The Titans time travel back to the 1980s to determine whether or not it was the best decade ever.
This episode contains examples of:
- Artistic License – History: Robin states that the 80s gave us the Cold War, which is inaccurate. The Cold War had been going on for around four decades at that point. While the 80's did bring in worsening relations between the US and the USSR in the first half, in the second half, relations had gotten better. Also, the fall of the Berlin Wall, considered to be the end of the Cold War, occurred at the very end of this decade. He also mentions the decade introducing trickle-down economics, which, while it introduced it in the modern era, existed before the 80s.
- Black and Nerdy: Cyborg's 80's form is based off of Steve Urkel.
- Brutal Honesty: The title is this.
- The '80s: What the episode is centered around.
- '80s Hair: Starfire wears one in the 80s.
- Failed a Spot Check: Raven learns the hard way that modern inventions like the internet, cell phones, GPS and ride shares weren't around during the 80s.
- Gravity Is a Harsh Mistress: As the Titans reenact the E.T. moment, Robin wonders how they're all flying with bikes. It's cause they're all superheroes, making Robin drop like a rock.
- Jerkass: The aptly named 80's Jerks which consists of the Sports jerks, older brother jerks, boyfriend jerks, rich jerks, and the karate jerks.
- Nerdy Nasalness: Cyborg in his 80's form speaks with a nasal voice to match his nerdiness.
- Nostalgia Filter: Cyborg believes the 80's was the best decade.
- Spoof Aesop: Robin learns that the 80's was the best decade.
- Surfer Dude: Beast Boy sounds like one in the 80's.
- Take That!: The episode title and the beginning of the plot both mock Stranger Things for capitalizing on 80's nostalgia instead of developing a compelling story.
- Valley Girl: Raven sounds like one in the 80's.
