Tread Perilously
Tread Perilously is a weekly “worst of TV” podcast. Watching the worst episodes of popular shows, hosts Erik Amaya and Justin Robinson attempt to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on its most off-key moments. TV shows regularly tread upon include Doctor Who, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and 7th Heaven. From family dramas to well-loved but brief sci-fi series, Tread Perilously examines how a show sustains itself even in its worst moments.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Invisible Enemy
04/18/2024
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Invisible Enemy
Tread Perilously continues to celebrate 90 years of Tom Baker with the Doctor Who story called "The Invisible Enemy." When the Virus of the Nucleus of the Swarm makes contact with human astronauts on a relief mission to Titan in the year 5000, The Doctor and Leela are also caught up in events. Soon, The Doctor is infected with the Nucleus itself while Leela is strangely immune. The pair arrive on a medical asteroid. The Doctor asks renowned scientist Dr. Marius to clone him and miniaturize the clone so The Doctor can take a fantastic voyage inside his own body. Will it stop the Swarm or will Leela prove to have the best solution? Erik and Justin are surprised to see actor Michael Sheard twice in two weeks and go on about his time as both Admiral Ozzel in The Empire Strikes Back and Hitler in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Louise Jameson and Leela prove to be standouts even as the script constantly mentions how dumb the character is meant to be. Erik discusses the work of producer Graham Williams while Justin determines Baker's mental health during the recording of the story. The dodgy (and occasionally great) special effects examined, K-9 makes his debut in Doctor Who continuity, and Marius proves to have too much character.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: Pyramid Of Mars
04/11/2024
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: Pyramid Of Mars
Tread Perilously's celebration of Tom Baker's 90th year continues with the Doctor Who story called "Pyramids of Mars." A quirk in time and space forces the TARDIS to land at UNIT HQ some 60 years before it is built. Instead, they find a priory owned by archeologist Marcus Scarman. For his part, the explorer has been possessed by Sutek, an alien imprisoned under a Saqaara pyramid for millennia. Will The Doctor and Sarah Jane figure out the Osirian's plan before he launches a rocket at Mars or will the bodies of hapless Edwardians keep piling up? Erik points out the Robert Holmes hidden in the proceedings. Justin enjoys the silliness of it all. Elisabeth Sladen proves to be the MVP as Sarah Jane snarks her way through the adventure. The Scarman brothers prove to be compelling guest characters even as Justin and Erik can't help but riff on Sutek's genocidal tendencies. Ancient Aliens comes up every so often. The presence of a poacher leads to a lot of discussion. The many highs of the story are tempered by an unusually soggy middle and an obscure plot. Erik figures out where Sutek was the whole time and Ramses II starts selling discount pyramids.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: Robot
04/04/2024
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: Robot
Tread Perilously returns to Doctor Who as Erik and Justin celebrate 90 years of Tom Baker. First up: Tom's debut story, "Robot." As The Doctor comes to grips with his new incarnation, a string of curious thefts activates UNIT to investigate. But, somehow, the Fourth Doctor already knows the break-ins will allow nefarious individuals to make a disintegrator gun. Meanwhile, Sarah Jane Smith's visit to an advanced scientific think tank leads her to believe the group may have disturbing intentions. Are the two things related? And will The Doctor figure himself out in time to assist UNIT in stopping a giant robot? Justin and Erik witness as Tom Baker portrays The Doctor at his most "Tom Baker-ish." They also discuss the circumstances that led to The Doctor's regeneration. Tom in a UNIT story leaves Justin perplexed. The fascy antagonists, though, are quite clear to him. Erik discusses producer Barry Letts' place in Doctor Who history and why "Robot" serves as an epilogue to his era. Ian Marter's first appearance as Harry Sullivan gets examined. Hairstyles of Doctor Who and Star Wars are also discussed. Professor Kettlewell proves to be a memorable guest character for several reasons and Justin identifies a commonality between the Fourth Doctor and Bugs Bunny.
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Tread Perilously -- ABC AfterSchool Specials: Schoolboy Father
03/28/2024
Tread Perilously -- ABC AfterSchool Specials: Schoolboy Father
Tread Perilously's month of AfterSchool Specials concludes with Schoolboy Father. When high school junior Charles Elderberry learns his summer camp girlfriend gave birth to a son, he learns it is his and attempts to do everything he can to block an adoption. The frustrated social worker gives him one week to learn the ropes of being a parent while also still being a high school student. Will Charles Elderberry grow up in just seven days or will he accept the wisdom his ex already understood after nine months of bringing a child to term? Also, why is Charles Elderberry's friend, Jeff, so into Mrs. Elderberry? Erik, literally, cannot get over the presence of Rob Lowe. A long conversation about the actor follows. Justin calls Schoolboy Father the most "AfterSchool Special" of the specials they watched this month. Erik praises the use of a novel as source material as it creates texture that would be missing from an original teleplay. Justin recalls summer camp movies. Jennifer Connelly and Optimus Prime become the greatest spokespeople for the mini generation after Gen X. Dana Plato is fondly remembered. Geography Corner centers on the San Fernando Valley and 1980s supermarkets. Also, the pair examine the unique way the special's message is presented.
