Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously's WandaVision month continues with an episode The Brady Bunch called "The Winner." When Cindy comes home with a trophy for winning a jacks tournament at the park, Bobby laments that he is the only member of the family to lack an award. Talking it over with Mike and Carol, he resolves to win at something. Anything. It soon leads to strife with the other kids as he becomes an increasingly sore loser. But will the Kartoon King offer him the chance to be the right sort of winner? And will Bobby learn the true value of competition without Mike lecturing on the topic? Justin finally watches his first true episode of The Brady Bunch and is amazed to see Mike without a perm. He also determines the series' premise. Jackie Coogan's Disease gets a new awareness advocate. Ann B. Davis is honored, even if she is mistaken for another actor. Gary Cole is celebrated for his contributions to Brady lore. Geography Corner somehow summons 7th Heaven. The pair recast Thomas Magnum for some reason. Robert Reed's feelings about the show are discussed. Carol's hatred of a certain word becomes a centerpiece of the story and Greg gets drafted into a company of notable TV veterans. Also: the "wholesomeness" of The Brady Bunch leads in strange directions.

Tread Perilously settles in for a month of shows that inspired WandaVision with an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show called "Racy Tracy Rattigan". With Alan Brady out on vacation, Rob and the others must write the next two shows for guest host "Racy" Tracy Rattigan. The British actor proves to be funny and charming, but his immediate interest in Laura leaves Rob a little unnerved. It becomes full-tilt unnerved when Rattigan comes to their home under the guise of working on sketches, but ends up coming on to Laura. Will Rob's response sink Rattigan's commitment to the show? Erik returns from his own vacation with some rusty podcast skills and the wrong microphone. He and Justin get back into the swing of things via a chat about Jack Quaid and the current Marvel Cinematic Universe. The pair also fall in love with Mary Tyler Moore all over again. Justin learns the Morey Amsterdam joke and immediately warms to Rose Marie. Guest star Richard Dawson gets some flowers even as Erik tries to determine if Rattigan is supposed to be Peter Sellers, Dudley Moore, or both. Though not on screen, Carl Reiner proves to be the MVP. But will a 1963 episode of the show turn out surprisingly modern?

Tread Perilously concludes its month of celebrating the new series Doctor Who with "Listen." As Clara goes on a somewhat uncomfortable date, The Doctor realizes he is talking to himself and supposes there might be a more sinister reason for it. Soon, he picks up Clara for a trip to the past, the future, and an impossible era to learn the truth behind the perfect hider and the monster under your bed. All the while, Clara's date, Danny Pink, seems to be at the center of the investigation. But is that to do with Clara? And who is the boy Clara finds in a barn somewhere far from England? Justin and Erik discuss Steven Moffat as a writer and his seeming resistance to platonic friendships. Actor Samuel Anderson gets praise for his performance in this episode ... but not as Danny Pink. "Listen" is unavoidably compared to "Blink," which leads to some surprising analysis of both. Does modern Doctor Who work best when Moffat and Russell T. Davies are involved at the same time? Erik once again suggests Matt Smith left earlier than originally planned. Justin praises a key sequence in the episode. Peter Capaldi's performance as The Doctor is reviewed anew and Justin identifies the only true romantic Doctor/companion pairing of the Classic series.

Tread Perilously's Doctor Who month continues with a new series episode called "Midnight." While Donna relaxes in a spa on the planet Midnight, The Doctor decides to take an excursion to the so-called Sapphire Falls. It is an eight-hour trip, but a couple of hours in, the transport stops and the mechanic in the flight deck spots movement where no living thing is supposed to be. Soon, something makes its way into the passenger compartment and it wants nothing more than to inhabit The Doctor. The dry air in Erik's hotel room leads to a lot of throat clearing. A brief discussion of classic Who and X-Men comics breaks out. Justin turns out to have the same reaction Erik had to the episode when it first aired. They delve into that appraisal. The presence of actor David Troughton also gets examined. The Tenth Doctor's flaws are on display even as he proves to be right in a compartment full of panicky humans. Erik continues to be surprised by the lack of Rutans in the new series. The issue of continuity with Big Finish Audio is explained. Dorothy Zbornak gets pitched as a companion and Barack Obama turns out to be the reason no man can have a secret second family anymore.

Tread Perilously celebration of Doctor Who's second 20 years on the air continues with "73 Yards." When The Doctor and Ruby Sunday land on the Welsh coastline, he breaks a fairy circle and immediately disappears. Ruby's key will not work in the TARDIS and she is forced to fend for herself in the nearby Welsh town. Making her way home to London, she also discovers a mysterious woman is hovering 73 yards away. Whenever anyone tries to talk to the woman, she inspires fear in them and a contempt for Ruby. With The Doctor still missing, Ruby gets on with her life, but will a chance reference to something he told her reveal her true purpose? Justin and Erik discuss the personalities of the 14th and 15th Doctors. They also get lost in the Welsh countryside for a time. Erik gets into the trouble of modern Doctor Who discourse. Millie Gibson proves to be a capable lead as she takes point in this episode. Erik outlines the true mystery of faith. The ambiguity of the episode leads to differing opinions. Erik's critical English accents re-appears while Justin considers some of his family's past with the British Empire.

Tread Perilously's annual Doctor Who month celebrates 20 years of the new series, starting with the Jodie Whittaker era episode "Eve of the Daleks." New Year's Eve 2021. Sarah, the owner of Elf Storage in Manchester, must keep the lights on because a certain client always turns up just before midnight on 31 December to deposit items in his storage space. He turns up, naturally enough, but so do The Doctor, Yaz, and Dan. And, soon, Daleks arrive, too. When they exterminate everyone in the building, a time loop occurs ... but all quickly becomes aware of it. Can they figure out the secret behind the loop and stop the Dalek? Erik gets into the weeds about the use of the term "reboot" in media. He also makes the case against Dan. Justin comes to his own appraisal about the character. While some gripes about then-showrunner Chris Chibnall get aired, the pair praise him for various choices in this episode. Guest stars Aisling Bea and Adjani Salmon also prove to be MVPs. Guesses are made about cuisine in Middle-earth. Despite a number of tropes, the story ends up feeling fresh. The problem with The Doctor/Yaz relationship is discussed and Dalek voices abound.

Tread Perilously's Movies on TV month concludes with an episode of Teen Wolf called "Lunatic." Following the incident at school, Scott and Allison are on the outs ... and it seems to be having a profound effect on his wolfy nature. Allison, meanwhile, is starting to notice how strange people are behaving -- particularly her father and aunt. Derek is on the run as he is the prime suspect in the school incident and Scott can't decide if he or the Alpha is making him go feral. Jackson sees an opportunity to get closer to Allison and Stiles proves to be too good of a friend. Erik and Justin get into the weeds with the original Teen Wolf film. The Twilight and Vampire Diaries vibes are unavoidable as well. Erik cannot deny he is a Crystal Reed fan. Stiles turns out to be the surprising favorite in this version of the tale. The problem of high school shows is addressed. The pair find a new role for Bruce Campbell. Justin tries to figure out why the show bothered to use the Teen Wolf branding. Geography Corner leads to a surprising filming location. It is unclear if star Tyler Posey is a lead and the difficulties of depicting werewolves in live action are explored.

