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: Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s “Justice”
Tread Perilously‘s 2024 Star Trek Month continues with an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation called “Justice.”
After a tiring mission to establish a new colony, the Enterprise finds an idyllic world full of pretty blonde people who really enjoy sex. But that permissiveness comes with a zero-tolerance policy for the slightest infraction of local laws and death as the only punishment. Does it have something to do with the half-visible space station also in orbit around the planet? Will Captain Picard have to justify the Prime Directive — or break it — in front of a cadre of TOS style god-aliens? And will Riker get some “quality time” on the planet?
Erik and Justin disagree on the Wesley question in this episode. Brenda Bakke from The Young Riders returns in far less clothing. Erik has a problem with Data emoting in certain scenes. Bob Guccione makes a surprising appearance. Justin finds three worthy Star Trek ideas in the plot, even if they get lost in Gene Roddenberry’s horniness and other first season TNG problems. The pair praise Gates McFadden despite being extremely ill-served by the script. Geography Corner centers on the water treatment plant gardens used in this and several other TNG episodes. The discussion leads to Jason Todd discourse, and Gerd Shockley’s birthday is “celebrated.”
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