Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously's month of slasher TV leads to Bates Motel for an episode called "Underwater."

After dealing with dope-smoking young people staying at the motel, Norma is ready to pull up stakes and move to Hawaii. Norman, meanwhile, is getting positive reinforcement at school and is not happy about the possibility of starting life over again. Meanwhile, Dylan agrees to help Bradley recover some of her father's belongings from his office. Emma enjoys a cupcake (not a euphemism). And, elsewhere, a largely unseen Ben Abernathy menaces Norma from afar. But did he send her the roses that really set her off?

Erik lays into Russell T. Davies for seemingly no reason. Carlton Cuse also gets examined. Both note his shows tend to disappear into the ether. Justin reveals Bates Motel was his first exposure to Olivia Cooke. The rest of the cast, which includes Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore, also get high marks. Erik appreciates the way the episode deploys Jere Burns while Justin enjoys the presence of Nestor Carbonell. The clearly foreshadowed issues with Miss Watson lead to a long discussion. Justin explains the difference between Norman and Mother. Geography Corner applauds the choice to move the story to Oregon and the Ashmore Alarm needs adjustment.

Tread Perilously's horror month continues with a look at the anthology series The Hitchhiker via its slasher-esque episode called "The Killer."

Despite Meg's protests, her family plans to leave her behind while going on a vacation. Well, her brother, Jonathan, may also be staying to do some shooting. But when most of the clan is killed via shotgun blasts, Meg must fend for herself as the killer is somewhere in the palatial home. Is Jonathan behind the deaths? And can Meg use her wheelchair to devise clever ways to avoid him?

Erik discovers The Hitchhiker is not a ripoff of The Hitcher. Justin finds room to champion Mute Witness. Guest star Jenny Seagrove's CableACE Award win for the episode leads to a discussion of cable TV quality in the 1980s. Erik reveals where Justin has seen fellow guest star Lisa Foster before. The pair also discuss the qualities of a good twist. They even invent "The Beach That Makes You Old" Scale. Justin defends Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Hot Dog ... The Movie suddenly becomes important. Proper day-for-night photography is discussed, as is the unfortunate brevity of The Hitchhiker, which leads to thin characters. And on an unrelated note, Michael Winner becomes a cinematic devil.

Tread Perilously's tour of slashers on television continues with an episode The Alfred Hitchcock Hour called "An Unlocked Window."

When a slasher targets nurses in an unidentified town, Stella and Betty find themselves tending to a sick professor at his remote home in the countryside. Also helping out are a groundskeeper, Sam, and there's Maude, the housekeeper. But when Betty discovers the oxygen tank is low, Sam leaves for the city and the three women are terrorized by the news that the killer is within two miles of the house. Did forgetful Stella lock all the windows and all the doors? Is the killer already inside?

Erik and Justin discuss Hitchcock as a problematic fave. Erik is shocked to learn the story is not inspired by Richard Speck. The pair also inspect the reliance on twists in thrillers. They also rank the Predator movies. Justin admits he watched Halloween Kills more than once. More DCU casting wishes occur. The longer runtime of 1960s television proves to be a problem once again. Justin's knowledge of medieval weaponry comes into play. Actor Louise Latham proves to be the episode MVP for Erik thanks to her performance as Maude and more horror movie discussions lead to the weeds.

Tread Perilously's annual horror month for 2025 centers on slashers, starting with an episode of Psych called "Tuesday the 17th."

When Jason, who used to go to the same summer camp as Shawn and Gus, arrives to reveal he bought the camp, he also admits he needs their help with a missing counselor. He doesn't want to involve police because of the "incident" that closed the place down when they were all young. Soon, Shawn can't help but perceive a lot of tell-tale signs indicating a slasher in the area. Gus is a little distracted by one of Jason's employees to notice, but Juliet is willing to drive up when Shawn makes a panicky call. Meanwhile, Lassiter mistakes why his ex-wife wants to get dinner.

Erik and Justin zero in on Lassiter and his curious characterization. A discussion about the recent Halloween cycle breaks out. Erik chooses his preferred Friday the 13th movies -- even if Justin is the bigger fan. Justin reveals his daughter's favorite Simpsons episodes. Peacemaker gets positive reviews. Psych star James Roday Rodriguez rev=cieves high marks as a co-writer and director of the episode. Special guest star Mackenzie Astin ends up the MVP even as Elden Hensen hangs out on the margins. Erik decides the killer looks more like The Town that Dreaded Sundown than Jason Voorhies and the film April Fool's Day becomes surprisingly important.

Tread Perilously's Star Trek month concludes with an Enterprise episode called "Carbon Creek."

When Captain Archer invites T'Pol and Trip to a dinner celebrating the Vulcan's first full year aboard Enterprise, she tells the secret story of the first Vulcan contact with humans. The tale concerns her great-grandmother, T'Mir, a small Pennsylvania town in the late 1950s, and the culture shock T'Mir and the members of her team experienced. But is it all a put-on as T'Pol keeps reminding Archer and Trip that she was asked to "tell a story" or does it contain the ring of truth?

J. Paul Boehmer ends up the MVP of the month for two appearances. Ann Cusack also proves to be a welcome addition. Geography Corner determines what Southern California town is playing Carbon Creek. The lack of Cold War paranoia in the 1950s scenes is examined. Erik tries to find a way to blame Bryan Fuller for everything. Vulcan fashions get appraised. Jolene Blalock proves a surprise as T'Mir -- who ends up more interesting than T'Pol. Justin envisions her as a Vulcan Wine Mom. The pronunciation of guest character Mestral becomes a point of confusion. But will this prove to be one of the more successful Enterprise episodes?

