Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously's month of prestige fantasy series dreams of The Sandman and the episode called "The Doll's House."

While taking a census of the Dreaming, Lucienne hears tell of a Dream Vortex that could threaten the whole of the domain and the waking world. Morpheus is already aware of the problem and learns it is focused on a human woman named Rose Walker. For her part, Rose is grieving the recent death of her mother, looking for her estranged brother, and on a flight to England to meet Unity Kincaid, who has her own reasons for finding Rose and her brother. Will all these confluences matter or is it more of Desire's petty scheming?

Erik and Justin immediately get lost talking about the original Watchmen and the Sandman comics. Erik recalls some of his comic book origins. An explanation of the Endless leads in strange directions. Accents are criticized. Justin finds fault with the actors playing Rose and Lyta. He also offers an odd alternative casting choice for Gilbert. John Galt turns out to be the truest nightmare. Yet more Andor discussion occurs. The pair introduce new rules for talking to certain writers. Philosophies are discussed and Gerd Shockley begins a startling transformation.

Tread Perilously's month of prestige fantasy makes haste for Westeros and the House of the Dragon episode called "The Princess and the Queen."

After giving birth to her third child, Princess Rhaenyra faces rumors and accusations about its father. The source of those whispers? Queen Alicent. The situation leads to tension between Rhaenyera and her husband, Prince Laenor, and a situation in the yard while their boys train with Alicent's sons. Meanwhile in Pentos, Daemon and Laena consider an intriguing opportunity from the local aristocrats -- but will Laena's own pregnancy put the kibosh on whatever Daemon truly wants? Also, why is Larys Strong so interested in aiding Alicent?

Erik and Justin immediately resume their Ice and Fire nerdery, starting with a look into Game of Thrones's endgame and the other spinoff. Justin champions King Viserys's long, lingering death. Erik once again offers his support to fanfic writers. He also briefly forgets the name of his "favorite" Ice and Fire character. Justin tries to piece together the political situation in King's Landing based on a single episode of House of the Dragon. The architectural design of Harrenhal comes into question. Erik dives into the dynamic between Alicent and Larys Strong and some Star Wars talk happens.

Tread Perilously begins a month of prestige fantasy series with an episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power entitled "The Eye."

In the wake of Orodruin's eruption, Galadriel, Theo, Queen Regent Míriel, and Elendil attempt to make their way back to the Númenórean encampment on the edge of the Southlands. Will they find loved ones waiting for them there? Meanwhile in Khazad-Dûm, Durin and Elrond make one last impassioned plea to the king so the Elves can receive shipments of mithril. But when it falls on deaf ears, the prince takes matters into his own hands.

Erik and Justin break the "three year rule" to talk about the current golden age of fantasy television. They also try to outnerd themselves with role playing game experience and other knowledge. Opinions of sixties British rock are aired. Erik recalls a story from San Diego Comic-Con about Galadriel's armor. Justin makes an interesting assessment of the show's title theme. He also finds some great nicknames for the characters. Erik offers a few key corrections about the story. The pair debate how much the show wants to echo The Lord of the Rings films in terms of casting. Erik makes room for Glorfindel and Justin makes an attempt to find Sauron.

Tread Perilously wraps up Halloween month with its annual visit to Supernatural. This year's episode: " It's the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester."

When a loving family man is killed via mysterious razor blades hidden in a piece of candy, Sam and Dean follow up and discover a witch's hex bag as the root cause. Suspects immediately become apparent via the family babysitter and her skeevy art teacher. But when Castiel (finally) and Uriel (Robert Wisdom!) arrive, it becomes clear the Halloween hex is related to the seals and the angels' mission from Heaven. Will they eradicate the town to stop Samhain from rising or is there more to their orders?

Erik is happy to see Castiel appear in an episode. Justin outlines his problems with later seasons of Supernatural. The pair also finally confront the show's myth-arc and debate the pronunciation of "Samhain." History Corner crosses the Rubicon and Andor gets a mention or two. The team also discusses Halloween Ends and any number of other horror movies. They also attempt to work out if Damien Thorn would've had a different life with another name. Justin tries to find more roles for Robert Sheehan. The connection between Mexicans and the Irish is reaffirmed and a surprise comic book writer discussion breaks out.

Tread Perilously's Halloween month crosses the border into Canada for a special internet-only episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation, "The Curse of Degrassi."

When the ghost of Rick Murray awakens before the Harvest Dance, he possesses Holly J to get his revenge on Spinner and some of the other kids. Will it bring Mia and Jane closer together after drifting apart? Will it prevent other teens from making out in a supply closet? And will it allow Spinner to realize he's an actor in a non-continuity Halloween special of a Canadian teen drama?

Erik and Justin brace themselves for the 2000s nostalgia wave, even as they still have problems with a lot of turn-of-the-century styles. Erik reveals his dislike of fashions from Georgian period England. Justin reveals the episode writer/director's connection to Degrassi Junior High. The pair discuss the premise of nearly all Degrassi shows. Justin also goes on a Friday Night Lights tear thanks to the slightest provocation. Erik also tries to figure out how the special was produced for a website. He also attempts a Nina Dobrev impression. Justin provides a more accurate account of what happened to Rick and a new contender to play Doom enters the arena.

Tread Perilously's month of Halloween TV continues with the 30 Rock episode "Stone Mountain."

