Hiding in the bathroom, Marshall and Lily wait for Ted and Victoria to consummate their relationship. Meanwhile, Barney gets the wrong idea from Robin.
This episode provides examples of:
- Birds of a Feather/The Lad-ette: When Barney invites Robin to hang out with him doing "Bro stuff", Robin appears "suited up", enjoying strong scotch, cigars and laser tag, just like Barney.
- Dumbass Has a Point: Barney hitting on Robin seems like his usual womanizing, except, as he points out, he does it after finding out he and Robin have loads in common, get along great, and are (he thinks) both looking for something casual and fun.Robin: Wow, that actually did make a lot of sense.
- Foreshadowing: Barney and Robin's Ship Tease will become important in later seasons.
- Hiding from Embarrassment: Marshall and Lily are in the bathroom brushing their teeth before bed when their roommate Ted returns home with his date. Trying to be supportive of their friend and avoid being a Moment Killer, the two decide to wait until Ted and his date move it to the bedroom. Yet Ted and the date proceed to spend hours in the living room, have extremely drawn-out foreplay, and ultimately have sex right there, with the roommates stuck in the bathroom all the while. Marshall and Lily had travel plans which were canceled at the last minute, so Ted had good reason to believe he had the apartment to himself.Marshall: Maybe we should just go out there.
Lily: No way! We can't go out there now. They'll know that we've been sitting in the bathroom the whole time. It'll be too weird. - Hollywood Board Games: Barney and The Lad-ette Robin play Battleship together, commenting that both of them always win because they cheat — Robin bends the aircraft barrier in half and Barney stacks his ships on top of each other. This further highlights that they are Birds of a Feather, not only in terms of activities they enjoy but also in having similar mindsets.
- Jail Bait Wait: Discussed by Barney. He states that the only reason to wait a month to have sex with a girl is if she's 17 years and 11 months old. This, however, is an example of Hollywood Provincialism, as New York's age of consent is 17.
- Like an Old Married Couple: After cancelling their St. Valentines romantic trip to stay at home, Marshall and Lily start to worry that maybe their flame is gone and they're becoming an Old Married Couple.
- Master of the Mixed Message: Barney got it wrong when Robin suggested they could "play Battleship at her apartment". Once Barney understands it wasn't about sex, he immediately realizes Robin is in love with Ted.
- Platonic Life-Partners: Subverted. Robin and Barney spend the evening platonically hanging out until Barney attempts to seduce her, naming several valid reasons why they would be a good couple. Of course, they end up dating just a few seasons later.
- Pet the Dog: Barney makes sure Ted is okay with it before making his move on Robin. When he realizes she likes Ted, he backs off and promises to keep his mouth shut.
- Ship Tease: Barney and Robin spend much time together and clearly get along great and have a lot of fun.
- Shout-Out: Robin proposes a game of Battleship.
- Sickeningly Sweet: When Marshall and Lily try to refrain themselves from laughing at all the cheesy padding Ted and Victoria are exchanging before actually having sex.
- Smoky Gentlemen's Club: Barney and Robin start their evening at one of these, complete with brandy and cigars. Eventually they decide to leave and go play lazer tag instead.
