Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously celebrates the career of John Allen Nelson with a month of television featuring the legendary actor. First up: an episode of Virgin River called "Prelude to a Kiss".

Oh, what else can happen on Mel's wedding day? She's reconciled with her father, but he's just had a heart attack. The local doctor may get his license revoked and the mayor -- who happens to be his wife -- may have paved the way for it. Jack has some doubts about getting married and selling a horse to "the devil incarnate." Mel also has some doubts while her bridesmaids encounter romantic issues of their own.

Erik and Justin muddle through an episode of Virgin River with a recent performance by Nelson -- but is he sidelined thanks to the plot? Tim Matheson and Annette O'Toole get high praise while the younger cast ... do not. Erik offers a tribute of sorts to Patrick Stewart. Virgin River is determined to be in Vancouver, California. Justin reveals a surprising knowledge of Canadian drama. He also desperately reaches for anything to make Virgin River a genre show. The program gets credit for some cool names even if many of the characters are instantly forgettable. Nelson's history with soap operas is uncovered and "second screen viewing" becomes the watchword of the day.

Tread Perilously concludes its devilish October with an episode Supernatural called "Swan Song."

With all of their options exhausted, the Winchesters decide to take the battle back to Lucifer. But, instead, Sam agrees to house the Devil's spirit so he can fight Micheal. Of course, it's really a ruse -- but Lucifer knew that already and a battle in Sam's mind ensues. Meanwhile, Dean attempts to understand Sam's last request, Castiel decides to help despite losing his grace, and Bobby does what he does best. Will it all be enough to stop the end of all things?

Justin enjoys what was meant to be the Supernatural series finale. Will Erik? Castiel finally puts in a proper appearance. So where is Crowley? Comic book conversations that should lead to the weeds end up on point. The Multiverse, as a narrative concept, is explored. Jared Padalecki gets praise for his acting in this episode. Justin pitches a line of questions for Erik should he ever talk to creator Eric Kripke again. The truth about Roanoke is revealed. Justin praises the recent Carrie series while Erik backs Widow's Bay. Snake Plissken's New York outfit becomes timeless. Geography Corner highlights one region Vancouver cannot play and the pair attempt to see into a timeline where Supernatural concluded with Season 5.

Tread Perilously continues a month of the Devil with an episode of Lucifer called "Boo Normal."

Ella takes the focus when she considers moving home to Detroit. But will her ghostly friend Ray-Ray prove why she should stay in the City of Angels? Meanwhile, the team is tasked with learning who murdered a popular therapist. Ella and Chloe follow the forensics while Lucifer and Dan chase down a witness who might be a suspect. But then why do we end up at a Furry convention and Six Flags Magic Mountain? And will Lucifer recognize Ray-Ray from his own misadventures?

Justin revels in an hour of television dedicated to Aimee Garcia's brilliance and charm. Erik manages to avoid talking about the Lucifer comic almost entirely as the series is more "GodCop" than anything from the source. The pair discuss guest star Californian Lo Mutuc (credited here as Charlyne Yi). Erik pitches star Tom Ellis for a new take on Manimal. Justin keeps making comparisons to The Room. Erik fawns over Lucifer's suit. Spider-Man movie opinions are revealed. Justin assumes Ella's abuelita will immediately recognize Lucifer as the Devil. The pair also discuss happenings on The Traitors: New Blood and Erik has a hard time accepting Mazikeen's TV show nickname.

Tread Perilously's devilish October continues with a journey into Constantine's reality with "The Devil's Vinyl."

When an acetate recording alleged to contain the First of the Fallen's voice is uncovered after decades of being hidden, John, a musician's wife, and Papa Midnite all vie for the record. But the vinyl itself has a will of its own and listening to the track it contains can be ... killer. Will John figure out a way to hold onto it for future security or will he be forced to destroy it? If he fails, plenty of Chicagoans will fall under its icy, but still infernal spell.

Erik and Justin discuss the pronunciation of "Constantine." Comic book conversations lead far into the weeds. Lanterns talk becomes unavoidable. The filmographies of episode writers Mark Verheiden and David S. Goyer are examined. Erik's Alan Moore impression fails him. Justin shares his Jack the Ripper hypothesis. Erik praises star Matt Ryan for his take on John and his continued appearances as the character in other shows and media. Attempts are made to decipher the Marvel Zodiac logo. The truth about British townhouses is revealed. A question about the "Chicago, Southside" location burn-in leads to the truth about Constantine's production hub. Reactions to Michael Douglas's autobiography emerge and Tom Bomdadil still doesn't fit in your script.

Tread Perilously continues its devilish October with an episode of Reaper called "All Mine."

Sam's latest infernal bounty brings him into contact with a swarm of bugs, a man on the run, and an exterminator. But it also leads him to think he's already depending too much on Ben and Sock. Also, a potential job promotion leaves Sam wondering if he will always work at The Bench while Andi considers going back to college full time. Will Sam figure out a way to maintain the status quo while still serving the Devil?

Erik tries to explain who "Evil Mike Brady" is while Justin revels in the presence of Tyler Labine. Arrow's Wild Dog is remembered thanks to Rick Gonzalez appearing as Ben. Erik tries to turn Sock into Spock for the purposes of a classic paradigm. For seemingly no reason, Tom Atkins is celebrated. Beating up a toaster proves to be wisdom. Some older CGI has aged into being charming. More horror movie recommendations emerge. Satan's pep talk leads to several questions. Sam's good heart proves to be one of the most surprising things about the show. The pair try to determine the nature of Reaper's Hell and a new form of "Deus ex Machina" debuts.

