Tread Perilously

Winter Total Request Live 2026 begins as Tread Perilously watches an episode of Stargate SG-1 called "Thor's Chariot."

When the SG-1 team receives a distress signal from Cimmeria, they return to the planet finding a Goa'uld invasion and few Cimmerians left to fight. While O'Neil and Teal'c scout out the enemy encampment, Daniel and Sam learn the secret of Thor's might. Will it be enough to defeat the Goa'uld known as Heru'ur? Will anyone be able to pronounce their new adversary's name? And will Thor prove to be as real as Ra or his son?

Erik and Justin discuss their histories with Stargate and SG-1. Erik makes a surprising proclamation about the work of director Roland Emmerich. Stan Lee proves to be more formidable than any Gou'ald. Pronunciations of Stargate names come into question, as does the choice to name the planet "Cimmeria". The SG-1 cast -- which includes Michael Shanks, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, and Don S. Davis -- gets their flowers even if Erik has a small problem with Richard Dean Anderson playing Col. Jack O'Neil. Erik doubts Beth Grant's dedication to Sparkle Motion. The Ancient Astronaut Theory proves to be an obstacle in enjoying any Stargate. The pair once again advocate for cheaper-looking sci-fi television and Erik announces a change to the Patreon.

Tread Perilously's final 2025 episode is, oddly enough, a Tread Merrily. But that also means Special Review Unit Captain Charlie Wright is joining Erik and Justin for an episode of the 1980s Beauty and the Beast called "God Bless The Child."

When Catherine volunteers at a crisis hotline, she encounters a young woman who is both pregnant and on her last rope. Catherine suggests to Father and Vincent that the woman might be a good addition to the World Below. After passing Father's test, though, she becomes fixated on Vincent and makes the Yuletide both stranger and sleepier than it should be.

Erik learns Charlie has seen the show before. Justin tries to piece together its premise, forgetting that Vincent and Catherine have a bond "beyond friendship or love." Erik finally gets to use his Roy Dotrice impression and attempts one of Vincent to wavering success. Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman prove to be MVPs. The trio discovers the New York district of Los Angeles. The World Below is a provocative enough concept to encourage another reboot of the program. Will "escaped circus people" be involved? Charlie proves immune to Vincent's many charms. George R. R. Martin's presence can be felt throughout. The episode's major guest character becomes a Tully as a consequence and the CBS pacing issue claims another series.

Tread Merrily heads to San Francisco for an episode of Trapper John M.D. called "'Tis The Season."

Although Trapper is trying his best to get to Aspen for a Christmas ski holiday with his kids, the hospital is overrun with problems. Dr, Gates is taking care of a boy who needs his spleen removed, but there's not enough AB- blood in the county to make the procedure safe. Dr. Riverside is driving everyone crazy with his custom-made Santa suit. Trapper, meanwhile, is driven to distraction by an old man working as s corner Santa who won't give his name, but needs a serious life-saving procedure. Will the chance meeting between "Santa" and the boy change all their lives?

Justin is struck by just how generic Trapper John turns out to be. And yet, the episode does not play by the rules of a medical drama Christmas episode. Guest star Ray Walston turns out to be the MVP while Erik tries to figure out why E/R's Lynne Moody gets the "special guest star credit." Justin reveals a subtle Stranger Things mistake. He also does an admirable job leading the entire discussion into the weeds and celebrating the talents of Madge Sinclair. Paulie from the Rocky film series makes his way into events again and more plot details of the never-made Shield holiday special emerge.

Tread Merrily continues with a return to Boston for a Spenser: For Hire episode called "The Hopes And Fears."

A chance encounter with Rita near a department store leads Spenser to treat the assistant district attorney to a "Spenserian" Christmas. Matters are complicated when a gang of hockey-masked hoodlums begin a rash of break-in robberies -- they even steal from Hawk! -- a young witness to one of their crimes goes missing, and another is threatened by a member of the crew. Will Spenser be able to solve all of the mysteries and protect his community before they resort to mob justice? Also, will he pull off the perfect Christmas for Rita?

