Abusive Parents: Graphically depicted by Tod's father (although cutaways and a stunt double were used).
Alcoholic Parent: Tod's abusive father Joe is one; this ultimately gets him killed when he drunkenly confronts dock foreman Jedediah.
Hollywood Exorcism: The gift Charles gives Tod – a blue, button-down shirt – for seeming to have gained values and learned what hard work is all about turns out to be the trigger for all his rage. The shirt, as it turns out, was similar to one he wore as a child; his father once beat him severely for tearing it while playing. In a way, the shirt helps exorcise all of Tod's deeply entrenched demons of his past.
Tonight, Someone Dies: During the episode's first few minutes, Tod's father Joe is killed on the docks after assaulting foreman Jedediah for not hiring him; the latter retaliates by fatally shooting Joe.
Trauma Button: The shirt Charles presents Tod with resembles the same shirt his father once beat him for the night he died.
Ungrateful Bastard: Charles' initial reaction to Tod ripping apart the shirt … until he realizes that the gift was a reminder of his horrifying childhood.
Wham Line: "I love you, Papa. Why did you die? I didn't want you to die". Said when Charles confronts Tod for tearing the shirt he gave him, and after trying to start a fight with him, Tod breaks down in Charles's arms, finally admiting that he still loved his father, even after all the abuse he suffered at Joe's hands and never got over his death.
Would Hurt a Child: Tod's father was an alcoholic and had no qualms about beating around his son … or his wife, for that matter.