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Tread Perilously -- ABC AfterSchool Specials: What Are Friends For?
03/21/2024
Tread Perilously -- ABC AfterSchool Specials: What Are Friends For?
Tread Perilously returns to ABC AfterSchool Specials with What Are Friends For? After Amy moves across the country to Santa Monica, CA following her mother's divorce, she meets Michelle Mudd -- a neighbor girl whose mother is also a divorcee. None of the other girls in the building like Michelle Mudd very much, but Amy is strangely drawn to her. Michelle Mudd likes to lie, steal, and dabble in the dark forces of the hoary underworld. But will Amy catch on that their friendship may just be another Michelle Mudd's playthings? And will she learn what friends are for? Sarah Madden returns after a long absence to chat with Justin and Erik about the special. Erik confirms director Stephen Gyllenhaal is exactly who you think he is. Justin tries to determine if the book the special is based on was published in the late 1960s or 70s. Sarah determines the answer to the special's key question. Michelle Mudd's father is re-imagined as a used car salesman while her mother "owns a boutique." The presence of Melora Hardin is surprising even as she acquits herself well. The Santa Monica setting throws Geography Corner for a loop and Sizzler becomes a recurring topic of conversation. Also: Sarah gets confused by the Paul's King of Big Screen sponsorship.
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Tread Perilously -- CBS Schoolbreak Special: Ace Hits The Big Time
03/14/2024
Tread Perilously -- CBS Schoolbreak Special: Ace Hits The Big Time
Tread Perilously's month of AfterSchool Specials takes a detour into a CBS Schoolbreak Special with Ace Hits the Big Time. When Horace Hobart moves from an unnamed New Jersey city to Manhattan, he is offered two choices: join the Purple Falcons or get "chewed up" by a rival gang called the Piranhas. Instead, he creates a third option by reinventing himself as "Ace" on his first day at school. Soon, the Falcons see him as the protection they need from the Piranhas. But all of that takes a back seat when "Ace" gets the Falcons parts in a movie. Or, is all of this in Horace's head? Erik and Justin get lost as the episode feels more like the afterschool special format's death spiral than a genuine hour of television. Justin tries to find the moral. Erik gets obsessed with the plot's "violence gang" understanding of inner-city crime and tries to determine if the Falcons were invited to Cyrus's meeting. The name "Horace Hobart" inspires a lot of riffing. The actor who plays him, Rob Stone, does not. The pair remember Sunny Delight and explain New York's "brown bag" rule. They also try to determine if Horace had a gang affiliation back in Jersey. Also: Gene Simmons appears to promote a new KISS product.
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Tread Perilously -- ABC AfterSchool Specials: Sara's Summer Of The Swans
03/07/2024
Tread Perilously -- ABC AfterSchool Specials: Sara's Summer Of The Swans
Tread Perilously finally returns to the ABC Afterschool Specials for a month featuring YA novels before YA became a thing, surprising guests stars, and one special that did not air on ABC. It all begins with Sara's Summer of the Swans. Riding out what she claims to be the worst summer of her life, Sara Godfrey's bad attitude is about the be adjusted by the disappearance of her younger brother, Charlie. Is he at the lake to see the swans before they leave south for the winter? Is he in the forest? And will a helpful Christopher Knight be the key to Sara finding Charlie and feeling better about her bummer of a summer? Erik and Justin debate whether or not a certain surprise guest is a surprise guest. Geography Corner leads to various Los Angeles locales that could play as the Midwest. Justin notes the huge change in YA fiction across the last 50 years. He also recalls his old AfterSchool Specials column on The Satellite Show blog. A character's choice to dye her shoes leads to a lot of tangents. Erik and Justin both recall going into the woods unsupervised as children -- both literally and metaphorically. A wild Eve Plumb appears and an invitation to an end-of-summer party leads to a potent running joke.
