Zoey finds a way to get Ted to side with her on keeping the Arcadian from being demolished, but after Robin tells him that his relationship with Zoey is doomed either way, he finds himself in a sticky situation.
This episode provides examples of:
- Call-Back: Ted and Barney argue over whether Ted's desire to save the Arcadian is about "the girl" (i.e., Zoey) or about "the building", as they did in "Architect of Destruction", and Ted ultimately admits that it's about Zoey, as he did in that episode as well.
- Continuity Nod:
- Ted once again brings up his wanting to name his kids Luke and Leia, as he did in "Milk".
- Ted and Zoey discuss the first time they met in "Architect of Destruction", including Ted mistaking Zoey for a transvestite prostitute.
- Ted has a dream about John Clifford Larrabee (architect of the Arcadian), who looks like Barney in a costume. Ted initially thinks he's awake and that it really is Barney, noting that it's not the first time Barney has broken into his room. In "Definitions", Ted awakens from a nightmare to find Barney in his room looking for condoms, and here, Ted tells "Barney" to just take the condoms and get out.
- Foregone Conclusion: Future!Ted mentioned to Future!Wendy back in "Garbage Island" that his and Zoey's relationship "did not end well."
- Ironic Echo: "Sometimes things need to fall apart to make way for better things." Ted somberly repeats this to Zoey as they break up, after Zoey had said this to him about her divorcing the Captain and starting a relationship with him in "Garbage Island".
- The Power of Love: Downplayed. Arthur is clearly distressed and bitter about his divorce and the loss of his beloved dog. Marshall calmly walks up to him and offers him a hug, after which Arthur's mood improves.
