Tread Perilously The Satellite Show

Tread Perilously continues its month of treading safely with one of the best Columbo episodes ever filmed: "A Stitch In Crime."
When Dr. Barry Mayfield's (special guest star Leonard Nimoy) ambitions to become renowned for a new anti-rejection drug are threatened by the head of the project, he plots to murder him in the slowest way possible. When his plan goes into motion, Mayfield kills the nurse (special guest star Anne Francis) who suspects him of sabotaging their boss's heart operation. Columbo soon arrives on the scene and makes life a living hell for Mayfield. But will the smart doctor fall for Columbo's ruse or is he an adversary unlike anything the lieutenant has faced before?
Erik and Justin are right to invoke logic when discussing Nimoy, who proves to be a superb antagonist for star Peter Falk. They also fall in love, again, with Nita Talbot, who guests in the episode as Anne Francis's roommate. Justin declares the story "shockingly modern" thanks to several recent shows indebted to Columbo. Erik numerates the episodes he passed over for Nimoy's guest turn. Geography Corners abound. A discussion of classic horror movies breaks out, as does a chat about Kevin McCarthy. Justin's Columbo impression improves while Erik's disintegrates when he also attempts to do his Dr. McCoy. And, of course, everything comes back to the Turnbull ACs.

Tread Perilously engages in a normal human podcast by watching an episode of What We Do In The Shadows called "On The Run."
When a mysterious vampire tracks down Laszlo over the matter of an ancient debt, he abandons his life on Staten Island to become "Jackie Daytona" -- a beloved local fixture and bar owner in Pennsylvania. Much to his surprise, Jackie becomes invested in the success of a nearby high school varsity volleyball team. But when the vampire who forced Laszlo to flee rolls into town, will Jackie walk away just when the volleyball team needs him most? Meanwhile, Colin Robinson makes an awkward proposition.
Erik tells the tale of his conversion to a What We Do In the Shadows fan. The pair debate how to say Mark Proksch's last name. Justin enjoys Harvey Guillén's weariness as Guillermo while Erik ends up really taking to the styles of Proksch, Natasia Demetriou, and Matt Berry. Mark Hamill also proves to be a great guest star. The actual placement of the episode in the show's history becomes something of a mystery. Justin tries very hard to remember George Lopez's name. Tom Baker is invoked, Tom Bombadil news is discussed, and the episode's would-be Bella ends up a highlight ... even as it leads to a chat about Mark Brendanawicz.

Tread Perilously flips the paradigm for June with a month of Tread Safely. And to start: the curious episode of Psych called "Dual Spires."
Shawn and Gus receive an invitation to enjoy the Dual Spire Cinnamon Festival, but a day in the woods somewhere north of Santa Barbara feasting on hot cider and cinnamon pie turns into a mystery when young Paula Merral is found dead. Wrapped in plastic. Soon, it becomes clear all is not as it appears as town secrets are exposed, Shawn keeps his relationship with Juliet quiet, and everything in Dual Spires feels strangely familiar.
Erik and Justin delight in all the Twin Peaks references. Justin reveals his history with the show. For Erik, it's only his second episode. The pair once again wonder why Dana Ashbrook never got another high profile series. See also: guest star Sheryl Lee. The monkey bread conspiracy is exposed. The riff on the theme song is examined, as is Gus's reaction to the citizens of Dual Spires. The presence of Robin Lively is welcome, even if Justin wishes another Twin Peaks was on screen. Justin reveals the time he ran for school office on the "Sex Dwarf" ticket and that he's still mad at Shawn for one Psych plot point.

Tread Perilously's Failed Prestige month takes an unscheduled trip on Pan Am for the episode called "We'll Always Have Paris."
Kate's first trip to Paris is filled with excitement and terror as her mother decides to book a seat on the flight. Also, her CIA handler wants her to deliver a package to a courier in the city. Meanwhile, Laura has reasons of her own to avoid her mother, Dean continues his search for Bridget while maybe starting something with Colette, and Maggie's choice to defend herself leads to Ted trying -- and failing -- to be her white knight.
Erik uses the wrong microphone and discovers the scheduled show for the week, Vinyl, is currently unavailable. Justin finds the spy plot to be the most laughable and declares that Pan Am fails in a very special way. The pair try to find a better role for star Kelli Garner. Christina Ricci remains a Tread Perilously favorite, though. Margot Robbie also proves a welcome presence even if she fails the "zoo" vocal test. The male cast, however, prompts many notes and replacement suggestions. "Can you sell Pan Am to China?" becomes the new philosophical question of the age and the cynical edge of the show becomes a key point of discussion.

Tread Perilously's month of failed prestige TV continues with the pilot episode of Manhattan: "You Always Hurt The Ones You Love."
When Charlie accepts a blind offer to work at a government facility in New Mexico, he is shocked to discover he will be helping to design an atomic bomb. His wife, Abby, adjusts to the strange way of life out on the plains as no one can grow crops in the local soil and all the wives build a society of their own. Meanwhile, renegade scientist Frank Winter must prove his theory to Oppenheimer to save his group from being shut down.
Erik and Justin end up having a spirited discussion about history, historical inaccuracies, and the Super Soldier Program. Erik gets distracted by star Rachel Brosnahan in 1940s outfits while Justin can't completely wash away co-star Ashely Zuckerman's resemblance to The Office's B.J. Novak. John Benjamin Hickey's strengths as Frank are also called into question. The filmography of episode director Thomas Schlamme leads into the weeds. A wild Katja Herbers appears. Harry Lloyd britians things up as well. Justin tries to offer an opinion based on watching the whole series and Walter White becomes strangely important.

Tread Perilously's Failed Prestige month continues with the second episode of Hap and Leonard, "The Bottoms."
Hap is still trying to find the bridge from his childhood that will lead to the river that, in turn, will lead to the money Howard hired him to find. Leonard is less sure as Howard's goons are both dumb and dangerous. He also gets a phone call that will force him to leave town. Later, Hap finds himself in a show of bravado with Howard and facing renewed affections from his ex-wife, Trudy. Will it turn out she's been withholding the real location of the river?
Erik is thrilled to see James Purefoy in a series, but is unsure about the episode as a discrete segment of story. The rest of the cast, which includes Michael Kenneth Williams as Leonard, Christina Hendricks as Trudy, and an almost unrecognizable Neil Sandilands as one of Howard's goons are also welcome even as the plot flounders. Howard's actor, however, ends up being the one Erik and Justin want to recast. Justin tries to recall if he finished Hap and Leonard's first season. Erik's opinion of Ahsoka slides a little bit. A wild Jimmi Simpson appears and the pair debate whether or not connective tissue episodes work.