(S02E05) It's amazing that we've gotten five episodes into season two and we still don't know what Barney Stinson does, and we've never seen the inside of his apartment. Well, one of those two things is still true: tonight, we finally get a good look at the "Fortress of Barnitude," and, I've got to be honest with you, I'd love to spend more time there.I mean, think about it: the two wall-sized TVs that had to be tugboated in from Japan; the life-sized Stormtrooper; the proudly-lit room full of porn. Barney revels in his singlehood, and it shows. Everything in his house is designed to keep a woman from nesting, and his new addition, Lilly, is no exception.
I've gotta say, HIMYM is just having a kick-ass season right now. We start with a shot of Lilly and Barney waking up next to each other and screaming in horror, but we don't know how we got to that point. Knowing the two characters, I knew that they didn't actually have sex, but it was interesting to see how they got to that point.
Lilly's new apartment, with the bed that doesn't quite unfold all the way and the "stovinkerator", seems like a more realistic vision of a New York apartment than any other I've ever seen on TV. Except for the raccoon that seems to be her constant companion.But making the apartment utlra-crappy in order to get Lilly into Barney's lair is a nice move on the part of Carter and Craig; with Marshall and Lilly split, they have to flex some creative muscles as they try to keep both of them involved in the show without drifitng into the sure-to-be maudlin territory of Robin and Ted. Having Barney around helps a lot, as most of this year's episodes have been more Barney-centiric than in the past. By the way, the Best Barneyism is his idea to have Lilly pretend to be his wife in order to drive away the more -- ahem -- persistent honeys. "You're better than porn!" he tells her. Second is the spring-loaded toilet seat that never stays down. The fact that he told Lilly not to make any changes, including food and coffee, but then she was able to trick him into doing exactly that, was also a nice twist.
We find out a little more about ol' Barn, by the way; Lilly figures out that the minute he lets someone in, and he doesn't mind it, he rebels. But at least finding that out got her all the furnishings for her crappy apartment with the slanted bed.
Not sure which story I liked better, this one or the B story, where Marshall wants to do couply things like brunch, but can't because he's not a couple anymore. I've got to admit, the brunch thing is big; I got eat breakfast/lunch every Sunday at a neighborhood deli, and I feel odd sitting there by myself. But I do it because, hey, the French toast stuffed with cream cheese isn't gonna eat itself. Anyway, the fact that he "rocks brunch" and the Alanis Morrisette concert with his law school friend Brad is your typical "gender-substitute leading to a misunderstanding" plot, but it's done well. And, this idea of a "Man Date" isn't new; it's just a bit creepy is all, especially when the topic of a wedding at a B&B in Vermont comes up. But in this case, creepy is funny.
Favorite lines: "You spooned me against my will!" - Barney to Lilly.
Lilly (looking at the huge TV): "It hurts my eyes."
Barney: "I know. It never goes away."
"Sounds like a great third date" - Robin to Marshall as he describes the dinner / Mama Mia evening he was going to have with Brad.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-16-2006 @ 10:37PM
Erica said...
Who knew brunch could be so hilarious?
I bet they save the reveal of Barney's job for the next season, and that fine by me! This episode was good, but it was a little odd that there was minimal Ted.
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10-16-2006 @ 10:44PM
Tony C said...
You forgot to mention the whole reason Barney needed Lily to pretend to be his wife -- Little Miss Crunchy Granola Psychopath Totally Obsessed Fatal Attraction Reject that's Not Offended by Anything Barney Says or Does. Hilarious! :)
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10-16-2006 @ 11:31PM
Franklin said...
So who's the "mother" of this series' title? Have the series finally revealed it, or strongly hinted who it is? Is it Lily?
I only watched the pilot last year, but never followed through, though I really like Alyson Hannigan (started watching her on "Buffy"). I always figured it would be her character who would eventually be the "mother" of the series title.
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10-17-2006 @ 12:32AM
Porchland said...
"HIMYM" is absolutely in full stride right now. I don't have any trouble saying this episode was funnier than the last episode of "The Office," and I LOVE both shows.
The Emmy for supporting actor in a comedy next year should absolutely come down to Neil Patrick Harris (Barney) vs. Rainn Wilson (Dwight on "The Office").
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10-17-2006 @ 12:35AM
Jeremy said...
Didn't we see Barney with Marshall last year practicing law? I can't remember the episode exactly but it was towards the end of the season. Marshall was brought in to Barney's law firm to help him play pranks on the guy accross the street.
Anyone else remember this?
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10-17-2006 @ 12:44AM
Joel Keller said...
Ah, yes, we saw Marshall practicing law where Barney works. But they never told us what he actually *does* there. Even in that episode, Barney would do the "oh, please" bit when Marshall would ask him what he actually does at that company. Clever, huh?
