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: Manhattan‘s “You Always Hurt the Ones You Love”

Tread Perilously‘s month of failed prestige TV continues with the pilot episode of Manhattan: “You Always Hurt the Ones You Love.”

When Charlie accepts a blind offer to work at a government facility in New Mexico, he is shocked to discover he will be helping to design an atomic bomb. His wife Abby adjusts to the strange way of life out on the plains, as no one can grow crops in the local soil and all the wives build a society of their own. Meanwhile, renegade scientist Frank Winter must prove his theory to Oppenheimer to save his group from being shut down.

Erik and Justin end up having a spirited discussion about history, historical inaccuracies, and the Super Soldier Program. Erik gets distracted by star Rachel Brosnahan in 1940s outfits while Justin can’t completely wash away co-star Ashely Zuckerman’s resemblance to The Office‘s B.J. Novak. John Benjamin Hickey’s strengths as Frank are also called into question. The filmography of episode director Thomas Schlamme leads into the weeds. A wild Katja Herbers appears. Harry Lloyd britians things up, as well. Justin tries to offer an opinion based on watching the whole series, and Walter White becomes strangely important.

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