The Satellite Show

Tread Perilously Summer Grab Bag continues with an episode of Automan called “Ships in the Night.”

When a number of American businessmen go missing in the Central or South American island country of San Cristobal, Lt. Jack Curtis and Roxanne are dispatched to get to the bottom of one particular disappearance. But when Automan connects to the Bureau computer and learns about the other missing persons on the island, he and Walter book it down south. There, they discover a predictably corrupt government. But will Lt. Jack Curtis’s history with the ringleader of the operation spell disaster for all involved?

Erik and Justin finally encounter an episode of Automan they find “almost charming.” Chuck Wagner once again proves to be the show’s MVP while Desi Arnaz Jr. continues to be its weakest link … although Erik makes a case for the removal of Lt. Jack Curtis. Justin recalls when Helen Mirren specialized in nude magic. Erik doubts the production went outside of Los Angeles county to create San Cristobal. A difference in recent Pixar movies is identified. Robert Evans joins the chat as a key business on San Cristobal seems missing. Palmolive dish soap takes on outsized importance and the pair learns the truth about “The Tide is High.”

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Tread Perilously returns to the Ballad of John D. Cort with an episode of Baywatch called “Blindside.”

After a long period away, John D. Cort returns to Baywatch to complete his mandatory ten days and go through his lifeguard recertification. Everyone is thrilled to see him except C.J. They had a thing going before she left Baywatch some years prior. Also, Mitch notices something is off with Cort’s peripheral vision. But does Mitch know better than the county optometrist? Meanwhile, Hobie befriends a very tall man working as a sideshow giant on the nearby pier. Will he be able to convince him to change his employment situation?

Justin finally meets Second Hobie as “Blindside” takes the Ballad into season 4 of Baywatch. He and Erik try to dissect just how much David Hasselhoff felt uncomfortable around John Allen Nelson. The pair also finally encounter the Baywatch of pop culture memory. The lack of half the cast — including Alexandra Paul and Nicole Eggert — does not go unnoticed. Another series for Nelson gets pitched. Nuance leads to a conversation about Pamela Anderson. Geography Corner explains how unlikely it would be for Cort to arrive at the beach on horseback. A county permit becomes surprisingly important in Hobie’s story and the modern use of “wild” makes a surprise appearance.

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The time loop is shattered as Tread Perilously finally watches an episode of Legends of Tomorrow called “Here I Go Again.”

When Zari is left behind to fix the Waverider, she soon finds herself in a time loop. Needing to convince the others that they are dying over and over again, she learns the secret words that will get Nate to believe her immediately. Soon, the pair must learn why the ship is being destroyed, who intends its destruction, and the reasons for the time loop itself. Along the way, Zari also learns to like the lovable losers aboard the Waverider.

Erik and Justin immediately talk about various Paramount TV series. Erik must also pronounce a difficult name. Justin declares Legends his favorite corner of the Arrowverse even as he recalls its initial, horrible, premise. Invisible Child and TalHotBlonde come up in the conversation, proving the time loop is real. The Arrowverse’s problem with love interests also enters the loop again. The Waverider crew gets evaluated and the Science Bros. get high marks. A wild Gary appears. The pair highlight Arrowverse actors they want back on screen. Erik admits his ambivalence toward The Naked Gun movies and Tala Ashe proves to be a true MVP.

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Tread Perilously’s wandering in the time loop brings it to Person of Interest and an episode called “If-Then-Else.”

When the team must stop Samaritan’s manipulation of the stock market, they end up pinned down in the New York Stock Exchange building. The Machine must work out a scenario that will allow them to complete their mission and escape. It starts running simulations that, by necessity, must be rest. With the microseconds winding down, will it conclude that the only way to win is to sacrifice the assets? Or will a random day in 2003 prove its creator taught it empathy?

Erik is astounded to support a benevolent AI. Justin finds the whole thing difficult to take on board and realizes this show is not Numb3rs. The Cavortex enters the proceedings, which leads to extra analysis of the star’s performance. Amy Acker, Sarah Shahi, and Micheal Emerson, meanwhile, prove to be MVPs. Justin claims Terrence Malick is Erik’s favorite director … which leads to a story. The pair determine what happened to Elias Koteas. They also keep coming up with actors who would’ve been better as the lead. Time proves to be Person of Interest‘s greatest foe. Gary is becoming an endangered name and Erik names the best AI on television.

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Tread Perilously’s WandaVision month continues with an episode of Malcolm in the Middle called “Living Will.”

Hal’s inability to make a decision comes to the fore when he is given power of attorney for a neighbor currently in a vegetative state. With doctors, family, and other neighbors encouraging him to make a choice, will Hal be able to decide if the man lives or dies? Meanwhile, Craig reaches out to the boys about learning to fight dirty so he can take on a long-term bully. But when the bully turns out to be family with an offer to run a chain of gymnasiums, will Craig fold?

Erik tries to recall why his younger self didn’t want to watch Malcolm in the Middle. Justin remembers his time with the show. WandaVision matters more than it has in previous weeks. Bryan Cranston proves, once again, that he is a great actor. Jane Kaczmarek also gets her flowers. Justin offers some of the Malcolm lore. Erik determines movies that are worse than Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. David Anthony Higgins’ origin is revealed. The Robert Loggia commercial reappears. Jack LaLane emerges from the mists of forgotten TV history. The mystery of Dwayne Johnson’s feet is solved and Scott Lang turns out to be the most important superhero.

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Tread Perilously’s WandaVision month enters Quality Time territory with an episode of Family Ties called “Suzanne Takes You Down.”

When Elyse’s friend, Suzanne, admits to feeling unfulfilled now that the kids have left for college, she hires the forlorn friend to do some clerical work. But almost immediately, Suzanne begins offering opinions about architectural features of an upcoming project. Soon, Elyse is doing double the work while convincing clients that much of her friend’s suggestions are not feasible or against building code. And just when she has had enough, Suzanne’s husband announces he wants a divorce. Will Elyse find the courage to fire Suzanne?

Erik and Justin immediately credit frequent guest Paul Pakler’s former podcast, Quality Time with Family Ties, for covering the episode first. Erik’s bias against Ethan Hawke makes an appearance. The initial premise of Family Ties gets examined as the episode has very little to do with the kids. Justin appraises the talents of Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter. Architecture remains the fakest TV job. Elyse and Steven’s history as hippies leads to a tangent — and the reason why Erik always connects the show with Airplane! The pair try to figure out if Jennifer ever gets a character and the “mild chuckle” philosophy returns.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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