Best and Worst of Psych

[DittyDotDot]

Oh, I can't help but love a Woody-heavy episode!

 

9 Lives is probably the first episode that fully engaged me and sold me on the Gus/Shawn dynamic. The scene where Gus is in the back seat with his knees up to his chest while the boy cat is strapped in the front seat is iconic to me. 

 

There's just so many good episodes, it's really hard to pick. S2 and S6, were especially difficult for me. 

Edited September 25, 2015 by DittyDotDot

[amensisterfriend]

Oh, I can't help but love a Woody-heavy episode!

 

You know that's right... ;) 

 

9 Lives is probably the first episode that fully engaged me and sold me on the Gus/Shawn dynamic. The scene where Gus is in the back seat with his knees up to his chest while the boy cat is strapped in the front seat is iconic to me.

 

Don't they also have a really adorable final scene while eating bowls of cereal?

 

I always forget, Ditty---which seasons/episodes are your comparative least favorites?! 

[DittyDotDot]

This show is fairly even for me with regards to seasons--although S6 and S2 are somewhat standouts for me--and I can't think of any episodes I totally dislike. Hmm?

 

I'm not too fond of the Yang episodes as a whole, but can still find things I like in them. The football episode didn't do much for me, nor did the one where Shawn was choking on the baseball field, but don't hate them nor would I skip them. The Canadian episodes aren't favorites, but I do so love Macintosh and that they got to feature Vancouver as Vancouver...sorry, I'm not very good with this end of things.

Edited September 25, 2015 by DittyDotDot

[amensisterfriend]

The Despereaux episodes are usually not my favorites either, but I just love Cary Elwes so very much. And I'm with you on the Yang episodes generally deviating from what I happen to love about the show,  but then it's also really nice to see Shawn's serious side and I think James Roday does a great job with dramatic material, so those are compelling reasons to watch the Yang trilogy. There are definitely parts of episodes where Shawn's...Shawn-ness goes too over the top for me, and I also tend not to like the scenes that focus on romance, but I think I've come around to your view that nearly every single episode of this awesome show is worth rewatching to one degree or another, especially if I have my fast forward button nearby ;)    

 

.  

[amensisterfriend]

I tried to pick three least favorites from each season, since I realize saying "well, to one degree or another I love them all..." wasn't really an answer to my own question ;)

 

S1: Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace, Who Ya Gonna Call, and Shawn vs. the Red Phantom (Vick giving birth with the help of Lassiter is great, but I hate how Shawn is too just too cool for the 'geeks' here and obnoxious towards and about them---especially because, let's face it, it totally fits with his character to be a total geek over superheroes, comics etc. even if he'd be reluctant to admit it initially!) 

 

S2: There's Something About Mira (Whenever I gush about loving pretty much every single episode from S2, I mentally add "...except the Mira one." It's got some great moments, but Mira herself annoys the hell out of me, and I just can't buy 1) Gus drunkenly marrying some total stranger no matter how bizarre he tends to be about women and 2) never telling Shawn about it until then. I also have the unpopular opinion of being relatively 'meh' on Black and Tan---I don't think I care about the fashion industry enough to even enjoy a parody of it, and my beloved Gus bugs me in this one. I'll name Rock-a-Bye Baby as well, though the scene where people understandably think Shawn and Gus are in the park for the creepiest possible reason amuses me to the point where it makes the episode worth watching :)

 

S3: Ghosts---I don't like the mystery or Shawn's mom, so this was an easy pick; Christmas Joy (Easily one of my least favorites of the first four seasons); Disco Didn't Die (I should love this one, but somehow I don't!)

 

S4: Death is in the Air, Think Tank, The Head the Tail...can you tell I prefer the beginning and middle of S4 to the end?!

 

S5: One Maybe Two Ways Out, Extradition II: The Actual Extradition Part (both of these focused too much on the---IMO---chemistry-free, unnecessarily angst-laden Juliet/Shawn stuff; I just wanted them to get on with the inevitable pairing already!), Dead Bear Walking (or the Yang One...) 

 

S6: In for a Penny (retrconning Juliet as having this angsty childhood and difficult relationship with her dad didn't make her more interesting and just felt odd somehow), Shawn and the Real Girl, Santabarbaratown 

 

S7: Cirque Du Soul, Juliet Wears the Pantsuit, Santa Barbarian Candidate

 

S8: Remake A.K.A. Cloudy... With a Chance of Improvement (Arguably my least favorite episode...or at least the most unnecessary one!), Shawn and Gus Truck Things Up (S8 has only 10 episodes, so I'm allowing myself to pick just two here instead of the usual three!) 

