(S03E15) The original name of this episode was going to be "The Simmons Report," according to IMDb and Epguides. But, as we all know, there was a report in the episode, but it got a much different -- and much cooler -- name. In fact that little joke is one of a number of silly throwaway jokes that made this episode one of the funniest of the season. And what was interesting was, in the middle of all that goofiness, we got serious advancement of story in the deal. And, refreshingly, the story wasn't the relentless pursuit of the mother's identity. No, we find out more about Marshall's career and come a step closer to seeing why he became a bald mess by 2030.Oh, and we also got to learn about the chain/circle/pyramid of screaming. I wish I knew about that when I used to be a corporate wage slave. It would have made my life a lot easier.
As you'd expect the chain/circle/pyramid is the Best Barneyism of the week. It made sense for a little while: the reason why Artillery Arthur (nicely played by Bob Odenkirk) screamed at his underlings is because his boss screamed at him, his boss got screamed at by her boss, etc. etc. It just fell apart when he extended the chain/circle/pyramid to Marshall screaming at Lily, which never happens. It's funny how he assumes that Lily screams at her little kindergarteners. Boy, his slutty mom really did do a number on old Barn, didn't she?
(By the way, Barney settled on the pyramid model; he mentions it in his blog.)
The interesting part of the story is that I always thought Marshall gave his life over to that evil corporate firm because he committed to that smelly, crooked apartment in Dowistrepla. Now, he's a former corporate lawyer, and he's borrowing money from Ted in order to pay for his apartment. I never really saw that coming, did you folks? Makes me wonder what implications the loan from Ted will have in both the short and long term.
Anyway, like I said at the top of this review, it was the goofy little things that made this episode for me: Lily's horniness (favorite Horny Lily line: "Mama needs it bad."), everyone piling into Ted's new car with food or cigars (loved the huge dripping ice cream cone in Robin's hand), the reference to the "friends" of Barney's company (a little place called North Korea), Robin's continuing fascination with big guns and cigars, and, of course, "The Ninja Report," which never failed to elicit a "cool!" from the gang whenever it was mentioned.
More fun:
- Nice way to show how each person would handle Artillery Arthur: put the person in Marshall's suit and have them march into Arthur's office. While I liked Robin with the gun and Ted's obnoxious and nonsensical speech (and the way he corrected himself, Mosby-style), you had to like Lily's method, mainly because she spilled her horniness all over the places, after giving the teacher-y speech. She even grabbed her crotch!
- I hope M&L don't give back that carpet sample. And, if they do, I feel really bad for the next couple who gets it.
- So the only reason why Ted got the car was to have an "Anal Ted / new car" gag? He could have just given Marshall the money without ever having the car. I guess it shows the sacrifice Ted made for his best friend.
- Oh, the car was also there so Barney can call "Shotgun for eternity!" Wonder if that carries over to Ted's next car?
- Ted's still dating Stella. Hmm. Makes me think that those rumors of a Sarah Chalke return are more than just rumors.
- You had to love how it almost looked like Marshall was going to hit Arthur, but he sobbed instead. It seems more fitting of Marshall to do that, anyway. When he said the yelling made him feel like a little boy, Robin oh-so-quickly responded, "Is 'boy' the right word?"
- For a second, I thought Gary Blauman did something... uh... different than peeing on the conference table at Barney's company. Turns out he just had a shy bladder.
- Marshall being yelled at by the waiter was good, but the road Marshall decided to go down when he yelled at Barney was brilliant, because in that two minutes Marshall voiced everything that is screwy about Barney's life: His mom was a slut, he and his brother are from different dads, and he's deluded himself into thinking that Bob Barker is his dad. It's like he summarized Barn's entire season two storyline in one speech.
- "What do you have in your briefcase?" "Candy bars!"
OK, so you can tell I liked this one. We get to see more Robin Sparkles next week. I'm confident it'll be a good episode, especially now that Bays and Thomas are starting to get on a bit of a roll. The boys have given us two really good episodes in a row. Let's hope they extend the streak to three.
The Upfronts: FOX
Carter Bays of How I Met Your Mother: The TV Squad Interview
The Upfronts: CBS
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-14-2008 @ 11:11PM
Teresa said...
I just would like to mention how the screaming circle works in reverse order too, apparently. It's not always the people at the top screaming at the ones at the bottom (as seen with the waiter) so maybe it's just a whirl pool that focuses in on Marshall?
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4-14-2008 @ 11:27PM
Will C said...
I have to say I disagree I don't thin this episode was funny at all...bring on the Robin Sparkles B side...
-wC
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4-15-2008 @ 8:44AM
Dave said...
I'm with you, Will. I didn't find this episode very funny. There were moments, but overall I think it fell short. It felt like they were trying too hard to be funny.
I'm looking forward to Robin Sparkles next week.
4-16-2008 @ 3:18AM
Phish said...
completely agree, i actually dozed off midway through, and i wasnt even that sleepy!!
if this continues, say goodbye to this show!
even the WORST episode of friends or seinfeld, was more enjoyable and watchable than this episode!