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Tread Perilously -- Lois & Clark The New Adventures Of Superman: Ghosts
02/29/2024
Tread Perilously -- Lois & Clark The New Adventures Of Superman: Ghosts
Ampersand Month concludes with an episode of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman called "Ghosts." Newly married Lois and Clark are settling into their new brownstone when a neighbor decides to sell her house due to a persistent haunting. Soon, the Kents themselves experience a specter. Clark suspects a more mundane reason for the problem, but Lois takes the ghost at her word. Meanwhile, a real estate hustler who owes the local Irish mob a lot of money tries to steer the ghost toward his own ends. Will he succeed or will Lois outsmart everyone? Oh, and the episode features special guests as the hustler and the ghost. Erik discovers episode director Robert Ginty also starred in the fabulously cheesy movie Warrior of the Lost World. He and Justin consider the difference between good, important films and movies to be enjoyed with repeat viewings. Comic book discussions abound with Justin recalling how he indoctrinated someone to superhero comics, the earliest comic book storyline Erik read, and an appreciation of artist Jim Aparo. The pair pitch a Doc Savage movie with Tom Hardy and Rahul Kohli. Dean Cain continues to get the ribbing he deserves while other Superman actors get praise. Erik and Justin differ on Teri Hatcher's Lois Lane and Barry Allen ruins Iris's chances to be a dependable private eye.
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Tread Perilously -- Rizzoli & Isles: Virtual Love
02/22/2024
Tread Perilously -- Rizzoli & Isles: Virtual Love
At long last, Tread Perilously's Ampersand Month leads to an episode of Rizzoli & Isles called "Virtual Love." Rizzoli & Isles are called to a local microbrewery where the chief brewer was speared to death by a faux-viking weapon. Soon, the team discovers the victim was also big into a massive multiplayer online role-playing game where he lived another life as "Olaf the Boneless." Did his activities in the game lead to his death? And was the motive an online affair? Meanwhile, three underprivileged teens look for mentorships in the squad room and Rizzoli's mother, Angela, continues to disentangle herself from Lt. Cavanaugh. Erik and Justin almost immediately get distracted by a particularly charged scene involving pizza. Both agree the shipping of the title characters is entirely justified. Conversations in the weeds lead to The Equalizer in all its manifestations, favorite Spike Lee joints, and curious casting choices. A wild Bruce McGill enters the scene. Erik doesn't do his angry police lieutenant voice for once. Mavity becomes an important force again. A dead-end scene with a motorcycle club precipitates a lot of riffing on the name "Skullcrusher." The term "crotchblocked" enters the lexicon. Textbook prices come into question and Justin feels attacked when Rizzoli & Isles go to a LAN party.
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Tread Perilously -- Love & War: I Love A Parade
02/15/2024
Tread Perilously -- Love & War: I Love A Parade
Tread Perilously's Ampersand Month continues with an episode of the obscure sitcom Love & War called "I Love a Parade." The gang manages to get a fairly decent spot for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, even if they all forgot to buy coffee with their donuts. The festivities take a turn when a random woman asks Jack to hoist her son up on his shoulders so he can see the floats. She soon disappears, leaving the others to search for her. Meanwhile, Dana and Jack discuss the best course action. Will they end up raising the child as their own or will a Thanksgiving miracle save the day? Erik and Justin get lost in the woods right quick. The show's supporting cast, which includes Joanna Gleason, Charles Robinson, and Suzie Plakson, gets high marks. Leads Annie Potts and Jay Thomas end up not as lauded, although both get discussed a great deal. Potts proves to be a Tread Perilously sweetheart while Thomas ... well, Thomas is another matter all together. Justin eulogizes the sitcom as a format while Erik suggests Love & War represents its lowest ebb. They try to re-conceive the show for Plakson and Michael Nouri (who also appears in the episode) and find a better use for the rest of the cast.
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Tread Perilously -- Cagney & Lacey: Ahead Of The Game
02/08/2024
Tread Perilously -- Cagney & Lacey: Ahead Of The Game
Tread Perilously's 450th podcast continues Ampersand Month with its first ever episode of Cagney & Lacey: "Ahead of the Game." Cagney & Lacey are called to the scene of a teenage basketball prodigy who dropped dead during a pick-up game. The cops all assume drug use, but his father insists he took no illicit substances. Suspicion moves to the basketball coach when it turns out the teen had steroids in his system. But all of this takes a back seat when Cagney's father gets drunk at the Emerald Ball and Lacey's house is broken into. Can she recover the candlestick her mother gave her? Erik and Justin cannot get over a special one-scene appearance by the great Brock Peters. Dan Lauria also makes drops in as a Queens-area cop. Stars Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly get high praise -- even if they take second fiddle in this episode to their loud and gruff lieutenant. Other notables include the actors who play the desk sergeant, Lacey's husband, and the suspect gym coach. Erik posits that the episode is low rated because nothing gets resolved while Justin praises that element of the script. 1980s scandals reappear and the pair once again wave the flag for The Shield as one of the best shows to ever appear on television.
