(S04E16) One of the biggest issues that has eaten at fans of HIMYM since the show's inception is the fact that the character the show is supposed to revolve around, Ted, is probably the most boring out of the entire Scooby gang. Because of this, stories about his quest for his soulmate -- the elusive "mother," of course -- have as equal a chance of working as they have of falling flat. It just seems like there have been very few Ted-centric romances that fans have gotten behind and rooted for. There was Robin, naturally, and Victoria the cupcake lady. The rest? All of them have had about as much chemistry and excitement as toe fungus (and, yes, Stella is in the toe fungus group).Ted's new romance, with his super-douchey college girlfriend Karen, seems like it's another one that's destined to fail. And not because she brings out all the stupid college-kid pretentiousness that Ted barely has the strength to squash as he enters his thirties. It may be that we've kind of stopped caring about Ted's quest, haven't we?
Don't get me wrong; the way Bays and Thomas told tonight's stories -- using their patented flashbacks and the oh-so-clever device of keeping his pregnant female stars mostly in a booth at MacLaren's -- was well done. And the lead-up to the story of Pantsless Marshall was funny mainly because the payoff was lame on purpose. But two things stood out for me about the way the story went down: a) is the gang that detached from each other that this whole process Ted went through to get back together with Karen went on without them noticing? And b) is Karen there to just be the hated ex, or is there going to be more to her that we have yet to see?
Because, right now, I don't want to see any more of Karen.That's tough to say, because I like seeing fellow Jerseyan Laura Prepon in just about everything she's in (though I wish she went back to her Donna Pinciotti-era red hair). Saying that she was the "heiress to the Masengill fortune" was an understatement on Marshall's part; if Carter and Craig made her over-the-top douchey in order to make fans hate her, they've done their job. Yes, this is all part of Ted's "journey" or whatever it is. But I just wish they'd give him more romances along the way that looked like they'd have a chance to succeed, not ones that are doomed from the beginning. That just makes the fans tired.
More fun stuff:
- Lots of little funny Barney moments this week: my favorite is Barn not being able to contain himself about the pants story, constantly telling Marshall, "You tell it, no I'll tell it, no you tell it," as we see the same flashback over and over. I also liked him high-fiving Ted for kissing Karen even as he's saying, "that's awful."
- But the Best Barneyism of the week is his four reasons why an ex would ask you out to lunch. It allowed us to see Robin's Colbert-like attachment to her snub-nose .38 (well, maybe not so Colbert-like, since she keeps losing the thing), and the fact that Marshall's still bitter about meeting his ex for lunch ... in the fourth grade (her new boyfriend "reads at a fifth-grade level." Talk about rubbing it in your face...
- We also got to see how sleeping pills affect Robin. Sleep-eating, sleep-hockey-play-by-play, and sleep-thinking that Ted and Lily are making out. Wow. That's some strong Ambien.
- And what is the gang doing at MacLaren's at 1:45 am on a weeknight? Don't they all have jobs to go to? It doesn't even look like anyone else is in the bar. Maybe they were just there that late to make sure they saw Robin off as she went to her morning show job...
- Marshall brings spare pants to work!
- Also, it was a fun little tag to see Marshall still wearing the hacked-up pants at MacLaren's, acknowledging that he likes how his calves look.
- Not sure what M&L joke I liked better: the Wrestlemania makeup, Marshall wanting to be called MJ Smoove, or Lily going "you gots ta get got" over Karen's blatant lingering.
- Wouldn't it have been fun if the episode ended on Ted giving Karen the "Sorry Bro," instead of them getting back together? I'm just sayin'.
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
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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
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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
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-10-2009 @ 5:33AM
StillBash said...
a) I can't stand Jason Segel naked anymore. The guy has mantits and it's just fugly.
b) I can't stand anything Laura Prepon is in anymore because of Scientology. And that's mainly because of that idiot Tom Cruise. The guy's just crazy
c) Her name is sweetness (Colbert#s .38)
d) If it weren't for NPH this show would suck so darn much...
e) Totally agree on the haircolor but I guess she changed that together with her religion.
I chuckled a couple of times tonight. The episode was funny but it irks me that Laura Prepon will be back. I'd rather Brit Brit came back than her.
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3-10-2009 @ 6:19AM
Andrew said...
