When Zim thinks that the Tallest didn't notice that he was inviting them to watch the doom of humankind (they actually cut transmition because they didn't want to hear Zim any longer) he gets the blueprints of the Massive to pilot it himself and bring the Tallest to witness his newest plan. But everything is complicated when Dib hack into his base to take control of the Massive as well. Now Zim has to fight for control of the spaceship with Dib, while keeping both his new plan and his cover from blowing up. Meanwhile, a group of aliens forming a resistance take the opportunity to attack the Massive while they are vulnerable.
Tropes
- Brain Food: Zim's new plan is releasing a parasite that will eat every human's brain. In the end, thanks to GIR's negligence to properly monitor the parasite, it breaks out and tries to eat Zim's brain.
- Big, Stupid Doodoo-Head: Zim's complete failure of an insult to Dib.Zim: "You stink, Dib! Go home and shave your giant head of smell WITH your bad SELF."
(Beat)
Dib: Okay... there's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said... - Bolivian Army Ending: Zim's base goes From Bad to Worse in the ending. The brain-eating parasite devours Zim's head, causing him to go through unimaginable pain, the Robo Parents have kidnapped the same kid again, and GIR is too busy playing with mashed potatoes to help Zim.
- Bunny-Ears Lawyer: This episode shows that Tallest Red actually knows how the Massive works, and that he can remain calm during an emergency situation.
- Continuity Nod:
- During Dib's research we learn that planet Vort was an ally of the Irkens, but was recently conquered by invader Larb. Larb is the first invader we see receiving his mission in "The Nightmare Begins", when he was given Vort as a reward for his increased height.
- The fact that Dib has Tak's ship, which crashed in his yard at the end of the previous episode, is a major plot point.
- Didn't Think This Through: The Resisty. It wasn't until they were in front of the Massive that they noticed that they had no chance to win. (though it wasn't their fault entirely, one stupid troop of theirs talked them into doing it)
- Empathic Weapon: Tak's spaceship. Zim was able to activate its security protocol, and the ship itself told Dib that it has Tak's personality embedded into it. From Zim's dialogue, it seems all Irken spaceships have this quality.
- Failed Attempt at Drama: The resistance tried to intimidate the Almighty Tallest with some Sinister Silhouettes and an intimidating name. Not only do the Tallest show no fear at any point, but after hearing their name is "The Resisty" they lose any seriousness towards them.
- From Bad to Worse:
- The fact that the Massive started to move on its own was bad enough. But then one of the navigators informed the Tallest that their weapons are not responding, while still in transmission with the Resisty, who of course took the oportunity to attack them while they were defenseless.
- Zim's entire plan slowly falls apart throughout the episode as Dib hacks into his base, his brain parasite begins to break free, the Robo Parents going insane, and GIR making things worse. It gets even worse at the end, when not only was Zim unable to bring his leaders to Earth, but his parasite became critical since GIR didn't follow his instructions and it starts eating his brain. Meanwhile the Robo Parents are still rogue and have stolen the same kid again.
- Incredibly Obvious Bug: Dib's spy device can actually conceal itself inside Zim's base, but placing it involved throwing a small drill on a wall and leaving a big hole in it.
- Noodle Incident: Apparently Dib brought the dead back to life at one point. And it probably was a big mess, because his father still reproaches him about it.
- Oh, Crap!: Everyone on board the Massive when it starts moving "on its own". But especially when they see that the ship is about to travel through a star.
- Overly Long Gag: The beginning with Zim repeatly yelling "My Tallest" over and over for almost a minute. Tallest Red says that he was curious how long it would take for Zim to shut up himself, which apparently took three hours.
- La Résistance: The Resisty, which seems to be comprised of different aliens whose planets have been conquered by the Irkens.
- Self-Destruct Mechanism: The Resisty's ship have one that both shrinks it, and then blows it up. Lard Nar specifically says this is so no "alien thief" will know their secrets.
- Skewed Priorities: Saving the donuts is on the same priority as discovering why the Massive is malfunctioning.
- Tempting Fate: Tallest Red cuts the transmission with Zim by saying that they are being attacked by an enemy ship, then comments on the ridiculousness of anyone trying to attack the Massive. Subverted when the Resisty appear since no one actually thought they posed any threat, not even the Resisty (especially the Resisty). Then Double Subverted when the ship loses control and the resistance take advantage of the situation to attack them.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: Dib not only manages to stop Zim's plans, but he ends up in no worse for wear and even gives a smug laugh towards his enemy's defeat. Though ZIM succeeds in reawakening the AI of TAK's ship and undoes Dib's progress in getting it operation.