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Tread Perilously -- Franklin & Bash: Control
02/01/2024
Tread Perilously -- Franklin & Bash: Control
Tread Perilously enters Ampersand Month: five shows with a stylized "and" in the middle of the title. And it all begins with an episode of Franklin & Bash called "Control." When Franklin & Bash are brought in to find a legal remedy for a heckler at a minor league baseball field, they soon discover there is more to this than a bad comedian getting his kicks at a would-be star pitcher. Meanwhile, Damien signs up to be a retiring judge's partner at a golf tournament in hopes of replacing him on the bench and Rachel tries a bull semen case for her brother. Justin declares Franklin & Bash "shockingly not terrible" as Erik attempts to place it in a context of easy TV viewing. Both have a hard time recalling details of the A-plot. Justin evaluates stars Breckin Meyer and Mark-Paul Gosselaar. A surprise Reed Diamond appears. Heather Locklear proves to be a trooper. The presence of Malcolm McDowell and Buck Henry prove to be both welcome and, unlike the main plot, memorable. Erik recalls his best time at a baseball stadium. Geography Corner centers on the supposed office of Franklin & Bash. The word "loquat" becomes distracting and the resolution to the A-plot leads to another possible Tread Perilously room character.
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Tread Perilously -- Baywatch: The Big Race
01/25/2024
Tread Perilously -- Baywatch: The Big Race
The Ballad of John D. Cort continues as Tread Perilously returns to Baywatch for an episode called "The Big Race." When an old folks home asks Cort to double his annual $5000 donation, he looks to sell the dive shop for extra scratch. But just as Mitch and Craig pony up $3000 to help him out, he uses the money to buy a boat and enter a water ski tournament with a $15,000 prize. Mitch and Craig become his unwilling partners -- who happen to know nothing about his real reason for needing the money -- but will they take point when Cort cracks a rib during practice? Meanwhile, Shauni is afraid to go in the water. Justin reaches a point where he can make informed judgments about Baywatch -- much to his horror. Erik tries to rework the show into a "beach cop" series with Cort as the lead. Justin tries to rework the episode into a 1980s boob comedy. He also argues for fewer characters on Baywatch. Director Kevin Inch's use of montages is criticized. Godfrey Ho enters the discussion. The logistics of the race's Catalina-and-back course are examined. Geography Corner tries to figure out where the Back to the Beach pier resides. Captain Thorpe makes a special appearance and the replacement sound-a-like music finally gets noticed.
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Tread Perilously -- Leverage: The Office Job
01/18/2024
Tread Perilously -- Leverage: The Office Job
Tread Perilously's Winter 2024 Patreon request month continues with an episode of Leverage called "The Office Job." When the team is called in to root out a greeting card company CEO's embezzlement scheme before it can impact the sale of the business to a larger firm and save the town, they find their movements are being recorded by a documentary film crew. Will their antics be discovered? Will their identities remain intact? Will Parker fascinate the German filmmaker tasked with shooting B-Roll and talking heads? Or will the team find the director the most unlikely of allies? And what of the scheme itself -- is it really the CEO behind it? Justin is thrilled to finally watch an episode of Leverage for the podcast. Erik isn't so sure, but renames the lead character "Max Leverage." Parker, and actor Beth Riesgraf, become an instant hit. The presence of Peter Stormare as a Werner Herzog type is also welcome. And so is Gina Bellman in glasses. A superhero movie discussion breaks out. The pair try to determine when the US version of The Office stopped doing interstitial moments of the water cooler. Erik fails to recast the Herzog character and decides he didn't watch an episode of Leverage.
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Tread Perilously -- Evil: C Is For Cop
01/11/2024
Tread Perilously -- Evil: C Is For Cop
Tread Perilously's Patreon subscriber request month continues with a look at Evil via the episode called "C is for Cop." When a New York police officer shoots a stranded Black motorist in the middle of the night, he claims demonic possession as his defense. The team is soon called in to investigate. It leads David almost immediately to the officer's wrist tattoo -- a symbol that correlates with one of the sigils. Is there a cabal within the department (and television shows about police) going back a century? Meanwhile, Ben confronts his night terrors (sort of) and Kristen tries to hide her part in LeRoux's death. Justin is once again confronted by a secret show, and because of its nature, comparisons to Locke & Key become inevitable. Erik proves incapable of saying the name "Katja" correctly. Justin lauds the cast while Erik gives credit to Christine Lahti for a specialty skill. Justin stumps for Tremors. The Shield is once again lauded. The Predator is not. A discussion about "as you know" dialogue breaks out. Erik tries to be complementary to Ridley Scott while Justin considers the real reason why recent MCU movies don't quite work. Gods are invoked, Gul Dukat gets referenced, and Half Dome becomes a higher power.
