Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously's month of modern Star Trek continues with the lowest rated episode of Star Trek: Picard, "Monsters."

After being hit with a car by Noonian Soong's ancestor, Jean-Luc Picard's mind gets lost in his robot body and it is up to Tallinn to find him within the inner recesses of his consciousness. Meanwhile, Picard takes an hour of therapy with a familiar-looking Starfleet counselor. Will their discussion shed any light on Picard's attachment issues? And back in the real world, Seven and Raffi try to find the semi-assimilated Dr. Jurtati -- who will soon become the Borg Queen -- and Rios debates letting his new friends know that he is from the future.

Justin attempts to construct a more accurate representation of Picard's mind. Jay Karnes makes a welcome appearance. Erik's disappointment in this episode of Picard is palpable. The pair make an unplanned detour to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Erik also veers into a discussion of Stanley Kubrick. Jeri Ryan once again proves to be MVP. The episode's structure gets criticized despite Justin feeling the pace was on point. Patrick Stewart's age earns a comment. Stereotypical liquors are discussed and Justin offers the most extended sports metaphor ever used on Tread Perilously.

While the threat of the DMA looms, Discovery orbits Ni'Var ahead of the planet's return to the Federation. But as Captain Michael Burnham soon learns, the accord is in jeopardy. Will she be able to maneuver people and assets to save the Federation's most important political negotiation in over a hundred years? Meanwhile, Lt. Tilly helps out Starfleet Academy by taking some trainees on a team-building exercise, but it proves to be more than she expects when their shuttle crash-lands on an ice planet.

Erik explains his plan for an all Kurtzman Era Star Trek month. He also blames Bryan Fuller for some of Discovery's shortcomings. Justin reveals this episode broke his appreciation of the series. The lack of detail regarding Burnham's interests and hobbies proves to be a problem. Saru and Tilly continue to be favorite characters while the rest of the crew continue to be unknowable. Book's story is criticized while Tilly's drives Justin to distraction. Ni'Var president T'Rina and Saru, however, still prove charming. The cultural imperialism of the Federation is examined and Erik briefly imagines Dustin Hoffman in Death Wish.

When Hayes wakes up from a dream, he finds the lab has changed and that El is now in charge of the project -- building a better nuclear bomb! But as Hayes roams the facility telling people about their role in his dream, it becomes clear this is all a framing device for a way-too-soon clip show. Will it prove Misfits of Science deserved a second season or will it underscore a rare correct choice from NBC? Also, will Hayes learn which reality is the dream?

Justin quickly notes that the episode features two of the worst aspects of 1980s television. Erik adds that it features one of the worst tropes in genre television: what if the premise isn't the premise? Justin recalls the reason his family disliked Courteney Cox in the late '80s. 1990s animated superhero shows get surveyed. Miami Connection ends up highly recommended. Erik offers some surprising praise to Skyfall. The problem of telekinesis on television is explored. Alf makes a surprise appearance. Erik recasts The Flash with two WarGames actors and the pair suggest a different ending for Twin Peaks.

Tread Perilously's summer Patreon request month continues with an episode of Bob's Burgers called "Family Fracas."

In an attempt to replace Bob's car, the Belchers go on a local game show called Family Fracas. The family proves to be good at the Double Dare-like physical challenges, much to the aggravation of the host, who already hates the Blechers for getting his previous show cancelled. And though they can't seem to win the top prize -- a minivan -- Bob still lords his spot on TV over nemesis Jimmy Pesto. But soon, Pesto is also on the show. Will Bob's luck hold or will dubious adversaries team up to rob him of victory?

Erik faces his first episode of Bob's Burgers and the results seem somehow rigged to Justin. Nevertheless, Erik's impression of the series may shock fans. Justin tries to offer his favorite episode. That nature of Fox animated programs is examined. The Warner Bros. Discovery situation continues to fuel conversation. Thomas Lennon proves to be the episode MVP. The dynamics of Double Dare are dissected. Erik spies a conspiracy behind the Family Fracas prize wheel while Justin identifies another conspiracy closer to home. Also, Carter Burke makes an unlikely return.

Tread Perilously's summer Patreon request month leads to a forgotten corner of 1970s television with the Movin' On episode called "The Cowhands."

When Sonny Pruitt and an old friend challenge each other to rodeo antics, the friend ends up in the hospital. Pruitt agrees to move the rodeo to a nearby town and take care of the cashbox. Soon enough, the rodeo owner's ex-wife appears to take charge and admit she was always sweet on Pruitt. Can they get the rodeo ready for a key show? Also, will they be able to keep their young hot-shot bullrider from singing with a bigger promoter?

Erik and Justin get lost in the 1970s of it all. Justin attempts to figure out Movin' On's premise from the episode itself. Gene Simmons claims a most grandiose invention. The career of Claude Akins gets some examination. Santa Clarita does not fare well in a geography corner analysis. The pair try to determine the title of a rodeo emcee. They also re-imagine the episode's plot with John D. Cort and Eddie from Baywatch. A Martinez appears as the young rider and Tina Louise proves to be the episode MVP. Also, John Wayne gets his just deserts.

Tread Perilously's semi-annual Patreon subscriber request month begins its summer edition with a look at the Scream Queens episode called "Chainsaw."