Tread Perilously's month of TV shows based on feature films continues with an episode of Alien Nation called "Fifteen With Wanda." When a Newcomer limo driver is witness to a crime on his wedding night, he enters witness protection with Sikes and Francisco as his detail. Unfortunately, the Newcomer took an aphrodisiac as part of the wedding/bonding tradition and must spend the next three weeks wanting nothing more than the 15 minutes with his bride to complete the mating ceremony. And with his day in court soon approaching, he is targeted for extermination. Meanwhile, Francisco's son gets involved with Lori Petty. Justin recalls the reason why he never watched Alien Nation despite being a big fan of the movie. Memories of the Fox network in the 1990s are examined, including The X-Files and M.A.N.T.I.S. The pair also recall what genre movies and TV were like before it all got Whedon-ized. Star Gary Graham proves to be the weakest link in moving Alien Nation to television. Co-star Eric Pierpoint proves more successful as TV's Mandy Patankin. The power of 1990s Lori Petty cannot be denied. Geography Corner leads to Southern California colleges. Justin learns a key detail about Newcomer physiology. Erik and Justin pitch a modern version of Alien Nation and discover the old Dr. Spock joke now requires a ton of context.

Tread Perilously's Movies On TV month continues with an episode of Gidget called "Gidget's Foreign Policy." When Gidget's father allows an associate's daughter to spend the week before classes begin at UCLA at their home, Gidget comes face-to-face with a more rigid way of life: the Swedish way! But her attempts to get the timid Inge to loosen up work too well and, soon, the exchange student is chasing the boys Gidget usually keeps on a leash. Will her boyfriend choose Inge over her? And what will happen when Inge's fiance returns from San Francisco to discover what's become of his intended? Erik and Justin immediately seize on the weirdness of Sweden as a truly foreign country. Erik accidentally stumbles on a possible Opus Dei conspiracy. Star Sally Field is discussed for her obvious presence, but lack of chops as Gidget. The character's name is also discussed. Justin tries to figure out the premise and its connection to the film. The innocence of the series throws the pair for a loop. Special guest star Walter Koenig and a member of the film's cast leads down a very specific alley. The importance of a good burger bun is emphasized. Gerd Shockley makes an unexpected appearance and Cliff Robertson is celebrated.

Tread Perilously begins a month of movies squeezed and stretched into television series with the RoboCop: The Series episode called "Inside Crimes." When William Ray "Pudface" Morgan's latest heist becomes fodder for the OCP Television series Inside Crimes, ratings go through the roof. The executive producer, naturally, wants to feature the criminal -- and RoboCop -- more frequently, but the cops, the OCP Chairman, and a security detail protecting $1.2 billion in gold bullion beg to differ. Will RoboCop sniff out Pudface's real scheme before it's too late? And will the Inside Crimes EP get more than she bargained for when she enlists Pudface's direct help? Erik and Justin determine whether or not the series continues the story from the film. Characters like Madigan and the OCP Chairman come under the microscope. The overall notion of canonicity also gets discussed. Star Richard Eden's performance as RoboCop is assessed. RoboCop 3 is exhumed. Frank Miller becomes important, as does satire. The relative quality of RoboCop: The Series is also appraised. A joke leads to a chat about The Kids in the Hall. Vic Mackey continues to invade any and all cop show conversations. Ronald McDonaldland turns into a cesspit of crime and, for reasons, actor Paul McCrane is celebrated.

Tread Perilously's '80s flashback month concludes with an episode of The Love Boat called "Miss Mom/Who's the Champ/Gopher's Delusion" The Pacific Princess's latest Mexican coast sailing comes with a twist -- a wrestling match between "Lover Boy" Bob and Thomas 'The Mangler' Sharkey. The promoter even retained the services of Terry "Hulk" Hogan to do ringside commentary! But when The Mangler's sister has a lovely interaction with Lover Boy, will it turn the kayfabe into a serious grudge? Meanwhile, Cruise Director Judy tries to find a man for her cousin, Gretchen -- and potentially succeeds -- even as Gopher is hypnotized into believing he is Captain Stubing. Justin finally faces an episode of The Love Boat. Erik pitches guest actor Tim Rossovich for the other version of Superman III that never got made. Both are surprised by the show's anthology structure. The presence of the Hulkster, and Caitlyn Jenner as one of the wrestlers, leads down certain directions -- including an appreciation of "Macho Man" Randy Savage. A wild Teri Hatcher appears! The old Navy Seals joke gets dissected. The myth of Ted McGinley is also addressed. Erik identifies a couple of guest stars from their Star Trek: The Next Generation appearances. Jenner's 1980s hairstyle gets dubbed "the Pete Rose" and Erik realizes a startling connection between Gopher and Star Trek's Pavel Chekhov.

Tread Perilously's 1980s flashback month continues with an episode of Magnum P.I. called "Kiss of the Sabre." When Magnum is evicted from the guest house, he gets to know its new inhabitant: novice writer Betty Windom. Constantly suffering writer's block during her attempts to plot a tale of superspy Sebastian Sabre, she decides to butt into Magnum's latest case. Is a simple job verifying details of an insurance claim more than it seems? Magnum doesn't think so, but when Betty sees him nearly killed by a backhoe, it becomes clear things are not so cut-and-dry. And, maybe, it is the exact thing Sebastian Sabre needs. Erik immediately declares the episode to be a broadcast version of an Andy Sedaris movie. Another bevy of guest stars suggests the real reason he chose this episode. Justin's attempt to recall the premise of Magnum P.I. leads in strange directions. The pair doubt star Tom Selleck could have launched the Indiana Jones film series. They also evaluate Magnum's case and the Sabre story it inspired. Justin suggests a reason for the cast to play their regular parts and the characters in Betty's book. The first digression into Better Off Dead of 2025 occurs. Guest star Patrick Collins earns his name and Erik completely fails to create a Howard Cosell impression.

Tread Perilously's 1980s flashback months leads them, finally, to Silver Spoons with an episode called "A Family Affair." When Ricky meets Jeannie -- who goes to the nearby all-girls school -- at the local hangout, he discovers that she's pretty rad. Soon, she becomes his prom date. Meanwhile, Edward, Kate, and Dexter Stuffins face the threat of a strike at the toy factory. But when Ricky and Jeannie get into an argument, he calls off the prom date only for Dexter to tell Edward that her father might be mobbed up. And when her father comes around to the house, Edward faces a difficult decision. Erik and Justin almost immediately make their way into a '90s flashback. Erik also declares Dexter Stuffins to be one of the great names in '80s TV. It leads to a lot of praise for actor Franklyn Seales. A wild Alfonso Ribeiro appears. Justin mentions his fixation on Erin Gray. A bevy of guest stars leads to conversations of '80s bands, underrated actors, an old Tread Perilously favorite, and the best Star Wars knock-off. The pair try to figure out why '80s sitcoms still have soda shops. Erik ends up in a Godfather Part III rabbit hole and John Houseman gets referenced despite not being in the episode.