[DittyDotDot]

Remake A.K.A. Cloudy... With a Chance of Improvement (Arguably my least favorite episode...or at least the most unnecessary one!) 

 

Aww. Maybe this should go in the unpopular opinions thread, but I actually sort of like this episode. I wouldn't say it's a particular favorite, but I thought it was a sort of creative way to do a clip show without doing an actual clip show. And, I enjoyed seeing some of the returnees. I figured it was their way of getting some actors back they'd always wanted to bring back but hadn't found the right opportunity.

 

I just can't seem to actually compile a list like this. I tried, but every time I'd think of one I wasn't totally fond of, I'd be remembered of something that I do love about it. I'm such a sucker. ;)

[amensisterfriend]

How about favorite Shawn/Gus scenes? Or is it too impossible to narrow that list down?!

[DittyDotDot]

Oh, that is a hard one. First thing to pop into my head is in the last Yin/Yang episode. This would be an episode I would skip, if it were not for the scene where Gus--thinking they were probably going to be dead soon--tells Shawn he's so grateful Shawn drug him into all this nonsense. He's play out all his childhood fantasies with his best friend, after all. I really like that one. 

[DittyDotDot]

So, I was watching Indiana Shawn and the Temple of the Kinda Crappy, Rusty Old Dagger, I realized this is the only Despereaux episode I really like. There's nothing particularly wrong with the others--well, maybe there's something wrong with the spy one--but somehow they don't feel like Psych episodes for some reason. I do really love MacIntosh, though, so wouldn't skip them. But this one, I really like it. I like the homage, I like the fake death and Shawn acting like a child at the funeral, but most of all I love Shawn and Gus in this episode. Granted, I love Shawn and Gus in most episodes, but it's many facets are on full display in this episode.

[amensisterfriend]

I've been rewatching some early episodes (yes...again!), and I'm happily surprised all over again by how much S1 has become a 'best' for me. I might even rank it as my second favorite season right now, behind only the consistently fabulous S2. The show just has such amazing energy in S1, making even the bits that don't work perfectly so weirdly fun to watch because everybody is just throwing themselves so gleefully into the roles, you know?! Shawn and Henry's relationship is arguably at its most layered and compelling in S1, and somehow Shawn's defiant immaturity makes more sense when considered in the context of their S1 dynamic. Slight chip-on-his-shoulder, something-to-prove Shawn is more interesting to me somehow than the more random, baseless silliness we get later on. (He's plenty silly here too, of course, but there's a sort of edge there---like someone who seems like he's warding off feelings of discontentment and uncertainty by acting the way he does, while later on his motivations for a lot of his ridiculousness seem to fall into "eh, just because I like to annoy people" territory) Not even Shawn's physical flailing during this season's "visions" bugs me much anymore...possibly because S1 James Roday is just so adorable looking and I can be very shallow :) Even the beginning S1 episodes work for me better than they seem to work for most, and I'd argue that the last few episodes of S1 are among the best of the whole series. And one other thing that sets S1 apart for me: Juliet is such an awesomely vibrant character for most of this season. She's competent and smart yet still allowed to be so amusingly goofy sometimes, funny and animated and passionate about fairly strange things rather than just being 'the one who's more polite than Lassie and more mature than Shawn' as she's often reduced to in later seasons. And she also looks especially stunning this season. (Did I mention that I'm shallow?!) 

[amensisterfriend]

...Okay, so now I'm on S5, and...when and how did I start loving this season?! It's got some that I would very happily skip, but it's also got a few that are among my favorites, or at least most rewatchable, of the series. Feet Don't Kill Me Now, Not Even Close Encounters, Viagra Falls, Ferry Tale, Dual Spires and even We'd Like to Thank the Academy (yes, I realize I'm alone in loving this episode!) are all wonderful IMO. While I'm among those who doesn't think there was much chemistry or anything too interesting about the Shawn/Jules relationship, I do appreciate that 1) they finally get together rather than the tiresome 'will they/won't they' stuff and 2) it does at least sometimes show the more serious, capable-of-deep-and-mature-feelings side of Shawn. This show just makes me so happy! 

