The year is 2007, my mother and brother are on a week-long trip going down the Colorado River and my grandma is taking care of me. The two of us have fun while we go shopping, go out to eat, and hang out at her house. She has the tv on, watching a show she has really been enjoying, so I watch along with her. In that moment I think I fell in love. The show was so funny, cast members were cute, it was perfect. It was Psych.
Psych in its essence is about a fake psychic detective who cons his way into working with the Santa Barbara Police Department to avoid getting in trouble. From there the tom foolery and shenanigans ensue as Shawn Spencer (James Roday) realizes he is a really good detective because of his keen observational skills. Even under the false pretense that he’s a psychic with his best friend from childhood, Burton Guster (Dulé Hill) at his side. It does help that his father used to be a detective, who helps him out from time to time. A feel-good show with compassion, comedy, who-dun-it’s, and cohesive story lines, this series is everything you could ask for. Hence why it is the greatest tv show ever (in my opinion but I’m obviously right).
Weird to think I started watching the show in its second season and grew up with it. Sobbing when it ended while I was still in high school, to laughing along to the movies that came out when I was in college. It’s arguably (I will not be arguing) the greatest show of all time. Thinking back, I think that was the catalyst for being a fan. I once wrote fan mail after scouring the internet for an address to send the letter to, although I never heard back. There’s something so special about a piece of media that makes you feel good and can laugh along to. I have seen every episode probably 30 times and I do own every season on DVD. So even if and when all digital media is taken away, at least I’ll still have Psych to get me by.
Diving into why it IS the greatest show ever:
The Writing
Created by Steve Franks, Psych has all the perfect elements needed for a comedy detective show. I’d argue it was ahead of its time, with episodes and mischief that still hold well in today’s world. Airing in its time alongside shows like Monk and The Mentalist, I’ll still say it holds itself as a strong competitor. Don’t even get me started on the attention to detail and care for the craft with amazing episode titles like: ‘Tuesday the 17th’, ‘Feet Don’t Kill Me Now’, ‘Meat is Murder but Murder is Also Murder’, ‘Scary Sherry: Bianca’s Toast’, and ‘Chivalry is Not Dead but Someone Is’. I still find myself inserting these into regular conversations because they make me giggle.
I also love how Psych pays homage to movies and music of their time and incorporating it into the season. I especially admire how they had actors from those shows or movies they loved to play roles in episodes. ‘Dual Spires’ is a perfect piece to pay respect to ‘Twin Peaks’ while also delivering an incredible story line in typical Psych fashion. My favorite thing they did was having almost everyone from the Breakfast Club be in an episode, sans Emilio Estevez (although he is mentioned in passing). And don’t even get me started on Curt Smith from Tears for Fears! I love his reoccurring pop ups sprinkled throughout the seasons and how they kept his spirit alive.
The ‘Will-They-Won’t-They’
I will always be a sucker for a good friends to lovers, will-they-won’t-they romantic trope. Psych plays this perfectly with its slow burn between Shawn Spencer (James Roday) and Juliet O’Hara (Maggie Lawson). Every interaction between the two feels so perfect for everyday life, nothing rushed, miscommunication, timing being off. It’s a perfect sub-plot that will keep you wanting and waiting for them to get together. Unless you’re not a fan of that, but keep that to yourself.
One of my favorite scenes comes from Season 2 Episode 9: ‘Bounty Hunters!’ where the tension reaches its peak and Shawn goes to talk to Juliet in the precinct, goes in for the kiss, and then she stops him in his tracks. Juliet asking “Shawn, what are you doing?” and he responds, “Nothing.” In which she replies “Really? Because if you’re doing what it looks like you’re doing it’s going to be one of those things we were just talking about.” And Shawn goes, “What’s that?” and Juliet says “A mistake.” And he says, “I agree but that’s clearly not what we are doing.” So, Juliet replies, “Okay. Really? Then what do you say that we are doing?” and he says “I call it: very close talking.” It gets me Every. Damn. Time. I also love how Shawn does have game. He’s funny, he’s witty. A bit immature at times but like any good character development gets better as time goes on.
The writers of this show were in their bag because this storyline was everything I ever could have asked for. I would say it’s also a bit akin to New Girl, my second favorite tv show. Sometimes I’ll rewatch Psych from beginning to end to watch Shawn and Jules fall in love and it absolutely tears me apart. Most people tell me I should watch Normal People or One Day but I am not emotionally strong enough to do that. I did google the plot so I know what happens but I cannot sit in agony waiting for two people who clearly like each other to come together, or to not even get together at all. Sometimes miscommunication can be too much and it annoys me to watch. One day (lmao) I’ll watch those shows, but for now I’ll enjoy Psych. It has the perfect amount of everything.
The Care for Male Friendship
Talk about a show that is full of love and happiness, I sincerely enjoy the portrayal of friendship between Shawn and Gus. Friends from childhood to adulthood, they are THE definition of best friends. I loved how in earlier seasons (1-5) the show would start out with flashbacks from Shawn’s childhood, with a good amount containing Gus. It usually led to the reason why Shawn was so good at being a fake psychic and how he got to where he was. You get a sense of a healthy relationship between men which I’m not so sure in today’s world is something that could be said. I entirely could be very wrong in saying that, but this show has such a kind and caring approach to friendship between male characters that is real, raw, and genuine.
The way Shawn introduces Gus while talking to people with ridiculous names, and Gus goes right along with it, is something I particularly love about the show. Given names for Gus such as: Sh’Dynasty, Chaz Bono, Control Alt Delete, and Felicia Fancybottom add to why this is the greatest tv show ever. Funny, witty, and clever it’s just something that is so stupid it’s perfect. It’s also very clear they both care about each other immensely, and they even have relatable best friend beef with each other like anyone with a best friend knows. I feel like in adulthood people are told and conditioned to not have friends, only partners, and I enjoy how this show goes against that. There is nothing wrong with having a best friend throughout your life and caring for someone else platonically. Romantic love is not the end all be all, you must know how to hold love platonically and know how to have friends. We are human beings who fundamentally crave community and the relationship between Shawn and Gus is not only refreshing to see but one that shows how beautiful human connection can be.
The writing, the will-they-won’t-they, and the care for male friendship is one of the many reasons why I believe (and I’m right) that Psych is the greatest tv show. Not to mention the friendships and relationships between other characters like Juliet and Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) that further prove my point. Psych is a funny, witty, real tv series that deserves all the praise and love. I know I’m not the only Psych-O out there, so to anyone reading who may not have watched the show, I hope you do and you enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy it, I am so very sorry for you. Currently I know all eight seasons of Psych are on Amazon Prime for free. To the writers and actors of Psych, I love you and thank you for being a part of something so special and for sharing your gifts to the world.