Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously begins a Grab Bag month (featuring special guests) with a Doctor Who episode called "Hide."

When The Doctor and Clara land near a spooky house somewhere in England during the 1970s, they befriend Emma, a medium, and Alec, a would-be ghost hunter enchanted with the local legend. Will their investigation prove to be an actual haunting or will The Doctor science all the romance out of the seeming paranormal phenomenon? Also, will Emma's words about him to Clara prove to be correct? And, for that matter, will Clara's words about Alec also prove to be the truth? And just why did The Doctor bring his new companion to this event?

Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon joins Erik and Justin for her first ever episode of Doctor Who. She has thoughts and feelings about the program. A mystery starts to grow around Erik's decision to show her this particular episode. Questions about Doctor Who's premise abound. Erik quickly announces his appreciation of Jessica Raine despite her work seemingly being limited to period pieces. Justin finally gets to answer "Time War" to a question. Erik recalls the "best" episode of House Hunters International. Barbra offers the term "shmackting" to the pair. The Eleventh Doctor's creepster vibe gets examined, as does Loki's similarities to Doctor Who, and Erik ruins everyone's day with his Bad Batch theory.

Tread Perilously rounds out SuperJune with a look at Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and its third season episode, "When Irish Eyes Are Killing."

After Clark decides he loves Lois too much to date her, their sniping is overheard by Lois's old flame, Patrick Sullivan. As it happens, he's come to Metropolis to deal with some old family business. Meanwhile, a string of antique robberies and ritual killings might be related. But do their Irish connections have anything to do with Sullivan, who is also looking to rekindle his affair with Lois? Also, will Clark realize he's being stupid?

Erik and Justin immediately launch into Geography Corner. They also rate the Superman actors of television. Dean Cain gets raked over the coals for his acting and his acting only. The sniping between Lois and Clark proves grating. The "will they/won't they" aspect of the show gets examined, as does the Ron Silver quality of this week's villain. The "Oirish" accent gets a workout. The pair get lost talking what sort of sub-compact Clark Kent would've drove in the 1990s, the Post-Crisis Superman, and Superman III's "Bad Superman." Also, Justin rallies against the notion of ritual killing in a Superman show.

Super June continues as Tread Perilously takes a look at "The Case of the Talkative Dummy," the third episode of the 1950s Adventures of Superman series.

When Clark and Lois take Jimmy to a vaudeville show for his birthday, the ventriloquist act is foiled by someone offstage throwing their voice. Jimmy and Lois later realize the heckling was part of an elaborate scheme to heist armored cars around Metropolis. But who is throwing their voice? And are they part of an inside job at the security company? Clark convinces Inspector Henderson to give him time to put all the pieces together, but when Jimmy gets locked in a safe by the real criminal, it becomes a job for Superman.

Erik and Justin get lost discussing 1940s and 50s dietary habits. They also doubt the mild-mannered quality of George Reeves' Clark Kent. Erik tries to remember his post-Golden Age Superman lore and mostly fails. Justin ends up taken with first season Lois Lane actor Phyllis Coates. Erik re-imagines Superman and Loki as Tommy Wiseau. Jack Larson's oddly old, but boyish take on Jimmy Olsen leads to a lot of unfortunate implications. Justin presumes the Talkative Dummy would be something supernatural and the International Brotherhood of Goons, Lackeys, and Gofers makes its debut.

Tread Perilously's SuperJune heads back to Central Florida and the land of first-run syndication with Superboy via its first season episode, "Succubus."

When Clark, Lana, and T.J. White are assigned to cover the week-long visit of romance author Pamela Dare, T.J. expects the worst, but is soon swept up in her charms. Is it true love or is Pamela only using him to get to Superboy? Is she aware he and Clark are the same person? And will Lana be able to step in before Clark and T.J.'s friendship is forever destroyed?

Tread Perilously's SuperJune heads back to Central Florida and the land of first-run syndication with Superboy via its first season episode, "Succubus."

