Had this been a season 7 episode or something, I'd rate it much higher- it was trippy and had a thousand references. But this close to the end of the series, I would've preferred something less experimental. I feel like we could've still had a Gus-centered episode with lots of pathos that was a bit more straightforward.
21 Reviews
Should've been it's own thing
ariagames14 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The multitude of references and the great Bruce Campbell are what I praise the episode for, but there isn't much more outside of that to praise.
It just makes me think about how it could've been better received as a little horror spin-off outside the main series, what with all the guest characters and horror tropes they've inserted throughout.
I'd even say the writing itself is on a lower grade, with less of the comedy we've come to expect from psych over the years. I'd be fine with sacrificing this for a meaningful character arc, but that is not what we get here. We are met with screaming horror montages and jumpscares in Gus' nightmares instead.
This episode's case takes the biggest backseat I think we've seen a psych case take. The guest characters are hardly there to make their personalities fresh like we've seen previously in other Roday directed episodes. The jokes felt flat and as if it were a new comedy approach. The dialogue is minimal and there aren't many memorable lines here.
It throws you off so much when you see an episode as radically different as this being placed right near the end. Had they have placed it sooner or made it a neat Halloween bonus, I honestly would've rated it higher. I've given it a 7, but that's not saying much as I usually give psych episodes 8s 9s and 10s.
I don't think it's awful or irredeemable as I've seen people say, although it does have my least favourite psych scenes. Dare I say it's pretty fun and a cornucopia of really noteworthy horror references.
I suggest you treat it as a neat horror flick to watch outside the psych timeline, although it does have some plot points in the psych chronology.
It just makes me think about how it could've been better received as a little horror spin-off outside the main series, what with all the guest characters and horror tropes they've inserted throughout.
I'd even say the writing itself is on a lower grade, with less of the comedy we've come to expect from psych over the years. I'd be fine with sacrificing this for a meaningful character arc, but that is not what we get here. We are met with screaming horror montages and jumpscares in Gus' nightmares instead.
This episode's case takes the biggest backseat I think we've seen a psych case take. The guest characters are hardly there to make their personalities fresh like we've seen previously in other Roday directed episodes. The jokes felt flat and as if it were a new comedy approach. The dialogue is minimal and there aren't many memorable lines here.
It throws you off so much when you see an episode as radically different as this being placed right near the end. Had they have placed it sooner or made it a neat Halloween bonus, I honestly would've rated it higher. I've given it a 7, but that's not saying much as I usually give psych episodes 8s 9s and 10s.
I don't think it's awful or irredeemable as I've seen people say, although it does have my least favourite psych scenes. Dare I say it's pretty fun and a cornucopia of really noteworthy horror references.
I suggest you treat it as a neat horror flick to watch outside the psych timeline, although it does have some plot points in the psych chronology.
For the B-Movie Horror Fans
valmellon-9345413 June 2019
For context I did not watch this episode when it originally aired as I did not have cable and I watched it five years later, after the fact, in 2019. When this part of the season originally aired I had no cable and I had been having a tough time with the beginning of Season 8 because the end of Season 7 had been such an authentic emotional hit and Trout was a very specific antagonist. As such I had been since putting off watching the last half of the last season until this year. However, in my opinion, in order to enjoy this episode one must enjoy all that is B-Movie horror and mainstream horror.
There are countless horror movie references that don't just come from scene stealing Bruce Campbell and his well known B-Movies, but also from IT, Children of the Corn, Friday the 13/New Nightmare, and Night of the Living Dead, amongst others. James Roday as the director and other writers of this episode clearly love horror movies and throughout the entire episode I was giddy at the references and clapping with excitement because even if I couldn't 100% place the horror movie I could guess to some certainty the reference they were making. That's why I decided to create an IMDB account, it was for this episode because it was too low rated for the work everyone put in and for how good it was as a horror movie homage.
There are countless horror movie references that don't just come from scene stealing Bruce Campbell and his well known B-Movies, but also from IT, Children of the Corn, Friday the 13/New Nightmare, and Night of the Living Dead, amongst others. James Roday as the director and other writers of this episode clearly love horror movies and throughout the entire episode I was giddy at the references and clapping with excitement because even if I couldn't 100% place the horror movie I could guess to some certainty the reference they were making. That's why I decided to create an IMDB account, it was for this episode because it was too low rated for the work everyone put in and for how good it was as a horror movie homage.
Lives up to 'Nightmare'
MadokaTomoyo17 February 2021
I get it
detharryhole12 December 2021
I get the low reviews, this is not exactly an episode which follows the Psych formula.
However, as a lover of horror movies I find this episode absolutely delightful.
Cramming so many references into a series of dream sequences was absolutely wonderful. I also love mysteries, but I could care less about the mystery in this specific episode.
I just want to sit back and watch Ash... I mean Bruce... continue to torture Gus.
If you take this episode as a homage to horror not neccessrily a continuance of Psych, it is very enjoyable.
However, as a lover of horror movies I find this episode absolutely delightful.
Cramming so many references into a series of dream sequences was absolutely wonderful. I also love mysteries, but I could care less about the mystery in this specific episode.
I just want to sit back and watch Ash... I mean Bruce... continue to torture Gus.
If you take this episode as a homage to horror not neccessrily a continuance of Psych, it is very enjoyable.