[DittyDotDot]

So, I've been re-watching the show over the last couple months and finally made it to the end...I usually defend S8, but realized I had totally forgotten about a couple of the early episodes and how weirdly unengaging they were. I do hold the unpopular opinion of liking Remake: A.K.A Cloudy...with a chance of Improvement, Nightmare on State Street and Cog Blocked, though. However, Dule Hill just shines in S8, even in episodes I find rather meh. It's not like he didn't always come to play before, but for some reason he's stood out to me in S8. What he does in 1967: A Psych Odyssey...

 

I do have a question though: I'm confused about the musical episode. When I originally watched the show on Netflix, this episode is the last one for S7, but it's a special feature on the S8 disks. And, there's mentions of Juliette not knowing Shawn isn't psychic, but she learned that early in S7. So, where does this episode fit chronologically?

Edited February 6, 2016 by DittyDotDot

[bettername2come]

It was supposed to air during season 7, but got moved to between seasons for the actual airing. Mid season 7, I think?

[DittyDotDot]

Thanks, bettername2come, that helps. After I posted the question I listened to the commentary track and Steve Franks said it aired a year after they shot it, but didn't say exactly why. I got the impression it was maybe bigger than they expected and couldn't get it finished in time...or something like that.

[bettername2come]

I think it was just that they wanted to make it a two hour special so held it for the hiatus. It aired near Christmas, even though they make comments about it not being Christmas when Yang performs her song with a Christmas theme.

[snarktini]

One of my loves: How Gus nearly always plays along with whatever ridiculous story Shawn spins, even when he's annoyed. It sometimes strikes me as clever writing more than a clever character -- no amount of improv training in the world prepares you to follow that well -- but I always find it delightful. But where it does fit the character is that no matter how annoyed or reluctant Gus acts, he really does love that Shawn drags him into the crazy. He's all in.

 

Example: "This is my associate, MC Clap Yo Handz" and Gus chimes right in with a little clapping routine. "With a Z." http://www.yourepeat.com/watch/?v=16VrqUEdyTE

 

I'm absolutely terrible at lists because I rarely notice episode titles or what season I'm in. But I just rewatched the Anyone...Bueller episode, and it's one I love if only for Shawn's 80s references and the Breakfast Club dances on the roof. 

Edited February 18, 2016 by snarktini

[bettername2come]

One of my loves: How Gus nearly always plays along with whatever ridiculous story Shawn spins, even when he's annoyed. It sometimes strikes me as clever writing more than a clever character -- no amount of improv training in the world prepares you to follow that well -- but I always find it delightful. But where it does fit the character is that no matter how annoyed or reluctant Gus acts, he really does love that Shawn drags him into the crazy. He's all in.

 

Example: "This is my associate, MC Clap Yo Handz" and Gus chimes right in with a little clapping routine. "With a Z." http://www.yourepeat.com/watch/?v=16VrqUEdyTE

 

I love that one just because it's a reference to this song:

[amensisterfriend]

This isn't new, but it's new to me, and I thought some of you might enjoy it :) 

 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/madnessmultiplied/27-lessons-that-everyone-can-learn-from-psych-9ryi#.hhYepw21q

[amensisterfriend]

---I'd always been relatively unenthusiastic about S3, but I've grown really attached to it somehow! I love the way we see a slightly more mature, sympathetic Shawn this season and how he makes such believably touching progress in his relationship with Henry (though I still dislike Cybil Shepherd in the role of his mom! Are we even supposed to like her?! I find her cold, arrogant, etc) I love how Lassie softens a bit this season while still being so very Lassie and how we even learn a little bit more about the chief. (Her interactions with her sister remain my favorite Karen moments of the series!) Plus, Tuesday the 17th alone would make this season a winner---I love how it was still fun, energetic and funny in that Psych-ish way while being a genuinely engaging and at times borderline thrilling mystery.  

 

So it looks like S3 has to move closer to the very top of my list. There's now, like, a six-way tie :) 

[DittyDotDot]

I love how Lassie softens a bit this season while still being so very Lassie and how we even learn a little bit more about the chief. (Her interactions with her sister remain my favorite Karen moments of the series!) 

 

I do like the sister dynamic with Jane Lynch, but I think my favorite Chief moments are in Last Night Gus. She's just so very bewildered with everyone in that episode. I also have been trying to find an appropriate way to work in "Henry Spencer, where are your pants?!" into my lexicon. ;)

[snarktini]

Am in a rewatch -- the first time I've ever rewatched consecutively and intentionally -- and did S3 last month. I really, really loved it. Not sure where it stacks up against 1 and 2 but it's a serious contender! Couldn't tell you exactly what it was, but I found the tone and characterizations delightful. As soon as S4 started, something shifted and my interest dropped considerably. 