Erik and Justin immediately start talking Star Trek and Avery Brooks. Additionally, Erik cannot refer to Carolyn McCormick, who plays Rita, as anything but "Minuet" -- her character from an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Guest stars Seth Green and Nancy Travis prove to be welcome additions to the ensemble. Justin finally recognizes co-star Ron McLarty from Cop Rock. He also geeks out about the presence of Lynn Thigpen. A member of the hockey mask gang inspires the title "Dirty Kenny Loggins." The pair remember the 1980s fruit cake joke and Erik champions star Robert Urich for a surprising Star Trek role.

Tread Merrily 2025 begins with the annual tradition -- a Festive episode of Doctor Who. This one is called "The Time of The Doctor."

When a signal broadcasts across all of time and space, The Doctor soon finds himself in orbit around a mysterious planet. But he is not alone with Daleks, Sontarans, Cyberman, and more also investigating the signal. Meanwhile, it's Christmas dinner at Clara's and she needs him to be her boyfriend. Are these two threads connected? Is the planet really Gallifrey? It's almost time for the clock to strike 12 and The Doctor is out of regenerations. Is this the final end?

Justin determines Steven Moffat's third worst trait as a writer. The discussion centers on Moffat using his greatest hits throughout this story, leading to Tread Perilously's own greatest hits -- including Erik's belief about the real end of A Song of Ice and Fire, Twilight hot takes, and a determination about who has seen the light of the Two Trees. Erik tries to figure out why Paul McGann was seen recently shooting something in his Eighth Doctor costume. Justin stumbles on the secret sauce of Stranger Things. The true name of The Doctor is revealed. The Lord Humongous makes a trip to the market and Justin determines what the Sontarans really resemble.

Tread Perilously's month of backdoor pilots concludes with an episode of MacGyver called "The Coltons."

After a mission with both Frank and Jesse Colton leaves MacGyver wanting an escape to the mountains, the Coltons get a new job via the local assistant district attorney. They must find a young woman who witnessed the hit on a Chinatown Godfather. But with a rival gang also trying to find her, the Coltons may have to rely on their mama and younger brother Billy to finish the task. But is there more to the case than it seems?

Erik and Justin ask "Where's James Hong?" after seeing his name in the credits. The answer leads to an IMDb error. Erik can't get past the general "sleepy-time" quality of MacGyver, even in this backdoor pilot for a different show. The cast -- which includes Cleavon Little, Richard Lawson, Della Reese, and Cuba Gooding Jr. -- turn out to be a fine ensemble. Justin comes up with an alternate take on Killer Moth. He also realizes Lawson is in a favorite film. Gooding's talents are assessed and Little is praised as the lost TV star that he is. Geography Corner tries to make sense of Vancouver playing Southern California and the pair outline a film called Chinatown Godfather.

Tread Perilously's backdoor pilot month continues with a visit to Stars Hollow and Venice, CA in the Gilmore Girls episode known as "Here Comes The Son."

While Rory tries to tackle her final weeks in high school, Lorelei faces the reality that she may not be able to pay for Yale. Will she give in and ask her parents after finally paying them back for Rory's high school tuition? Meanwhile, Jess makes his way to Venice, CA to meet with his father. But once there, he's introduced to his dad's new girlfriend and a number of other local color characters. Is the beginning of a Gilmore Guys show?

Erik and Justin are surprised to see a backdoor pilot for a Gilmore Girls spinoff is still about Rory and Lorelei. Erik has a theory as to why. The Sugarbaker Woman Scale makes another appearance. Justin thinks he understands why people enjoy Gilmore Girls. He also names the two good Orange County bands from the 1990s. Erik works out why the repetition humor doesn't work for him. The pair also determine they do not actually hate Milo Ventimiglia, but they loathe his character on Heroes. Geography Corner centers on Venice and other Southern California beach locales. Notes are offered to make the proposed spinoff better and Evil Alien Conquerors makes its way into the discussion again.