Tread Perilously's 2026 horror month focuses on the Devil. It all begins with an episode of Highway to Heaven called "The Devil and Jonathan Smith."

When a freak accident leaves a child on his deathbed, Mark makes a deal to save his life. And when the broker reveals the deal was for his soul -- and the Devil will come to collect on Halloween night -- it's up to a Burbank area con-man to come up with the greatest swindle of all time. But how do you cheat the Devil and will Jonathan's soul be the real prize?

Justin is pleasantly surprised by the actor playing the Devil. The rest of the guest cast is also a treat with Conrad Janis and Anthony Zerbe turning in great work. Erik can't get over how much the locations feel like Burbank. Justin accidentally pitches a better version of Highway to Heaven. The difference between a Clarence-style Angel and a Biblically Accurate one is outlined. The Wandering Do-Gooder archetype is fondly remembered. Silver Shamrock makes its presence known. Horror movie recommendations begin in earnest. The status of producer Joel Silver is determined. Lanterns talk finally enters the chat and Geography Corner takes the pair to 1980s Hollywood Boulevard.

Tread Perilously concludes its annual Star Trek month with an episode of Star Trek: Picard called "Imposters."

Picard and Riker have returned control of the U.S.S. Titan to Captain Shaw, but are now on the hook for treason. Starfleet dispatches the U.S.S. Intrepid and a special Intelligence operative to bring them back to Command. But when Picard sees the operative is Ro Laren, it brings back some awful memories and a few questions both need answered. Meanwhile, Jack Crusher sees something terrifying in the transport beam. And elsewhere in the galaxy, Raffi and Worf play a deadly game to confuse a Vulcan crime boss.

Justin attempts to explain the premise of Picard. Erik faces Kirk Acevedo once again. The pair also try to make sense of Changeling society -- such as it exists. The phrase "synthetics on Mars" leads down a rabbit hole. Justin tries to decipher the Season 3 story while Erik desperately attempts to remember why Picard and his team are on the Titan. Justin grapples with Dazzler as a possible X-Men film pick. Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine proves to be the MVP again. Justin makes some sense of Jack Crusher. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds talk continues and Star Wars planet Nar Shaddaa makes a special Geography Corner appearance.

Tread Perilously's annual Star Trek month continues with an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation called "Ensign Ro."

When the Enterprise is ordered to handle a potentially explosive Bajoran crisis near the Cardassian border, Captain Picard's superiors assign Ensign Ro Laren to the mission. One of the few Starfleet officers of Bajoran ancestry, she would be an invaluable asset if not for the fact she let eight people die on her last away mission. Or is there another reason why people don't like having her around? Also, is there more to the operation than Picard understands? Will Ro come to trust him and reveal what she knows?

Erik and Justin sit back for an extra-long discussion as Ro is only the beginning of several ideas that will eventually bear fruit on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Erik tries to map Ro onto the Babylon 5 pitch document while also naming the Star Trek equivalent of the Narn Regime. Justin recalls TNG's premise is rooted in the 1980s. The pair determine when the '90s began as a consequence. Riker's proclivities come into focus. Mr. Mot debuts. The discussion of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds continues. Favorite TNG episodes are revealed. Starfleet Admiral's Disease is outlined and an important truth about TNG is revealed.

Tread Perilously's Star Trek month continues with an episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds called "A Quality of Mercy."

When Captain Christopher Pike considers altering the fate he has been dreading since his year in command of the U.S.S. Discovery, a future version of himself makes him leap into the events of "Balance of Terror" -- only he's still in command of the Enterprise. Will he make the same choices as James T. Kirk? Or will his wish to save everyone lead the Federation into another prolonged war. Also, whose fate among the Enterprise crew is crucial to future events?

Erik and Justin consider the Kurtzman Era of Star Trek via a legacy sequel (or is it a requel?) to one of The Original Series' best episodes. Continuity and Enterprise also come into question. Erik marvels at how much Akiva Goldsman gets Trek. Justin reconsiders Joel Schumacher. The pair debate a recent Strange New Worlds episode inspired by soap operas. Erik removes Kirk from William Shatner. Sarek's abilities as a father are doubted. The pair also consider Trek's tendency to equate promotion to admiral with death. Justin's attempt to use Middle-earth mythology gets an immediate correction and Babylon 5 cannot help but make another return.

Tread Perilously begins its 10th annual Star Trek month with the classic Original Series episode "Balance of Terror."

When the U.S.S. Enterprise is called to the Federation Neutral Zone along the border with the Romulan Star Empire, they discover outposts have been destroyed. When the ship reaches a base under attack, they learn the truth: the Romulans have crossed the zone with a new ship capable of cloak and a devastating energy blast. Will Captain Kirk and the crew manage to prevent the Bird of Prey from returning to Romulan space while stopping the incident from becoming a full scale war?

Justin argues Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is also a sequel to "Balance of Terror." Erik recalls the correct stardate for once. Kirk's tendency toward crappy Internet Atheism is examined. Navigator Stiles brings Dr. McCoy's racism into stark relief. Next Generation barber Mr. Mott proves to be an eternal being. The pair try to figure out what Patrick Stewart or Avery Brooks would say upon returning from space. Leonard Nimoy once again earns MVP status for a superb exposition dump. Justin determines the origin of DeForest Kelly's accent. Erik admits to being behind on Strange New Worlds. Collision acting is reviewed and Babylon 5 cannot help but enter the chat.