Tread Perilously's Star Trek month continues with an episode of Voyager called "Drone."

When a close call in the transporter merges Seven of Nine's nano implants with the Doctor's 29th Century holotransmitter, a future Borg gestates in the silence lab. Despite the similarities to the Tuvix incident, Captain Janeway allows it to live and assigns Seven to be its teacher. But when the drone, who self-identifies as One, starts asking difficult questions about the Borg, he defies Seven and reaches out directly. Will she be able to teach him why the Borg are wrong before they assimilate his advanced technologies?

Erik and Justin face a standard issue episode of Voyager that might actually be good. They debate the merits of the story, nonetheless, with Erik pointing out four or five Next Generation episodes it emulates. Jeri Ryan continues to be the show's MVP, with Robert Picardo and Tim Russ close behind her. Janeway's choice to allow One to live is examined in light of the reappraisal of "Tuvix." The presence of Bryan Fuller in the writing credits leads to a surprising twist. Harry Kim's future as an eternal ensign becomes text. The pair try to determine which cast members are still engaged in Season 5 and a minor character leads to a larger critique of Voyager as a whole.

Star Trek month continues on Tread Perilously with an episode of The Next Generation called "Imaginary Friend."

When the Enterprise surveys a nebula formed around a collapsed star, an energy being makes its way inside the ship and assumes the form of little Clara Sutter's imaginary friend. But it soon becomes clear to the child that her playmate, Isabella, is more than just a figment of her imagination. Meanwhile, the ship begins to encounter a form of energy that reads like matter to the shields, but is invisible to sensors. And when Isabella begins to make threats, it becomes clear to Captain Picard that the phenomena are related.

Erik and Justin face a particularly poor TNG episode. The pair activate script doctor mode to find other ways to tell this story. Justin tries to figure out whose episode this really is. While Counselor Troi seems the focus, the guest characters take point, and Picard ends up bringing it home. Alexander Rozhenko makes a special appearance. Justin gets a few Deep Space Nine references into the proceedings. Erik tries to figure out the real dynamic between Clara and her engineer father. Both also try to determine what career goals mean in the 24th Century. A Twilight discussion breaks out and the film Invisible Child ends up mattering a great deal.

Tread Perilously begins its annual Star Trek month with an episode of the original series called "Catspaw."

When a landing party including Mr. Scott and Mr. Sulu is overdue, Captain Kirk meets the one person to come back in the transporter bay only for the red shirt to die moments later. Soon, Kirk, Spock, and Bones beam down to determine what's going on as the sensors claim there is no life on the surface. Soon, the trio encounter their missing crewmates, who have been hypnotized by aliens with amazing god-like powers. Will Kirk be able to use his wits and raw animal magnetism to confuse and defeat his opponents?

Erik and Justin zero in on William Shatner's seeming oversight of the episode. Guest characters Korob and Sylvia are examined for their potential as Q Continuum characters. Sci-fi nomenclature gets a moment to shine. James Doohan gets his props for making Scotty's admiration of Kirk so convincing. Shatner's mother also makes another appearance thanks to the actor choosing a curious way to say a certain word. McCoy's anti-Vulcan rhetoric gets examined. Wahl's Herring Candy reappears. Checkov's hair provokes comments. Justin tries to figure out why Robert Bloch turned in such a weak script. Lot of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds talk occurs and Spock somehow joins the commentary.

Tread Perilously rounds out the summer Patreon request month with an episode of NYPD Blue called "Oh Golly Goth."

With Sorenson on desk duty, the others -- including visiting detective Connie McDowell -- work on a stabbing at an upscale hotel. With the victim claiming to only recall the attacker being white with dark hair, the case seems to point to a naked man found in the hotel room. But when it becomes clear he could not have wielded the knife, a new suspect emerges: a young "goth" known as Dio. Meanwhile, Sipowicz takes a vacation day to clear Sorenson's name ... never mind that the junior detective brutalized a suspect.

Erik and Justin are surprised to discover what the influential series really looked like half-way through its run. Jimmy Smits can't get a break even though he was long gone by this point. Denis Franz easily proves to be the MVP, although plenty of time is given to Charlotte Ross as she begins her NYPD Blue tour of duty. Creators David Milch and Steven Bochco are examined. Talk about The Shield also occurs. Justin marvels at the way the show lost its cultural footprint. David Caruso also gets a mention and the use of the term "goth" comes into question.

Tread Perilously's summer Patreon request month continues with an episode of Spartacus called "Sacramentum Gladiatorum."

When the Thracian known to the Romans as Spartacus wakes up after his failed execution, he discovers he has been sold to Quintus Lentulus Batiatus. The Lanista plans to train him as a gladiator in the hopes of currying the favor of Gaius Claudius Glaber. As it turns out, he needs a new patron to cover his expenses as the drought continues to ravage the area. Glaber, for his part, wants Spartacus to die slowly while bleeding in the arena. Will the three men get anything they want?

Erik can't help but notice the comic book nature of the series. It leads to a lot of digressions. The sex and violence Spartacus is known for also quickly makes itself apparent. John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Peter Mensah, and Lucy Lawless prove to be MVPs. Star Andy Whitfield also demonstrates why he had a following before his untimely passing. A discussion of the Stanley Kubrick film also occurs. Justin compares gladiators to professional wrestlers -- and he has the receipts! He also goes into history nerd mode. Erik joins him. The show's style comes in for criticism even as Erik thinks there is a place for it. Latin continues to be a speed bump and The Cleopatra Scale ends up in service a surprising amount.