"Of course there are reasons a gubernatorial election should not be decided by a ski race, but are there also reasons it should?"
— Tom Jumbo-Grumbo
BoJack has gone missing and Diane has been keeping him up to date on Mr. Peanutbutter's political campaign by leaving him messages on his voicemail. Namely, that he has challenged the current Governor to a ski race for the position, despite not at all knowing how to ski.
Tropes:
- Absurdly High-Stakes Game: The title of Governor of California gets put up to whoever can win a downhill skiing race.
- Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: The Governor of California says he won't defile the legacy of his predecessors, who built the Golden Gate Bridge, irrigated the central valley and played Mr. Freeze in a Batman movie.
- Art Shift: The "Katrina's Amendment Adventure" segment is drawn and animated in the style of Schoolhouse Rock!.
- Borrowed Catchphrase: Diane, twice in the episode. First by ending a voicemail for BoJack with "This is Diane by the way. Nguyen.... obviously." Then by reacting to the news that Mr. Peanutbutter's candidacy for governor has become legitimate with "Diane, Diane, what now?"
- The Cameo: David Chase and Vincent D'Onofrio as themselves.
- The Comically Serious: The reason why D'Onofrio didn't get the role Mr. Peanutbutter got was because he took the script so seriously.
- Contrived Coincidence: Coodchuck-Berkowitz just happened to be a champion in the same event that Mr. Peanutbutter challenged him in.
- Didn't Think This Through: Mr. Peanutbutter challenges Woodchuck to a ski race for the title of governor. When it becomes clear that the race is actually going to happen for real, it's revealed that Woodchuck is a champion skier and Mr. Peanutbutter doesn't know how to ski at all.Katrina: Then why did you challenge the governor to a ski race?!
Mr. Peanutbutter: I didn't think it would get this far! You gotta admit, this is pretty out there! - Exact Words: Todd momentarily becomes governor of California— as the rules state that the first person who crosses the finish line becomes governor— even though he wasn't even in the race.
- Formula-Breaking Episode: It's the first episode not to include BoJack himself.
- Fun with Acronyms: Governor Woodchuck has a plan to deal with the drought he's titled the Drought Relief Optimization Using Geo Hydration Technology plan.Woodchuck: So to be clear, my DROUGHT Plan is actually a drought relief plan. I see now how that's confusing.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Todd was really enjoying his "Drone Throne" to fly around and create shenanigans until he breaks the controller and then it starts flying higher. Lampshaded by him.Todd: I was hoisted by my own petard. The one petard I thought would never hoist me!
- Hypocritical Humor: The Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court becomes irate when Governor Woodchuck Coodchuck-Berkowitz expects to get his old job back after Todd resigns, protesting that it's not how the law works, and there must be a special election. This is immediately following Todd becoming governor after winning a race he wasn't in, which the Justice seemingly had no objection to.
- Leaning on the Fourth Wall: The very first line spoken is a writer saying that they are making Horsin' Around without the horse, a reference to this episode not featuring BoJack.
- Non-Idle Rich: The waitress Todd gave his 8 million dollars to is seen still working as a waitress, albeit now wearing an abundance of expensive jewelry.
- Only Sane Man: Both Diane and Woodchuck seem to be this. Diane in particular becomes more and more desperate to talk to BoJack if only to have someone else who would agree with her how insane things are getting.
- "Shaggy Dog" Story: Downplayed as Mr. Peanut’s efforts to become Governor end up being all for naught, but he gets an opportunity to change that in the end. Humorously, because Mr. Peanutbutter is an anthropomorphic canine, a literal dog is involved with this trope.
- Special Edition Title: Since BoJack is absent, the usual ending song is changed to be about Mr. Peanutbutter instead.Back in the 90's I was on a very famous TV show
I'm Mr. Peanutbutter (oh yeah!) Now tell me how can I get no votes?
Yeah, I'm for the future, yeah everyone will get a free TV (all right!)
I'll put my face on billboards the entire world will see
Yeah, I promise peace and love across this broken land
Yeah, I'm your governor, Mr. Peanutbutter, man.
I'm tasty and good looking 'cause that's just who I am
Go vote! - Stepford Smiler: Diane doesn't actually want Mr. Peanutbutter to succeed, but she thinks his chances are so low she's making herself pretend to be supportive anyway, a facade that will become more strained the more likely it seems like Mr. Peanutbutter could win.
- Subverted Rhyme Every Occasion: Ralph makes Princess Carolyn a card that reads, "I'm so smitten with my favorite little... adult cat."
- Tempting Fate: When just ignoring Mr. Peanutbutter's challenge doesn't seem to be working, he decides to formally address its unconstitutional nature. When pushed about it further he sarcastically says if the law were changed to allow such a thing then he would agree to it. So Katrina makes that happen.Woodchuck: (Deep sigh) I'm astounded that it has come to this. But since the exorbitantly expensive and astonishingly titled "I Love California" amendment is now law, I formally accept Mr. Peanutbutter's challenge to a ski race.
- Word, Schmord!: Mr. Peanutbutter has some trouble making this work when Princess Caroline suggests working with Thomas Schlamme.Mr. Peanutbutter: Tommy Schlamme, schmommy... (starts looking doubtful) ...Schlamme.
