psych’s most unimaginable adventures, this episode offers viewers silliness, fast-paced and witty one-liners, and a terrific visitor star in Steven Weber as Shawn’s charming con-artist uncle. With a treasure map and ruthless criminals on their tail, the characters hunt for pirate gold. This episode totally engages and entertains with enjoyable nods to Indiana Jones, shock twists, and intelligent humor galore. Most importantly, this episode proves how Shawn’s fast considering does greater than present witty comebacks when he outsmarts everybody.
15. “The Break-Up” (Season 8, Episode 10- 2014)
It’s a disgrace to not rank the Psych sequence finale greater, contemplating it ends the present on such a excessive word. The episode facilities on Shawn composing video goodbye messages as he prepares to affix Juliet in San Francisco. He finds Gus’s essentially the most troublesome as a result of he doesn’t wish to say goodbye to his greatest good friend.
“The Break-Up” works so brilliantly due to the variety of series-long payoffs, visitor appearances of Billy Zane and Val Kilmer, and bookends on relationships that depart the door open for more- which the filmmakers make good on. The standout moments really feel earned and make us snicker and cry, together with Lassiter breaking a disc earlier than Shawn can confess, Gus’s curler coaster of feelings, and Shawn proposing to Juliet, with Gus collaborating within the second.
16. “Twin Spires” (Season 5, Episode 12- 2010)
Psych channels Twin Peaks on this endlessly intelligent, appropriately bizarre, and memorable episode. The story follows Shawn and Gus, who head to the small city of Twin Spires for a cinnamon pageant. Unsurprisingly, a homicide happens, and the buddies can’t assist however get entangled.
Very like the unique sequence, everybody on this quirky city acts oddly, overdramatic, and has weird affectations. Twin Peaks followers will take pleasure in seeing actors Dana Ashbrook, Catherine E. Coulson, Sherilyn Fenn, Sheryl Lee, and Robyn Energetic, who all play caricatures of their former characters. “Twin Spires” offers Psych followers with one of many cleverest episodes and serves as a superb tribute to one of many tv’s most original reveals. Enjoyable truth: the writers use an anagram for the Twin Peaks character, Laura Palmer, for the title of the episode’s sufferer, Paula Merral.
17. “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, He Loves Me, Oops He’s Lifeless” (Season 1, Episode 11- 2007)
Pace courting offers the backdrop for this season one episode, the place the sequence actually begins to hit its stride and finds its comedic tone. When a person wakes up alone in a subject with out remembering how he bought there, Shawn and Gus hint it to a weekly speed-dating occasion. The thriller engages viewers as they uncover the culprits asking inquiries to steal identities. However essentially the most entertaining and funniest components of the episode lie within the smaller moments, particularly the hilariously dangerous “dates” with Lassiter and Gus and Shawn’s warp-speed wrap-up.
18. “Lassie Jerky” (Season 7, Episode 3- 2013)
Psych most definitely holds the file for film homages, however every brings one thing distinctive and enjoyable. “Lassie Jerky” takes inspiration from The Blair Witch Venture and sees Shawn and Gus workforce up with two beginner documentary filmmakers trying to find Large Foot. After they bump into a gap of our bodies, they name upon Juliet and Lassiter, whose nerves, endurance, and survival abilities develop into the episode’s highlights. With laughs aplenty, a narrative that goes in loopy instructions, and using handheld cameras akin to the 1999 movie, it’s one among Psych’s most creatively outlandish episodes.
19. “Homicide?…Anybody?…Anybody?…Bueller?” (Season 3, Episode 2- 2008)
Talking of intelligent and enjoyable film references, 80s movies, notably the movies of John Hughes, encourage this hilarious episode that facilities on Shawn and Gus’s highschool reunion. It’s primarily impressed by The Breakfast Membership, full with Shawn utilizing a photograph of Judd Nelson for his title tag and him humorously recreating the dance montage from the movie.
The story itself entails the 2 pals fixing the homicide of a classmate. However the pleasure of this installment lies with the intelligent 80s references, the notably witty rapport with Gus and Shawn (who check with themselves on this one as Milo and Otis), and the primary look of normal visitor star Rachel Leigh Prepare dinner.
20. “Extradition: British Columbia” (Season 4, Episode 1- 2009)
Cary Elwes proves why he’s Psych’s greatest recurring visitor star on this season 4 premiere. Shawn meets his match within the notorious artwork thief Pierre Desperaux (Elwes). Whereas in Canada, he and Gus get it into their heads that they’ll catch Desperaux. However he’s all the time one step forward of them and charms viewers within the course of.
The episode additionally options many humorous quips and moments, together with references to animated raccoons, Gus’s acrobatic abilities by “Canadian” lasers, and incredible use of Vancouver filming areas, particularly the attractive Capilano Suspension Bridge.
21. “Extradition II: The Precise Extradition Half” (Season 5, Episode 10- 2010)
Within the second episode with Pierre Desperaux, audiences once more see the legal repeatedly outwitting Shawn and Gus. He regularly breaks out and breaks again into jail, utilizing their automotive as a getaway. However after a homicide that Desperaux denies culpability in, they need to all work collectively to show his innocence. Elwes continues to attraction in a job tailor-made for him. On the identical time, Shawn’s giddy admiration of the legal makes for an entertaining watch.
