The Trans Psych Episode 

Generally, you can assume that if Lassie is saying something, the show is against it. Shawn is 50/50

Forever disappointed that Castle wasn't about the incompetent police being helped by a sentient castle

I think there’s another trans psych episode later on in the seasons that’s more respectful but this one… the cast is on record of admitting they fucked it up.

Hi! Trans host of a system here. I remember watching this episode when I was 13 or 14, before I knew that I was either trans or part of a system, and even then I remember being rather uncomfortable with the whole thing. I haven't really seen anybody talk about it at all, so I'm really glad you made this video. I hope it can help people learn more about both transgender issues and plural issues.

This is probably just a lack of context thing but i think you completely misunderstood the characters. Lassie's whole shtick is that he's unreasonable and rude. When he calls people nutjobs it can probably be safely assumed the writers think that's a bad way to refer to people. You could probably make the argument that Shawn and Lassie are character foils. They are both good detective but while Lassie is insensitive and typically malicious Shawn is more attuned to people and generally when Shawn hurts someone it's because he's being thoughtless. A good example would be that Shawn is a fantastic shot but only uses a gun a couple of time in the show, generally preferring to talk himself out of situations. One of the only times he does use a gun they are in a car chase and Shawn shoots the car instead of the driver. In contact there is an episode where Lassie talks about pulling his gun on a cat for "approaching too aggressively". Even the other cops think shooting a cat would be over the line. I completely understand if this was the only episode you watched and the show certainly isn't beyond reproach but the strain of media criticism where people complain about characters being bad without any thought to framing or characterization is a personal pet peeve. All characters shouldn't be morally correct at all times if for no other reason than that it would incredibly boring.

tbf with monk, he is in fact a detective and not just some guy with OCD. he worked with... i want to say sfpd before the beginning of the series, and quit after being unable to solve his wifes murder. idk i just really like the show because there's this whole running theme of monk moving through the grieving process, and trying to redefine himself without the one person he loved most in the world. also, shockingly well handled portrayal of neurodivergence for a show from the oughts

Unfortunately the second DID episode pysch has describes a male alter as “a crazed woman who thinks she’s a man” and has the system “cured” with a medication by the end of it. Compared to that episode, this one has really good representation

per: "they ask regina to let robert come back out. that's not exactly how that works per se, to be honest, from what i've heard" it absolutely can work like that, though with that particular system it very likely indeed wouldn't, as they clearly don't rly have any real communication. and with DID systems specifically it might not in general either, we wouldn't know, but with our OSDD-1b system that is pretty much how it actually works yea. but for that to be how it works you have 2 have really good communication between headmates

It's so wonderful you asked people with DID for feedback! You're the type of people we need in writing rooms!!

oh this episode is so interesting in psychs catalogue, its one of the few really...mean spirited ones id say? Early psych especially isnt flawless but it was generally much niver and less invested in being edgy than most tv of its time, which is part of what gave it such a lasting fanbase. I havent finished the vid yet so sorry if you bring it up, but the creators and actors on the show i believe have spoken about this episode and their regrets with its inaccuracies in portraying both DID and transness, definitely the worst possible episode to introduce you to psych. I do think this episode does a better job at portraying DID than something like criminal minds (a show i hate) but god there was no good way to do this concept, especially in 2006. Theres a much longer psych deep dive i watched recently made by a long time psych fan that also goes into this episode in an interesting way. Ok going to finish the video now

Not the drawing of Gus on the white board 😭

the fact u uploaded this while im watching psych LOL

No way, Galavant mentioned!! Ah, how were we robbed...

Oh no... The Psych episode that managed to be transphobic and inaccurate about headmates at the same time. I loved this show growing up but this episode? Really a stinker.