When Clark, Lana, and T.J. White are assigned to cover the week-long visit of romance author Pamela Dare, T.J. expects the worst, but is soon swept up in her charms. Is it true love or is Pamela only using him to get to Superboy? Is she aware he and Clark are the same person? And will Lana be able to step in before Clark and T.J.'s friendship is forever destroyed?

Erik tries to explain to guest star Sybil Danning. Both he and Justin try to figure out why anyone would try to tell a story like this in a half-hour, first-run syndicated program. They also mourn for guest character Simon and get lost talking about co-star Stacy Haiduk. Erik immediately recognizes elements of DisneyWorld and Central Florida University in the background of shots. The cable softcore porn production qualities naturally leads to a digression. The presence of T.J. White leaves the pair wondering "Where's Jimmy Olsen?" The apparent absence of certain scenes leads to a confused plot recap and Justin recalls the days when "blue hair jokes" were a thing.

Tread Perilously finally spotlights an episode of "Supergirl" as a month of Kryptonian-focused shows begins. This time, Kara Danvers sort of stars in an episode called "The Bodyguard."

When a would-be assassin threatens Andrea Rojas's life on the eve of the Obsidian North Platinum launch, Lex Luthor assigns Supergirl to be her personal bodyguard. Meanwhile, a newly unemployed Alex joins J'onn in the search for the assassin while Brainy -- now the sole Superfriend inside the DEO -- evades their request for assistance as he continues his plan to expose Lex. Will the assassin kill Andrea Rojas? Or will a successful save by Supergirl aid Lex's overall scheme?

Erik and Justin recall a time when Supergirl was a constant part of Tread Perilously chatter. Justin immediately finds new love interest William Dey a "3D printed" facsimile of a real one. The current state of the Arrowverse gets reviewed. Justin's wife provides an incredible comic book trope which applies quite well to shows like Supergirl and The Flash. Virtual Reality joins the list of well-known markers indicating a poor quality project. A discussion of the "Spock-Artax" Empathy Test leads to a surprising number of "You Might Be A Synthetic" jokes. The pair try to figure out why Lori Singer never had her moment and Supercorp becomes a key topic once again.

Wayne Randall's first voyage aboard Supertrain as Harry Flood's second is more than the training run he expected. Flood comes down with mumps (at age 62?) and ends up in isolation. A charity swimsuit fashion show is scheduled in the pool car, meaning Wayne's first meeting with Events Director Penny Whitaker is a hasty hallway hello. Meanwhile, an unseen hand plots to steal an emerald necklace from special guest Zsa Zsa Gabor. Is it special guest Peter Lawford, special guest Lyle Waggoner, or a rando in an obviously fake mustache? And will Wayne, Penny, and Guest Relations Director George Boone (formerly Black Porter) rouse special guest star Abe Vigoda from his dozing in time to catch the thief?

Erik and Justin react to the full retooling of Supertrain. The new central cast gets high marks even if it comes at the expense of the weekly mystery. Erik has a very hard time saying "Lyle Waggoner." Justin recalls a Zsa Zsa Gabor joke long past its freshness dating. The pair remember Weird Baby Man despite him leaving the show a few episodes earlier. Justin loses his mind over Flood's liquified sickbed diet. Peter Lawford's slurred line-readings delight Erik. Zsa Zsa becomes a member of the Istari and Tommy Wiseau makes his way into the discussion.

Total Request Live 3 takes Tread Perilously to its first ever Doom Patrol episode, "Danny Patrol."

With the Chief still missing, Jane leaves Doom Manor and becomes the rom-com obsessed persona known as "Karen." Meanwhile, Larry and Cyborg receive a cake from Danny the Street, a sentient, genderqueer street who desperately needs the Chief's aid. Will they prove sufficient enough to help a thoroughly tired Danny repel an invasion by the Bureau of Normalcy? And will Cliff and Rita be able to bring Jane back up from the Underground before Karen can marry her milquetoast beau?