Tread Perilously heads back to the 1980s for a month of shows from that glorious decade. First up: a Miami Vice episode called "Bushido." When a joint operation with the DEA goes south, Captain Martin Castillo suspects his old friend Jack Gretsky may have interfered with the bust to get his attention. Soon, he visits the local CIA office to confirm and, rather quickly, confronts Gretsky, leading to the man's death. But with $500,000 of the DEA's money missing and the location of Gretsky's wife and son unknown, Castillo embraces the way of the warrior to solve all of the outstanding mysteries. Erik and Justin return to Miami Vice for the first time in nearly a decade -- but their recent study of Michael Mann gives them fresh eyes. Star and episode director Edward James Olmos is the easy MVP for stylish filmmaking and appearing in nearly every scene. A gaggle of surprise guest stars suggests the real reason Erik chose this episode six or so years ago. The pair imagine what The Shield's Strike Team would do in a Thief situation. Justin comes to believe Castillo is a wizard and finds more than one connection to Burn Notice. Also: special attention is given to Olmos's mustache.

Tread Perilously celebrates its 500th podcast by going back to the beginning -- the first ever Doctor Who story: "An Unearthly Child." When Shoreditch area schoolteachers Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton have a conversation about an unusual student, Susan Foreman, their questions lead them to a junkyard at the end of Totter's Lane. Inside, they find no trace of Susan, but instead discover an out-of-place police box. Soon, they encounter a difficult old man who not only turns out to be Susan's grandfather, but an alien known only as The Doctor. And when he sets his time machine to 100,000 B.C., it begins a huge adventure for the foursome. Justin reacts to just how different The Doctor is in his first appearance. Erik recalls some previous episodes of the podcast. Susan finally gets a discussion all her own. Barbara and Ian also take focus, forcing Justin to reconsider one of his previously established archetypes. Erik tries to give producer Verity Lambert some of her due. The issues with episodes 2-4 are explored. The initial William Hartnell depiction of The Doctor leads to some myth-making about the show. Justin has a hard time holding onto Jacqueline Hill's name and the pair imagine other Doctor/companion teams dealing with the cavemen and their quest for fire.

The Ballad of John D. Cort continues as Tread Perilously watches an episode of Baywatch called "The End?" When a series of tremors leads to a larger shock, the Baywatch team is caught off guard for landslides, liquefaction, and dangerous panes of glass. Cort and Craig, meanwhile, find trouble when the shockwaves hit the spot they were diving. Back on land, Hobie helps Craig's wife, Gina, get to safety while Mitch tries to do his job. Shauni's attention is also split when Eddie fails to call in from his patrol. But, as it turns out, he's busy helping a pregnant woman who went into labor just as she helped him out of a jam. Justin tries to determine how many characters return for season 2 and Baywatch's first year in syndication. Erik remembers Jill and the Aussie guy Cort replaced. Both are surprised to watch an episode of the show that is nearly competent. Craig gets a full appraisal. Sea Hunt enters Justin's knowledge base. Captain Thorpe finally becomes indispensable. The program's primary flaw appears once more. Geography Corner tries extra hard to determine the beaches used this week. Eddie's living situation is clarified. The pair try to determine who among the Face/Off leads knew about John Woo prior to working with him and Eddie becomes a real boy.

Tread Perilously's winter Patreon request month continues with an episode Mrs. Davis called "Zwei Sie Piel mit Seitung Sie Wirtschaftung." Evading her seemingly German captors, Simone learns from Mrs. Davis that she must seek the Holy Grail. But Wiley and his resistance believe the quest is just to prove Simone will be a good custodian in the algorithm's data center. Which, of course, he wants her to do so they can destroy the source of Mrs. Davis. Meanwhile, Simone confronts more of her past as the machine tries to push her toward the mission. Wait, is Wiley in on it too? Erik gets confused about Justin's hot take on star Betty Gilpin. Justin thanks the Patrons for introducing him to yet another secret show. He also finds a surprising respite from modern life. The pair get lost in Las Vegas despite Mrs. Davis taking place in Reno. A wild (but subdued) David Arquette appears. Erik recalls one funny and surreal thing to emerge from the Los Angeles wildfires. Justin explains why hits to the liver are so intense. At some point, Erik starts to worry that the show stole his brain. "Zhe Germans" leads to something surprising and Erik pitches Glen Powell for an unlikely reboot.

As the Patreon request month continues, Tread Perilously ventures into Warehouse 13 for the first time with an episode called "Duped." With Myka still mad at Artie for what happened with MacPherson, she and Pete are ordered to help with the inventory. It leads to a suspicious mirror and a haunted Studio 54 disco ball. But after Myka stares too deeply into the mirror, she is called away to Las Vegas to handle a couple with surprisingly good luck. Will the artifact in their possession prove useful to the entity that escaped the mirror inside Myka? Will Artie accept that Myka is, in fact, stuck in the mirror? Erik and Justin immediately award star Saul Rubinek MVP status. Justin also can't help but compare the series to The Librarians. Erik recalls the Sci-Fi Network as it was when Warehouse 13 was first produced. While in the weeds, they discuss Wolverine, season 12 Simpsons, CCH Pounder's ability to sell absurd dialogue, The Gifted, and Batman rogues Rubinek could play. Constant re-casting suggestions occur for the Warehouse 13 cast. Despite only appearing in a recap, Roger Rees gets some praise. Justin pitches a story around the disco ball and the comparisons to The X-Files and Fringe become inevitable.

Tread Perilously starts the new year with the Winter Patreon request month. First up: an episode of the cop drama Adam 12 called "Log 72: El Presidente." As the morning shift starts, Reed wonders if he can afford to buy a house. Malloy cannot contemplate why he would stop being a renter. Their first call of the day takes them to an apartment building with a unique living situation for three of its tenants. They also aid a cabbie who has been robbed and a busload of Mexicans looking to honor "El Presidente." But when a disgruntled homeowner starts firing at kids, the pair get the riot gun ready. Justin discovers, to his dismay, that he watched the right episode of Adam-12. A look at episode writer Robert H. Forward's IMDb page leads to a discussion of John Landis, fraternities, and a commitment to watch a certain show in 2025. Griffin Dunne gets some praise. Justin makes a determination about Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. They also discuss the later 2D Disney movies, a properly cast version of The Black Dahlia, and the last great episode of The Simpsons. They also, eventually, discuss Adam-12 as its format and stars get examined. Jack Webb's worldview comes into the discussion and gun safety turns out to be very important.