Well as a trans system I thank you for this work. Something of the episode that icks me to no end: the evil alter trope needs to go to rest. There are so many cool stories one can write with DID and I want to write some

Watching this as a system and trans feels weird and I’m not sure how to really feel about this “representation”

This is not a great episode to start psych with, unfortunately, some of the early psych episodes of season 1 & part of 2 are pretty dude-bro-y shitty. Things evolve, and a lot of things get better over the series, but yeah, some not great stuff. Lassiter, played by Timothy, is portayed as not a great person, and kinda shitty, but, since he's portayed by him, he ends up somehow likable. Theres a surprising amount of nuance as the series moves on, but watching a single episode kinda loses a lot of it, especially this episode, which i have... Many feelings about, even as someone who enjoys Psych.

My wife and i bonded over this show early in our relationship and even kind of named our daughter after Juliet. But yeah, this particular episode is a rare miss. First seasons were a bit "bro-y" but they really find their stride, and the Yang episodes are peak detective tv.

The representation of the trans sex worker in 'Deez Nups' really made me sad when I recently rewatched this show 😢

Everyone talks about things that Timothy Omundson has been in, but nobody ever mentions Luck of the Irish, where he played an evil leprechaun.

King Richard did not need to be as fine as he was. I've yet to find a show that fills the same niche as Galavant.

Asking for the "The Trans Zombie Land Saga Episode" episode for the engagement.

It's been a while, but to my recollection their disgust isn't with the idea of gender reassignment surgery, it's with the idea of a Cis man having it involuntarily done to him by his woman alter.

YES! I suggested "Lil' Simps" in the comments a while back. Great minds think alike 🙂

well, Monk is a retired detective at least, he isnt just a guy with ocd, he was a detective with mild ocd who got worse when his wife died

with real cops I'm absolutely ACAB and I'm very open about that and I know that this is just copaganda and that real cops are shit but something in my little crow brain just goes absolutely feral for Carlton Lassiter. The other cops in the show I'm fine with but Lassie just ahshjskslsk idk. I'm autistic and my brain always has one specific character from shows it will just latch onto and with Psych, it's him.

as someone who has disassociation this episode showed the very extreme end of the condition. what might have helped it would have been a second person with a less extreme version of it, so the audience could possibly understand there is a large variation of severity when it comes to this condition.

The one thing i will say, to be fair to Psych, when it comes to the reaction to the subject of surgery, it looks to me, and from my recollection, like the reaction was more tied to them thinking about the idea of going through it themselves. Things like this definitely need to be made more clear when that is the reaction being had, due to societal stigmas n such, but i think it is worth accounting for.

We’re a bit hesitant to leave this comment since we don’t have or want an official diagnosis but I did want to say I found the parts of this video talking about being plural and trans very refreshing. It’s not a part of my life I let many people know about since most people either assume you are dangerous or just say you’re faking but it’s nice to be reminded my experiences match up with others.

Psych is an interesting show because, from my memory, it really never seems mean-spirited about the things it’s representing as much as it is… either misunderstanding or ignorant of certain things. And in a way, because it’s from the perspective of all these characters who are a bit flawed, that misunderstanding makes sense. But, it still can be shitty and hurtful especially when it shows certain tropes like ‘plural system with evil murder alter’ as being real in the show’s universe. Even though this episode handled things poorly, it still ends with the characters being sympathetic to the system and wanting the best for them, which is nice, but it’s still very of-it’s-time. I’d forgotten almost all about this episode, so thanks for the interesting and thoughtful analysis!

I’ve only watch the first season and a half of Psych but it feels like one of those shows where every character is just flawed enough the writers can capture people who agree and those who disagree especially because every character is always getting roasted.

For the record, white PASSING detective, not white.

There's an extremely interesting ethical dilemma here about who gets to dictate terms for the body shared by multiple consciousnesses. Who gets to live in the body they want? Who has to suck it up and compromise?

I think "simping Lillies" like a plethora of flowers is also a version of addressing subscribers in a less simp cringe way

The fact that four of the shows you mentioned at the beginning (Pushing Daisies, Monk, Forever, and currently Lucifer) are some of my favorites, calls me out

i second the galavant recommendation. weird al is in a few episodes as a monk who has taken a vow of singing as opposed to a vow of silence.