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Tread Perilously -- Locke & Key: Forget Me Not
01/04/2024
Tread Perilously -- Locke & Key: Forget Me Not
Tread Perilously begins the first Patreon subscriber request month of the year with an episode of Locke & Key called, ironically, "Forget Me Not." The attempt to reunite Uncle Duncan (Aaron Ashmore!) with his childhood memories of magic is not working out. He's frazzled, headachey, and half-recalls that his brother may have killed someone. But, somehow, Duncan's come into possession of the Anywhere Key. Tyler takes it so he can have a romantic date with his girlfriend while Bode tries to reach through his uncle's brain fog to determine how he found it. Also, Kinsey debates putting her fears back in her head. Justin has a hard time recalling the episode despite seeing it early the morning of recording. Erik tries to get through the plot, but it's really just a collection of scenes as the pair face another connective tissue episode. Discussion of shows they like better occurs. They also try to keep the Ashmores straight. The problem of Netflix programs smoothed by algorithms is addressed. Erik attempts to find the right episodic plot and recall the term for the caretaker who lives in a dorm. A hypothesis emerges regarding the flatness of Locke & Key and Erik once again laments the loss of I Am Not Okay With This.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Church On Ruby Road
12/28/2023
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Church On Ruby Road
Tread Perilously wraps up the year with one more Doctor Who treat: the 2023 Christmas special, "The Church on Ruby Road." Despite being born on Christmas Eve Day, Ruby Sunday is having a rough spot of bad luck. Or is it something else? When her mum agrees to foster a newborn, goblins appear to snatch the infant away for their own Christmas feast. But luckily for Ruby, she's about to meet The Doctor. Will they become fast friends? Is her luck more about a string of coincidence even The Doctor cannot see? And why does Mrs. Flood recognize the blue box parked on her street? Special Review Unit Captain Charlie Wright returns for her annual introduction to something new and baffling -- Doctor Who in a nutshell. But will she love her first ever episode of the 60-year-old program? Ncuti Gatwa finally takes center stage as The Doctor and the results are amazing. Millie Gibson makes an impression on Justin while Erik immediately theorizes about Ruby's parentage. Of course, a few other suggestions make their way into the discussion. Charlie attempts to explain the premise of the show. Gerd Shockley makes one last appearance for the year and Erik gets to legitimately ask the Tread Perilously question for the first time in ages.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Runaway Bride
12/21/2023
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Runaway Bride
Tread Perilously goes back to the beginning of the DoctorDonna with the 2006 Doctor Who Christmas special "The Runaway Bride." The Doctor's attempt to dwell on Rose Tyler's departure gets interrupted when Donna Noble materializes aboard the TARDIS in a wedding dress. She was moments from getting married and is in quite a state to now be on a spaceship with a very thin and maudlin Time Lord. Will The Doctor get her to the church on time? Will the Santa roboforms from the previous year's Christmas invasion get in the way? And will Donna's fiancé prove to be a poor choice? Erik and Justin discuss the latest Gallifrey One announcements and the fate of Dead Again. They get lost in the weeds discussing obscure media, the ghost of Arthur Fonzarelli, and the Babylon 5 hot shot pilot from Season 2. They also find things to like about "The Giggle." Justin's attempt to find the episode reveals the limits of technology. Wilf's absence during the wedding gets some fanon (and the real world reason for it). The pair try to figure out Nerys and warn writers away from employing Jack the Ripper in their work. A youthful David Tennant inspires feelings of mortality and Erik can't stop casting new actors in old TV shows reboots.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Giggle
12/14/2023
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Giggle
Tread Perilously's celebration of Doctor Who continues with the final 60th Anniversary special, "The Giggle." The Doctor and Donna return to London to find it in shambles. Everyone believes they are right to the exclusion of all other viewpoints. Luckily, UNIT quickly scoops up the time travels and The Doctor determines the source of the madness -- a toy shop in Soho circa 1925. There, The Doctor and Donna confront the Toymaker, an old adversary who has returned to play some games. But will the most important game of all be standing still? Also, the Fifteenth Doctor makes his debut in the strangest regeneration yet. Erik names "The Silent Narrative" that will continue with Doctor Who discourse for the foreseeable future. A lot of fanon is deployed. Justin has a problem with the choice of villain as the scheme does not fit the Toymaker. Russell T. Davies continues to prove a better writer. The warning about the Black Forest is once again re-issued. An early analysis of Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor occurs. The pair also discuss Mel's return, the nature of the Toymaker, and Verity Ritchie's YouTube video "Doctor Who vs. Women." Also, Erik theorizes the puppet scene is an indictment of the Moffat Era.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder
