(S04E06) This was an odd episode. Sure, it gave us some closure on the Stella storyline and also gave us a lot of insight on why Robin acts like an alpha male even as she rocks the hell out of a cocktail dress. There were some genuinely funny moments. But, oddly enough, all of it was wrapped in a sitcommy device that just didn't seem to justify the flashback-fest we got. Maybe spending half an episode under a restaurant table just doesn't foster the funny. Or maybe it's because I've seen the gag a hundred times before. Either way, it killed whatever comedic and emotional momentum this episode was trying to build towards yet another reset in Ted's love life.
In an article in USA Today, the cast and crew discussed the "when are we going to meet the mother already?" issue. Bays and Thomas have always maintained that we'll be introduced to the mother at some point, but what we don't know is if that's going to be the last episode or she becomes part of the Scooby gang along the way. Either way, they all said that the story of these twenty-somethings living in New York should be enough to carry us through the mystery. I just wonder at times if Ted's pursuit chokes the life out of the show and the great chemistry among the five leads.
This episode was a good example. We knew that Ted's denial over Stella leaving him at the altar would boil over in one form or another; his way was to avoid her at all costs and push down the pain like a good Ohioan should. But when the whole gang ducked under the table to avoid her at that tapas place, I just hoped they wouldn't be down there very long. But the longer they were down there, the less I liked it... I mean, wouldn't Stella have seen the be-suited pant legs of Barney sticking out from under the table? Wouldn't anyone notice the waiter ducking under the table to deliver Ted's almonds? It just seems too odd to be believable.
Anyway, now we're back at square one with Ted's search. And it just feels like it's getting in the way. I want to know more about Lily and Marshall's apartment, Barney's love for Robin and more about his awesomeness, and now I want to know more about Robin and her father. Ted's story is the most boring out of all of them, and I think we need a break from it for awhile.
Of all the stories of people the gang wanted to avoid, the most touching and funny was obviously that of Robin and her father. It all makes sense now: Robin had a wealthy, domineering father who wanted a boy, who just happened to look and sound like Victor on The Young and the Restless. Good casting move with Eric Braeden... they even used soapy music and overacting in the scene where he discovers -- gasp! -- R.J. is a girl... who like boys. I hope we see them reunite sometime down the line.
More fun stuff:
- Funny little things for Barney this week: his conjugal visits, his continual railing against marriage, his journey under the table next to the gang's. But the Best Barneyismthis week is subtle: The "that's hot" he gives Robin after her hockey kiss story, while everyone else is saying "that's sad."
- The cab portion of the episode was better, especially Marhshall's rage leading to Ted's genuine anger about the dumping. I'd have rather seen Ted assert himself with Stella rather than see him see her happy family and just "let it go." For once I want to see him show real anger and emotion; he's usually more peeved than angry, and it gets annoying.
- Lily was a goth in 9th grade! And a cruel one at that; just ask Gasser... I mean Michael.
- Did Marshall talk about someone he wanted to avoid? I didn't notice one from him.
- Robin's Canadianisms continue to tickle me. The Blue Line-Red Line analogy was good: "'In the crease' speaks for itself." Oh, I also liked when she said her relationship "went north" after the kissing incident.
- What cab has a window crank these days?
How I Met Your Mother' Photos
Actor Neil Patrick Harris arrives in an Audi to the Entertainment Tonight Emmy Party at the Disney Concert Hall on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles.
Kevin Parry/WireImage.com
Presenters Kristin Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris on stage at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the NOKIA Theatre on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Mathew Imaging/WireImage.com
Presenters Kristin Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris on stage at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the NOKIA Theatre on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Mathew Imaging/WireImage.com
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Presenters Kristin Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris speak onstage during the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kristin Chenoweth;Neil Patrick Harris
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Actor Neil Patrick Harris (R) and David Burtka arrive at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Burtka;Neil Patrick Harris
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Actor Jason Segel attends CBS Comedies
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com
Actress Cobie Smulders attends CBS Comedies
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com
Actress Cobie Smulders attends CBS Comedies
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com
Actor Neil Patrick Harris attends CBS Comedies
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com
Actress Alyson Hannigan (R) and her husband, actor Alexis Denisof attend CBS Comedies
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-04-2008 @ 1:11AM
Rollo said...
Marshall's was Lily when they broke up for that summer.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 11:54AM
seth said...
I just hope that they introduce us to the mother sooner rather than later. They should take a lesson from Friends -- we don't want to see Rachel and Ross get together on the last episode -- we want to see them be happy, we want to know more than just how they met. I beg the producers.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 3:34AM
Brian said...
I thought it was a pretty good episode, but the table thing (and the whole "person you want to avoid" thing) was a bit gimmicky. The looking backwards episodes are usually really good (How I Met Everyone Else, The Bracket, Intervention, etc) but they really need to be kept to a minimum and a bit more natural. The flashbacks were all absolutely hilarious, and while I did laugh at the table stuff, it was well below the level of sophistication this show needs.