The end-of-year tradition continues as Tread Perilously watches the debut episode of Fallout. 219 years after the end, Vault 33 denizen Lucy MacLean gets more than she expected when she volunteers to wed someone from Vault 32. The resulting attack by raiders, and the abduction of her father, leads her to the surface where she faces an uncertain future. Meanwhile, Brotherhood of Steel member Maximus begins his long slog of a story and a Ghoul with memories of the world before the end gets a new lease on freedom. Will all their stories converge before Lucy becomes encumbered? Special Review Unit Captain Charlie Wright joins Erik and Justin for her annual exposure to new science fiction. Walton Goggins easily proves to be the show's MVP while Maximus ends up the least interesting character. Justin proves to be the only Fallout video game fan among the three. Erik explains why the games lose him after a couple of hours. Charlie explains "Hot-lanta" and it leads to a new stomach remedy. The trio attempts to figure out when the Fallout timeline diverges from our own. Normal human actor Matt Berry makes a surprise appearance, as does Michael Emerson. Charlie reacts to all the mid-century production design and the difference between Kyle MacLachlan and Timothée Chalamet is outlined.

Tread Merrily 2024 concludes with an episode of Knight Rider called "Silent Knight." While trying to evade the F.L.A.G. Christmas banquet. Michael encounters a young lad who happened to see a bunch of bank robbers transferring their ill-gotten gains from a circus van to an unmarked K-car. He also managed to lift the gold watch one of the robbers stole from the bank manager. Soon, Michael and KITT are the only protection the boy has from the thieves and, oddly enough, himself and his dreams of caravan life. Meanwhile, Devon and April phone in to remind Michael about his obligation to the holiday cheer. Erik and Justin discuss the actual premise of Knight Rider versus what the announcer claims it to be in the intro. They also decide to use the term "Latverian" in lieu of a certain word that was still in use in the 1980s. Sound-a-likes for a trio of popular 1983 songs become an important part of the deliberations. Erik makes mention of an obscure Jon Voight film and partially reviews Kraven the Hunter. Justin blanks on the name of the actor who played Babylon 5's John Sheridan. Erik argues KITT should always be a Trans AM with a Cylon headlight. He also suggests April is a step down from Bonnie. The pair ponder if F.L.A.G. is a paramilitary contractor and Geography Corner centers on the Covina area of Southern California.

Tread Merrily 2024 continues with an episode of ALF known as "ALF's Special Christmas" — although it will be referred to as “ALF'S Christmas Special”. When the Tanners take the opportunity to spend Christmas at a cabin in the woods, ALF grumbles about the lack of indoor plumbing and electricity. His antagonism gets so bad, Willie sends him outside for a few hours. ALF ends up driving into town with the cabin's owner, who also volunteers as Santa at the local hospital. There, ALF learns the "true" meaning of Christmas as guest stars Cleavon Little and Carl Franklin class up the joint. Will the Tanners find ALF before he's mistaken for a toy? Also: a wild Molly Hagan appears! Erik and Justin end up watching almost two hours of ALF thanks to a typo. "ALF's Special Christmas" proves to be Seasonal Affective Disorder in TV form and it inspires a lot of dark comedy. Justin is convinced TV in the late 1980s was all in soft focus. The ALF impressions are abundant, but there's nary a Max Wright impression to be heard. Justin realizes the problem with Gordon Shumway answering to "ALF." Erik's qualitative objection to Ben Stiller comes to light. Unfunniness gets examined. The pair debate whether or not Edgar Wright should make Don't and an actor brings a new spin to the tired Lamaze joke.

Tread Merrily begins with the Doctor Who Christmas special "The Return of Doctor Mysterio." While investigating a potential alien invasion, The Doctor discovers a boy he met years earlier is using his accidental superpowers to become a real-life superhero. But "The Ghost" leads a complicated civilian life that is now intruding on his costumed one as the invasion, The Doctor, and the woman he secretly loves all join him for Christmas Eve Day. Will The Doctor foil the aliens? Will "The Ghost" unmask himself in front of the smart reporter he fancies? Will we remember the events of this episode in a year? Erik forgets to check his mic, leading to crackly audio throughout. Both he and Justin struggle to remember the plot and stay on task as the special is, to quote another Doctor Who showrunner, "standard." Erik vaguely recalls it ended a particular year without Doctor Who, but forgot Nardole is the companion. Justin notes the two emotional arcs of the story do not intersect. He also learns the 2025 Gallifrey One guest list. The Berlantiverse influence on the tale is obvious. The Child Compressor makes its annual Xmas pitch. Wavering Scottish accents occur. Justin defends the work of Matt Lucas. Dragonball Evolution gets remembered and Erik continues to develop his Doctor Who version of It's a Wonderful Life.

Tread Perilously's Cornucopia of Sci-Fi concludes with a Caprica episode called "False Labor." After each of the main characters has troubled dreams, Joseph Adama awakes to another day of work while his brother, Sam, plots to send guns to Tauron. Daniel Greystone continues to develop Resurrection technology and perfect a simulacrum of his wife, Amanda. She, meanwhile, works to embed herself among the monotheists, even if one one of their number doubts her intentions. Trouble continues to brew behind the scenes at Greystone's business. The mob gets ever closer, and a prototype Cylon Centurion makes a startling contribution to the day's events. Erik and Justin can't help but examine Caprica through the eyes of jaded former Battlestar Galactica fans. Ronald D. Moore ends up in the hot seat even though he had little to do with Caprica. The duo split on star Paula Malcomson's performance. Esai Morales easily wins their hearts, though. Erik sees why Eric Stoltz was fired from Back to the Future. Despite not appearing in the episode, Caprica marketing star Alessandra Torresani merits discussion. Episode director John Dahl leads to a chat abput Rounders and the career of Gretchen Mol. The major Cylon problem infects Caprica and Erik gives The 4400's Billy Campbell some credit.

Tread Perilously's Cornucopia of Sci-Fi continues with an episode of Upload called "Strawberry." Nathan and Nora are still on the road returning consciousnesses of the departed to their families. Their latest stop brings them to a farm where pork and cheese are produced. Note the wording. While the parents of the departed prove folksy and nice, their world is anything but. Back in the "Afterlife," Ingrid realizes the Nathan she's seeing is not the genuine person ... even if it gives her another advantage on Tinsley. Choak also realizes there are two Nathans, but will he be able to put all the pieces together? Justin is alerted to another secret show. He also rallies against the modern meaning of "content." Star Robbie Amell proves to be unmemorable. Erik refuses to accept another member of the cast as anything other than his most memorable role. His criticism of The Disaster Artist adaptation also comes up. Justin champions Andor again. A different league of guest actors are suggested for the farmers. Erik forgets if a Baldwin passed away. Fantasyland rides become important. The pair try to figure out how pet names emerge. A new marketing angle is found. Justin gets completely lost in the episode and learns about the "Afterlife" live.

