Air Date: November 7, 2011
While the gang reminisces about Hurricane Irene, Barney tries to cut a deal with Marshall and Lily to get out of wearing the Ducky Tie.
The episode provides examples of:
- Almost Kiss: Robin and Barney in the rain.
- Awesomeness by Analysis: Kevin deduces correctly that Barney's lie to get rid of the Ducky Tie was because Nora's parents were going to meet him in two days only because of the elements of the made-up story.Kevin: Perhaps I can help. Marshall, ask yourself this question. Why today? He hasn't say anything about that tie for weeks, and yet suddenly today, he can't wear it another second? Now there's a reason. He's got something coming up. Somewhere where you're on display. Vulnerable. Exposed. It's not work related. No, this is relationship stuff. You're trying to impress someone. In the lie you told, you said you were being chased by two goons, so it's two people. A couple, perhaps. You're meeting Nora's parents tomorrow!Barney: Wroooong!! Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong! It's in two days and I really want them to like me!!!(Ted and Kevin high five)Ted: Therapist'd!!
- Bears Are Bad News: Invoked by Marshall when he has to live without health insurance for a few weeks and keeps imagining situations in which he could die. Each one is simply him going about business as usual, and then being attacked by a bear.
- Bittersweet Ending: We get a funny story about the boogie boarding, we learn that Marshall and Lily made their baby during a sweet reconciliation in Barney's bathroom, Robin's dad finally calls to check on her, but the episode ends with Barney and Robin cheating on their partners with each other.
- Character Filibuster: In this particular one, Kevin asks Ted for the longer version of why MacLaren's has a "No Boogie-Boarding" sign, because he isn't thrilled to go to his mother's birthday party.
- Crazy Survivalist: Downplayed. Ted claims his Boy Scout training will make the gang survive the hurricane. In the end they didn't need any of that since they stayed at Barney's.
- Crosses the Line Twice: In-Universe. Barney made a prank call to Robin pretending to be her dad. Everyone in the present day urges Marshall to slap Barney for this.
- Double-Meaning Title: "Disaster Averted" makes reference to the gang surviving Hurricane Irene at Barney's apartment, Marshall trying to avoid accidents without his health insurance and Barney and Robin almost hooking up again.
- Dude, Not Funny!: Invoked. After getting to the part of the story where Barney pranks Robin into believing her father finally called her, everybody in present time urges Marshall to slap Barney.
- Foreshadowing: The sign near the beginning of the episode that says "No motorcycles on the casino floor" foreshadows the events of part one of the season finale.
- Funny Background Event: The "no boogie boarding" sign has been hanging outside MacLaren's all season.
- Funny Conception Story: Marshall and Lily conceived their son while hiding out in Barney's bathroom during Hurricane Irene. Barney isn't thrilled to hear about this.
- Irony: Ted tries to convince everyone that his new house is the safest spot to survive the hurricane instead of Barney's apartment. Future Ted later reveals that a tree crashed on the living room.
- Large Ham: As a result of medical insurance expiring Marshall turns into "clingy Edgar Allan Poe."Marshall:Grim Reaper beckons. I feel his icy grip around my throat, the breath of his hounds at my heels, the unrelenting rat-tat-tat of his scythe on my chamber door. And you, with your blithe request, you only hasten his inevitable triumph.
Is that what you desire?
IsthatwhatyoudesireLily?!?
Lily: Just wanted you to get us some bagels. - Obvious Rule Patch: The episode opens with Kevin wondering why there's a "No Boogie-Boarding" sign in MacLaren's. Ted spends all the episode telling the story of how they survived Hurricane Irene, which concludes with Marshall crashing into the bar's window while they were all playing in the rain.
- Real Men Wear Pink: Ted insists his pink rainboots will alert the rescue team from the helicopters.
- Rule of Three: Marshall's nightmare fantasies of possible ways he might die all end with him getting attacked by a bear. On the street, in the apartment, and in Barney's bathroom.
- Side Bet: The "Slap-Bet" is brought back once again, so Barney could exchange it for the ducky-tie. Marshall and Lily agree to remove the ducky-tie in exchange of three additional slaps. He immediately uses two, but has two left, so the show can continue the tradition of one slap per season.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Robin is clearly bothered because her father didn't call her to check up on her during the hurricane, trying to mask her disappointment by claiming the storm was "bikini weather" in Canada.
