Helen and the dogs go inside from a snowy day. Then, T.D. and Truman come over to visit. Then, the three kids and Martha play a video game that involves dancing, which the Lorraine parents find annoying and would prefer it if they played in the snow. Then, Danny reads a news report that the storm is worsening and causing blackouts in other towns, and tells the kids and dogs... and then the power cuts out.
Everyone is bored and Truman wants to go home, but Mrs. Oatley phones and tells him not to saying that the "long walk" as she puts it (even though the Oatleys and Lorraines are neighbours) would be dangerous in the heavy snow. T.D. wants to stay too, but he has no suggestions for what to do. Danny suggests they play in the snow, but the kids think that'd be too cold.
Helen wants cocoa, but Danny can't make any since it requires the stove, which is electric. Martha is unfazed and just plans to sleep, until she learns that she can't be fed until the power is back on due to the can opener being electric. Everyone gets cold, so Danny lights a fire, and then Truman suggests they LARP the video game, to which everyone agrees.
They all go down to the basement, with the kids explaining that the game has four levels: underground, ground level, outer space, and the space station, and the basement will be underground. Then, they explain that the object is to play as gophers, collect veggies, and reach the space station. Helen uses summer clothes as pretend veggies, casts Danny as a farmer villain, and puts headlights on everyone.
They play the game (with Mariella acting as a combination of another antagonist and a scorekeeper), and end on a tie. Then, everyone eats sandwiches, with most of them wrapped up in blankets, and Danny brings hot cocoa he made with the BBQ. The power turns back on, but the kids decide to play their recreation of the game again anyway.
This episode provides examples of
- Aesop Amnesia: Martha says cats are her least-favourite thing in spite of learning to like them in "There Goes the Neighbourhood" and "Martha's Holiday Surprise".
- Animal Jingoism: Martha says cats are her least-favourite thing.
- Big Storm Episode: The episode follows the Lorraines, Truman, and T.D. dealing with a blackout caused by a huge snowstorm that's also preventing the boys from going home.
- Chewing the Scenery: Martha flops onto her belly when hamming up how hungry she is.
- Comically Missing the Point: Truman waves at Mrs. Oatley... through the phone.
- Continuity Nod: Danny says he always wanted to be a farmer because of the cows. He's shown appreciating cows in "Git Along, Little Dogies!".
- Incredibly Lame Fun: Truman's favourite part of the game is having a flashlight tied to his head.
- Instantly Proven Wrong: Helen says there's no way a blackout would happen in Wagstaff City... right before one does happen.
- Kleptomaniac Hero: The aim of the video game is to steal as many veggies as possible.
- Literalist Snarking: When Martha says, "Make me a sandwich," T.D. waves his fingers in front of her and says, "Poof! You're a sandwich!".
- Lost Food Grievance: Martha is extremely put out when she learns she can't be fed without the electric can opener.
- Oh, Crap!: Martha is distraught when she learns that she can't be fed without electricity (due to the can opener being electric).
- Power Outage Plot: The episode focuses on Wagstaff City experiencing a blackout due to a snowstorm.
- Pun: When LARPing the gopher game, the kids say, "Ready, set, gopher go!".
- Pun-Based Title: The title puns on the fact that the power (i.e. electricity) is gone.
- Speak in Unison: When planning to play the game again at the end, the kids say in unison, "Ready, set, gopher go!".
- Stock Animal Diet: Martha wants Daniel to cook her a steak to go with her sandwich.
- Tempting Fate: Truman considers coming home... and then Mrs. Oatley phones and disallows him to do it because she doesn't want him walking a long way in a blizzard.
