Top 10 Psych Episodes (According to IMDb)

The television show Psych ran for eight hilarious seasons and a movie, with another movie on its way. The show follows the quick-witted and hyper-observant, Shawn Spencer, act as a psychic so he can assist police investigations without being officially involved. His best friend, Burton (Gus) Guster, partners with him by helping with investigations, keeping Shawn in line, and keeping him company.

The show has several iconic and hilarious side characters that team up with Shawn and Gus, including the stubborn and gruff Carlton Lassiter and supportive Juliet O’Hara. Let’s revisit the top-rated episodes of this heartwarming and funny series!

10 “Heeeeere’s Lassie” S6 E11 (9.0)

While at a crime scene investigating a supposed suicide, Lassiter thinks he’s found a great new apartment as he inconsiderately bids for the apartment as he’s investigating. Soon after moving in, Lassiter begins to encounter paranormal and supernatural disturbances. He begrudgingly decides to hire Shawn and Gus to help him figure out what is going on and stop whatever is happening. It’s a fun and manic ride with a few references from The Shining thrown in (as the title of the episode suggests) and highlights Lassiter as a character.

9 “Office Space” S7 E11 (9.0)

For seven seasons Gus has been working two jobs, one as a pharmaceutical rep and one as a partner to Shawn’s psychic investigator. Finally, in this episode we see him choose the job with Shawn and quit the other job in spectacular fashion. Right after Gus quits, he discovers his boss has been killed and completely contaminates the crime scene. Frantically he calls Shawn to help, and best friend Shawn quickly comes to his aid, but hilariously contaminates the crime scene as well. The rest of the episode sees Shawn and Gus try to find the real murderer and keep the Santa Barbara Police Department from finding their fingerprints all over the scene and suspecting them.

8 “Lights, Camera…Homicidio” S2 E13 (9.1)

This episode follows Shawn and Gus as they investigate a murder on a popular Spanish soap opera (Telenovela) after being hired by one of the stars who claims his prop knife was switched for a real knife resulting in a co-star’s death.

Shawn is discovered on set and hired as an actor for the show. He hilariously begins to take the acting seriously and enjoys all of the fan attention he suddenly receives. It’s a fun romp of an episode with a lot of Shawn’s silliness characteristics shining through.

7 “Tuesday the 17th” S3 E15 (9.1)

This episode sees Shawn and Gus travel to the camp they went to as kids at the request of an old friend. Once they’re at the camp, the episode turns into an homage spoof of Friday the 13th (as the title of the episode suggests) complete with direct references with similar filming techniques to the films and a machete-wielding murderer. It’s an engaging and fun episode that, in iconic Psych fashion, doesn’t take itself too seriously. Definitely a fun episode if you’re a fan of classic horror movies.

6 “Shawn Takes a Shot in the Dark” S4 E9 (9.1)

While investigating Shawn witnesses another crime entirely and is taken hostage by the criminals involved. The episode follows Gus as he tries to find his best friend and convince the rest of the gang that something bad has happened to Shawn and they need to find him.

The episode also has a more serious tone as Shawn plays off of guest star Michael Rooker, who plays one of the criminals who take Shawn hostage. It shows a more serious and dramatic side of Shawn without losing any of his pattened comedic tone.

5 “An Evening with Mr. Yang” S3 E16 (9.4)

This episode introduces a serial killer who wreaked havoc in the 1990s and returns to challenge Shawn to a game of cat and mouse as he provokes Shawn to catch him. The episode has a serious tone, without sacrificing any hilarity, that’s not seen too often throughout the series and it’s a welcomed change of pace. It’s a wildly entertaining, engaging, and intense episode within the series and deserves its top 10 listing.

4 “Mr. Yin Presents” S4 E16 (9.4)

Like the previous entry, this episode continues the story of Mr. Yang by revealing them as the partner of Mr. Yin, a serial killer introduced at the end of Season 3 emerges at the end of Season 4. It’s a similar set up to the previous episode that worked so well and adds in a few new twists. Again it has a more serious and dangerous tone as Shawn is again pushed to his limits trying to defeat the theatrical and menacing serial killer.

3 “Dual Spires” S5 E12 (9.4)

In this episode, Shawn and Gus receive an anonymous message asking them to visit and help solve a small-town murder mystery. The episode starts out as a normal Psych episode but quickly evolves into an all-out homage to Twin Peaks once they enter the town of Dual Spires for the annual Cinnamon Festival.

It’s a fun and quirky episode in the series that sees Twin Peaks actors throughout the town. It’s enjoyable even if you’ve never seen Twin Peaks, but it is truly a delightful episode if you have!

2 “The Break-Up” S8 E10 (9.5)

The finale of the season and final episode of the entire series, aptly named “The Break-Up” sees the last of the cast of characters (until the movies come out) try to solve one final case together before they separate. The episode jumps back and forth between present events and Shawn narrating as he plans to break the news of him moving to be with Juliet to Lassiter, his father, and most importantly his best friend Gus. Shawn spends the episode trying to make sure he lets Gus down easy and that his best friend will be okay without him.

1 “Last Night Gus” S6 E2 (9.6)

The main characters Shawn and Gus, along with Lassiter and Woody, wake up without any memory of the night before. They realize throughout the episode that they had been involved in one of the current cases they’re investigating, so, a la The Hangover they begin to piece together what happened from various clues and retracing their steps as they attempt to solve the mystery while keeping their involvement a secret from the rest of the team. It’s a hilarious and fun entry in the series and deserves the number one spot!

About The Author