 

p.s. Last week a 23 y.o. colleague sent me a gif of Gus saying "Damn girl" and we found out we both adore Psych. With 20 years separating us, our culture references are so far apart, but this one we've bonded over. Awwww, thanks Psych.

[Jediknight]

I do like the sister dynamic with Jane Lynch, but I think my favorite Chief moments are in Last Night Gus. She's just so very bewildered with everyone in that episode. I also have been trying to find an appropriate way to work in "Henry Spencer, where are your pants?!" into my lexicon. ;)

"I'm not even going to bring up the destruction of Bobo the Doughnut Man,"

 

I love that episode, because of it you can say the sentence "Lassie shot the giant doughnut."  You can't say that about any other show.

[dkb]

How did I not know there was a Psych thread? This is my absolute favorite show ever. I have all the DVD's and am constantly trying to get other people to watch it.

 

Funny, sweet and the best friendship ever!

[twoods]

Saw American Duos after about 3 years and this episode still makes me laugh. All of it was great, from the guest stars to the Shout performance. Now I'm going to start binging on season 2 because I had forgotten how much I loved this show.

Saw American Duos after about 3 years and this episode still makes me laugh. All of it was great, from the guest stars to the Shout performance. Now I'm going to start binging on season 2 because I had forgotten how much I loved this show.

[DittyDotDot]

::snort::  I feel like I've been incarcerated in a blueberry. This car makes me want to weep and then die. ;)

 

So much silly fun in one little episode!

[dkb]

One episode that always comes to mind first when I think about Psych is Spellingg Bee. I don't know why but Shawn asking the kid to spell Banana always cracks me up, and all the expressions on Gus and the contestants faces are great.

 

I love watching that part on YouTube.

[DittyDotDot]

Can you use that in a sentence? ;)

[DeepPoet117]

"Banaaaana. A yellow fruit. Also a kind of pudding, a delicious pudding."

 

"Anna Banana would like to hear "Venus" by Bananarama. Banana."

 

I just love the way Shawn emphasizes banana before giving the definition.

[bettername2come]

I always love how the audience laughs at his sentence.

[twoods]

One episode that always comes to mind first when I think about Psych is Spellingg Bee. I don't know why but Shawn asking the kid to spell Banana always cracks me up, and all the expressions on Gus and the contestants faces are great.

I love watching that part on YouTube.

Thanks for the reminder! This is on the list of episodes to research this week, after Black and Tan and Psy vs Psy. Edited April 26, 2016 by twoods

[amensisterfriend]

So I'm trying to make a new top 10 list based on my latest sporadic viewing. Keep in mind that these are personal favorites, not necessarily the ones I objectively think are the 'best.' And they're in chronological order because ranking them in order of preference would be totally impossible :) 

1) Game, Set, Muuuurder? (I can't even justify this one---I just adore every second of it!) 

2) American Duos

3) And Down the Stretch Comes Murder (There are probably better s2 episodes, but this one is just endlessly rewatchable for me!)

4) The Greatest Adventure in the History of Basic Couple (As much as I tend to underrate S3, I'm always happily surprised all over again to realize how many of these episodes I really love! I feel like the best of S3 retains a lot of the energy I loved about S1 and S2 while making Shawn a little more mature and vulnerable) 

5) Tuesday the 17th 

6) High Noon-ish

7) Devil in the Details...and the Upstairs Bedroom

8) Dual Spires

9) Autopsy Turvy (I'm a Woody fan...I really can't justify this pick beyond that!) 

10) Lock, Stock, Some Smoking Barrels and Burton Guster's Goblet of Fire (Because I'm a Harry Potter-obsessed anglophile :)) 

I could really easily add at least 25 more, but I'll spare you guys! Needless to say, I would love to see other people's lists! 

[twoods]

My top 10:

1: Black and Tan

2: American Duos

3: Psy vs Psy

4: High Top Fade Out

5: Scary Sherry

6: Spelling Bee

7: Last night Gus

8: bounty hunters

9 Lights Camera Homicido

10 Murder Anyone...Bueller?

There are still a ton I love but those I've watched a LOT.

[Bastet]

Quote

5) Tuesday the 17th

I never followed this show, but watched 100 Clues after reading about it because Clue is such a favorite film I can recite it verbatim.  A friend - who also knows the movie by heart - did the same, and wound up buying the series on DVD.  I've still only watched a few that pay homage to things I love (e.g. Dual Spires, Tuesday the 17th), and of that small sample Tuesday the 17th is my favorite.  The shout-outs to Friday the 13th and April Fool's Day (two of my favorite '80s horror films, and I spent much of the early to mid '80s watching horror films) are fabulous, and there's very little in the episode that can't be tied - intentionally or in an inadvertent stretch - to one of the slasher films of that era.  It also wonderfully replicates the look of such a film. 