Tread Perilously's Cornucopia of Sci-Fi continues with an episode of Resident Alien called 'Girls' Night.' While Harry continues to work on the interstellar radio, Asta, D'Arcy, Kate, and Liv get a "GN59" text from Kayla and immediately plan a girls' night at the bar. Kate brings her cousin, Carlyn, while the mayor frets about Kate and D'Arcy becoming better friends. As the evening wears on, Liv reveals she hasn't had a raise in 17 years, prompting the other women to learn the town budget and, perhaps, fight for some equality. Will it go well for them? And will Carlyn end up part of Harry's plan for the radio? Justin and Erik learn more about Kate and the mayor's sex life than they expected. Justin faces Resident Alien for the first time while Erik remembers why he likes the show. Guest star Alex Borstein proves a good addition to a strong core ensemble. Erik points out the program's "great Syfy show" quality. Australia gets blamed for wrecking the "hotness quotient." Justin brings Rena Sofer into the conversation. Volvos remain a dependable automobile. The night still belongs to ABBA. Morissey ends up in the hot seat (again) and a carve-out for the Bechdel Test is proposed.

Tread Perilously begins a cornucopia of sci-fi with the most infamous episode of Torchwood: "Cyberwoman." When Ianto Jones invites a specialist in Cyber tech to Torchwood 3, all hell breaks loose. It turns out he's been keeping his partially Cyber-ized girlfriend on life support since the Battle of Canary Wharf. He's using a Cyber-conversion machine to do it. And none of the others know about it. Of course, Cybermen are going to Cyberman, but will a "Cyberwoman" also seek to make all organic life like her? Also: what will Captain Jack Harkness do when he learns Ianto has been keeping a woman prisoner in their basement? Justin faces his first -- and possibly last -- episode of Torchwood. He learns almost immediately why Erik has been putting this one off for so long. Episode writer Chris Chibnall is, once again, in the hot seat. Erik is accused of being a David Tennant fan. The weeds lead to some darker places, but also to discussion of The Tick, the Noldor, and more. Justin tries to make sense of Torchwood as a concept.  He also notes Erik's "angry" British accent. A surprise Burn Gorman appears! White Water Summer is used to prove a point. The viscosity of Ianto becomes important and Justin suggests Torchwood isn't sexy enough.

Tread Perilously rounds out a witchy October with the annual visit to Supernatural. This year: an episode called "Shut Up, Dr. Phil." To keep his mind off murdering Amy Pond (no, really!), Dean convinces Sam to investigate a spate of murders in Prosperity, Indiana. The victims so far have some ties to real estate in the area. But when a contractor also dies, the signs lead to a witch. Is it the local developer magnate or his wife? Or could it be ... both? Meanwhile, one of the Leviathan's slowly makes his way to Prosperity in the hopes of eliminating Sam and Dean for good. Erik determines, almost immediately, that guest stars Charisma Carpenter and James Marsters are the main reasons Justin chose this witch-focused episode of Supernatural. But the actors both easily earn most valued status as they elevate what might be a more humdrum episode. Despite not appearing on screen, Jim Beaver also turns out to be a MVP. Justin realizes he's starting to forget parts of the show. Erik tries to figure out the season-long plot. Harry Dresden turns out not to be a favorite. A discussion in the weeds leads back to Supergirl and the current state of the MCU, ridiculous sandwiches become a scourge, and a new Batman villain makes a surprise appearance. 

Tread Perilously continues a witchy October with The Paul Lynde Halloween Special. When neighborhood kids harass Paul Lynde about his plans to celebrate Halloween, he flees to the home of his housekeeper's sister. But he soon learns both are witches with remarkable resemblances to Witchiepoo and The Wicked Witch of the West. As it turns out, they want him to be a spokesman for witches. In return, he'll get three wishes granted and a private concert from KISS. The latter aspect is not negotiable. What wishes will Paul get granted? Will KISS let Peter sing "Beth"? And will guest stars Billy Barty, Florence Henderson, and Betty White make a mark on the proceedings? Erik and Justin try to deal with a variety special making a stab at an ongoing narrative. They also conjure the Osmonds back into existence. The previous on-screen persona of Betty White is explored. Bruce Vilanch returns as Erik reads out a very long list of writers. The Pinky Tuscadero phenomenon gets explained ... including the unlikely connection to Suzi Quatro. The pair take a closer look at KISS and give "Beth" a review. Erik decries the industry for not giving Margaret Hamilton a true starring role and the long delayed Alien: Romulus chat finally occurs.

Tread Perilously's witchy October continues with the 1978 TV special Witch's Night Out. While the adults in town begin to plan a thoroughly grown-up Halloween party, all youngsters Small and Tender want to do is scare them with their Halloween masks. But when everyone recognizes them during trick-or-treating, they run home dejected. Their cries to become real monsters are heard by the local witch, who happens to live in the abandoned mansion the adults are using as the site of their gathering. Will the town learn the true meaning of Halloween when Small, Tender, and their babysitter, Bazooey, are transformed by the witch's magicks? The drug comparisons are constant with both Erik and Justin deciding Bazooey knows where to get the good stuff. Erik points out the special's origins in Canada. The quality of 1970s animation is also discussed. Small and Tender join the ranks of the Little Shits while Justin finds their names unacceptable. The pair once again threaten to do a Voula episode of Degrassi Junior High. Gilda Radner easily wins voice cast MVP status, although Catherine O'Hara proves a surprising addition to the ensemble. Erik theorizes a Dan Aykroyd cameo as well. Justin almost convinces Erik to watch Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice and Mayor Goodly turns out to be a surprise bad guy.

Tread Perilously's month of witches continues with the Smallville episode "Spell." When Lana successfully bids on an old book off eBay, she is quickly possessed by Isabella, her witch-inclined ancestor. Like Lex, she also seeks the Stones of Power and will stop at nothing -- not even death -- to get them. Isabella soon houses the spirits of her coven in the bodies of Chloe and Lois, but will plans for Chloe's 18th birthday interfere with the witches' goals? Or will it turn out to be the perfect cover for their search? Meanwhile, Clark is anticipating a visit from the Princeton recruiter and a wild Jensen Ackles appears. Justin and Erik admit Tom Welling is a good-looking man, but aren't willing to give him much else. The Stones of Power give Erik all the excuse he needs to talk about Middle-earth. The oughty-ness of the proceedings lead the pair into the weeds with discussion of Homer's vision quest on The Simpsons, Michael Mann, and, of course, Rome. Justin is convinced Smallville's big problem is its attempt to be Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The theme song is compared to the infamous Enterprise tune. Technical difficulties suggest the presence of Isabella in the studio and Justin turns out to be the #1 fan of an unlikely movie.

Halloween season 2024 on Tread Perilously is a celebration of witches, and the magical mischief begins with an episode of Bewitched called "To Trick-or-Treat or Not to Trick-or-Treat." When Endora discovers Sam is participating in a Trick-of-Treat For Unicef event that props up stereotypes about witches, the resulting fight with Darren leads her to transform him into the very tropes she despises. Will he be able to pitch a new presentation to an important client while looking more like Tommy Wiseau? Will Larry Tate finally learn the truth about Sam? And will Tabitha ever notice the family discord around her while getting ready to go trick-or-treating as a princess? Erik's appreciation of Endora finds a new dimension. A definitive answer to the Dick York/Dick Sargent debate is reached. An underlying theme of Bewitched is explored, even if the show cannot really dive into it. Justin deploys the best ad men at Sterling Cooper Price. He also has some notes for Tabitha actor Erin Murphy. Erik guesses Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF must've been fairly new when the episode aired. Dr. Leonard H. McCoy once again returns to The Alternative Factor. The pair try to explain the phenomenon that was Tiny Tim and the mystery of George Plimpton is solved.

