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: Doctor Who‘s “The Husbands of River Song”

Tread Merrily 2021 concludes with, of course, Doctor Who and a story Justin didn’t think would happen: “The Husbands of River Song.”

When the TARDIS materializes in a 52nd Century human colony, he is immediately mistaken for a surgeon. The mistake only gets compounded when he discovers River sent for medical aid. Or, at least, something very much like it. She does not recognize his new face as one belonging to her Time Lord husband … and it seems she’s married to King Hyrdoflax, the “Butcher of the Bone Meadows.” Is it all another one of her schemes? And can she really not recognize The Doctor in their new regeneration cycle?

Erik reveals his dislike of the TARDIS “desktop” getting a new design with each Doctor. He also reveals the masterplan in saving “The Husbands of River Song” until he and Justin watched all the River Song episodes over on the Patreon-exclusive show, The Full Peril. It’s not a pitch for new Patrons, honest. Justin appreciates the romance on display in the episode. The Batman story, “Mad Love,” becomes a key point of discussion. Joanna Lumley becomes the 13th Doctor What. The Doctor’s original lie gets teased, and Justin comes up with the best description of Hydroflax ever.

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