[DittyDotDot]

Off the top of my head...

1. Last Night Gus
2. American Duos
3. Office Space
4. Dual Spires
5. Tuesday The 17th
6. And Down the Stretch Comes Murder
7. The Greatest Adventure in the History of Basic Couple
8. Autopsy Turvy
9. Bounty Hunters
10. Shawn Takes a Shot in the Dark

I don't know though, if I looked at a list of episodes, I'd probably have a completely different list. ;)

[amensisterfriend]

Quote

And Down the Stretch Comes Murder

The Greatest Adventure in the History of Basic Couple

Autopsy Turvy

I love that I'm not alone in adoring these! 

 

Quote

Shawn Takes a Shot in the Dark

I really love this one too! If I'd let myself pick 15 instead of 10, this would definitely have been on my list. As far as the more 'serious' episodes go, I actually love it more than any of the Yin/Yang episodes and think James Roday is at his best in this one. 

Quote

4: High Top Fade Out

5: Scary Sherry

6: Spelling Bee

...and I need to add these to any list of favorites as well! 

Quote

A friend - who also knows the movie by heart - did the same, and wound up buying the series on DVD.  

I already love and relate to your friend :) 

Quote

I never followed this show, but watched 100 Clues after reading about it because Clue is such a favorite film I can recite it verbatim.

ME TOO. I  know literally every word of that glorious, sadly underrated classic :) Despite/because of my love for Clue, I actually thought Psych's homage to it was mildly disappointing. I mean, I love it because I love Psych and love Clue and therefore kind of automatically adore the episode, but I'm also left with the sense that it could have been more amazing than it actually was. 

Speaking of which, which episodes do you guys have that feeling about it, the 'liked it but not quite as much as I wanted to/expected to/could have' episodes?! Another one for me is Polarizing Express. I absolutely LOVE alt-universe episodes of my favorite shows as a general rule, and while this one was decent, I just felt like it could have been one of the series' best but fell way short.  

Edited May 28, 2016 by amensisterfriend

[Bastet]

Yes, I enjoy 100 Clues for what it is, and they did work in a lot of good nods to the film, but I wanted it to be even better, especially since they had several of the Clue actors to work with.  I haven't watched it in some time, but I have the niggling memory there was no homage to Mrs. Peacock at all.  Or maybe Mrs. White?  Somebody was ignored, I'm almost sure.

Edited May 28, 2016 by Bastet

[twoods]

I forgot how funny Dual Spires was so watched that last night along with This Episode Sucked. Shawn and Gus dressing up as vampires will always crack me up- I had to pause because I couldn't stop laughing. Plus, everyone thinking Gus was Count Chocula and not Blackula! It was also the introduction of Marlow, and I loved how Lassiter found happiness.

[kitticup]

Off the top my head....

 

1.  Black and tan

2.  Lights Camera homocido

3.  High top fade out 

4.  Spelling Bee

5.  Tuesday the 17th

6.  American Duos

7. dual spires

8.  Not so close encounters

9.  Autopsy Turvy

10.  Tie:. "Let's Get Hairy" and "Shawn vs the Red Skull". I love MagicHead.

Edited June 11, 2016 by kitticup

[Jediknight]

Let's see 10 favorite episodes

1. Cloudy... With a Chance or Murder
2. Black and Tan
3. Last Night Gus
4. Shawn (and Gus) of the Dead
5. Deez Nups
6. Dual Spires
7. American Duos
8. Dead Man's Curve Ball
9. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, He Loves Me, Oops He's Dead!
10. Romeo and Juliet and Juliet

[twoods]

After watching Deez Nups, I am in awe at what a great episode it was. All the pre wedding partying down to the awesome gun fight scene at the end. 

Same with the Darth Vader episode- Freddie Prinze Jr had great chemistry with Shawn and Gus.

[seacliffsal]

I just rewatched the pilot and thoroughly enjoyed it.  They nailed the personalities and set up the psych storyline really well.  Probably one of the best pilots I've seen.  It would have been interesting to keep the original female junior detective, but Juliet was a nice edition (especially in the early seasons).  Enjoyed it so much I'll have to rewatch the rest of season 1.