Tread Perilously's Star Trek month 2024 concludes with an episode Star Trek: Enterprise called "Shuttlepod One." While on assignment aboard Shuttlepod One, Trip and Malcolm find evidence that Enterprise was destroyed while surveying an asteroid field. The pair make plans to direct their impulse-capable shuttle toward the nearest human colony, but it will take years to arrive and they only have nine days of air. Will they have a heart-to-heart about their personality differences? Will Enterprise, on its own mission of mercy, realize Trip and Malcolm are adrift in space? And will T'Pol ever get respect from Archer or the show's producers? Erik and Justin sit down for the longest conversation about Enterprise yet. The fact the episode was written by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga may have something to do with it. Justin's Berman impression becomes canon. Discussions in the weeds include The Batman and the first two episodes of Agatha All Along. The prequel-itis of Enterprise gets in the way, as it often does. Comparisons to The Expanse are inevitable. Erik defends the "Galileo Seven" plot as an evergreen premise for any sci-fi show. The pair decide they want 'NX-01' baseball caps and, yes, the song gets litigated again.

Tread Perilously's Star Trek Month 2024 continues with the long-delayed episode of Star Trek: Voyager called "Bride of Chaotica!" Tom Paris and Ensign Harry Kim's afternoon playing chapter 18 of "The Adventures of Captain Proton" is disrupted when Voyager runs aground in a "subspace sandbar." It immediately disrupts quality of life systems on the ship and prevents the Holodeck from shutting down Paris's program. Meanwhile, transdimensional aliens materialize in the simulation and assume its 1940s movie  serial nature to be real because they are energy-based life-forms. Will Paris figure out a way to communicate or will it fall on Captain Janeway to save the day by becoming the bride of Chaotica? Erik is immediately annoyed to be watching a Tom Paris episode of Voyager. Justin can't help but notice its similarity to a certain episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Episode co-writer Bryan Fuller also makes Erik doubtful it will be able to rise out of its Paris deficit. Justin argues for Garrett Wang to be the true lead in the story. Various 1940s movie serial tropes are examined. Kate Mulgrew gets top marks for understanding the assignment. Tuvok turns out to be a font of deadpan gold. Justin is dismayed by the lack of Robert Picardo and circumstances force a discussion of Neelix.

Tread Perilously's 2024 Star Trek Month continues with an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation called "Justice." After a tiring mission to establish a new colony, the Enterprise finds an idyllic world full of pretty blonde people who really enjoy sex. But that permissiveness comes with a zero tolerance policy for the slightest infraction of local laws and death as the only punishment. Does it have something to do with the half-visible space station also in orbit around the planet? Will Captain Picard have to justify the Prime Directive -- or break it -- in front of a cadre of TOS style god-aliens? And will Riker get some "quality time" on the planet? Erik and Justin disagree on the Wesley question in this episode. Brenda Bakke from The Young Riders returns in far less clothing. Erik has a problem with Data emoting in certain scenes. Bob Guccione makes a surprising appearance. Justin finds three worthy Star Trek ideas in the plot, even if they get lost in Gene Roddenberry's horniness and other first season TNG problems. The pair praise Gates McFadden despite being extremely ill-served by the script. Geography Corner centers on the water treatment plant gardens used in this and several other TNG episodes. The discussion leads to Jason Todd discourse and Gerd Shockley's birthday is "celebrated."

Tread Perilously's 2024 Star Trek month opens with an episode of The Original Series called "The Omega Glory." Arriving in orbit around Omega IV, the Enterprise discovers the crew of the U.S.S. Exeter have been turned into salt; the result of a highly infectious disease from the planet below. Beaming down, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy find the Exeter's captain, Donald Tracey, alive and well. He's convinced the planet holds the secret to immortality and wants Kirk to join him in making millions once Tracey learns how to bottle it. Will Kirk break the Prime Directive? Will Tracey learn the real secret of Omega IV? And will we ever get past the sensation that Gerd Shockley wrote this episode? Erik and Justin commemorate the Bell Riots in the best way possible: talking about a true Star Trek low light. The pair differ on guest actor Morgan Woodward's performance as Tracey, but absolutely agree on the shockingly regressive attitudes present in a script by Gene Roddenberry. Emperor Sheev Palpatine's real plan is revealed. Justin's love of the starship-specific logos is tempered by the reason why it was abandoned. The presence of Space Huns leads the discussion in a certain direction and Lt. Galloway gets the memorial he deserves.

Tread Perilously's summer Patreon request month winds down with a visit to 1990s westerns via an episode of The Young Riders called "The Peacemakers." When Hickok rides into Glen Creek, he sees an Amish baptism interrupted by a gang of interlopers. Aiming to help, he soon learns the small religious community is a target for persecution by the nearby town. The tension is stoked by the local newspaper publisher, who has more than one reason to want the Amish out of the county. Complicating matters: Hickok has made eyes at one of the Amish girls. Also, a mysterious man puts a washed-up gunfighter on Hickok's trail. Meanwhile, McCloud and the Kid discuss their relationship. For various reasons, Erik and Justin start with a discussion of HBO shows. Erik praises Don Franklin, despite his absence in this episode. Stephen Baldwin's tendency to coast gets examined. Despite everything, star Josh Brolin turns out to be good here. Guest star James Cromwell leads to a lot of Star Trek and L.A. Confidential talk. Brolin's hairdo comes down for a hard critique. The C-plot with McCloud and the Kid gets revised while the B-plot proves to feature a Justin favorite. The pair try to determine why the show is so coy about the Amish being Amish and Erik finds the exact right movie to remind Justin how he knows guest actor Brenda Bakke.

To celebrate Tread Perilously's 477th podcast, Erik and Justin finally watch an episode of M*A*S*H -- "That's Show Biz." When a performer on a USO tour comes down with appendicitis, she is airlifted to the 4077th and immediately falls for Hawkeye. Once the rest of her colleagues make it to the M*A*S*H unit, they decided to put on an impromptu show. But they soon learn the road to their next stop was bombed and they must spend a few extra days at the camp. Will personalities clash? Will Hawkeye wave off the advances of the young singer? And will Klinger have a future in comedy? Erik explains why he chose the second lowest rated episode of M*A*S*H on IMDb for its introduction into the rotation. Justin appreciates the presence of guest star Gwen Verdon while Erik finally admits he always had a thing for Gail Edwards. Alan Alda also proves to be swoon-worthy. David Ogden Stiers' proto-Fraser is examined. Harry Morgan might turn out to be the series regular MVP. The obsession with Columbo continues. The Raygun situation makes its way into the discussion. Erik has a spooky moment with cable television. Justin reveals a preference for the accordion and Erik pitches a show for Patrick McGoohan and Peter Falk.

