Tread Merrily continues with a return to Boston for a Spenser: For Hire episode called "The Hopes And Fears."
A chance encounter with Rita near a department store leads Spenser to treat the assistant district attorney to a "Spenserian" Christmas. Matters are complicated when a gang of hockey-masked hoodlums begin a rash of break-in robberies -- they even steal from Hawk! -- a young witness to one of their crimes goes missing, and another is threatened by a member of the crew. Will Spenser be able to solve all of the mysteries and protect his community before they resort to mob justice? Also, will he pull off the perfect Christmas for Rita?
Erik and Justin immediately start talking Star Trek and Avery Brooks. Additionally, Erik cannot refer to Carolyn McCormick, who plays Rita, as anything but "Minuet" -- her character from an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Guest stars Seth Green and Nancy Travis prove to be welcome additions to the ensemble. Justin finally recognizes co-star Ron McLarty from Cop Rock. He also geeks out about the presence of Lynn Thigpen. A member of the hockey mask gang inspires the title "Dirty Kenny Loggins." The pair remember the 1980s fruit cake joke and Erik champions star Robert Urich for a surprising Star Trek role.
