A Plot: Davis starts being charitable to Wanda because of what was in his horoscope in the paper. Lacey figures out that it's because Wanda's been writing the horoscopes, and is tempted to snitch, until the horoscopes convince Davis to start being generous to Lacey as well.
B Plot: Brent decides to reignite his passion for music and get guitar lessons. His guitar tutor is much younger than him, however, and Brent can't help but feel competitive. This competition eventually involves Oscar, who wants Brent to focus on helping him build a fence, as well as the guitar player's grandfather Corky (played by Gordon Pinsent), who tormented Oscar growing up.
C Plot: Hank decides to work out after finding a fitness club flier in the trash, and Karen urges him to actually go to the gym. When he tries to brag to Emma, she boasts that her gardening makes her even fitter than Karen, but regrets it when Hank starts training at her place.
Tropes referenced:
- The Ace: The youngest Dillems seems better than Brent in every way; younger, a better guitar player, drives a cool car, has a girlfriend. But unlike Brent, he doesn't know how to tune his guitar without a tuner.
- Bait-and-Switch Comment:Lacey: Wanda's been writing those horoscopes to get you to do things for her.
Davis: Unbelievable!
[Lacey shrugs her shoulders as if to say "I know, right"]
Davis: ...how accurate these are. [pointing to horoscope] Check it out. It says "Today not to listen to conspiracy theories by pushy brunettes". - Berate and Switch:Lacey: Wouldn't it be terrible if Davis found out who Madame Wanza really is?
Wanda: So it's extortion, is it? I never thought you'd stoop so low. [Beat] I'm proud of you. - Blackmail: Lacey attempts to do this to Wanda by threatening to reveal the horoscope ruse to Davis if Wanda doesn't make Davis do stuff for her. This fails for Lacey as Wanda is a step ahead, but Lacey eventually comes up with a better ploy (see Magic 8-Ball below).
- The Bully: Corky Dillems
- Call-Back: Brent recalls playing guitar in a rock band in high school, which was explored more thoroughly in "Rock On".
- Catchphrase: Corky's seems to be "You wanna die a (current age)?"
- Flexing Those Non-Biceps: Hank does this a few times to indicate his so-called muscle improvement, but he doesn't seem any bulkier than usual.
- Hypocritical Humor: After Hank calls Karen a sucker for using a gym:Davis: You are a bit of a sucker, but I wouldn't expect any less from a Virgo. [Beat] Well, I'm gonna go wash Wanda's car.
- Left the Background Music On: Scene transition music plays after a punchline... and then Hank and Oscar stare at Brent, who tells them that that's all he's figured out for the song he's playing on electric guitar.
- Magic 8-Ball: When Wanda cuts Lacey out of the horoscope plan, Lacey gives Davis one of these so he no longer needs to read the paper for daily advice.
- Malicious Misnaming: When Brent starts feeling intimidated by his guitar teacher.Brent: Listen here, Timmy.
Toby Dillems: Toby.
Brent: Tommy... - Never Mess with Granny: This is the usual with Emma, once again portrayed as the strongest character in the show.
- Paper-Thin Disguise: Wanda's pen name as the horoscope writer is "Madame Wanza".
- Poster-Gallery Bedroom: The room Brent gets guitar lessons in is festooned with posters of bands and artists on Mint Records, including The New Pornographers and Nardwuar the Human Serviette.
- A Rare Sentence:Wanda: Well, two can play at this game, and I've been playing it a lot longer than "Ms. Dirty Basement". Know what I mean?
Brent: No clue. - Recurring Extra: Toby Dillems's actor was one of the teens complimenting the sound of Oscar's car back in "Hair Comes the Judge".
- Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness:Davis: Hey, Wanda. I'm going to the city. Do you want anything?
Wanda: Oh! Well, sure, if it's no trouble. Could you swing by Salon De Bonne Sante and pick me up some organic hypoallergenic tea tree emulsifying conditioner?
Davis: I have no idea what you just asked me to do, but sure! - Strangely Specific Horoscope: Invoked purposefully by Wanda in order to trick Davis into doing stuff for her. Examples include doing something nice for a "short, cute person", taking on a painting project on the same day his lucky numbers just "happen" to be Wanda's house number, and blocking Lacey from spilling the beans by warning Davis not to "listen to conspiracy theories from pushy brunettes".
- Surpassed the Teacher: Emma pretends that Hank has become stronger than her, in order to convince him he needs to move on so he'll stop bothering her during her yard work.Emma: The student has surpassed the teacher. I'm filled with pride as you go off on your own... away from me.
- Weaksauce Weakness: Toby Dillems needs a tuner to tune his guitar so he can play it properly
