Ask This Old House Season 23 Episode 5: Medicine Cabinets, Chimney Crowns, and Time Capsules

The Great Aging Experiment

First things first: Nathan Gilbert is looking absolutely beefy these days. I mean this in the best possible way – the man has clearly been lifting more than just oscillating tools. Meanwhile, Mark McCullough looks like he stepped out of a time machine from Season 15, probably wearing the same plaid shirt (more on that theory later). It's fascinating to witness the difference between aging from 30 to 40 versus 40 to 50. As someone who just crossed that magical 40 threshold myself, I'm taking notes. Apparently, the secret is to become a masonry contractor and spend your days digging through people's foundations. Who knew?

Medicine Cabinet Confessions

The episode opens with Nathan helping Kyle install a recessed medicine cabinet, and friends, this one hit close to home. Too close. Like, uncomfortably close. Picture this: you're knee-deep in a bathroom remodel, walls are about to be closed up, and you suddenly realize you haven't picked out your medicine cabinet yet. Do you: A) Quickly research and purchase one, or B) Assume you can figure it out later? If you chose B, congratulations – you're me, and you're about to learn that contractors have very strong opinions about opening up finished walls just because you can't plan ahead.

Kyle, our wise homeowner, had the foresight to plan this project before the drywall went up. Revolutionary concept, really. He wanted to ditch his "bulky, outdated, and beat-up" surface-mounted cabinet for something more modern and recessed. Nathan, being the professional he is, actually looked at photos beforehand (another revolutionary concept) and determined the wall wasn't load-bearing. This is where I learned something that blew my mind: you can actually remove studs if they're not load-bearing. All this time I thought the golden rule was "if you take out structure, you replace structure." Turns out, sometimes you can just... not.

Tools of the Trade (And Harbor Freight Confessions)

I couldn't help but notice Nathan's Stabilo level making its appearance. Meanwhile, I'm over here with my Harbor Freight special, living by the rule that I have to break my current tools before I'm allowed to upgrade to the good stuff. But hey, that Harbor Freight level has survived more amateur projects than it probably should have.

Nathan also dropped a genuinely useful trick – using the hook end of your tape measure to score drywall. This is the kind of move that makes you look like you know what you're doing, even when you're secretly fumbling with basic measurements (guilty as charged). It's these little details that separate the pros from those of us who measure twice, cut once, and somehow still end up at Home Depot for the third time in one day.

The oscillating tool seemed a bit extreme for the initial exploratory cut, but Nathan explained his reasoning: when you don't know what's lurking behind the drywall, you go slow and controlled. Smart man. I probably would have grabbed a drywall knife and hoped for the best, which is exactly why I'm writing blog posts instead of doing home improvement television.

The Great Mirror Debate

Here's where I need to have a gentle word with Kyle: buddy, why did you choose a mirror with a black frame when you've got brushed nickel sconces and faucets? I mean, you do you, but the design consistency part of my brain is twitching. Nathan, if you're reading this (and discovered social media – more on that later), you need to go back and have a conversation about hardware coordination. It's not too late!

Kenny's Chimney Chronicles

The second segment transported us to Kenny's 1960s home, complete with an indoor charcoal grill that came with its own autograph from the original builders, Bill and Bob. Kenny himself fully committed to the aesthetic with a double denim ensemble that would make any vintage enthusiast weep with joy. The man understood the assignment.

Mark's approach to diagnosing the chimney issue was refreshingly old-school – forget the fancy smoke machines Richard uses; we're lighting an actual paper bag on fire. Kenny's face during the "moment of truth" was priceless, especially when Mark confirmed the draft was working but then delivered the inevitable homeowner nightmare: "But Kenny, I do see a problem."

That problem turned out to be efflorescence (fancy word for white mineral deposits) and water infiltration, leading to a full chimney crown replacement. Mark made this look almost casual, but let's be honest – this is definitely not a DIY project. Between the scaffolding, the demolition, and the precise concrete work, I'd probably end up demoing the entire chimney instead of just the crown.

Time Capsules and Treasure Hunting

The episode's most charming moment came when Mark discovered the time capsule left by the previous masons – cigarette packs, soda cans, and other artifacts strategically placed during the original construction. This led to the episode's delightful finale: Mark's personal collection of job site treasures.

This segment reminded me of the time contractors working on our house found tiny liquor bottles hidden under the foundation. Suddenly, the quality of our foundation work made a lot more sense. Mark's collection tells better stories though – from Ben Franklin stove parts to a 1925 Boston Globe with a love letter tucked inside. The man has turned construction archaeology into an art form.

Social Media Discoveries

Speaking of discoveries, I noticed Nathan (and presumably the rest of the cast) now has social media presence. Time to update my following list because if you're going to learn home improvement tips, you might as well get them from people who actually know what they're doing.

Final Thoughts

This episode perfectly captured what makes Ask This Old House special – it's not just about the technical skills (though those are impressive), it's about the stories, the personalities, and the genuine connection between the experts and homeowners. Whether it's Nathan's patient explanation of why we need to check for electrical before cutting, or Mark's childlike excitement over finding a Ben Franklin stove leg, these moments remind us why we fell in love with this show in the first place.

The production quality remains top-notch, the expertise is unquestionable, and the heart is still there. Sure, we've all aged a bit (some more gracefully than others), but the core of what makes this show work hasn't changed. It's still about taking care of the places we live, respecting the craftsmanship of those who came before us, and maybe learning something new along the way.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go measure my bathroom wall seventeen more times before I finally admit I need to call a professional.

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What did you think of this episode? Any fellow Harbor Freight tool users out there, or am I flying solo in the budget tool department? Let me know in the comments below!