12/07/2023
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder
Tread Perilously's Doctor Who celebration continues with the second 60th anniversary special, "Wild Blue Yonder." After Donna accidentally pours coffee into the TARDIS console -- and a quick stop to alter Isaac Newton's famous day under the apple tree -- she and The Doctor materialize on an enormous but empty ship. Soon, the TARDIS senses a threat and vanishes, leaving the two travels to discover the mystery of the vessel stranded on the very edge of the universe. Will they face dark truths and even deadlier threats? Will The Flux continue to matter? And will they ever see Wilf? Erik pushes against the production's assertion that this is "unlike anything seen on Doctor Who before." He also cites "Midnight" and "42" in the discussion. Justin stumbles on a piece of established lore. Chris Chibnall comes up in a certain light. A digression into fantasy films leads to an appreciation of Sandahl Bergman. The pair also discuss the mavity of the situation and try to determine why "Wild Blue Yonder" was chosen to be featured in the episode. Cenobites end up crewing the Event Horizon mess hall. Fremen cuisine is theorized. Erik explains elements of The Flux and the Timeless Child. Justin presents two readings of The Exorcist and the ending of Loki's second season is finally explored.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Star Beast
11/30/2023
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Star Beast
Tread Perilously's celebration of Doctor Who at 60 continues with the first of the new anniversary specials, "The Star Beast." Still bewildered by regenerating into a previous face, The Doctor lands in Camden and almost immediately runs into former companion Donna Noble. She can never remember her travels with the Time Lord or her mind will literally burn away. Nevertheless, circumstances keep bringing them together as The Doctor encounters Donna's husband, Shaun, and their daughter, Rose. And to make matters worse, an alien has found its way into Rose's backyard shed, forcing The Doctor to reveal himself and confront the possibility that Donna might die. Justin's appreciation for Peter Davison continues. Erik confronts the weird sensation in welcoming David Tennant back to the role. He also expresses some frustration with the reaction to the recent Mystery Science Theater 3000 crowdfunding campaign. Justin points out a certain retcon in Donna's return. Praise is heaped upon Russell T. Davies. Geography Corner leads to Camden Market and old Pasadena movie theaters. Shaun proves to be popular. The slight weirdness in the timeline regarding Rose leads to a lot of callbacks. "Old Douglas" debuts and Erik makes a case for the theatrical cut of Blade Runner.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: Dalek
11/23/2023
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: Dalek
Tread Perilously continues to celebrate Doctor Who at 60 with a look at the 2005 story simply titled "Dalek." When The Doctor intercepts a distress signal a mile under the Utah desert, he and Rose materialize in the vault of Henry san Statten, a rich tech entrepreneur with a taste for the extraterrestrial. His collection includes a Slitheen hand, a Cyberman helmet, and one live specimen: a damaged Dalek. The Doctor responds with fear, shock, and even bloodlust. Rose, though, makes an interesting choice in her first interaction with The Doctor's greatest foe. Also, some kid who's too handsome for his own good gets involved. Erik shares the Gallifrey One guest list -- which happens to feature a timely name. He also shares the Doctor Who Magazine rankings for Ninth Doctor episodes. It leads, naturally, into the weeds. Justin calls out Rose's fashion choices. Bane makes a surprising appearance. The Cybermen get a well-deserved ribbing. The pair try to determine who van Statten is based on. Pronunciation Corner surrounds Ms. Goddard and various ways to say "written." Erik tries to recall why Bruno Langley was a big deal in 2005. The big change to The Doctor is discussed and the moment the Internet went insane is determined.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: Black Orchid
11/16/2023
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: Black Orchid