Tread Perilously's month of backdoor pilots turns the spotlight on, arguably, the most successful backdoor pilot ever made: an episode of Diff'rent Strokes called "The Girls School."

When the dorm mother at Eastlake quits over an argument with the headmaster, Mrs. Garrett volunteers to help Kimberly make costumes for the upcoming play. Once at the school, Mrs. Garrett meets some of Kimberly's classmates who live at the dorm, including Blair Warner, Dorothy "Tootie" Ramsey, Nancy Olson, and Molly Parker. If this sounds like an episode of The Facts of Life, that's because it is. The first episode, to be precise, even if it's not quite right.

Paul Pakler joins Erik and Justin for another Facts of Life discussion. The trio marvel at the choice to spin Mrs. Garrett off after just 20 episodes of Diff'rent Strokes. Justin and Paul also break down just how uncomfortable the premise of Diff'rent Strokes really is ... and that's before Erik reiterates that they will never talk about that one two-parter. The off-screen dramas are also discussed and the "pleasant chuckle" theory of sitcom writing is once again on display. The third Fanning sister is revealed. The absence of Natalie Green is quite noticeable. Erik points out the most labored "men can't cook" joke. Paul notices Arnold and Willis still go to public school, Justin argues the Blair in this episode is not the real Blair Warner, and Molly Ringwald's character gets re-examined through a 2025 lens. Also, the truth about Our Town is revealed.

Beginning a month of backdoor pilots, Tread Perilously finally watches an episode of "CHiPs" -- but it's really a pilot for another show called "Force Seven".

When John and Ponch pull over a seemingly drunk scientist, his confidential papers suggest he may be involved with a recently stolen missile system. Enter Force Seven: a tactical unit pilot program within the LAPD to create a squad of ninjas. Yes, really. Their leader inducts a new member just as the Chief of Police puts them on the missile case. Will the new recruit's bad boy ways prove to be an asset or will his fighting technique prove to be poor?

Erik is delighted to see Hunter's Fred Dryer leading a potential series. Nevertheless, the ninja aspect proves troublesome. Justin is thrilled to see "the genre of the '80s" on display. The pair also dive into the problems of Force Seven's "comic relief" puppet and its place on the hate crime spectrum. References to Samurai Cop, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, and Gymkata abound. The full seven forces are outlined. Erik warns older actors to stay away from social media. John Rhys-Davies joins a very strange special ops team. Arnold Schwarzenegger's '80s persona is examined and memories of Sizzler Steakhouse emerge. Also: get ready for the best-named stunt coordinator ever.

Tread Perilously's annual horror month wraps up with this year's episode of Supernatural: "The Benders."

When Sam and Dean look into a rash of disappearances in a small Minnesota town, Dean begins to suspect there is nothing supernatural about the case. Sam, meanwhile, disappears. Soon, Dean must team up with a local sheriff's deputy to find Sam and figure out the true nature of the abductions. Is it just people? And will Dean's female partner for the week survive the experience unscathed? Also: will Tread Perilously ever watch an episode about Castiel?

Erik and Justin face another season 1 episode of Supernatural. They also announce correct opinions about donuts in Southern California. Erik renames the episode "The Vancouver 'Most Dangerous Game' Massacre." An actor gets dubbed "Canadian Frank Grillo" and becomes surprisingly important. Dean's reference to a Godzilla remake leads to a discussion about "realistic" genre pictures and Tony Scott. Erik learns about new cryptids and urban legends. J.J. Abrams is accused of misusing the Rule of Cool. The pair appreciate the presence of guest star Jessica Steen. Erik extols the virtues of the trailer for Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III. A plot for the next Halloween emerges and memories of the late analog era emerge.