When Laura comes down with a cold and has to sit out a Petrie/Helper fishing trip, she anticipates nothing but a long few days of quiet and sewing. However, gradually, the loneliness begets paranoia in her mind. Millie's return gives her company but not much comfort as she waits for day to come.
This episode includes examples of the following tropes:
- Backup Bluff: After hearing a creepy creaking noise like an opening door, Laura pretends to call for her husband. She tells him that she thinks a burglar has come in and he should get the gun. Millie helps by playing "Rob" and saying she'll get the axe as well. Naturally, no one's there.
- Brick Joke: Before he leaves, Laura tells Rob to try not to let Richie play with the worms during the drive, because he likes to tie them together. It turns out Rob couldn't prevent him from doing it.
- Deadly Bath: Right before she leaves, Millie advises Laura against taking a shower, because Psycho is on her mind. When Laura decides to take a shower before bed, it takes her a few minutes to psych herself up. Even then, she has to bring the Helpers' parrot into the room. Eventually, Millie returns and figures out that Laura is showering. She mutters about how brave her friend is.
- Fright-Induced Bunkmate: Millie insists she can't sleep in Ritchie's room after Rob comes back. Laura moves over to let her into the bed. When Millie questions if it's okay with Rob, he says yes, but she shouldn't get used to it.
- Get a Hold of Yourself, Man!: The electricity goes off early in the morning, panicking Millie. After a few seconds, Laura slaps her. Millie mistakes it for being an intruder and, when Laura tells her she did it, she asks why. Laura almost does it again when Millie panics in the garage, only for Millie to snap that she'll let her have it if she does.
- Hand Gagging: A benign example; Millie keeps holding up the fishing trip because she won't stop giving Laura last-minute instructions on being alone safely. Exasperated, Jerry climbs out of the car, claps a hand over Millie's mouth, and cheerfully says goodbye to Laura while pulling her back to the car.
- "Home Alone" Antics: While Rob is away, Laura becomes afraid that someone will break into the house. Millie comes over and they set booby-traps at the front door etc. so that whoever might break in will make a loud noise. Naturally, Rob comes home earlier than expected and trips the homemade alarm.
- Must Have Caffeine: In the early morning, Laura and Millie are exhausted but unwilling to sleep. Laura asks Millie if she wants coffee. Millie answers that she does, and Laura says that she needs some as well.
- Never Sleep Again: Laura and Millie resort to leaving every light on, putting on the TV and radio, going through every sewing project they can, and ultimately making coffee rather than going to sleep.
- Polly Wants a Microphone: Millie leaves the Helpers' pet parrot Herschel with Laura while they go on the fishing trip. Herschel seems to know only two phrases: "Don't be nervous" and "Aah!", neither of which help.
- Right for the Wrong Reasons: After a long, paranoia-filled night, Laura pushes Millie into the garage so they can reach her car and drive away. It turns out Laura's car is on the driveway. Millie panics, saying that now they have to go outside where the killer can hide behind the bushes and pounce on them. Laura says that no one's going to pounce from behind the bushes...because he's in the house.
- Shout-Out: The title refers to the play Long Day's Journey Into Night.
- Vorpal Pillow: Laura happens to start coughing right after hearing a creepy noise. Trying to muffle the coughing, Millie holds a pillow over her head. Laura eventually fights free and tells Millie she almost smothered her.
