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: TOS’ “The Way to Eden”
Tread Perilously begins its annual Star Trek month with the TOS episode, “The Way to Eden.”
The Enterprise intercepts a ship stolen by an ambassador’s son and his pals who all follow a cult leader known as Dr. Severin. Their youth, colorful clothes and love of music put them at odds with the square Starfleet staff and Captain Kirk, whom they call “Herbert.” Dr. Severin has a plan to get to a planet known as Eden, which happens to exist in Romulan space. When he manages to take control of the Enterprise and cross the Neutral Zone, it’s up to Kirk and company to stop him from landing on a planet which may not be what he or his group expects.
Seth Linker joins Erik and Justin for an hour of fake hippies and scenes of Gene Roddenberry discussing sex. Erik tries to game the politics of writers D.C. Fontana and Arthur Heinemann. Seth points out some merit in the universally panned third season episode. Justin discusses the problems with future slang. He also posits that Captain Picard and Michael Jordan helped normalize balding for men in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Seth suggests the music is consciously recreating the worst of ’60s folk rock, and everybody enjoys the truth about Eden, which is in no way related to Sha Ka Ree.
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