Absurdly High-Stakes Game: Bowling for the fate of humanity, since the entire planet Earth is used as a bowling ball.
Bad Date: Zari and Nate's date goes horribly wrong, as they are stuck on Earth while it is being used as a bowling ball, with no decent food and accompanied by two annoying campers. Though by the end, they are still closer than before.
Borrowed Catchphrase: After shooting Mike's finger, Zari says "Rock and Roll!", which was previously Jamie's favorite phrase.
Bowling for Ratings: The Legends end up being teleported to a bowling alley in space.
Throughout the episode, there are hints that Earth has become a bowling ball. For example:
When Gary asks for a readout on Earth, Gideon replies that it's nowhere on the navigation.
Nate and Ava hear on the radio that night has fallen across the world and massive chasms have suddenly appeared in Alaska, Canada and Mexico. This is due to the Earth being made into a bowling ball kept in a bowling bag.
When the Red Shirts are defeated and Mike puts their ball on his shelf, it briefly takes on the appearance of a planet. Later on, it's revealed that the same thing has happened to Earth.
Buddy senses the evil magic inside of John, saying it will be the death of him.
Human Aliens: Most of the bowlers in the alley, such as the Pin Killers and the Red Shirts, look identical to humans.
Informed Ability: In-universe. The Pin Killers are introduced as undefeated bowling champions but that's because they play against aliens who are not good at bowling. When playing against the Legends they show themselves to be decent bowlers but nowhere near champion level. Sara and Spooner are really good bowlers and can compensate for Astra's lack of bowling experience.
Irony: Behrad gives John a few compliments, telling him that he is a much better man than he initially thought, not knowing John had a Deal with the Devil.
Jerk Jock: The Pin Killers are aliens that love bowling and destroying planets, and so decided to combine the two hobbies. They steal planets to use as bowling balls, keeping them as trophies if they manage to beat a team of natives inadvertently tricked into accepting an invitation to the game. They mock and bully the poor contestants all the while.
Karma Houdini: After evidently wiping out several species and taking their planets as trophy bowling balls, nothing happens to the Pin Killers for trying to do the same to Earth, though it's implied that the owner of the Bowling Alley will at least alter the rules and prevent them from coming back.
Motor Mouth: Jeff and Jamie, who quickly get on Zari and Nate's nerves.
Neat Freak: Astra initially refuses to bowl due to hygienic reasons.
Nice Guy: In contrast to the Pin Killers is Buddy, the owner of the Bowling Alley. He loves the sport of bowling and hates how competitive the Pin Killers have made his establishment, pointing out that it was supposed to be about having fun with friends.
The Reveal: The reason why Mick doesn't take his gloves off? His hands underneath are burned.
Rousing Speech: After a little pep talk from Buddy, Sara gives one to her teammates, resulting in a Heroic Second Wind for the bowling game.
Shmuck Bait: The Invitations are big metal puzzle boxes that change color as you manipulate them. This guarantees that someone will pick them up and try to open them.
Even after seeing the giant hole inside Earth, Jeff and Jamie have nothing better to do than bicker.
After learning that they are in a Absurdly High-Stakes Game, Mick and Spooner argue on whether bowling sucks or not.
Split-Personality Takeover: Zari Tarazi sits this episode out, as the original Zari spends a day with Nate.
Sufficiently Advanced Aliens: The Pin Killers have the capability to turn a planet into a bowling ball, which they do to Earth with a snap of his fingers. When Astra compares that ability to godlike power, Mike the Strike is quick to deny that they're gods.
Superman Stays Out of Gotham: None of the Arrowverse heroes get involved in a situation that affects the whole of Earth! Not Superman, not Supergirl, not even the Flash.
Terrible Trio: The Pin Killers: Mike the Strike, Clare the Spare, and Merve the Curve.
We Need a Distraction: Gary tries to distract Ava from finding out about the trouble they are in by keeping her busy with trying on new wedding dresses. She eventually figures things out.