Tread Perilously's celebration of Doctor Who's 60th anniversary continues with the Fifth Doctor story called "Black Orchid." In a case of mistaken identity, The Doctor ends up playing cricket with a British lord in 1925. But when the lord discovers Nyssa looks just like his fiancée, he invites the TARDIS crew up to his manor for drinks and a costume ball. Unfortunately, the manor is also home to an unknown horror who escapes his bonds, steals the Doctor's fancy dress costume, and tries to kidnap the lord's bride-to-be. Is there more to the story? And why won't Lady Cranleigh alibi The Doctor when he's accused of murdering a butler? Justin's love for Mrs. J continues. Erik reveals the Doctor Who Magazine reader poll standings for Fifth Doctor stories. A new slogan for banh mi appears. Justin shares a theory about gothic horror. His appreciation for the Fifth Doctor era continues to develop. Erik lauds the concept behind the story, but criticizes a lot of the execution. The pair try to make sense of cricket. Sting and Trudy make a surprise appearance. A debate about the South American native character occurs. The unseen "Smutty" becomes key to everything and Nyssa, as a character, finally gets examined.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Time Meddler
11/09/2023
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Time Meddler
Tread Perilously's celebration of Doctor Who's 60th anniversary continues with "The Time Meddler." When The Doctor and Vicki discover astronaut Steven Taylor stowed away on the TARDIS before they left Mechanus, the pair try to convince him that the ship can travel in time and space. They soon land in Northumbria circa 1066, when viking raiders are still causing problems for the Saxons but William is not yet "the Conqueror." All of which suits a lone monk in a nearby abbey just fine. But why is he so interested in the TARDIS and why does he have a phonograph player? Will The Doctor and his new team foil the monk's plans? Justin compares Doctor Who with the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. He also enjoys the provincial attitude toward history on display throughout the story. Erik suggests other points in time the Monk could go to create a worldwide Flemish Empire. Inflection points outside of western Europe are also considered. The revolving door of First Doctor companions gets examined -- as does the four-person dynamic of the early show. Justin reframes the Fifth Doctor era. Erik spots a moment where William Hartnell truly breaks character and guest actor Alethea Charlton earns an MVP spot.
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Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Deadly Assassin
11/02/2023
Tread Perilously -- Doctor Who: The Deadly Assassin
Tread Perilously celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who with two straight months of that very special programme. First up: "The Deadly Assassin." When The Doctor is summoned back to Gallifrey, he has a vision of the Lord President being assassinated. His attempts to foil the plot are ignored and he soon becomes the prime suspect in the murder. But to save his life, he nominates himself to replace the slain head of state. Will The Doctor end up leading his own people? Will he discover the true assassin and the real shape of the conspiracy? And will an old foe appear from the shadows for one more tussle with the Time Lord? Justin has complicated feelings toward this story. Erik revels in the Robert Holmes script, although even he admits there are problems with Episode 3. He also attempts a Tom Baker impression. The lack of a companion is quite noticeable. Justin admits he's just not that into The Master. A Bane discussion, naturally, occurs. Justin attempts to understand key points of Doctor Who continuity. The Hi-Hats' place in The Warriors gets examined. A curious idea about Gallifrey itself comes into play and an attempt is made to grasp Time Lord politics.
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Tread Perilously -- Supernatural: Red Meat
10/26/2023
Tread Perilously -- Supernatural: Red Meat
Tread Perilously's month of werewolves concludes with the annual visit to Supernatural for an episode called "Red Meat." To distract themselves from their problems with The Darkness, Sam and Dean decide to investigate the case of some missing campers and some probable werewolves. But when Sam gets shot by a member of the pack, Dean must make a desperate move to save him. Meanwhile, the campers they tried to save have secrets of their own that lead to an explosive confrontation at a well-appointed urgent care facility. Erik and Justin face one of the slightest, least consequential episodes of Supernatural ever. Justin tries not to blame presumptive showrunner Andrew Dabb for the problems. Erik points at a network unwilling to let the show end. The discussion leads to Rage Against the Machine, the worthlessness of The Exorcist IP, and the trouble with season-long Supernatural arcs. The pair also go into Full Peril mode by trying to make the episode better. Erik blames Battlestar Galactica for a certain genre TV convention. A guest actor gets cast in a Netflix rom-com starring Vanessa Hudgens. An attempt to find the origin of sexless superhero media is made and Justin envisions a Tread Perilously misadventure in the Supernatural writers' room.
