Ep 26. Games, Flames And Automobiles

In Home Improvement season 5 episode 26 titled "Games, Flames And Automobiles," Tim "The Toolman" Taylor is back with his brand of comedy and a new set of challenges that will put his skills to the test. Tim is a TV show host who hosts a show called "Tool Time" and is always looking for ways to improve his home, cars, and anything else he can get his hands on. His wife Jill is a psychology professor at a local university, who helps him keep his feet on the ground, along with their three sons Brad, Randy, and Mark.

The episode begins with Tim feeling threatened by his neighbor and friend, Wilson, who seems to be excelling at everything he does. Wilson has recently purchased a new car, which has caught Tim's attention. He's determined to buy a better car than Wilson's, but after several attempts to do so, he fails. This causes Tim to become more obsessed with the idea of winning at all costs, which puts a strain on his marriage and life outside of work.

Meanwhile, his son Randy is stuck with a project for school on the history of tools. Tim promises to help him, but due to his preoccupation, he doesn't deliver on his promise. Instead, he tells Randy to watch old episodes of "Tool Time" and take notes from there. This leads to hilarious results when Randy presents what he's learned to his class, and Tim's antics are exposed to the amazed students.

To add to Tim's troubles, he's challenged by the owner of an auto dealership to a game of pool, with the prize being a brand new, top-of-the-line car. Tim sees this as a chance to finally beat Wilson and get the car of his dreams. However, he finds himself in over his head when he realizes that his opponent is a pool shark. With his ego on the line, Tim refuses to give up, even when he's clearly outmatched.

As the day of the game approaches, tension builds between Tim and Jill, who doesn't like his single-mindedness and competitiveness. She feels like he's lost sight of what's important and is putting too much emphasis on material possessions. Tim brushes off her concerns, leading to a heated argument between them. It's only after Tim has a talk with his friend and co-host Al that he comes to the realization that Jill is right, and he needs to reevaluate his priorities.

In the end, Tim pulls out of the game, realizing that it's not worth sacrificing everything he holds dear for a new car. He apologizes to Jill, who forgives him, and they make up. He also helps Randy with his project, realizing that he needs to be a better father and husband. The episode ends on a funny note, with Tim revealing that the pool shark was actually a little old lady, who took pity on him and let him win.

"Games, Flames And Automobiles" is a classic episode of Home Improvement that showcases the show's trademark humor while also dealing with deeper themes of family and priorities. Tim's journey from obsessed car buyer to a self-aware husband and father is both hilarious and touching, and it's a reminder that sometimes, the things we think are important aren't really that important after all. Fans of Home Improvement will no doubt enjoy this episode, which is a perfect example of why the show was such a hit during its eight-year run.