Worst Psych episode ever
pedrobelotecruz1 June 2021
Yes, there are many horror references in it, and that's cool, but i don't think this is a episode, it's just lot's of scenes of Gus running around and screaming. You barely understand the premise and probably i laughed only once in this episode.
A horror fans favorite.
saint-7062318 February 2021
This episode is a reference masterpiece as many Psych episodes are. Despite it's heavily criticized stray from the series formula and the episodes focus on bit comedy rather than situational comedy, it is personally my favorite episode. It offers references to many sources of the horror genre, frequent callbacks to previous episodes and related characters and offers a stunning cast of supporting actors both series regulars such as Curt Smith and Phylicia Rashad as well as series firsts like Bruce Campbell and William Zabka. The storyline of the episode is zany and off the wall whilst offering the comfort of comedy we've all come to love from the main cast. Would recommend to anyone who is a fan of the show.
What were the writers smoking?
robbm67417 October 2021
This is one of the most strangest episodes I've ever seen of ANY TV show. For a series that had all of the episodes rated 7 or above, this one is just an odd ball. It follows no discernable story, and makes little sense. What were the writers smoking when they wrote this?
Meh
zwalker-3095922 December 2020
Why the bad rating?
Stefani966 April 2021
I actually really enjoyed this episode. It was much better than others in the season and I don't really understand why it has such a low rating. Great moments, awesome references to horror movies and wonderful guest stars. The plot was amazing and just what Gus and Shawn (specially Gus) had to go through in between so many changes in their lives.
Give us a Gus centered episode that isn't this bad
oreotookie2 April 2021
Horrible episode. By far the worst of the series. Why is this the second to last episode anyway? If you are into horror, you'll probably enjoy it but I didn't enjoy it at ALL. I did enjoy seeing Bruce Campbell. It was a nice surprise, but that's the only thing I can say positive about it.
One of the best episodes
cheyennnealexiscorvillion11 August 2020
Hands down one of the best episodes and no one can tell me otherwise. All the hate is ridiculous and it shouldn't be one of the lowest rated episodes. I definitely agree the placement and timing was bad. You can't convince me if this episode aired early in the season or even the season before it would have been highly rated. But because it was the last season the the second to last episode people hate it. It definitely shouldn't have been that close to the end but the episode itself is hilarious and all the horror references was done great. Does not deserve the hate.
Worst episode of the series
catdaddyd20 September 2019
Not my favorite, but it a good episode.
luvdlcame5 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I thought that it was a good episode even though I'm not a horror movie fan. Yes, it was weird, but it was supposed to be. I do think that it also fit into the right place at the 2nd to the last episode.. especially after you see the last episode. But, also throughout the whole show with Shawn and Gus's very close relationship since childhood. We, as fans of the show know that it's coming to an end, but inside the show, the characters are uncertain what's going on. So it makes perfect sense that Gus is having nightmares related to Shawn deserting him. And for the fun of it..they are Zombie related. The episode doesn't make a lot of sense to a lot of people. But, dreams and nightmares are like that in real life too.
Worst episode of the series
lizroque-447336 April 2021
This one just didn't fit the rest of the show. It was confusing and just plain freaky with minimal humor and lacked the usual references. I agree with the other reviewer that it being the 2nd to last episode took a lot away from the series.
Underrated Gem
kbruszczak21 January 2022
This was an amazing episode, with a centerpiece that focuses on nostalgic 80s horror movies, with Bruce Campbell having a fun cameo throughout the episode. I was very surprised when seeing the negative reaction towards this episode, as the fan base seems to be split 50-50 on this heavily gus-focused episode.
The majority of the negativity comes from people who believe that it's not really in the formulaic process that psych episodes are typically made in, as this is much more of a special type of episode and I believe that because it was the episode before the series finale, people expected some sort of a big introduction to set up the finale and thus were disappointed.
I loved it, super fun, super scary, and super Gus!!
The majority of the negativity comes from people who believe that it's not really in the formulaic process that psych episodes are typically made in, as this is much more of a special type of episode and I believe that because it was the episode before the series finale, people expected some sort of a big introduction to set up the finale and thus were disappointed.
I loved it, super fun, super scary, and super Gus!!
Ugh!
betanslivka2 May 2022
I'll adit up front that I am not a fan of horror movies, but I am familiar enough with them to recognize the references. I was going to skip this one completely, thanks to the warnings in the reviews, but there were enough good reviews to make me give it a try. I made it halfway through. It was liking watching one of those commercials that is so bizarre that you don't even know what product they're trying to sell. I did not find it entertaining in any way, shape or form.
Don't let the reviews fool you
nreanimallover3 August 2020
2 stars was 2 generous
thegoodmantg13 November 2023
Rewatching the show and my partner didn't want to skip this episode. I'm revising my previous rating (2 stars) and giving this episode the singular star it so richly deserves.
That said, every other episode of the show is great, so don't judge the whole show on just this bad, bad episode. Granted, it would be weird if you didn't already know that, given this dumpster fire is the second to last episode, but I apparently have a minimum length for this review I have to reach, so I suppose it's worth mentioning. Still need to flesh this out (another 50 characters or so should do the trick), so all I have left to say is.
That said, every other episode of the show is great, so don't judge the whole show on just this bad, bad episode. Granted, it would be weird if you didn't already know that, given this dumpster fire is the second to last episode, but I apparently have a minimum length for this review I have to reach, so I suppose it's worth mentioning. Still need to flesh this out (another 50 characters or so should do the trick), so all I have left to say is.
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