Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously's '80s flashback month continues with, at long last, an episode of Falcon Crest called "The Price of Freedom."

It takes Richard Channing just a few days in prison to realize he needs out -- and he's prepared to sell out business rival Michael Sharpe to do it. Meanwhile at the winery, Angela Channing continues to plan for her Italian getaway, but still aims to break up her grandson Lance's marriage to Pilar. Will either person fall for the bait? And while Maggie tries to get on with her life, a surprise gift from Richard may change her destiny forever.

After several thwarted attempts, Justin finally sees an episode of Falcon Crest. Although, Erik suggests the episode is an example of the Prime Time Soap in decline. Justin makes an immediate connection between Angela Channing and Lucille Bluth. Lorenzo Lamas proves he has TV lead chops. Guest stars also abound with Tony Plana, John Diehl, and someone very dear to Erik and Justin's hearts. Also, Trapper John M.D.'s Gregory Harrison returns! Justin tries to figure out why Erik was watching Falcon Crest when it aired. A sauna scene leads to a very specific '80s flashback. The show's various theme songs are discussed -- yes, it matters -- and the streets of Pismo Beach lead to an explanation of Killer BOB.

Tread Perilously returns to the 1980s for a month of TV shows Erik and Justin have never covered before. First up: the Scarecrow and Mrs. King episode called "Wrong Number."

When Mrs. King's first assignment re-checking security clearances becomes part of Scarecrow's latest mission, the two argue over the loyalties of one Dr. William Towne. Is he really a Soviet spy or just a hapless mathematician? Meanwhile, old foe Gregory returns and aims to get revenge on both Scarecrow and Mrs. King -- and now he has the resources of the KGB to do it. Is Towne also part of his plan?

Justin more or less discerns the show's premise from just one episode -- he even catches the Season 3 pivot. Erik finally has a good excuse to employ his Bruce Boxleitner impression (not that needing one has ever stopped him before). Big hair proves to be very important. Guest star Peter Jurasik leads to a lot of Babylon 5 talk. A wild "Jamie" Cromwell appears. The pair recall that strange time when MSG was the devil. A character known as the "Number 5" man leads to the SPECTRE org chart. But is the scheme really a SMERSH operation? '80s spycraft proves nostalgic and Erik asks, once again, "Who's Melissa George?"

Tread Perilously concludes its month of TV movies with The Night Stalker.

When his editor cancels his vacation, Karl Kolchak finds a seemingly standard Las Vegas murder is just the beginning of a killing spree. But odd details -- like certain puncture wounds on the victims' necks and the complete loss of blood -- lead the intrepid reporter to suggest law enforcement is dealing with a man who thinks himself a vampire. Kolchak's current girlfriend, who works at a saloon, goes one step further: maybe the killer is a vampire. Can it be true? Will Kolchak accept that possibility? Will it change the course of his life forever?

Erik and Justin return to one of their favorite TV characters in his first appearance. The early '70s Las Vegas setting gives them a lot to chew on, as does star Darren McGavin's irresistible charm. They also clarify the connection between the title and certain real-life killers. Erik finds an unlikely new role for David Duchovny. Claude Akins makes his triumphant Tread Perilously return. Nuances about vampires are explored. Alternate casting choices for Blade Runner emerge. The pair try to figure out why Kolchak had to leave New York and a wild Bob Whiteman appears.

Tread Perilously's TV Movie month continues with Michael J. Fox, Nancy McKeon, and Robert Klein in Poison Ivy.

When Dennis Baxter takes a job at Camp Pinewood in Maine, he expects his summer will be filled by taking care of his charges and maybe romancing some of the counselors at the girls' camp across the lake. This changes when assistant nurse Rhonda Malone arrives on the scene. Will he find true love while the kids in his cabin learn the true meaning of friendship? Or will everything fall apart when the camp director declares a color war and splits the camp in two?

Paul Pakler joins Erik and Justin in another gab session focused on Fox and McKeon. They also try to figure out if Klein is actually funny. Jason Bateman, despite not appearing in the film, haunts the proceedings. Director Larry Elikan's ABC AfterSchool Specials connection leads to a very particular aside. Paul coins "lead poisoning movies" to explain Poison Ivy and second-screen viewing. With a copy sourced from Chicago's NBC station, the trio also enjoy the 1985 commercials. A certain person's case of cancer, meanwhile, dominates the newsbreaks. Paul has a hard time holding onto the plot while Erik finds it difficult to recall the character names. The group can't help but rewrite aspects of the plot and #campgate is revealed.

Tread Perilously's TV Movie month continues with Deadly Intentions ... Again?

After serving time for the attempted murder of his first wife, Dr. Charles Raynor returns to the loving embrace of his second wife, Sally. She has a plan to get him back into the workforce and see his medical license restored. Raynor has other plans -- finishing off his first wife and the federal prosecutor who put him behind bars. Will he be able to do so without the second Mrs. Raynor finding out? Also, what of his own adoptive mother, who hates Sally for baffling class reasons? Will Sally come to her senses and see Raynor has deadly intentions ... again?

Erik and Justin try to figure out what happened to Fairuza Balk's character. They also try to glean the plot of the original Deadly Intentions. The cast -- which includes Harry Hamlin, Joanna Kerns, Conchata Ferrell, and Balk -- prove to be great even if the script lets them down. Erik tries to determine how much of the film is truly based on actual events. A current year appraisal makes a certain subplot far more troubling than the film intends. Erik suggests first-time filmmakers should make thrillers instead of horror movies and Justin reveals an important truth about The Traitors.

