Brain invents a device that lets him get a glimpse of his future. Expecting to see himself ruling the world, he is horrified when he sees that he's still trying to take over the world every night as an old mouse. In an effort to escape the futility of his existence, Brain takes up a new career as a ski instructor, only for Pinky to see another alarming future vision.
This episode includes examples of the following tropes:
- Crisis Catch-and-Carry: After Brain leaves Acme Labs, Pinky uses the device to get another look into Brain's future and sees a vision of Brain yodeling, then getting killed by the resulting avalanche. Pinky rushes to the ski slopes to warn Brain, but Brain, refusing to believe the future can be changed, yells at Pinky to go away and save himself... resulting in an avalanche. Pinky slings Brain over his shoulder and carries him up a tree, out of reach of the snow, and the two share a Big Damn Hug.
- Drunk on Milk: After realizing that his plans to take over the world are doomed to fail, Brain drowns his sorrows in... water from the cage's bottle.Pinky: Um... Brain... d-don't you think maybe you've had enough to drink?
Brain: Nag, nag, nag, just leave me be! - Expospeak Gag: When Brain has become a ski instructor...Brain: Today, I will instruct you in the mastery of inertia re-establishment utilizing weight distribution through metatarsal manipulation.
Student: You mean stopping?
Brain: Yes. But when I say it, it sounds groovy. - Mid-Life Crisis Car: Brain, now believing that trying to take over the world is futile, decides to "live life in the fast lane" and gets a human-sized red convertible, modified with ropes and cranks to enable him to turn the steering wheel.
- Shout-Out:
- The title is based on the 1979 television series This Old House.
- Pinky sees a vision of Brain causing an avalanche by yodeling the tagline for Ricola cough drops ("Riiiiiiii-co-laaaaaaa!!!").
- You Can't Fight Fate: Brain tries to switch careers to escape the bad future he saw, only for a different bad future to pop up. At this point, he gives up, but Pinky refuses to give up so easily.