22. “Gus Walks Right into a Financial institution” (Season 3, Episode 8- 2008)
Though the fundamental plot of “Gus Walks Right into a Financial institution” has been seen in quite a few reveals, Psych’s model brings essentially the most laughs. Within the episode, Gus will get caught in a hostage scenario, and Shawn finagles his means into the financial institution and the boldness of the perpetrator (Alan Ruck).
This entry’s quite a few laughs and interesting moments embody the ridiculous calls for Shawn suggests to Ruck, his jealousy over Juliet courting the hostage negotiator (Gary Cole), and Gus sweetly telling Shawn how a lot he cares about him.
23. “Spellingg Bee” (Season 1, Episode 2- 2006)
Solely the second episode of the sequence, “Spellingg Bee” takes the tone and rapport between Shawn and Gus arrange within the “Pilot” and solidifies that particular humor. Psych’s comedy primarily rests on Roday Rodriguez and Hill’s characters individually and their unmatched chemistry. This installment sees the pair look right into a dishonest scandal and homicide at a spelling bee competitors. It establishes Shawn’s exaggerated and hilarious “psychic visions” and the way Gus balances out his good friend and helps him resolve every case. This episode additionally introduces Juliet, who isn’t within the “Pilot,” as a predominant character.
24. “Not Even Shut…Encounters” (Season 5, Episode 3- 2010)
Psych followers will describe “Not So Shut Encounters” as enjoyable and playful. Within the episode, Shawn and Gus examine the disappearance of a person after his bus says aliens kidnapped him. They enlist their good friend from highschool, Dennis (Freddie Prinze Jr.), the best professional they know on the topic.
The writers amp up the silliness, a lot to the viewers’s delight. The funniest moments see Dennis, married to an exquisite lady, hiding his nerdy tendencies, just for her to confess her love for all issues geeky. Furthermore, in typical Shawn and Gus vogue, their interior childs come out after they don Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica paraphernalia, attempting to be conspicuous.
25. “Weekend Warriors” (Season 1, Episode 6- 2006)
The fascinating world of Civil Battle reenactments takes heart stage within the mild and goofy “Weekend Warriors.” After a person will get shot for actual throughout a reenactment, Shawn and Gus determine the one method to aspect within the investigation could be to affix within the “enjoyable.” It would not harm that Shawn takes a shine to the lady posing as a battlefield nurse.
This pastime might not be to everybody’s style, however it creates a surprisingly partaking backdrop for an episode. It’s amusing to see the primary characters in costume. Plus, the episode options a few of Shawn’s greatest one-liners, together with, “Truly, I’ve been promoted. It’s Captain Crunch,” and “faucet faucet, no takebacks.”
26. “Shawn (And Gus) Of the Lifeless” (Season 2, Episode 16- 2008)
On this playful nod to historical past and archaeology lovers, Shawn and Gus assume that the perpetrator in a homicide might be a mummy that’s risen from the useless. They keep in a single day to find the reality, leading to enjoyable twists and loads of the standard banter.
27. “Black and Tan: A Crime of Trend” (Season 2, Episode 15- 2008)
After a designer dies, Shawn and Gus pose as fashions to realize essential details about potential suspects. As ridiculous as that sounds, that’s exactly the purpose. Because the pair piece collectively all the data, Shawn and Gus faux their means by the modeling world to hilarious outcomes. Melanie Lynskey offers a terrific visitor star efficiency as a candy, soft-spoken, up-and-coming designer. Shawn additionally affords Gus spot-on, refreshing recommendation on how one can deal with ladies: “Deal with them like an individual, then a princess, then a Greek goddess, then an individual once more.”
28. “Santabarbaratown” (Season 6, Episode 16- 2012)
A bit extra somber than typical Psych episodes, this entry facilities on the resurgence of a decades-old case Henry and his fellow detectives investigated. Simply one other day in Santabarbaratown entails homicide, illicit affairs, betrayal, and life-changing secrets and techniques. The story has some sudden twists, however the final moments punch viewers within the intestine when Henry realizes his former colleagues’ guilt and will get shot. Even understanding he’ll get well, this second nonetheless elicits chills.
29. “There’s One thing About Mira” (Season 2, Episode 11- 2008)
This shocking installment options terrific character improvement for Gus and a incredible visitor star in Kerry Washington. The story sees Gus’s previous girlfriend he may by no means resist, Mira (Washington), contact him. Fearing it’s to reconcile, he and Shawn uncover she desires their assist discovering her fiancé, who’s disappeared. The enjoyable of this episode comes from seeing Gus’s backstory, new elements of his character, and Washington as somebody significantly totally different than her position in Scandal.
30. “Pilot” (Season 1, Episode 1- 2006)
Regardless of rating final, the primary episode of Psych nonetheless deserves a spot as a result of with out the distinctive premise and chemistry established between Shawn and Gus on this episode, the sequence little doubt wouldn’t have gone as far. These two create instantaneous comedic magic collectively and counter the strait-laced and pissed off detective Lassiter. Psych solely will get higher because the sequence progresses. But it surely begins with a hilarious and unforgettable impression that makes viewers wish to watch much more of their delightfully playful shenanigans.