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In these times of stress and staying at home, many people are re-watching some of their favorite shows. The quirky and hilarious detective show Psych, unfortunately, hasn’t been airing new episodes since 2014, but its previous 8 seasons can still provide hours of enjoyment. Whether you are a long-time fan or just beginning your journey as a Psycho, here are 10 of the funniest and most enjoyable episodes.
Season 1 Episode 6: “Weekend Warriors”
As far as great episodes of Psych go, this one has so much to love. While several episodes involve Shawn and often Gus dressing up to blend in, this is one of the few in which Juliet and Lassiter take part. While investigating a shooting during Lassiter’s Civil War reenactment, all four characters are dressed up in Civil War garb at one point or another. The frankly ridiculous facial hair Lassiter wears throughout the episode can’t help but elicit a grin from the audience.
Credit: “Weekend Warriors,” Psych, USA Network (2006).
If that isn’t enough, we also get Henry Spencer’s gruff but amusing parenting, Shawn’s flirting, and Gus in a gigantic feathered hat. Add in Shawn using tiny army men as a method of delivering his psychic information and this episode is sure to have you laughing from start to end.
Season 2 Episode 1: “American Duos”
Playing off of the show American Idol, “American Duos” has Shawn and Gus taking the stage to investigate the murder plot against one of the show’s hosts. He’s rude, hilariously judgmental, and just about everyone seems to have a reason for wanting him dead. Tune into dancing, costumes, and Lassie’s disastrous love life with this showstopping Psych season opener.
Season 2 Episode 3: “Psy Vs. Psy”
What happens when another psychic enters Shawn’s turf? Federal psychic Lindsay Leikin joins in on a counterfeiting investigation and gives Shawn a run for his money. With delightful back and forth banter and a race to prove who is the better psychic, this faceoff is one for the history books.
If the tension and humor between Shawn and Lindsay isn’t enough, Juliet’s infatuation with Special Agent Ewing also adds some great comedy to the episode. From daydreaming about his sports habits to ogling his shirtless chest, this is a Juliet we don’t often see, and it’s hilarious.
Season 2 Episode 13: “Lights, Camera… Homicidio“
Psych takes the drama to a whole new level in this episode about a Spanish soap opera star who was murdered on camera. In order to get to the bottom of the crime, Shawn breaks out his high school Spanish.
Credit:”Lights, Camera…Homicidio,” Psych, USA Network (2008).
In his role Shawn gets to act even more outlandishly than normal, and his flair for ridiculous antics makes him the perfect soap opera star. If soap opera dramatics, terrible Spanish, and television drama interest you in the slightest, then this is sure to be one of your favorites.
Season 3 Episode 4: “The Greatest Adventure In The History Of Basic Cable”
Part Goonies and part Indiana Jones, this episode of Psych is golden—literally. Shawn’s Uncle Jack returns to Santa Barbara in his hunt for pirate treasure, but he needs Shawn’s psychic abilities to decipher the map.
One of the great things about this episode is the timeline, shifting from the current moment to earlier events. Shawn’s storytelling and the interruptions of his father and Gus who try to set the story straight are a lot of fun. Furthermore, Uncle Jack’s flighty nature and tendency to include anyone and everyone in his hunt for gold is sure to tickle your funny bone.
Season 4 Episode 3: “High Noon-ish”
Strap on your spurs and grab your horse for this old west episode of Psych. The tourist town of Old Sanora is in danger of being shut down, so Lassiter enlists Shawn and Gus to help him save it. In this episode we get to see a glimpse at Lassie’s childhood which is both a little sad and also rather heartwarming. Also, we once again get to see Shawn and Gus dress up for their investigation when Shawn takes on the role of sheriff.
Season 5 Episode 2: “Feet Don’t Kill Me Now”
Things get a little mixed up in this episode as Gus finds himself working with Lassiter on a case without Shawn, leading Shawn to work with Juliet. This episode is great for a number of reasons, the first of which is an expansion of the dynamics between Lassie and Gus. It is fairly rare for Lassiter and Gus to work together on anything, but this — albeit short — moment of their partnership works surprisingly well. They aren’t a perfect team and eventually go back to their old partners, but Gus lets Lassie take charge without interruption, and Lassiter gives Gus’s insight the credit it deserves.
If that isn’t enough, there is also all the humor tied into Lassiter learning to tap dance as a coping mechanism and a way to relax. It’s great that they normalize him trying to listen to the advice of his therapist, and his tap dancing compared to that of more experienced Gus is pretty funny. All in all, it’s heartwarming and hilarious, and fans of Lassiter specifically should definitely check it out.
Season 6 Episode 2 “Last Night Gus”
Disoriented and wearing a shower cap and another man’s shoes, Shawn wakes up in the Psych office with no memory of how he got there or what he did the evening before. He is joined in his confusion by Gus, Lassiter, Woody, and his father. Together they must piece together what exactly they did the previous night and how the man they had spent time with ended up murdered.
Credit: “Last Night Gus,” Psych, USA Network (2011).
Some of the greatest hits from this Psych episode are when Woody and Lassie wake up snuggled on the couch together, Woody’s potential drug addiction, the BoBo incident, the secret of Henry’s missing pants, and, of course, what was going on with last night Gus.
Season 7 Episode 5 “100 Clues”
Based on the 1985 film Clue and the game by the same name, this marks the 100th episode of Psych. This special episode has so much excitement and is sure to bring a smile to your face, whether you’ve seen the movie or not. For one thing, several of the actors from the original Clue movie are featured once again in this episode. Also like the movie are the alternate endings to the episode.
Beyond its calls back to the source material, there are other things to enjoy about this episode. The relationship between Shawn and Juliet is going strong in this episode, and while Gus ends up being Shawn’s plus one, it is still adorable to see the two of them together. Also, having Gus there allows for some wonderful dancing and singing moments, like when they find out there may be a secret chocolate room in the house.
Psych The Musical
Speaking of singing and dancing, no list of Psych’s funniest or greatest episodes is complete without the absolutely marvelous Psych: The Musical. Told in storybook fashion — much like the beginning of the first Shrek movie — this is the story of a Jack the Ripper musical that burned down, with the assumed culprit on the loose after years in a mental institution. While that might seem a bit dark, the singing, dancing, and classic Psych humor make it a wonder to behold.
One of the best moments of the musical includes the return of Mary Lightly for a love song to the Ying Yang killer who also joins the cast for one last hurrah. The musical also features all the main cast, minus Henry Spencer, singing and dancing to original songs. Finally, the inclusion of Anthony Rapp (Rent) as Z truly makes it a golden and uplifting performance.
Worth Skipping
Now, with all these great episodes and so many more, you may want to binge the whole series. There are so many other fantastic episodes, from the ones featuring the Ying Yang killer to the sophisticated thief Pierre Despereaux.
The only episode it may be best to ignore for the time being is Season 4 Episode 13, “Death is in the Air.” Following the theft of a case of disease vials, Shawn and Gus must work to recover the vials before the contagion is released. While an interesting watch, given the current state of affairs, this episode is best saved for a later date.
Get Watching!
All of Psych is worth a watch, but in these times of heightened stress it can be good to focus on episodes that are filled to the brim with laughter and hilarity. With Shawn, Gus, Lassiter, Juliet, and the rest of the gang, you’re sure to feel good and have a great time!