Tread Perilously's Summer Patreon request month leads to very British superpowers with Misfits Season 2, Episode 2. Simon's day of annoying the others is interrupted when his half-brother, Jamie, arrives to introduce himself for the first time. The two start to bond down the pub, but when Jamie's car is stolen, he reveals their father was bound and gagged in the boot. Meanwhile, the others get closer to discovering the masked man who has been following them. It all leads to a rave where Simon and Jamie decide which of them gets to pull the bartender they met earlier who happens to have ice powers. Will it lead to tragedy? Erik and Justin immediately fuss over the presence of Robert Sheehan -- who may have been playing Klaus from The Umbrella Academy for a very long time. Justin figures out where the series is meant to take place. Erik finds all the Britishisms he can recall. He also confuses the X-Man called Skin with another Mutant. The definition of "chav" comes up. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics lead to some advance planning. Erik can't help but call Iwan Rheon "Ramsey Bolton." A special guest star distracts Justin. He is also surprised to see Dexter Fletcher, and Ruth Negga makes an unexpected appearance.

Tread Perilously's Patreon request month continues with an episode of Murder, She Wrote called "We're Off to Kill the Wizard." Jessica Fletcher's quick trip to Chicago is disrupted when a local amusement park impresario invites her and her relatives to a preview of a new horror-infused theme park. But his real objective is to convince her to license her work out for a new venture. When he turns up dead, though, plenty of the people around him look good for the crime and Jessica's quick visit turns into a whole investigation as she attempts to figure out how the park owner was murdered in a locked room no one could enter or exit. Both Erik and Justin are glad to be in the cozy confines of Jessica's world. The pair are also surprised by the nature of a first season Murder, She Wrote. Sprouted potatoes become a new adversary. Justin admits he is mainlining Columbo during the week. A discussion of Blake's 7 breaks out. Justin guesses why this week's Patron chose this particular episode; it might have something to do with a certain child guest star. Erik can't unsee Burbank playing Chicago throughout the episode. Geography Corner leads to Joe Mantenga's pizza place. Guest actor George DiCenzo gets his flowers, as does Kim Darby. Fast food burger rankings are made and a wild Les Nessman appears.

Tread Perilously starts the summer Total Request Live with the debut episode of the forgotten ABC TV series The Charmings.  Waking up after a 1000-year sleeping curse, Snow White Charming, her husband Eric, and their sons find themselves in 1980s Los Angeles. They attempt to re-establish some sort of life with a home, new neighbors, and a new school for the boys. But when Snow's stepmother, Lillian White, suggests they'll never fit in and a note from the school's psychologist puts the family on blast, will Snow and Eric accept that they must lie to make modern life work? Erik, of course, watched The Charmings when it aired. Justin wonders, "why is this?" The pair try to determine all the things the pilot is missing. They also try to figure out who would've been the "budget John Mahoney" at the time. A digression about The Birdcage happens immediately. The endless abyss outside Castle Grayskull becomes incredibly important. The problems with the show's premise are explored -- including a solution to its biggest conceptual fault -- a few casting changes are proposed, and Erik shocks Justin by revealing the presence of First Hobie as one of the Charming sons. Also, a nostalgic feeling for the soft-spoken man selling speakers by the highway emerges.

Tread Perilously's summer grab bag continues by finally returning to Cop Rock for its second episode, "Ill-Gotten Gaines." Following the death of unarmed man, Hollander tries to pin it all on LaRusso. Meanwhile, he also assigns Gains to Rose, who is still grieving the death of his partner in the pilot episode. But making things worse, Gaines thinks it is okay to sing Motown classics at Rose. The mayor and the chief continue their cold war. Ruskin makes a fateful decision after talking with Quinn. Also, Rose sings a eulogy to his fallen comrade. Erik tries to compare the episode to the second hour of The Shield. Justin isn't so sure. The pair also end up finally talking about The Acolyte. They try to determine when creator Steven Bochco knew about what was happening at Rampart Division. Justin compares Cop Rock to Tequila & Bonetti and various natural disasters. A wild 1980s sax man appears! James Cameron gets celebrated for his asshole tendencies. The show's status as a bad musical is once again confirmed. Erik declares the name "LaRusso" can only be used by one fictional family. Anne Bobby's career is considered and a musical number based around a suspect line-up becomes a crucial point of conversation.

After a long absence, Tread Perilously returns to the world of Tequila and Bonetti with an episode called "Fetch This, Pal." When Tequila and Bonetti are called to the scene of a possible bomb scare, they are accosted by the head of the LAPD's K9 unit (guest star James Tolkan) who refuses to give them access to the building. Soon, Bonetti signs Tequila up for a certification test the dog has no intent on passing, even as the stakes get higher. But will any of that matter when bomb scares become real bombings and the prime suspect appears to have history with the K9 unit? Erik declares the episode to be both inefficient and irritating. The tonal whiplash also works against it with scenes becoming too dramatic and too comical at the same time. Justin is confronted with another television series he can't tell is real. He also imagines other actors as Tequila even as the character earns a new voice. Don Fanucci makes a surprising appearance. George Lucas turns out to be a fan of an obscure Ewan McGregor film. A theory emerges regarding how Tequila's riffs are generated. James Tolkan is praised even as Tequila attempts to make fun of his bald head. The pair try to figure out how the dog became a cop and the piano montage gets another look.

The Ballad of John D. Cort continues with an episode of Baywatch called "Old Friends." Mitch, Craig, and Garner take a few days off to hang glide in the Santa Monica mountains. Well, Garner is more interested in reading and dozing. But when Mitch crashes into a tree, gets bit by a snake, and subsequently falls into a quarry, it's up to Craig and Garner to get him out of the wilderness. Meanwhile, Cort is reminded of a friend who died a year earlier. But when he visits the widow, he gets the sense things may not be as it seems. Will it turn out he was a patsy all along? Erik and Justin realize Baywatch's time has passed. They also call for the return of Geocities and webrings. Colonial Marine Trevor Wierzbowski becomes an unlikely mascot. Mitch's fall down the cliff becomes the lynch pin of the entire outing. The love fest for John Allen Nelson continues. Captain Thorpe makes a very special appearance. David Hasselhoff's ego gets examined. Manwë joins the pantheon. A brief guest turn by Hope Marie Carlton leads well into the weeds. Garner's glamping is praised. Mitch ends up being the worst character and a snake turns out to be the hero.

Tread Perilously's month of treading safely concludes with a top episode of Night Court: "A Day in the Life." When Judge Harry Stone's courtroom is called upon to adjudicate 200 cases before midnight, Dan's salacious plans are threatened. Will he, Christine, Harry, Mac, Roz, and Bull survive an onslaught of would-be gods, dueling Moses-es, amateur magicians, irate Nielsen families, and Barry Manilow? Will NBC boss Brandon Tartikoff be called upon as a character witness? And will Dan get to score with his recurring, um, "sex interest" in her van before she drives away to California forever? Also, will slow talking prove to be the most important form of comedy ever devised? Justin once again reveals his mother let him watch Night Court as a child, which hits differently after this episode. He also explains the show doesn't really coalesce until season 4. Erik defends visiting New York, but can't imagine living there. Justin warns people off watching any season 9 episode of Night Court. John Larroquette once again proved to be the MVP even if his character is kind of a sex pest. Markie Post's unfortunate 1980s style gets critiqued as Erik recalls the "Shoulderpads Arms Race." Justin chooses a new search engine and surprise discussions about Twin Peaks and Sarah Douglas occur.

