Virgil makes a bad first impression on his father’s new girlfriend, a police officer looking for a case full of mutagens, that could create more bang babies if not found, which was stolen by two boys.
Tropes for this episode include:
- Big Creepy-Crawlies: As a result of what little mutagen formula Royce and Frankie accidentally spill, a spider and a cockroach grow to the size of sofas at least.
- Bittersweet Ending: Discussed. When it turns out that Virgil is still grounded despite earning a medal for his courage, Richie sympathizes with him. However, Virgil points out that what counts is, now that he and Sharon are on better terms with Trina, she and Robert are back together, and was able to relieve their suspicions of him from the whole thing.
- Blessed with Suck: One sniff of the mutagen formula makes Royce a few inches taller and gives him strength enough to rip a textbook in half with his bare hands. However, a couple more hours later, Royce spontaneously turns into a giant, mindless, rampaging purple monster.
- Didn't See That Coming: Virgil over the cop who wanted to see what was in his backpack being his father's new Love Interest.
- Dramatic Irony: We know Virgil wasn't hiding anything dangerous in his backpack, just his Static suit. But he can't tell that to Trina or Robert. What's more, we know it was Royce and Frankie (not Virgil) that stole the mutagen, and again, Trina doesn't know that. Finally, it's ironic that the cop Virgil runs into happens to be the very one that his dad is dating.
- Keeping Secrets Sucks: Virgil can't reveal his Static costume and identity to the police or his father. He gets in trouble from both because he ran off.
- Mood Whiplash: Robert demands to see what's in Virgil's backpack and heads for the closet, despite Virgil's protests. This tense moment is followed by assorted junk in the closet (from earlier) falling on Robert the second he opens it.
- Parent with New Paramour: It's in the title. Sharon is grousing immediately, while Virgil has issues with Trina over getting in trouble because of her profession. Trina stresses about how this is making things too complicated. Robert calls the kids out on it later on, pointing out that even they previously acknowledged their mother would've wanted him to meet someone new - however, if this was only the first meeting, there was bound to be push-back from the kids, with them needing time to accept the new situation.
- Police Are Useless: Averted in the end when Trina and her partner play their part in containing a mutated Royce.
- Power-Upgrading Deformation: Royce is reduced to looking like a deformed purple monster hours after sniffing the mutagen formula. This on top of how he gained borderline superhuman strength and grew a couple more inches.
- Race Against the Clock: If the case of mutagen vials are not found at a certain time, they will combust and cause a "Big Bang Sequel".
- What the Hell, Hero?: Robert is livid when he learns Virgil ran away from the police and lets him have the riot act for doing such a thing before grounding him. Later, he points out to his own children the hypocrisy of turning their backs on Trina, despite suggesting their own father find love again.
- What Were You Thinking?: Running from police under suspicion will only make things worse for yourself, and they are trained to sometimes use lethal force if you are deemed even the slightest threat. Once Robert hears about what happened from Trina, he immediately grills Virgil and soon after grounds him.
