Narrator: In an age long forgotten, legend speaks of an unsung hero. Some call him "The Couch Crusher," to others he is known simply as "The Oncoming Wind." But to a special few, he is known as-
The Kids: -Dad!
The Kids: -Dad!
While the rest of the family are at school and work, Richard is tasked with getting a jar of mayonnaise for burger night, which turns into a Conan the Barbarian-meets-The Neverending Story-style epic quest where Richard and his trusty steed "Cartax" must traverse the kingdom of Elmore to reach the grocery store and do battle with Tina Rex's father, a bloodthirsty brute who attacks shoppers.
Tropes:
- A Day in the Limelight: For Richard, for the second time this season (the first time being "The Return").
- Continuity Nod:
- Richard calls himself "Totally Unemployable", referring back to the events of "The Job" which showed that Richard being unemployed is an essential part of the fabric of the Universe.
- Mr. Rex has scars from when Nicole beat him up in "The Fight."
- Disney Death: Cartax sinks in the asphalt, but is seen just fine in the junkyard later.
- Fast-Food Nation: During Richard's quest to the store, he ends up trapped in the "deadly vortex of [Joyful Burger's] drive-thru window, where your worst enemy is yourself".
- The Greatest Story Never Told: Richard ends the episode on the couch in the same position he began in, so his family thinks he really did nothing all day. They notice he managed to put his pants on though.
- Homage: The family car being named Cartax is clearly a homage to Artax the horse from The Neverending Story. He even had a similar 'death' by sinking into wet asphalt. Fortunately, Cartax is pulled from the asphalt and taken to the junkyard offscreen, allowing Richard to escape from Papa T-Rex.
- Lock-and-Load Montage: When Richard prepares for his 'quest'. It gets difficult when he can't get his pants on.
- Mundane Made Awesome: How often is going to the store to get mayo turned into a fantasy quest?
- Narrator All Along: The narrator turns out to be the family car.
- Oh, No... Not Again!: Based on the neighbors' reaction, Richard has a tendency to wear his 'quest gear' every time he goes to the market. At the end of the episode, the narrator mentions that Richard is the reason why housing prices are going down in the neighborhood.
- Sarcasm Mode: Gumball sarcastically wishes Richard luck in getting the mayonaise. Richard, of course, thinks he's been sincere.
- Take That!: A troll-like John stops Richard and tells him that it's 25 cents to get through. Richard asks, "Are you highway bandits?" The troll-like operator answers, "Technically, we're with the service of the government, but, basically, yes."
- Whole-Plot Reference: To The Never Ending Story.