This is absolutely my favourite video of yours so far, I've never even heard of this show but the way you talk about DID legitimately made me cry. I've never been more aware of how we (system community as a whole) are so starved for positive content about us until I saw this video. It's clear you're tackling this with so much love and respect for the community, you are clear and concise with what you mean when explaining terms and it's obvious you did research. Very thankful for this video :)

Currently watching this and I was thinking about how they treated trans people, incredible timing

i just started psych recently and it took me a few episodes before i realized lassiter was the king from galavant lmao. i think it's cuz he didn't have the facial hair, my brain didn't computeit immediately lmao

We're an OSDD system of maybe 15+ alters and we're all different flavors of non-binary. We're lucky enough to mostly be on the same page when it comes to dysphoria and transitioning things. We got top surgery 10 months ago and are all very very happy with it. honestly the biggest thing we disagree on is hair length? but even then we usually don't care enough to actually try to change it. our sibling, also a non-binary OSDD system, does estrogen but also has a binder. I'm sure all systems can have different experiences with the gender aspect. side note: I thought I was genderfluid at one point, before realizing that when I am different genders, I'm also different people, lol. The alter in the show was definitely in the wrong for trying to medically transition the body without all of the other alters' consent. things with the body like that should be whole-system decisions, as much as possible. sometimes it's impossible to actually communicate with all alters. The other alter being a dangerous murderer is just another example of horrible, stereotyping representation. honestly, no rep is better than rep showing us as dangerous and crazy. We haven't seen a whole lot of the things with DID characters because ableism is upsetting and there's not any great options that we know of. The only one I think we've seen is moon knight, which we like, but it's kinda on thin ice because of jake potentially seeming dangerous. it's nuanced. Personally, being a system doesn't really impact us negatively like, at all? Like, the worst part about it is the trauma that caused it. But it's kinda nice for us to have a little family and support system inside our head, at all times. We always hated being alone and wished there could be someone that never left us even for a moment. and now we have that :). I like this video and I'm glad you did research and talked to other trans systems! -a proud lil simp

Psych is a weird mixed bag of a show were I think it kinda tried to do a It's always sunny thing where the main character is intelligent but he is someone who is socially incompetent that you supposed to laugh at and not agree with the methods of how he solves the cases. I guess they wanted to have a actual attempt at a proper conversation of DID and trans issues but still in the 2000s and still portray the main characters as the same way the always portrayed them which just ruins the conversation.

i really like Psych, i was a huge fan as a teen and i still think of it fondly, but yeah this episode was a swing and a miss on both the trans and DID rep. the craziest thing for me is back in high school i took a psychology class and the teacher played *this episode* for the portion on DID. as "good representation."

I once had a friend who was a system where one or more of the alters was a man, but the body and front was female and identified as a woman. However over time one of the alters became more of the front and the person began to transition more masculine in their body. I often wonder how they are doing, we were very close but I was young and we were both severely struggling w/ mental health and unsupportive family. I haven't spoke to them in over a decade... miss them

It's always fun when Lisa covers a show I've watched and the grimace as you remember which episode it is.

My wife just started another binge if Psych this weekend lol.

Ironically, this episode was a fairly important moment for me. The idea of: what if I woke up having had grs and it wasn't my fault?? Was a very powerful thought for me. It allowed me to externalize my desires.

gallivant deserves justice, best show

I’m really glad you covered psych! This episode is one I cringe to rewatch because of how it affected my confidence in coming out, but besides this I relate a lot to the characters because I have hyper vigilance and was closeted like Shawn kinda was during the show. My two other complaints about the show is in the episode High noon ish they use a slur and also the hiring of ray wise in some episodes. Lastly if the show where to make it up to me they could show how Gus is in pain about JK Rowling being a bitch.

There is a better one later in the series, which was specifically done to correct this one.

