HIMYM is a puzzle to me … besides the whole “who is the mother” puzzle, that is. The puzzle I’m talking about is what viewers of this show deem to be a good or funny episode. A lot of the time I’ll think an episode is meh, while I read comments from people saying it was the best episode ever, hilarious even, and vice-versa. I’ll be really surprised if most people didn’t find this episode to be hi-freaking-larious.
First of all, I’m glad that bitch Karen is gone, gone, gone. I think Marshall said it best:
Marshall: “Ted, Karen’s a douche.”
Ted: “Wow, thanks for sugar coating it.”
Marshall: “Douche is sugar coating it.”
A lot of people are saying Ted is the least-liked character on the show, and the Karen storyline did nothing to help his case. Well, they’d be right. Once in a while we’re thrown a good Ted moment that redeems him just a tad. Most of the time, though, the situations he’s in are simply annoying. Did I mention I’m glad to see Karen gone?
A big revelation in this episode — though not necessarily much of a surprise — was finding out that Lily has been sabotaging Ted’s relationships for years. We got a little glimpse of will-they/won’t-they with Ted and Robin, which led them to become backup-engaged (side note: I almost titled this post “Ted and Robin get engaged” but I want to keep all of my limbs.) I’m glad they didn’t simply wind up together again, because we can all rightly say that ship has long sailed. Besides, we need to keep Robin’s heat door open for Barney, at least for a little while longer.
The highlight of the episode (besides the Big Lebowski reference) had to be seeing Robin’s TV show play out in the background while Ted and Lily argued. The weeping over the gang photo, the fire, the weatherman having a heart attack and, finally, Robin helping deliver a baby. Once in a while we get some extra goodies for this show, like Barney’s websites and Robin’s music video. To Bays and Thomas: you’ve got to release Robin’s news program as an extra some day.
As for the ninja star danger jocks, I’m starting to rethink my nighttime wardrobe for one of those puppies. Screw the suitjamas: you can fly at night in those things!
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Mar 17, 2009 @ 08:32 EST5EDT
I guess one of these days I will really need to get around to seeing the Big Leboski. I know I probably just lost whatever little street cred I have, but alas, I haven’t seen it.
See, word for word, you’ve got my thoughts. Sub in “Aaron Sorkin omage” for the Big Lebowski reference, and you’ve got me (I know Jack and Tom made the scene famous, but someone had to write it). I didn’t even think it was done as well as it could have been.
I did like the way they retcon’ed the details of Ted and Robin’s break up, that those two things are about all I really about it.
I liked the episode for all the same reasons. On the other hand I don’t get why people think that “Big Lebowski” is such a great movie. I don’t like it. I like “Fargo”, that’s it. The other Cohen movies are just boring (and I could name five off the top of my head but it’s hard to prove with you guys expecting me to just use IMDb ;-) ). There are other, better movies out there but that’s not the topic here (“Pulp Fiction”, “V for Vendetta”, “Equilibrium” to name a few and of course “TDK”).
What made this episode good was Robin’s show on TV in the background. What I didn’t like was Ted and Robin not getting back together. That would have fitted perfectly if you ask me. Those stupid pacts I don’t care for at all. I never even knew about those until I saw them talking on TV about it.
Again without Barney I wouldn’t laugh at all on this show. “That’s what I’ve said the whole time” under his breath in the bar – loved it. The porn movie fantasy – great. The Nightgown bummer-payoff at the end – superb. The rest of the show – all “meh”. Kinda nice. But nothing more. And I’m so glad Laura Prepon is gone.
I don’t know to me it all feels kind of filler until the season finale. But then again on “2 1/2 men” I wouldn’t even dare to ask for plot development.
Really? That’s your ‘go-to’ list of good/great movies?
Nope, those are similar movies that are better (with “Equilibrium” being a bit far fetched).
Don’t know why you thought I was naming my all time favorites, which would be “High Fidelity” and “My Sassy Girl” (the Korean Original), “Ghost in the Shell”, “Notting Hill”, “Two Weeks Notice” and a couple of others.
Sebastian, my friend, I think we’ll just have to politely agree to disagree. Two Weeks Notice?
It’s literary understatement. “Cohen movie X is so bad that even mediocre movie Y is far superior.”
Well, Equilibrium is ridiculous, pulpy fun, but V for Vendetta is just awful, even if you haven’t read the original.
See I don’t like Lebowski for the same reasons. You can’t get into those two, I can’t get into that one.
And it’s all just my opinion and not facts.
Actually, I love Equilibrium in all its glory. I’ve just found most of the Wachowskis’ later works to be abominations unto God.
If you liked Ghost in the Shell, I fervently hope you’ve seen the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex TV series and movie.
I can’t stand Ted. He’s ruining the show IMO. This epi was great because of Barney and Marshall and Robin’s show on in the background.
If they put Robin and Ted back together I’ll puke. They stink together. And we know she’s not the mother, as he refers to her as Aunt Robin….so that storyline is done and lame.
I’m right with you. Robin needs to stay miles away from getting back with Ted.
You forgot that Robin had to put out her flaming coworker with a fire extinguisher! The background action was WAY better than the argument going on in the apartment…I kept thinking “Wow, this is Robin’s best show EVER, and they’re missing it.”
That was kind of the point. I mean who has a cook and other guests on at 4 am? That was totally over the top :-)
Hi, guys. What does ”Ninja Star Danger Jock” mean? I didn’t understand at all.
“Hi, guys. What does ”Ninja Star Danger Jock” mean? I didn’t understand at all.”
I don’t remember the exact punchline, but it was something like:
Barney: Marshall’s wearing a nightgown!
Marshall: It’s a nightshirt, not a nightgown.
Barney: You can call it a Ninja Star Danger Jock, but it’s still women’s clothing