Tread Perilously is a podcast in which hosts Erik Amaya and author Justin Robinson watch the “worst” episodes of popular TV shows, attempting to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on the most off-key moments.

This Week: Smallville‘s “Lexmas”

Tread Merrily continues with the team’s first foray to Smallville. Luckily, they arrived just in time for an episode called “Lexmas.”

When Lex Luthor’s attempts to get dirt on Jonathan Kent’s senatorial campaign, he ends up getting shot in the back. He awakens seven years later to discover he is married to Lana Lang and had a child with her with another on the way. As it turns out, he learns his ideal life will occur if he drops out of the senate race against Jonathan. But is all just in his head? Meanwhile, Clark and Chloe face a phony Santa who might just be the real deal.

Justin tries to figure out why the episode isn’t called “It’s a Wonderful Lex,” while Erik doubts TV at the turn of the century could really support Smallville. The pair debate Tom Welling’s “fuck you” money and his current build — even if they get details of “Crisis” wrong. Erik gets lost in the eyes of John Schneider. The explosive chemistry between Lex and Clark gets examined, as does the magnetism of actor Michael Rosenbaum. Things get surprisingly political. Erik stumbles onto a Smallville story he’d like to write, and Justin calls out The Karate Kid for presenting Ali as a prize.

And, yes, they talk about Allison Mack.

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