Ted goes on a date with a girl, but the couple soon realize that they went on the same date seven years earlier. The gang discovers that Lily has a stripper doppelganger.
This episode provides examples of:
- Blatant Lies: Barney told Robin that he's never been to Lusty Leopard before.
- Clingy Jealous Girl: Robin is not pleased with Barney hanging out at strip clubs despite the fact that he's been like that long before she knew him and knows it.
- Continuity Snarl: Future!Ted says Lesbian Robin is the first Identical Stranger the gang met, but Ted later points out that he and Barney saw Mustache Marshall in 2002. The gang met Robin at the fall of 2005.
- Actually, Ted only remembered when Jen was discussing their visit to the bar in 2002.
- Dashing Hispanic: Marshall's Identical Stranger.
- Did Not Get the Girl: Obviously, Jen is not The Mother.
- Double-Meaning Title: The title refers to Ted and Jen dating going on a blind date twice, Barney and Robin going on a double date with Marshall and Lily, Marshall having a "date" with Lily and her Identical Stranger, and maybe even Ted and Jen joining the aforementioned couples briefly at McLarren's.
- Event Title: The Double-Meaning Title all refers to double dates (Ted/Jen twice, Marshall/Lily and Barney/Robin, with Marshall/Barney also counts at the beginning).
- Flashback B-Plot: Downplayed. While it's not technically the B-plot (that would be the "Stripper Lily" subplot, which takes place in the present), we routinely see scenes of Jen and Ted's 2002 date juxtaposed with their present day date, so we can compare and contrast the two dates.
- Floral Theme Naming: Lily and her Identical Stranger Jasmine, though it's unlikely to be the latter's real name.
- Fond Memories That Could Have Been: A montage is shown had Ted and Jen hit it off in 2002.
- Gilligan Cut: When Ted and Jen inquire what the other does at the start of their date (both times):2009!Ted: So, Jen, what do you do?2009!Jen: I'm between jobs. Banking crisis.2002!Jen: I'm between jobs. Internet bubble burst. Makes me realize I should go into something more stable, like banking. So, what about you?2002!Ted: I'm an architect. (ambitiously) Hopefully, one day, I can use my own humble brush on the masterpiece that is Manhattan's skyline.2009!Ted: (dryly) I teach architecture. Get 50% off at the bookstore, so that's pretty sweet.
- Graceful Ladies Like Purple: Jen's attire at her and Ted's present day (2009) date.
- History Repeats: The episode's premise. Ted went on a date with Jen seven years earlier and they notice some of their current date's parallelisms from the first time.
- Identical Stranger: The episode officially introduces the audience to the gang's doppelgangers.
- Incredibly Lame Fun: Variation: Ted cites having access to a 50% discount at the bookstore as being a perk of teaching architecture.
- Innocently Insensitive: Jen accused Ted that he was this in their 2002 date.
- Nerds Speak Klingon: Marshall (a huge fan of Star Wars, along with the rest of the male cast) expressed interest in finding a Wookiee-to-English dictionary (or even just an everyday phrasebook). While wearing a Wookiee costume en route to a Wookiee convention.
- Numerological Motif: Two, as pairs/duos/second chances/second impressions are obviously the main themes of the episode.
- Pungeon Master: Ted keeps making Punny jokes at Jen, much to her disdain.
- Serious Business: One of the things Ted remembers about the 2002 date that he didn't like was that, when the check came, Jen didn't fight with him over paying. He was obviously going to pay, but he still felt annoyed that Jen didn't make a deal out of it.Ted: Guys want to wave the girl off and, you know, look like a big shot.
- Single-Target Sexuality: Marshall is always having a hard time fantasizing about other women because he's so devoted to Lily.
- Spot the Thread: Ted repeating his "shellfish" joke at the restaurant (and justification) in 2009 is what causes him and Jen to realize they are repeating their date from 2002.2002!Ted: Do you wanna share the oysters?2009!Jen: I would love to share the oysters.2002!Ted: Good. 'Cause if you didn't...2002!Ted / 2009!Ted: That would be mighty shellfish.2002!Jen / 2009!Jen: Wow, that's... bad.2002!Ted / 2009!Ted: That's why it's funny!(Jen and Ted slowly share a look of dawning horror)Ted and Jen: We've been on this date before.
- Three-Way Sex: Implied with Marshall, Lily and Stripper Lily.
- Twin Switch: Lily switches with her Identical Stranger during The Stinger.
- What the Hell Is That Accent?: Lily's Identical Stranger has a vague Eastern European accent.
