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: Elementary‘s “Moving Targets”

Tread Perilously‘s Total Request Live 3 continues with its first-ever episode of Elementary, “Moving Targets.”

As Joan continues to aid Shinwell with his investigation, Sherlock aids in discovering why a New Jersey county sheriff was found dead at the docks. The crime leads to a reality show where contestants hunt one another for sport and a winding road of suspects which includes a former Ugandan child soldier with a chilling nickname, an actor trying to use Instagram as a fame-starter, and an apparently mob-connected strip club owner. Will any of them prove to be the killer? Also, will Sherlock be able to articulate why he doesn’t want Joan to help Shinwell?

Erik appreciates Lucy Liu, her “fuck-you money” philosophy, and her place within the episode. Justin realizes that he has no memory of watching it during his initial watch of Elementary. Erik tries to work past his reaction to the show’s cynical pitch to find the good within it. The comparison to Sherlock is inevitable, though. Both praise the well-chosen names for never-seen characters. Digressions into Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Copland occur. Both marvel at the continued existence of Michael Rapaport. Erik praises the working partnership of Gale Anne Hurd and James Cameron, and the pair cast a 1983 production of Martin Scorsese’s The Fantastic Four.

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