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10-17-2006 @ 12:47AM
justin said...
Barney doesn't work at a law firm, he works at UltraCell, a conglomerate that does lots of shady things involving cigarettes and weapons, but mostly just wants to be known for making the fuzzy stuff on the outside of tennis balls (Episode 117 - Life With the Gorillas).
Marshall is an intern there at the legal department.
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10-17-2006 @ 2:52AM
Jeff said...
This season has been fantastic and its because they haven't focused on the Ted and Robin relationship. I know it will probably reappear soon, but right now I like the dynamic between the characters.
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10-17-2006 @ 8:29AM
Pranav said...
I love this show - it's gotten funnier this season, and this was the best ep yet!
I'm not usually laughing out loud at sitcoms, but when you see Marshall with ABBA's "Fernando" playing in the background, I was in splits!
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10-17-2006 @ 9:41AM
Chris W said...
I just noticed last night there was a laugh track. Have they been doing this all season or since the beginning? For some reason, I don't remember there being a laugh track before.
Definitely a great episode, though. It's good that they don't focus on Ted all the time because, although he has some great attributes and charm, the gimmick gets old sometimes. But as a vehicle to tell the story of five twenty-somethings going through life, it works brilliantly (i.e. that's how your [aunt/uncle]did [blank]). It was funny to see Barney get domesticated.
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10-17-2006 @ 12:10PM
Karen said...
Franklin, Lily can't be the "mother" because Ted refers to her in the voiceovers as Aunt Lily.
This was a great, great episode. What made it good was the writing but what made it great was the little touches that may well have come from the actors themselves. When Ted and Robin comment on Marshall's "third date" with Brad, and Robin says, "You know what that means," and then makes the squeaking bedsprings noise? I almost fell out of my chair. It was just...so funny. Cobie Smulders was actually on fire last night, for someone who didn't really have a large role in the episode; her reactions were fantastic. And she's usually not even my favorite member of the cast.
I want one of those TVs that have to be crated over on a ship like King Kong. I actually pretty much want all of Barney's apartment, except for the spring-loaded toilet seat. Oh, and I guess the porn. But the rest? Wow.
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10-17-2006 @ 12:17PM
geoff said...
I would've like to have seen Lilly live with Barney until the inevitible reconciliation with Marshall.
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10-17-2006 @ 12:52PM
Christian H. said...
Wow, every week I expect to be disappointed by the show because every now and then there HAS to be an episode that is a little weak. But it just gets better and better... It's frightening :)
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10-17-2006 @ 1:31PM
Jimmy said...
How I Met Your Mother is the funniest show on television not getting the attention it deserves. It's laugh out loud funny nearly every week; it's intelligent; and the cast is great together. I wish Robin and Ted would break up already, but hey they still work well together. I just wish more people would watch the show. I'd hate for CBS to cancel it. Maybe they should dump the Class and bring back King of Queens. Not exactly a favorite of mine, but it gets the ratings.
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10-17-2006 @ 2:25PM
elf said...
Porchland, the nominees will include Harris and Wilson plus Alec Baldwin. If there's any justice at all John C. McGinley will finally be nominated as well. However, because Emmy votes have their heads so astoundingly far up their collective asses, somehow Sean Hayes will win again despite his show no longer being in production.
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10-17-2006 @ 3:17PM
Jenny said...
Can someone please tell me what the last line of the show was? The "and that's how....." narration. The stupid phone started ringing right when he was saying it and unfortunately I'm one of those people without DVR. Thanks!
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10-17-2006 @ 6:12PM
Malik said...
Can someone please address if they said who the mother is? I think that he is gonna meet her the day he breaks up with that girl he is with now...Barney is a great character I think he has a blog on cbs...
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10-17-2006 @ 7:08PM
Stevie said...
i love this show, esp when they're not focusing on ted. i find the actor a little annoying (and find it impossible to believe he's attracted to women). i like robin okay, but also find a little goes a long way. i love love love the other 3 main characters, and everyone has to admit it's barney that makes the show.
sorry i can't tell you what the last line was - i don't have it recorded or anything.
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10-17-2006 @ 11:13PM
Ben said...
On my HIMYM Blog, I found a video on CBS's site where Neil Patrick Harris (Barney) talks about what Barney does... Check it out
http://www.howimetyourblog.com/2006/10/16/barney-dealer-of-the-dark-arts/
I have a feeling it will be a long time, if ever, that we actually find out exactly what it is he does...
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10-18-2006 @ 3:57AM
Sophie said...
This show has never been better. Barney is one of the best characters on TV right now. I hope he and Lily keep living together.
Also, I have just posted a quiz for this episode.
you can find it here:
http://www.tvtriviaquiz.com/howimetyourmother.htm
enjoy :D
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