As the university tries to distance itself from the recent deaths, the Red Devil mascot is replaced with Coney, the whimsical soft serve ice cream cone. Meanwhile, Grace and Zayday continue to search for Chanel #2, Chanel #1 discovers a new way to attract Chad Radwell, and Chanel #5 has a spiritual awaken after a sex act. Chad Radwell, meanwhile, convinces his frat brothers that the best way to defeat the Red Devil is to challenge him openly on the street. Will his gambit pay off?

Chad Radwell becomes the character find of 2015. Justin discusses how the show simultaneously takes place in that year and 2005. He also stumbles on the greatest never-made 1980s high school movie. Erik tries to recall the various Scream killers. The pair gets lost in Go for a moment ... again. Pinhead briefly becomes the dean of health at a small, mid-western college. A Riverdale seance occurs. The presence of Lea Michelle is noted while Emma Roberts proves to be the perfect choice for her character. But will executive producer Ryan Murphy's track record prove to be a hindrance in the long run?

Tread Perilously's summer Grab Bag month concludes with the first episode of Cop Rock.

When the LAPD busts in on an alleged crack den, an alleged rap song breaks out. The next morning, a woman arrested at the den pleads with officers to let her go for the sake of her baby, who was also taken into custody at the crack den. Meanwhile, all the men who were running the operation have gone free on an overcrowding technicality and all the cops are livid -- but not livid enough to sing. Instead, a musical breaks out at an unrelated trial and the local CSI sings a ballad about his unlikely marriage to the cutest patrol officer in Rampart Division. It might be a gritty crime drama, but it's also Cop Rock!

Erik and Justin finally see a verifiable portal into Hell. Both try to stave off the madness by recounting similarities to The Shield's much better pilot. Rampart Division is explained even as horror icons like Fred Krueger join its ranks. Justin argues the CSI is the best singer while Erik falls for a poorly realized song about graft in the mayor's office. Ronny Cox may or may not appear at some point. Urine becomes a runner and George Clooney once again succeeds in his mission.

Tread Perilously's summer Grab Bag month continues with its first look back at Space: Above and Beyond -- an episode called "Level of Necessity."

When an operation on planet Daedelus ends with heavy casualties, Lt. Colonel McQueen notes Damphousse's "anomalous intuition" for saving the 58th Squadron. The notation in his mission report attracts the attention of Colonel Matthew Burke, chief of the largely-discredited Psy-Ops department. He's convinced Damphousse's intuition is the proof of precognitive abilities he's been looking for and arranges for the squad to return to Daedelus for a hit-and-run mission. Will putting the grunt in danger unlock the secret powers of her mind? And will anyone survive their fifth trip to the alien-controlled world?

Erik and Justin can't get over the episode's notion that lovable character actor Richard Kind can play a heavy. The pair also recall the monthly Comic Book & Science-Fiction Convention at the Shrine Auditorium. Erik's doppelganger ends up part of the discussion. The cast of Space: Above and Beyond prove to be knock-offs, off-brands, and potentially the greatest problem with the series as a whole. Erik and Justin attempt to recast Colonel Matthew Burke. Dan O'Bannon makes another unexpected appearance and Giovanni Ribisi becomes a psychic friend.

Another Tread Perilously Grab Bag month begins with an episode of Baywatch called "Muddy Waters."

The Ballad of John D. Cort continues as Cort must make back a favor to Mitch by teaching the new class of lifeguards at Raging Waters in San Dimas, CA. But Cort, being Cort, pulls Eddie into the job, who in turn attracts the eye of a trainee and the ire of another. Mitch, meanwhile, plans for Hobie's class to visit Baywatch and Captain Thorpe seeks to fire Shauni after a photo of her at a guard tower ends up in a swimsuit calendar.

Geography Corner starts early as Erik and Justin discuss Raging Waters in San Dimas, CA. They also take a break to discuss Ms. Marvel. Justin is still surprised Baywatch had a writers room. The pair also end up discussing the Scott Bakula classic, Color of Night, and the films of Clive Barker. The career of Monte Markham gets examined. Eddie once again ends up looking like the worst. Erik argues for Erika Eleniak 's talent as a TV actor. Captain Thorpe's descent into madness continues. Justin finally faces a full Mitch Buchannon storyline and theorizes how the presence of Cort would change Predator.

Tread Perilously's month of reactionary PSA television concludes with the two-part episode of What's Happening!! called "Doobie or Not Doobie."

When Rerun fails to obtain tickets to a Doobie Brothers concert at the high school, he runs into a man offering him three front-row tickets in exchange for recording the show. Initially excited, he gets cold feet when Raj interviews the band and learns of the evils in bootleg recordings. Unfortunately, his concerns are of no concern to the bootlegers, who threaten violence if he doesn't follow through and tape the performance. Will the power of Michael McDonald save Rerun, Raj, and Dwayne?

Justin comes up with an interesting take on Rerun. Erik discusses the prevalence of "fat humor" in the series. The use of the term "soda shop" leads to a discussion of teen hangouts across the 20th Century. Erik recalls the strange truth of high school gyms as rock venues. The Michael McDonald voice makes a special appearance. His fashion choices get critiqued, as do those of the rest of the band. Micheal Douglas's infamous humblebrag gets dissected. Raj's sister Dee proves to be a sorceress with her dry delivery and What's Happening!!'s "next time on" segment proves surprisingly long. But will Justin's heart be open to the message of the Doobie Brothers?