Hey Lily, I just discovered your channel after RU-vid recommended me your South Park video, and I have been watching a bunch of your content lately ever since. I love the work you’re doing out here, and I think your videos on these pieces of trans representation media are important and entertaining. Keep being awesome :)

Really respect the time you took to make sure you were informed about DID and handled the topic with respect and empathy

I really appreciate how Lily covered DID and systems with respect and understanding rather than Ignorance and sensationalization. (I have DID)

Oh shit you mean the plurality episode don’t you. Oh fuck lol

As a (mostly) transgender system I just have to say thank you for how much care you put into this episode (I’m sure this sentiment has been echoed many times already, but it still always warms our heart when someone puts so much thought into talking about the topic)

totally here for the Galavant mention lmao

Came here thinking that a lot of people who claim to have DID are faking because it's so rare. Looked it up and estimates range from .01 - 1.5% of the population. That means in the US there are about 300k - 4.5million people with DID... Which makes it much less rare than I initially thought and makes me wonder why we call it rare

Since I haven't seen anyone else mention this, Psych came out four years before BBC's Sherlock 🤓; so the whole, "character POV zooming in and highlighting a clue" cliche is not original to Sherlock, but they did crank that shit to 11.

I think there was another trans character in a later season, but from memory they were a throwaway sex worker? Could be misremembering. Despite that and the copaganda it is a good show I have fond memories of watching with my family growing up

I forgot this episode existed until you started going through it, and I don't really remember how well they handled the trans part, but I remember it was _horrible_ about the DID 😅 18:21 yeah, Gus is really overly tolerant and sometimes enabling of all of Shawn's asshole and beyond asshole behaviour 😅

2:22 For more on this: watch skip intro’s copaganda series

Can't wait to watch the rest of this after Galavant

Trans System here. This episode definitely feels like it is a product of its time but is trying to be helpful, but ultimately missing the mark. I think your analysis was really good

Good video. I think it was worth mentioning that Gus corrected Shaun's "multiple personality disease" and properly called it Dissociative Identity Disorder. Feels dishonest to call out Shaun's language without that context, which implies the show got it wrong, not just the character. It's an interestingly mixed episode on representation. I think for its time it was pretty far ahead of similar shows though (which is a very low bar).

i just want to say, thank you so much for being so respectful towards systems and not taking potshots about "tiktok teens self dxing" and all that which a lot of other youtubers can't seem to stop themselves from doing. as a transgender person with DID, it's a huge breath of fresh air in a video about such a terrible episode of television for systems and trans people 😭

I find it a little hypocritical or bad faith that you asked these systems what they'd like to see representation-wise, and they effectively answered "if a character says something misguided or offensive, have someone else correct them or explain what's wrong with what they just said" and then you made this video, with a five minute segment in which you berate Shawn for saying "multiple personality thing" without mentioning that Gus corrects him as soon as he said it. I agree that this episode is FAR from perfect, but you edited out, what the DID systems you talked to, specifically asked for in representation, just so you could have your high horse moment.

ohhh excited to watch this one! I love psych but remember this episode as being a really low point in the length of the show. Did see a good video recently by talistheintrovert where they said something that made sense, that if they removed the end of the episode it could've been so much better. (Paraphrasing to hell and back, i watched their video when it came out and have an awful memory) v much looking forward to a better dive into this focused specifically on it!

You must have sensed my hesitation of runtime towards your other most recent and have kindly blessed us with options ❤ (On a lunch break)

I remember loving this show but haven't watched it in a good while so I am very apprehensively very hopeful Edit: Glad to say I'm pleasantly surprised. Then again part of that is definitely that I'm glad I _used_ to be someone that really resonated with Shawn.

I think his saying Multiple Personality Disease was just a joke on how little he actually knew about it since everyone knows it's referred to as a disorder even in media from that time.

Being in pharmaceutical sales Gus tends to know just enough that he could pitch mental health medication to doctors but not so much the show can’t write off him saying ignorant stuff as him not knowing better. Shawn probably did know the correct terminology and just pretends not to because it’s later confirmed he plays dumb about terms as a tactic / coping mechanism.

