Psych season 5 aired an episode that paid homage to Twin Peaks and brought in several actors from the show. Titled “Dual Spires”, it was named for the town featured in the episode, similar to the naming of the 1990s mystery horror series that aired on ABC.
Psych, a series known for calling out popular movies, TV shows, and actors (primarily from the 1980s), sometimes took their references to a higher level by creating entire episodes designed to pay tribute to certain films or shows. Its 100th episode, for example, “100 Clues” united several cast members from the 1985 mystery movie, Clue. Another instance of this was Psych season 5, episode 12, “Dual Spires”, which sent Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dulé Hill) off the beaten path and into an off-the-radar town called Dual Spires, which reflected the setting and themes of Twin Peaks in several ways.
As per usual, their stay in Dual Spires led to the duo being swept up in a murder mystery (which was also what set up the story of Twin Peaks). Their investigation into the death of a young woman saw Shawn and Gus meet with numerous, strange individuals, some of which were played by actors from Twin Peaks. Here’s every Twin Peaks actor in Psych’s “Dual Spires” and who they played.
- Dana Ashbrook as Bob Barker: On Twin Peaks, Dana Ashbrook was Bobby Briggs, a main character and the boyfriend of the murdered woman. On Psych however, Ashbrook portrayed the victim’s uncle and the co-owner of the local diner.
- Sherilyn Fenn as Maudette Hornsby: In “Dual Spires”, Maudette is a local librarian, and a woman who flirts with Shawn and Gus. In Twin Peaks, the actress’ character was Audrey Home, a classmate of the murder victim. She was also romantically interested in the main character, Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan).
- Sheryl Lee as Dr. Donna Gooden: Sheryl Lee played both the murder victim, Laura, and her identical twin cousin, Maddy Ferguson, on Twin Peaks. In Psych, she was the town doctor and one of the two murderers. She secretly had an affair with Bob Barker.
- Robyn Lively as Michelle Barker: Robyn Lively recurred on Twin Peaks as Lana Budding Milford, a woman with a reputation for seducing many of the men who lived in the town. She played Bob Barker’s wife in the Psych
- Lenny Von Dohlen as Sheriff Andrew Jackson: Dohlen’s Harold Smith didn’t like to leave his house in Twin Peaks. The actor played the role of Sheriff Andrew Jackson in “Dual Spires”. He, like Dr. Gooden, was one of the villains of the episode.
- Catherine E. Coulson as “Wood Woman”: Twin Peaks’ Margaret Landerman was known for always carrying around a log. Her Psych character, who was never named, shared the same habit.
- Ray Wise as Father Westley: Ray Wise portrayed the father of the victim on Twin Peaks and a local lawyer. Interestingly, Ray Wise had already appeared on Psych as Father Westley, who was friends with Gus. So instead of having him play someone else, “Dual Spires” brought back Father Westley by having Shawn and Gus call him for advice. Later in the episode, he arrived in Dual Spires to help them in person. Father Westley was also on hand when Shawn and Gus wrapped up the case.