Tread Perilously continues its month of treading safely with one of the best Columbo episodes ever filmed: "A Stitch In Crime." When Dr. Barry Mayfield's (special guest star Leonard Nimoy) ambitions to become renowned for a new anti-rejection drug are threatened by the head of the project, he plots to murder him in the slowest way possible. When his plan goes into motion, Mayfield kills the nurse (special guest star Anne Francis) who suspects him of sabotaging their boss's heart operation. Columbo soon arrives on the scene and makes life a living hell for Mayfield. But will the smart doctor fall for Columbo's ruse or is he an adversary unlike anything the lieutenant has faced before? Erik and Justin are right to invoke logic when discussing Nimoy, who proves to be a superb antagonist for star Peter Falk. They also fall in love, again, with Nita Talbot, who guests in the episode as Anne Francis's roommate. Justin declares the story "shockingly modern" thanks to several recent shows indebted to Columbo. Erik numerates the episodes he passed over for Nimoy's guest turn. Geography Corners abound. A discussion of classic horror movies breaks out, as does a chat about Kevin McCarthy. Justin's Columbo impression improves while Erik's disintegrates when he also attempts to do his Dr. McCoy. And, of course, everything comes back to the Turnbull ACs.

Tread Perilously engages in a normal human podcast by watching an episode of What We Do In The Shadows called "On The Run." When a mysterious vampire tracks down Laszlo over the matter of an ancient debt, he abandons his life on Staten Island to become "Jackie Daytona" -- a beloved local fixture and bar owner in Pennsylvania. Much to his surprise, Jackie becomes invested in the success of a nearby high school varsity volleyball team. But when the vampire who forced Laszlo to flee rolls into town, will Jackie walk away just when the volleyball team needs him most? Meanwhile, Colin Robinson makes an awkward proposition. Erik tells the tale of his conversion to a What We Do In the Shadows fan. The pair debate how to say Mark Proksch's last name. Justin enjoys Harvey Guillén's weariness as Guillermo while Erik ends up really taking to the styles of Proksch, Natasia Demetriou, and Matt Berry. Mark Hamill also proves to be a great guest star. The actual placement of the episode in the show's history becomes something of a mystery. Justin tries very hard to remember George Lopez's name. Tom Baker is invoked, Tom Bombadil news is discussed, and the episode's would-be Bella ends up a highlight ... even as it leads to a chat about Mark Brendanawicz.

Tread Perilously flips the paradigm for June with a month of Tread Safely. And to start: the curious episode of Psych called "Dual Spires." Shawn and Gus receive an invitation to enjoy the Dual Spire Cinnamon Festival, but a day in the woods somewhere north of Santa Barbara feasting on hot cider and cinnamon pie turns into a mystery when young Paula Merral is found dead. Wrapped in plastic. Soon, it becomes clear all is not as it appears as town secrets are exposed, Shawn keeps his relationship with Juliet quiet, and everything in Dual Spires feels strangely familiar. Erik and Justin delight in all the Twin Peaks references. Justin reveals his history with the show. For Erik, it's only his second episode. The pair once again wonder why Dana Ashbrook never got another high profile series. See also: guest star Sheryl Lee. The monkey bread conspiracy is exposed. The riff on the theme song is examined, as is Gus's reaction to the citizens of Dual Spires. The presence of Robin Lively is welcome, even if Justin wishes another Twin Peaks was on screen. Justin reveals the time he ran for school office on the "Sex Dwarf" ticket and that he's still mad at Shawn for one Psych plot point.

Tread Perilously's Failed Prestige month takes an unscheduled trip on Pan Am for the episode called "We'll Always Have Paris." Kate's first trip to Paris is filled with excitement and terror as her mother decides to book a seat on the flight. Also, her CIA handler wants her to deliver a package to a courier in the city. Meanwhile, Laura has reasons of her own to avoid her mother, Dean continues his search for Bridget while maybe starting something with Colette, and Maggie's choice to defend herself leads to Ted trying -- and failing -- to be her white knight. Erik uses the wrong microphone and discovers the scheduled show for the week, Vinyl, is currently unavailable. Justin finds the spy plot to be the most laughable and declares that Pan Am fails in a very special way. The pair try to find a better role for star Kelli Garner. Christina Ricci remains a Tread Perilously favorite, though. Margot Robbie also proves a welcome presence even if she fails the "zoo" vocal test. The male cast, however, prompts many notes and replacement suggestions. "Can you sell Pan Am to China?" becomes the new philosophical question of the age and the cynical edge of the show becomes a key point of discussion.

Tread Perilously's month of failed prestige TV continues with the pilot episode of Manhattan: "You Always Hurt The Ones You Love." When Charlie accepts a blind offer to work at a government facility in New Mexico, he is shocked to discover he will be helping to design an atomic bomb. His wife, Abby, adjusts to the strange way of life out on the plains as no one can grow crops in the local soil and all the wives build a society of their own. Meanwhile, renegade scientist Frank Winter must prove his theory to Oppenheimer to save his group from being shut down. Erik and Justin end up having a spirited discussion about history, historical inaccuracies, and the Super Soldier Program. Erik gets distracted by star Rachel Brosnahan in 1940s outfits while Justin can't completely wash away co-star Ashely Zuckerman's resemblance to The Office's B.J. Novak. John Benjamin Hickey's strengths as Frank are also called into question. The filmography of episode director Thomas Schlamme leads into the weeds. A wild Katja Herbers appears. Harry Lloyd britians things up as well. Justin tries to offer an opinion based on watching the whole series and Walter White becomes strangely important.

Tread Perilously's Failed Prestige month continues with the second episode of Hap and Leonard, "The Bottoms." Hap is still trying to find the bridge from his childhood that will lead to the river that, in turn, will lead to the money Howard hired him to find. Leonard is less sure as Howard's goons are both dumb and dangerous. He also gets a phone call that will force him to leave town. Later, Hap finds himself in a show of bravado with Howard and facing renewed affections from his ex-wife, Trudy. Will it turn out she's been withholding the real location of the river? Erik is thrilled to see James Purefoy in a series, but is unsure about the episode as a discrete segment of story. The rest of the cast, which includes Michael Kenneth Williams as Leonard, Christina Hendricks as Trudy, and an almost unrecognizable Neil Sandilands as one of Howard's goons are also welcome even as the plot flounders. Howard's actor, however, ends up being the one Erik and Justin want to recast. Justin tries to recall if he finished Hap and Leonard's first season. Erik's opinion of Ahsoka slides a little bit. A wild Jimmi Simpson appears and the pair debate whether or not connective tissue episodes work.