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Dec 01, 2010 Web Exclusive By Mark Redfern

Much of Psych’s humor is centered on references to the ’80s and early ’90s, so it’s no surprise that the show about fake psychic detective Shawn Spencer (played by James Roday) and his partner Burton ‘Gus’ Guster (played by Dulé Hill) would spend a whole episode paying homage to cult classic TV show Twin Peaks (which ran from 1990-1991). Shawn and Gus get a mysterious email that invites them to a cinnamon festival in secluded Dual Spires, a town so tiny it doesn’t have the Internet or cellular reception, everyone rides bicycles instead of driving cars, and the sheltered citizens haven’t even seen the films of John Hughes. Once a missing girl is found dead, wrapped in plastic by the lake, Shawn and Gus set about to solve her murder and Twin Peaks references abound.

Twin Peaks is Roday’s all time favorite show and the actor co-wrote this episode with Bill Callahan. Roday has been trying to work out how to go about a Twin Peaks-themed episode of Psych since season one and with Dual Spires he’s nailed it. For starters, the episode features seven actors who originally appeared in Twin Peaks. Dana Ashbrook, who played Bobby Briggs on Peaks, is a grieving uncle in the vein of Leland Palmer. Ray Wise, who played Leland in Peaks, reprises a previous Psych role as Shawn and Gus’ priest. Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer herself, the infamous “wrapped in plastic” victim of Twin Peaks’ murder mystery) plays the local doctor/vet/medical examiner. Sherilyn Fenn spoofs her Audrey Horne character, playing a flirty librarian with a penchant for cherry soda. Original Peak-ers Catherine E. Coulson (The Log Lady), Robyn Lively, and Lenny von Dohlen also make appearances. But more than just reuniting some of Twin Peaks’ cast, the Psych team has also replicated the tone and humor of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s groundbreaking show with sly Peaks references throughout the episode. They even got Julee Cruise, vocalist behind Twin Peaks’ theme song, to reinterpret the Psych theme song and re-edited the opening credits to match the vibe.

So break out the cherry pie, as fans of Psych are in for another deliciously goofy episode to brighten up their Wednesday night and Twin Peaks’ fans might want to DVR it, so that they can re-watch to catch all the clever references. One can only hope that David Lynch will also be watching—smiling and laughing out loud with the rest of us. (www.usanetwork.com/series/psych)

Author rating: 7/10