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: Rizzoli & Isles‘ “Virtual Love”

At long last, Tread Perilously‘s Ampersand Month leads to an episode of Rizzoli & Isles called “Virtual Love.”

Rizzoli & Isles are called to a local microbrewery where the chief brewer was speared to death by a faux-viking weapon. Soon, the team discovers the victim was also big into a massive multiplayer online role-playing game where he lived another life as “Olaf the Boneless.” Did his activities in the game lead to his death? And was the motive an online affair? Meanwhile, three underprivileged teens look for mentorships in the squad room, and Rizzoli’s mother, Angela, continues to disentangle herself from Lt. Cavanaugh.

Erik and Justin almost immediately get distracted by a particularly charged scene involving pizza. Both agree the shipping of the title characters is entirely justified. Conversations in the weeds lead to The Equalizer in all its manifestations, favorite Spike Lee joints, and curious casting choices. A wild Bruce McGill enters the scene. Erik doesn’t do his angry police lieutenant voice for once. Mavity becomes an important force again. A dead-end scene with a motorcycle club precipitates a lot of riffing on the name “Skullcrusher.” The term “crotchblocked” enters the lexicon. Textbook prices come into question, and Justin feels attacked when Rizzoli & Isles go to a LAN party.

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