Ted and Robin argue over who gets to slap Barney in place of Marshall while Lily is devastated at the presence of her father for Thanksgiving dinner.
This episode provides examples of:
- Black Comedy: When Lily says that the late Mr. Park "meant literally nothing to" her, the tearful reaction of the woman behind the counter — presumably the widow Park.
- Call-Back: Marshall's song from "Slapsgiving" returns as the theme song for the commercial to Mickey's first successful board game, Slap Bet.
- Death Glare: This episode introduces Lily's "You're Dead to Me" look (and Marshall's, though his is considerably less intimidating).
- Disappeared Dad: Lily's shitty dad reappears, and ruins the food.
- Disowned Parent: Lily has given her father Mickey this treatment for mooching off her grandparents. Lily decides to reconcile when Mr. Park, a man who meant nothing to her, dies while "dead to her" and it feels devestating.
- Fictional Board Game: Mickey's life goal is to be a successful board game designer. He's prolific, at least, but his games are markedly creepy, disgusting, or dangerous. He finally has a hit with Slap Bet.
- Funny Background Event: During the last of Lily's childhood flashbacks, other games that Mickey invented are on the bookshelf in the room, like "Landmine Lunge" and "Sleepy Tombstone Maze."
- Get It Over With: A non-lethal and comedic variant. Barney invokes this by name when Ted and Robin can't decide who should use the slap.
- Hair-Trigger Temper: Lily's reasons for delivering her "You're Dead to Me" look range from a legitimate reason like her father mooching off her elderly grandparents, to minor slights like a neighbor stealing her newspaper and being given caffeinated coffee when she asked for decaf.
- Hope Spot: Marshall gives one to Barney, saying that the slap did what he wanted, brought everyone closer together, meaning there's no slap. Then he slaps Barney.
- Hurricane of Puns: As is Slapsgiving Day tradition, the gang deliver as many puns based on the word "slap" as possible.
- Nervous Tics: Barney, facing the prospect of the Fourth Slap flinches at Ted and Robin's every move, accompanied by Dramatic Stutter, Inopportune Voice Cracking, and Twitchy Eye.