When Jack becomes displeased with Liz Lemon's attempts to find a new cast member, a folksy encounter with Kenneth the Page leads him to Stone Mountain, Georgia for "real American" humor. Liz is with him, of course, but a bad sandwich leaves her in the grips of Peppy Bizmilk. Will Jack's chosen local talent, a ventriloquist, be what TGS needs? Or will he learn some sort of lesson about his assumptions of the South? Meanwhile, Toofer, Frank, and Lutz try to sneak into Gay Halloween and Tracy becomes obsessed with the Rule of Threes.

Justin is determined to get cancelled. He also freely admits there are problematic elements to Tina Fey's comedy. It leads to a discussion of the Fantasy genre's love affair with monarchy. Erik also discusses the problem with "the redneck voice." Justin recalls the comedy of the 2000s. Despite not being in the episode, James Marsden gets a shoutout. The pair also, once again, praise Jane Krakowski. They also compare the chuckle in various parts of the country and try to imagine Tituss Burgess as a Star Trek character. Also, unkind things about Jimmy Fallon may be said.

Tread Perilously begins a month of Halloween episodes with a look at My So-Called Life's "Halloween."

Although discouraged in her own mind to wear a costume at school, Angela Chase ends up dressed a teen from 1963 -- the same year Nicky Driscoll supposedly died while trying to hang something from the rafters in the gym. Inspired by the story, Rayanne Graff convinces everybody (and Tino) to meet up at the school and do some sort of prank in Driscoll's honor. But when Tino fails to appear, she, Angela, and Brian Krakow invade the school anyway. And once inside, Angela comes face-to-face with Nicky Driscoll.

Justin wants to know more about Tino. Erik's dislike of Brian Krakow and Jordan Catalano re-emerges. He also admits to dating someone a lot like Rayanne Graff. Geography Corner centers on photogenic Los Angeles area high schools. Justin recognizes Lindsay Sloane in a small role. The pair also try to get back into 1990s speech patterns. Justin reveals an unlikely character as his favorite. Erik's habit of low-effort Halloween costumes comes up again. Justin tries to make sense of Brian Krakow. Both devise a new suburban thriller film for Claire Danes and the pushback against genuine emotions in the era gets examined or, like, something.

Tread Perilously's annual Star Trek month concludes with the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode "The Elysian Kingdom" -- the lowest rated hour according to IMDb.

While analyzing a nebula, the Enterprise becomes stuck and its crew re-assembled as characters from a fairy tale Dr. M'Benga reads to his daughter. Recast as the King from the story -- but still cognizant of who he really is -- M'Benga soon encounters Captain Pike as the cowardly chamberlain, Spock as an evil Wizard, Lt. Ortegas as the faithful knight, Lt. Noonien-Singh as the flighty, but friendly princess of a nearby realm, and Cadet Uhura as the wicked queen. Will M'Benga sort out why this is happening and why Chief Engineer Hemmer also maintains his sense of self?

Erik ends up high on a vaccine reaction while Justin takes advantage of the situation via a joke well past its freshness date. Both also gush about the series, their favorite of modern Star Trek. A Sons of Anarchy detour also occurs. Erik learns a new term and works very hard to remember the name "Lawrence Tierney." Geography Corner turns into an inspection of LA-area revival theater restrooms. Pike's would-be smugness and excitement to be in space are examined. The problem of prestige TV comes up and the pair weep once more for Boromir.

Tread Perilously's Star Trek month continues with a first look at Star Trek: Prodigy via its first regular-length episode, "Starstruck."

When Dal and the others flee their captivity aboard a Federation starship, they are quickly introduced to the Training Hologram with the voice and appearance of Admiral Kathryn Janeway. The hologram surmises they must be cadets and attempts to teach them about the U.S.S. Protostar, their newly acquired vessel, but Dal insists he is the captain and knows best. Meanwhile, Gwyn ends up in the brig and Zero tries to find a bunkmate while Rok and Jankom Pog learn about the food replicator.

Justin and Erik compare the episode of Battlestar Galactica's "33" -- both in joking and serious ways. Erik's Kate Mulgrew impression gets a workout and a new purpose. Justin introduces a new dinosaur-themed sitcom. Both attempt to get into Prodigy's kid-focused mindset, but also end up talking about Gene Roddenberry. The problem of Dal as the lead character is also discussed. Other characters prove to be fast favorites, though. A Quantum Leap detour occurs. The possibilities of Prodigy prove inviting. Justin calls out a certain trope among villains. Brig scenes also turn out to be a trope and one flaw in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is introduced.

Tread Perilously's Star Trek month continues with a look at the Star Trek: Lower Decks episode "Veritas."

The Lower Deckers find themselves guests of a lizard-like alien attempting to ascertain the truth about the Cerritos's recent mission. Each ensign can only speak to their experiences -- which include Mariner and Boimler sneaking back onto the bridge and making some bad calls, Tendi becoming "the cleaner," and Rutherford half-experiencing a Gorn wedding. Will their scraps of stories lead to a satisfactory answer for the alien? Or will the actual truth of their deposition lead to something far weird than they expect?

Justin's second run-in with Lower Decks goes slightly better than his first, but Erik is uninterested in changing his opinion. Instead, they attempt to find the veritas in the Don't Worry Darling press debacle. Chris Pine goes up in rank on the Chris list. Erik discusses the rigors of film festivals. Justin reveals his dislike of Jack Quaid. Second generation actors are, of course, discussed. Gerd Shockley celebrates his birthday (sort of). Erik argues that people have forgotten what a truly stoned person looks like. Justin admits he worries about his friends and the "dumb reasoning" of California Class spaceships proves impressive.