Tread Perilously's 2023 Summer Grab Bag month concludes with Automan's third episode, "The Great Pretender."
When the police are stymied in apprehending Brock, a local crime lord who stole paper to print counterfeit money, Automan takes it upon himself to generate a rival mafia don: Mr. Mann. Taking control of Brock's rackets one-by-one, he starts to make a name for himself and attracts the attention of the regional crime boss. Will Automan prove to be a better sort of criminal? Will Detective Jack Curtis get his man? And will Walter ever realize his truest dream: to be in the field. With Automan, there's always monkey's paw potential, so Walter better watch out for his answered prayers.
Erik and Justin immediately praise special guest star Clu Gulager. Geography Corner leads to the actor's self-made residency at the New Beverly Theater. A review of Secret Invasion breaks out, as do further thoughts on recent Marvel productions. Justin ends up tickled by a pool hall set that feels stuck in the 1950s. The pair obsess over Brock's wedding, which he also obsesses over. A casino recalls the plot of a Baywatch episode. Justin stumbles on the worst possible romantic subplot for Automan and learns the truth about Chuck Wagner's modeling career.