Erik and Justin almost immediately get lost in the weeds by discussing Orson Welles films, Escape to Witch Mountain, and various comic book adaptations. Both the Hydrox Effect and the Worf Effect get discussed. Erik also tries to introduce the "Darkman Effect." Justin gets lost in Doom Patrol's plot and the rat previously in Robotman's head. A surprise Geography Corner breaks out when the pair discuss Pink's Hot Dogs and Dog Haus. Justin takes issue with a show casting Matt Bomer and hiding his face. Erik plays a game of "Is it X-Men or Doom Patrol?" and the pair spend a lot of time on the karaoke sequence.

Tread Perilously's Total Request Live 3 continues with its first ever episode of Elementary, "Moving Targets."

As Joan continues to aid Shinwell with his investigation, Sherlock aids in discovering why a New Jersey county sheriff was found dead at the docks. The crime leads to a reality show where contestants hunt one another for sport and a winding road of suspects which includes a former Ugandan child soldier with a chilling nickname, an actor trying to use Instagram as a fame-starter, and an apparently mob-connected strip club owner. Will any of them prove to be the killer? Also, will Sherlock be able to articulate why he doesn't want Joan to help Shinwell?

Erik appreciates Lucy Liu, her "fuck-you money" philosophy, and her place within the episode. Justin realizes that he has no memory of watching it during his initial watch of Elementary. Erik tries to work past his reaction to the show's cynical pitch to find the good within it. The comparison to Sherlock is inevitable, though. Both praise the well-chosen names for never-seen characters. Digressions into Star Wars, Doctor Who and Copland occur. Both marvel at the continued existence of Michael Rapaport. Erik praises the working partnership of Gale Anne Hurd and James Cameron and the pair cast a 1983 production of Martin Scorsese's The Fantastic Four.

It's Total Request Live 3! Once again, Tread Perilously hands the choice of what Erik and Justin watch to the Patreon subscribers! This week: an episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century called "Cruise Ship to the Stars."

Buck is sent to a slow-moving starship to protect the "genetically perfect" beauty queen Miss Cosmos. As it happens, an infamous two-person smash-and-grab crew are looking to kidnap her and sell her for parts. So while Buck secures Miss Cosmos and her stateroom -- that's not a metaphor -- Col. Wilma Deering also arrives on the cruise ship posing as an heiress and wearing a queen's ransom in moon crystals. Will they apprehend the thieves before the worst happens to Miss Cosmos?

Also: Twiki gets some.

Justin reiterates that Buck Rogers is meant to be for children. He also tells the sad story of episode guest star Dorothy Stratten. Erik gets concerned about the whole "genetically perfect" idea. Both call out the terrible perm wig the episode forces Erin Gray to wear. The matter-of-fact way Buck and the others regard a woman with mutant powers becomes a source of comedy. Buck's cheerful understanding of consent and true sexual liberation continues to be the program's most redeeming feature and Justin coins the term "sleazy do-gooder energy."

Tread Perilously's Doctor Who month concludes with "The War Machines."

When the Doctor and Dodo land in 1966 London, he immediately senses a great evil in the newly completed GPO Tower. There, he discovers scientists working on WOTAN, a central processing unit for a system of networked computers across the globe. Soon, it becomes clear that WOTAN is sentient and has plans of its own by constructing primitive, Dalek-like War Machines to take control of the British capital. Will the Doctor, Dodo, and their new friends, Ben and Polly, be able to stop the mad computer, or will it assimilate "Dr. Who" into its plans?

Erik somehow avoids ever explaining why WOTAN calls the Doctor "Dr. Who." Justin seemingly enjoys a story starring William Hartnell even if Hartnell's Doctor isn't his favorite. Erik tries to explain Dodo's function and why a new producer would immediately replace her with the stylish Polly. Justin comes up with an interesting read of Ben. The pace is lauded, as is the location filming. Both recall the formation "Dalek Wings." They also try to figure out if Polly and Ben ever actually flirt. Erik gets lost in the British currency of the mid-60s and the pair memorialize "Gaz the Tramp."