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Tread Perilously -- Baywatch Nights: Zargtha
10/19/2023
Tread Perilously -- Baywatch Nights: Zargtha
Tread Perilously's werewolf month is the perfect excuse to crack open the Baywatch Nights DVD box set for an episode called "Zargtha." When Mitch and Ryan discover a dead body on the beach, they become involved in a curious case of a werewolf-like creature who immigrated from the former Yugoslavia. Unfortunately for the Southern California beaches, it also needs to hunt and kill teenage runaways. Will Mitch turn out to be the best werewolf hunter in town? Will Ryan learn the truth of the Zargtha before it's too late? Will Teague's exposition make any sense? And will the youth shelter director make out with Mitch? Justin learns why they call it Baywatch Nights. He and Erik discuss the problem of a Baywatch spinoff starring David Hasselhoff while he's still starring on Baywatch. Pamela Anderson invades the discussion. The structure of Nights also has its effects on Erik and Justin. Angie Harmon's performance in this episode gets reviewed. Conversations about Ahsoka and The X-Files occur. A theory emerges about My So-Called Life's never-seen Tino. Erik discusses episode writer Maurice Hurley's Star Trek connection. Justin enumerates various other failed shows that succeed better than Baywatch Nights and the migrant werewolf crisis becomes a hot-button issue.
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Tread Perilously -- Once Upon A Time: Red Handed
10/12/2023
Tread Perilously -- Once Upon A Time: Red Handed
Tread Perilously's werewolf-themed horror month continues with an episode of Once Upon a Time called "Red Handed." As Emma contends with the possibility that David caused Kathryn's disappearance, Ruby and Granny have a fight -- and Ruby quits the dinner. She's taken in by Mary Margaret and Emma, with the latter giving her a job at the sheriff's office. Will her superb tracking skills help them find David, who's gone missing the forest, and Kathryn? Meanwhile, in Fairytale Land, Snow encounters Red, who yearns to leave her village despite constant wolf attacks and her grandmother's insistence she remain at home. Will Snow learn the truth before another hunting party engages with the wolf? Justin admits this is his favorite episode of Once -- although he and Erik dissect why the show stopped working the way it did in its second season. Erik is surprised to see the script is credited to Jane Espenson. Justin tries to place Once in the context of television at the time of its debut. Comic books end up being modern fairy tales in a very real way. In The Company of Wolves references are spotted. Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Meghan Ory all prove to be MVPs. The pair recommit to their anti-Wolverine rhetoric and Justin fails to recall Peter and the Wolf with any great detail.
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Tread Perilously -- Kolchak The Night Stalker: The Werewolf
10/05/2023
Tread Perilously -- Kolchak The Night Stalker: The Werewolf
Tread Perilously's 2023 horror month focuses on werewolves, starting with an episode of Kolchak: The Night Stalker called, appropriately enough, "The Werewolf." When his editor's plan to cover a singles' cruise gets interrupted by a surprise audit, Kolchak ends up going in his place and meeting some groovy cats looking to party. But the ship has one decidedly un-groovy person aboard: a werewolf. Will the captain keep the unruly guest away from all the swingers or will the werewolf yeet most of the crew and passengers off the lido deck? Also, will Kolchak get definitive proof of the incident? Erik and Justin finally watch an episode of Kolchak. Star Darren McGavin instantly becomes an MVP. Guest star Nita Talbot also proves indispensable and the lived-in faces of the cast are instantly appealing. Erik double-checks to make sure David Chase co-wrote the episode. The X-Files gets gently roasted. Kolchak's roommate for the cruise proves to be an interesting character. Justin's belief that The Ice Storm was a documentary gets more validation. Various Supertain crossover occur. Erik determines what movie Justin will recognize character actor Henry Jones from. The pair envision a 'Dracula and Wolfman on a cruise' film. A wild Eric Braeden appears and the contours of maritime law are explored.
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Tread Perilously -- Star Trek DS9: Profit And Lace
09/28/2023
Tread Perilously -- Star Trek DS9: Profit And Lace
Tread Perilously winds down Star Trek month with the most regretful of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes, "Profit and Lace." When Zek and Ishka arrive on DS9, they tell Quark some terrible news: Zek's attempts to allow Ferengi women to wear clothes and acquire profit have led to him being deposed. In his place, Brunt has been elected acting Grand Nagus. With only three days before Brunt's confirmation, Zek has one last ditch plan to restore his position -- have Ishka talk to one of the commissioners about untapped female markets. But after she suffers a heart attack, it's up to Quark to literally take her place. Erik and Justin, two diehard DS9 fans, brace themselves for one of the show's worst hours. The disconnect between the script and director Alexander Siddig's choices becomes a key issue. Erik theorizes the DS9 all-male writing staff had to watch the "sexual harassment awareness" tape just prior to breaking the story. Justin constantly suggests better episodes of the show. He also points out the Deep Space Nine polycule. Erik points out the strange gay panic nature of the jokes surrounding Rom. The pair try to find ways to make the episode more screwball and the suggestion of a proper B-plot leads to some interesting ideas. Also, Erik tries to re-develop the recipe for Romulan Ale.
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