[bettername2come]

On 8/3/2016 at 5:13 PM, seacliffsal said:

I just rewatched the pilot and thoroughly enjoyed it.  They nailed the personalities and set up the psych storyline really well.  Probably one of the best pilots I've seen.  It would have been interesting to keep the original female junior detective, but Juliet was a nice edition (especially in the early seasons).  Enjoyed it so much I'll have to rewatch the rest of season 1.

Wasn't the reason the actress left that she didn't test well with the test audience, so they wrote her out as leaving because of her relationship with Lassie? I'm happy with Jules. Her bubbly but sometimes scary demeanor was much better than the cliche "partners with sexual tension" route.

[amensisterfriend]

I love Juliet too and agree that she was an awesomely refreshing change from the usual 'super serious badass who's not-so-secretly vulnerable' female detective cliche, though I feel like my affection is mostly for early Juliet. The character seemed so much more vibrant, quirky, humorous and just alive than the Jules of later seasons for me. And I hate that I could never quite bring myself to like the Shawn/Jules relationship---and not just because of the 'he's a real psychic!' lie that he never bothered to clear up and which only she seemed to believe by then anyway :) I think maybe I just have trouble taking Shawn seriously in an actual adult relationship! 

[amensisterfriend]

ETA: So I just confirmed that the series finale is a definite best for me---especially if by 'best', you mean 'makes me cry hysterically no matter how many times I've watched it' :) (I've actually grown to love S8 a lot overall despite a few missteps). 

Which of the season finales did you guys love most and least?!  

[twoods]

I refuse to watch the Yin and Yang ones because they seriously freaked me out and caused nightmares. I wasn't used to my silly show being so dark. 

I did like the finale for season 1, and maybe the cliffhanger of Henry getting shot in season 6? Oh, and of course the series finale but I only watch that when I want a good cry.

[morgankobi]

Since there's no media thread, I'll just put this here since it's the latest used thread:

Psych is currently slated to leave Netflix the beginning of October :(

Binge quickly!

[DittyDotDot]

You were completely right @amensisterfriend, I did NEED the DVDs! ;)

[twoods]

Aww how sad. It's so much easier to turn on Netflix than fish out the DVDs for casual viewing.

Speaking of which, I forgot how great season 4 was. Just watched High Noonish and still giggle at thinking about Lassie's nickname "Binky". 

Edited September 20, 2016 by twoods

[amensisterfriend]

I'm starting to rewatch the series (yes, AGAIN...don't judge me ;), and I'm struck all over again by how different S1 feels from the rest of the series. In some ways it's the silliest, like with the exaggerated physical comedy, Shawn flailing all over the place during his "visions", Lassie at his most exaggeratedly awful, at times an almost manic energy etc. But in other ways it's got this edge and comparative seriousness and emotional weight somehow. The relationship between Henry and Shawn is really raw this season, more genuinely dysfunctional than contentious-for-the-sake-of-laughs like it is for most of the rest of the series, and Shawn has some genuine pain and anger, some of which the flashbacks serve to illuminate. And Gus is so much more grounded and sane this season! Like he's still GUS, geeky without quite knowing it and super intense and anal retentive about strange things and amusingly scared by a bunch of things, but he's not nearly as much of a neurotic wreck as later seasons and arguably much more 'together' than Shawn. (To be clear, I enjoy all incarnations of Gus!) Shawn's super immature for a lot of this season, but then again his immaturity also feels more understandable than it does in later seasons---he's had little to no stability, he's still got major issues with his dad, he's actively trying to prove himself etc. Even many of the cases feel a little more rooted in reality. 

I love each season in its own way, but there's just something different tonally different about S1 for me. I wish I could better pinpoint and explain it!  

[GHScorpiosRule]

Not necessarily a favorites or worst episode comment, but one, even if there are a few episodes that I really like or even love in seasons 7 or 8, that doesn't bump up that season as my favorite.  Seasons 1-3 remain my top favorites, with the first two tied.

And this, I didn't know where to put since we don't have a thread for it, and what would we call the thread anyway? Anyhoo, I find it amusing that Shawn and Gus have and use all the 80s nostalgia and pop culture, when most of them came before they were even born! Maybe some of the late 80s, but I would have expected 90s nostalgia, pop-culture, BUT...I can understand why they chose the 80s! FUN Music, and some of the greatest movies! I had forgotten that they had referenced one of my favorites: Summer School, and now I'll forever be disappointed that Mark Harmon never made a guest appearance! At least Dean Cameron Chainsaw did in the final season.