M.O.M. and Diana decide to break Martin of his habit of always borrowing their stuff. But that is soon overshadowed by problems at the Center's base in the Canadian Arctic where Martin has the choice of co-operating with his old rival Marvin, (who blames Martin for his transfer to the frozen tundra), or becoming a host for the bodysnatching creature that has been accidentally unearthed and is growing stronger with every host it takes.
(Note: Outside of Canada, the episode took place in Antarctica)
General Tropes:
- Character Development: Marvin isn't the 'Mr. Perfect' from previous episodes.
- Eerie Arctic Research Station: This episode was a Whole-Plot Reference to The Thing. An ancient, shape shifting organism unearthed in the Canadian tundra begins terrorizing a Center base located there.
- "Eureka!" Moment: The team has one when they realize the organism can't survive the freezing cold without a host, which is how they manage to kill it.
- "Everybody Laughs" Ending: Everyone present (with the exception of Diana) laugh at Di's embarrassment that she's no different from Martin when it comes to borrowing things.
- Hypocrite: Diana hates it when Martin borrows her stuff without permission, but has no problem "borrowing" M.O.M.'s shocking device to use on Martin. Being exposed as one by Martin leaves her greatly embarrassed.
- Impostor-Exposing Test: Since the episode was a Whole-Plot Reference to The Thing (1982), this was pretty much mandatory. In this case, the test consisted on scanning the DNA of hair and saliva.
- Kill It with Ice: This is how the team destroy the organism once and for all.
- Oh, Crap!: Diana's reaction when she notices the possessed Martin is aiming for her directly.
- Properly Paranoid: Martin was very justified at believing the dog was acting strange, because at the time the dog was being possessed by the organism. And later, when he worries that Diana is acting rather strange, he's once again right to believe there's something wrong with her.
- A Taste of Their Own Medicine: After getting zapped repeatedly by Diana, Martin gets a little payback on his sister by using the shocking device on her, exposing her to M.O.M.
- Reassigned to Antarctica: Marvin was transferred to the Center's Arctic base, apparently due to his recklessness during the Third Eye incident. Thanks to Martin's recommendation Marvin is transferred to Hawaii.
- Rebuilt Pedestal: After being demoted to the Arctic base, Marvin not only loses his "Mr. Perfect" status but also develops actual resentment towards Martin. As such, the events of the episode are about Marvin finding his stride again, with him and Martin coming out of the experience as good friends.