Psych is a strange show because Shawn is a horrible person as an established fact and is expected to kinda be a dumpster of a human in every situation... Gus is usually supposed to be the one who keeps him in check but also tends to fall into the trap of being fairly conservative when it comes to anything outside of his little world which is usually when the show flips around to having shawn be more "open minded" about certain things There is definitely a few episodes where they both end up being massive dickbags to everyone involved

From what I heard this is the episode they regret the most and there’s an episode they regretted so much they remade it seasons later

This post was incredibly well timed Lily wow, I was watching this show with my mum yesterday Edit: Welp I really hope my mum doesn't see this episode, its already bad enough 🫣

Criminal Minds also had an Evil Trans Alter episode (I will never forgive Jackson Rathbone). Why does this have to be such a thing.

If shows like this actually consulted mentally disabled people instead of treating us like freaks or children, I think we'd be in a much better place as a community, instead of being compared to us being one of the worst insults in our culture.

"mildly autistic super-detectives everywhere, it _hurts_ " wise words from abed nadir hehdhdjnd

God Psych is one of my hyper-fixation- obsession series but I haven’t watched it in so long. Before watching too much… I Guessing this will cover the episode that was also a questionable interpretation of DID. Edit: HECK YEAH! I know my stuff! Also, thank you so much for polling systems on this topic

I absolutely adore your drawings for each video topic ahahah

once more begging for a video on the trans episode of orphan black 👀

Lily Dripped up (I need that red sweater)

yesssss, i was just clicking through your videos this morning, trying to find one i hadn't watched yet

Early Psych fan here. This episode is one of the lower rated amongst fans, and generally considered a rare outlier. It really doesn’t fit the shows ethos, which is leans way more playful and kindhearted. You won’t get a lot of push back on your critiques here, because a lot of fans feel similarly about this episode. I’ve found the Psychos to be a pretty welcoming, and cool bunch. If you’re interested in watching an episode to see if you’ll like it try “American Duos”, “65 million years off”, “Disco didn’t die…it was murdered”, “There’s something about Mira”, “lights, camera…homicidio”, “Dislodged”, “Shaun (and Gus) of the Dead”, “Tuesday the 17th”, “Hightop, fade-out”, “Feet don’t kill me now”, “Last night Gus”, “This Episode sucks”.

Let's gooooooo!!!!! Thank you Lily I needed one today

omg on my way to watch galavant after this looks super fun thanks lily!!

I forgot to comment on this one when I watched it so I came back to drop you a comment after watching the Glee episode

This episode was so messed up but I still credit it with learning that being trans was a thing and helping me figure out who I am

I came here for the trans analysis, stayed for the surprise plural system plot. As a trans host of a system I want to thank you for talking to systems to understand our experiences better. 💜

I requested this episode and you did not disappoint! You really went above and beyond; it was fascinating hearing from the system community.

Congratulations on 100,000+ subscribers! Thank you for another great video; I'm looking forward to the next one!

FINALLY! I’ve been waiting for this one!!!

Really good job with this video. DID, plurality and systems are complex topics that are so commonly misunderstood, but you have handled it very gracefully. +respect

I hate to admit it, but Lil' Simps is pretty genius

Oh, dang. This episode being your entree to Psych is like starting Next Generation with Code of Honor. I am so sorry you had to go through this.

Yessssss I’ve been hoping this would make a video! Psych is my favorite TV show of all time and I was remembering this episode recently :/

I really appreciate the conclusion section, I think it was such a necessary way of dealing with an episode like this!

Commenting for the algorithm. Thank you for the insightful content!! ❤

Yay! So early!! Have a great day Lily!! Thanks for providing this quality content!!

I was hoping you would cover this episode. I remember watching it about 15 years ago and thinking yikes. Great video 😊

i love watching your episodes and always look forward to when you post next, congrats on the yt plaque and keep up the great work

I just finished a 4 hour video about this show and the creator mentioned this episode and how it was not good but not the worst definitely clumsy though