The one thing that is bothering me is how they all of a sudden started abandoning continuity when doing flashbacks. Marshall did not have his current ridiculous haircut after the Lily break up. A few weeks ago, they made a similar mistake—Lily had DARK HAIR when preparing for their wedding in 2006 (she had dark hair for the 2007 wedding, it was red in 2006). Continuity has been a strong and fun part of the show, and I don't like them abandoning it.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 7:14AM
Kate said...
Although I found Robin and her flashback hilarious, for some reason, I could not really get into the episode. I absolutely agree with Brian above. Continuity has seemed to take a backseat in the show lately when they used to pay such attention to it.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 7:53AM
Buttercup said...
Did anyone else catch the car commercial somewhere in the middle of the show (I think it was for Saturn)? One of the actresses in the commercial was Ashley Williams, who played Victoria. I found that to be a very odd coincidence...
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11-04-2008 @ 8:03AM
eric f. said...
The Robin/Hockey/Hoser scene was classic.
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11-04-2008 @ 9:37AM
Riley Freeman said...
i think the canadian stuff was funny about the blue line red line. but the went north didnt even make sense. yes canadians love hockey (i personally hate it ) but went north isn ot funny or logical. we all say south so that one was overkill.
the guy that played the dad was perfect casting and i hope he stays as the dad. i always found him funny on the soaps.
i loved when he ripped off the window handle it was like an incredible hulk moment. although i wish the cab driver was indian and had jumped into the conversation i think it would have added tot he humour
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 9:47AM
MonoPestoso said...
I don't know what episode everyone else watched but I thought this was great. This was my favorite episode of the year. I don't know why you think that is necessary for ted to yell and get upset with stella how they put an end to it was perfect.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 10:29AM
Ryan said...
Well it wasn't my favorite episode of the year, but I still really liked it. Not sure what everyone is talking about with the storyline not quite clicking.
I was a tad disappointed that Ted didn't confront Stella, but if he did it probably would be too out of character for him especially with Stella's daughter right there.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 11:35AM
Tim said...
I'm a little pissed because our local CBS affiliate broke in and played a couple of political commercials just as Robin's flashback began- then cut back just as Robin-in-hockey-gear was being confronted by her father... Argh!!! I am so ready for this election cycle to be O.V.E.R.
At least CBS has the episode streaming on their website so I can go catch it.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 11:09AM
StillBash said...
This ep was great and I suggest you read the review on "that other page" to find out why.
To hinge everything on the "under the table" part is just... well... it's personal preference, to say the least.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 12:10PM
Leah said...
I think you should quit doing these recaps and tvsquad should get someone who actually likes the show. You're "reviews" are more negative than positive and it seems more so every week. Why do you even watch this show?
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 2:05PM
rafael said...
I agree why review the show every week if you obviously don't love it like the readers do how about next week you add a poll on how we like your reviews
11-04-2008 @ 2:16PM
Joel Keller said...
Look at all my reviews, not just the last few, before you pass judgment. The fact that I *love* the show puts me in a good position to criticize it if they come up with an episode that's not up to their high standards. If I said I "loved" every episode, readers would get bored of my reviews pretty quickly.
I'd say this about any show reviewed on this site; the people who review them can be critical, only because they love the show and know how good it can be.
11-04-2008 @ 2:47PM
Leah said...
Well, Joel, maybe you need to refocus your posts on the postive. Say that first. you focus on the negative and then that's just the vibe of the whole post, everything else is overshadowed. Do the negative as a little asterisk to the good.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 2:49PM
Joel Keller said...
Again, read my old reviews. For the episodes I like, the vibe seems positive. For the ones I don't like, the vibe seems negative. For ones with parts I like and parts I don't, the vibe is up for interpretation.
11-04-2008 @ 4:58PM
rena said...
Will they ever return to the woman who tried to ruin Barney's love life (The Bracket)?
Reply
11-05-2008 @ 12:41PM
Dave said...
Well, if you want to call back to obscure jokes from old episodes I have been wondering why nobody ever calls Barney 'Swarley' anymore. I've never heard it outside of the initial episode. It would be an easy joke to stick in anywhere, but they're not taking advantage of it.
11-20-2008 @ 2:21PM
rena said...
I wouldnt consider it obscure, Ted did mention that Barney will find out later (similiar to the goat story line). That season left a lot of possible story lines to continue, and I thought this woman was one of them. I had a suspicion that it might be Britney Spear's character. Could they be waiting until she can return?
As far as Swarley--didnt they come to some kind of compromise? I think he opted with being called "Michelle" a few times a week.
11-04-2008 @ 3:49PM
Dave said...
I love Canadian Robin!
Why would Ted assume that Stella has moved to NY with Tony? He's jumping to conclusions. The wedding was yesterday. She and Lucy are probably just staying with him.
Sarah Chalke is great, but I'm glad Stella is gone. I want to see more bro-ing about town with Ted and Barney.
When are Marshall and Lilly going to move?
Reply