4-14-2008 @ 11:32PM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
Robin was smokin hot tonight. Daddy needs some sugar (and a lick) !
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4-15-2008 @ 12:11AM
Eric said...
I wonder if the money Ted gave Marshall (so he could pay for his apartment) was done under the guise that Ted is paying a retainer for Marshall to be his lawyer. I think it would be really funny to see Marshall function in court, with the added bonus of Ted being in some sort of legal trouble.
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4-15-2008 @ 12:26AM
the_boo said...
I agree with Will, I found this to be the least funny since the strike ended. The car was a total throwaway and Marshall apparently has been using rogain or something (did anyone else think his hair grew a few inches in the last 2 weeks?). The this that really got me though was the vibe between Robin and Barney at McLaren's. They seemed to be sitting in a very close almost couple-like way, it seemed unconscious, but given NPH's preference I don't think it was real world bleed through.
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4-15-2008 @ 4:09PM
jordancda said...
I think a Robin/Barney hookup is inevitable. Albeit, likely not until next season or at least the end of this one. But at some point, they have to create a real storyline for Barney and Robin's characters. For Robin, she's really had nothing to do in the show since she and Ted broke up and Barney has never really had an ongoing plot. The two will hook up for sure.
4-15-2008 @ 4:10PM
jordancda said...
Also, I think Marshall's hair was longer because he grew it out for the filming of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Its long like that in the movie and I presume that's the reason. I'd imagine that it'll return to normal in a week or two.
4-15-2008 @ 12:30AM
Pete said...
There's nothing like a babe in a man's suit...times two! Mmmmmmm...
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4-15-2008 @ 1:22AM
Ryan said...
Yeah for me Robin and Lilly were the highlights in this episode. Yes, it was Marshall's episode and Barney probably still have the best lines, but Robin and Lilly really made the episode work for me.
- They had the best "what if" scenario with the horny men bonding and the big gun respectively.
- Mama needs it bad.
- Robin and her cigar. I want to marry her.
I'm so stoked for the Robin Sparkles episode!
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4-15-2008 @ 9:01AM
RC said...
Wow week after week I realize I am a total opposite to the person reviewing this show. Episodes they don't like I love and this episode I thought was one of the most boring/depressing ones in the course of the series.
One question. When Marshall took the job because his only client would be the amusement park, future Ted mentioned a whole series of lawsuits that came up against the park. That led me to believe Marshall would be working there for quite awhile. Am I wrong or am I missing something?
http://www.bitsmack.com
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4-15-2008 @ 9:45PM
nattyff said...
Yes!!!, you are totally right!!! i didn't remember that!!!, plus his boss was an asian dude, that is really a continuity problem (wich we don't see very often in these great plan out show...), maybe he will be back in his work for some other reason soon, remember that future marshall was bald and wealthy... he was to turn to the dark side in some point... :)
LOVE THESE EPISODE BY THE WAY!!! they are really in a roll!!!
4-15-2008 @ 11:44AM
cdawg said...
Not the best episode ever, but it REALLY REALLY hit home for me... a corporate drone exactly like Marshall who hates what she does and is marrying an elementary school teacher who loves what he does, but is stuck buying a new apartment and having a mortgage...
I was crying too
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4-15-2008 @ 1:20PM
keepitreal said...
i thought the same thing RC...marshall has to get back to that job or else the older ted voice over about the amusement part is the biggest continuity error ever and i dont see that happening.
im also with ryan about me liking the episodes joel doesnt and visa versa. then again my roommate was laughing a lot last night while i twiddled my thumbs.
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4-15-2008 @ 1:25PM
amazo said...
does this show and Big Bang theory coordinate story lines to a certain extent?
its a pretty big coincidence for North Korea and Take Your Daughter to Work Day were in both eps on the same day.
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4-15-2008 @ 1:56PM
metz said...
Not a good episode at all. No intertwined story lines, no twinkle and other than Lily being horny, not a lot of comedy. Bring on the Robin episode.
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4-15-2008 @ 6:58PM
asif said...
I don't think it's a continuity error.. they just said that tuckahoe funland gets sued over the next three years.. they never say that marshall is the one who is defending them the whole time...
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4-15-2008 @ 9:49PM
nattyff said...
I really don't get the post!!! maybe i'm off, but i really love the espisodes, all of them since th estrike ended (i think that the first one not so much, can't remember). Any news jet about the next season??? they a awfually taking a lot of time in these one...
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4-15-2008 @ 10:29PM
Ben Belden said...
I agree with the other posters who didn't find this episode funny. I can't remember a single line I even laughed at. This may have been a low point of the series to me. From the beginning of the episode (and also because of the tone of the commercials), I knew Marshall was going to be out of a job at the end, although I didn't know he would quit. Half the episode seemed to take place during that one conversation at the bar and I was just waiting for it to be over. Maybe it's just me, but I get bored when the episodes are dealing with the characters at work, especially Marshall and Ted.
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