Tread Perilously returns to the land of made-for-TV movies with 1982's Mysterious Two.

When two people known as He and She convince their followers to invade a town in the Southwest because "it is time," a local sheriff, a magazine reporter, and a young man looking for his missing girlfriend converge on the site. There, He and She promise to uplift "the People of Tomorrow" if they sell all their earthly possessions and buy enough sustenance for the journey to come. The young man, a flautist, is not convinced, but will the other become converts to this suspiciously familiar pair of cult leaders?

Erik and Justin get lost in the Heaven's Gate of it all as the movie is based on the early activities of Marshall Applewhite and his partner at the time. The evidence of the film's 1979 production is also very apparent. Erik defies Justin's expectation about his knowledge of the movie's existence. An X-Files discussion breaks out. Erik appreciates the presence of Dynasty star John Forsythe, Alice's Vic Tayback, and a few other notable faces. Desk chili becomes surprisingly important. Rules, of course, do not apply to Michael B. Jordan. The ambiguity about the Mysterious Two proves to be the film's greatest flaw. But will the film's overall beige-ness prove a barrier, too?

Tread Perilously returns to the Ballad of John D. Cort for its antepenultimate stanza: an episode of Baywatch called "Baja Run."

When Cort -- still suffering from a degenerative eye condition -- makes his way back to Baywatch HQ, it's to convince Mitch to join him on the Baja Run. The Mexican dune buggy race is something both men have always wanted to win. While Mitch begrudgingly agrees, C.J. realizes it might finally be time to cut Cort loose. And with Matt's relationship with Caroline disintegrating, C.J. may even have a rebound in mind. Will Cort care or do his concerns center on something he buried in Mexico?

Erik and Justin can't get over the fact Cort lives in a cave! Justin immediately notes how much the show finally feels like the Baywatch of the popular imagination. The presence of Yasmine Bleeth has a lot to do with it. Pamela Anderson, meanwhile, seems poised for her exit. Erik spots Baywatch's hatred of Australians as new character Logan proves to be the scummiest Aussie in '90s syndicated TV. Cort and Mitch finally share a storyline! C.C. DeVille ends up the hair metal MVP even if Erik can't recall which band he was in. Justin notes the missing cast members and learns why he recognizes a certain guest actor.

Tread Perilously's winter request month concludes with an episode of Merlin called "Beauty and the Beast."

When a troll sets her sights on the riches of Camelot, she takes a potion to assume the identity of a conventionally beautiful noble in the hopes of securing Uther Pendragon's heart. Gaius suspects her immediately as he treated the aristocrat before for an incurable bone disease. Uther, however, is almost immediately smitten. But his devotion to the long-passed Igraine gives him some pause the troll must counter with more magic. Can Merlin summon up enough of his own to reveal the troll before she and Uther marry?

Troll 2 almost immediately makes its way into the conversation. Erik and Justin attempt to separate their own familiarity with Arthurian legend from the one depicted in Merlin. Although barely appearing in this episode, they also highlight Katie McGrath. A Tolkien discussion breaks out, naturally enough. Erik has a difficult time accepting an Uther who genuinely loved Igraine. Justin questions the presence of modern romantic love in medieval stories. The pair try to determine where they have seen guest star Sarah Parish before. Erik suggests a certain Welshman to play Merlin. The Legend of Brave Sir Tristan is retold. The Acolyte gets examined again and the Taster's Choice Saga becomes surprisingly important.

Tread Perilously listener request month continues with an episode of Twisted Metal called "T3STDRV."

Still on their way to the tournament, John ends up riding shotgun in his sister Dollface's car. Unable to conjure up memories for her amnesiac brother, she takes a detour to an abandoned drive-in theater. Instead of sparking any recollections, the pair encounter the character known as Axel. Quiet, meanwhile, discovers Mayhem hid in the trunk of her car hoping to enter the tournament herself. Will Quiet be able to teach her to drive? And what of the seeming reaper known as Mr. Grimm? Is he the ghost rider or is he not in his right mind?

Justin tries to recall his own dim memories of playing a Twisted Metal video game. He and Erik also consider the problem of genre TV shows in comparison to Twisted Metal's episode runtimes -- 30 minutes be praised! Erik learns the truth about Marvel's Cyclops. Anthony Mackie's star power is discussed. Erik is reminded of "Surf Dracula." Patsy and Edina become the new gods of the post-apocalypse. More Stranger Things talk occurs. Erik invokes The Human Centipede's Dieter Laser. He also explores the problems of Italian Mad Max ripoffs. "The Lou" gets explained again and Axel becomes an easy MVP.

Tread Perilously's Winter Patreon Request Month continues with a Growing Pains episode called "Home Malone".

When Maggie and the rest of the Seavers make their way to Boston to clean up her parents' home, the ghost of her father appears, but cannot communicate with the living. He's also confused why he's been sent back to Earth. Meanwhile, Maggie and her mother deal with some unresolved issues, Jason gets progressively more injured, Mike's scheme to get out of work backfires, and the rest of the family makes too many jokes at Carol's expense. We promise, though, this is a sitcom.

Justin and Erik discuss the reasons why it took a listener request to finally cover Growing Pains. Guest star Gordon Jump's history with that infamous Diff'Rent Strokes episode is, naturally, discussed. Joanna Kerns proves to be the MVP. Justin fails to remember most of the character names. The show's white-hot hatred of Carol is examined. The pair also tries to determine the character traits of the younger two Seaver kids. Erik also decides to give one member of the cast the benefit of the doubt due to being 15 at the time the episode was made. Justin reveals that Erik is not a film snob and mustard becomes an important analogy.