Tread Perilously

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.