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: 3rd Rock from the Sun‘s “The Thing That Wouldn’t Die”
Tread Perilously‘s month of series finales goes into overtime with one last installment: 3rd Rock from the Sun‘s final two-part episode, “The Thing That Wouldn’t Die.”
When Mary learns the truth about aliens, Dick and the rest of the team are recalled to their homeworld. Dick wants to bring her with him — well, once she’s okay with him being an alien — while Sally wants to help Don find his way back to being a cop after an incident leaves him doubting his initiative. Tommy fights his conflicted feelings about leaving, and Harry has a crappy subplot about dating someone he believes to be twins.
Erik and Justin speak from the past and the future, as this episode was recorded long ago. Erik tries to develop a John Lithgow impression, landing on Saturday Night Live announcer Don Pardo, Master Thespian, and Brian Blessed instead. He also defends Lithgow’s right to ham it up. Justin defends Blade and Wesley Snipes. Jane Curtin becomes the episode’s MVP, thanks to one scene in which she recalls the entire series. Justin theorizes Thanos was behind the disappearance of belly chains in the late 2000s. Erik remembers a number of Elvis Costello songs — but not the one featured in the episode — and a case of mistaken identity leads to a discussion of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine executive producer Ira Steven Behr.
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