This was the funniest episode in a while. I always love the Ted-centric episodes, especially when we get to see college Ted. Loved the "Bitch had to GO!" line.
As far as Laura Prepon...she did alright. I could tolerate her for 1-2 more episodes. I think Scientology is bullshit but I don't really care if some of the TV shows or movies I watch have members of a cult in them. In America everybody has freedom of religion and as long as I don't have to hear about it on my TV it doesn't bother me.
I don't think the show would suck without NPH but it would be just another average sitcom, I think. He really puts it over the top.
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3-10-2009 @ 9:40AM
StillBash said...
She could be in the NRA and I would be just as annoyed. The difference simply is that she's allowed to come into my living room when I tune in and if I were consequent in my belief system I wouldn't tune in because of that. I know she portrays somebody else but that's just it it ruins my suspension of disbelief.
3-10-2009 @ 8:17AM
Mel said...
No mention of NPH's boyfriend David Burtka's return as Scooter? One of my favorite parts was the reveal that Scooter is still a waiter when he served Karen and Ted.
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3-10-2009 @ 10:21AM
cdawg said...
dang i was going to comment on that! but didn't realize that was NPH's bf! v. cool.
And nice to see Wendy again.
How did this thread become about scientology! I personally dont give a crap about anyone's religion unless they shove it down my throat. Tom Cruise does that so I cant stand him. Laura Prepon? Never even knew she was Scientologist so since she isn't preaching, I don't care either way. Jason Dohring, my other true love (besides my husband), was raised Scientologist, but I dont care as long as Logan and Veronica Mars had that amazing sexual tension. :)
3-10-2009 @ 8:31AM
GL said...
Saying Ted is boring is an understatement.
Robin sleep eating ribs is fantastic.
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3-10-2009 @ 10:24AM
Cyantre said...
This episode fell flat for me in so many ways. This is first truly un-funny episode of the show I can recall since the first episode.
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3-10-2009 @ 10:36AM
Paul said...
Enjoyed the episode enough but for some reason Lilly standing behind the globe cracked me up.
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3-10-2009 @ 10:37AM
Ryan said...
While I didn't love this episode as much as the more recent episode, it was still great. Just chock full of "character moments" (rather than actually moving the story along) in which I mean we just learn so much more about these characters. And it's awesome because I love them all, even douche-y boring Ted.
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3-10-2009 @ 11:29AM
dkny said...
First and foremost it’s impossible to respect Ted and that for me is the fundamental disconnect with his character. He’s a bitch. A whiney, pathetic, little girl and I don’t root for him because I can’t stand what he represents. I know it’s a sitcom and I’m the leader of the “if it’s funny who cares” committee but this wasn’t funny it was just sad (except for Marshal dressed as the ultimate warrior, that was classic). Last week was one of the best episodes ever and this one simply sucked. BTW if you’re going to mine that 70’s show for talent I’d rather they bring in Mila Kunis.
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3-10-2009 @ 10:41AM
Usama said...
"And not because she brings out all the stupid college-kid pretentiousness that Ted barely has the strength to squash as he enters his thirties."
Haha, that's exactly what I was thinking throughout the entire episode!
Reply
3-10-2009 @ 11:10AM
Willmore2000 said...
Another meh episode for me. The concept was good - 2 stories being told from memory to friends at a bar. However the jokes just weren't there, the delivery on some was forced. And why didn't Lilly just give Marshall the pants herself? Sure, she saw Barney in the hallway, but doesn't she want to see her hubby as long as she's already there?
One of the only things I liked about the episode was that part when Barney and Marshall were starting to tell the punchline about Marshall forgetting the pants, and they had quick edits of the story starting then stopping as Barney changes his mind as to who should say the punchline.
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3-10-2009 @ 12:10PM
Ryan said...
Lily told Barney that she was in a hurry (or was already late) or something. I'm pretty sure.
3-11-2009 @ 11:10AM
Lindsay said...
I agree that the episode should've stopped when Ted said "Sorry Bro". Ted is so douchy sometimes, I just want to slap him.
I think Marshall kept his cut-up pants on because LILY loves how his calves look. Remember the episode with the zip-off pant legs? Haha, I think I'll have to go rewatch that one.
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3-12-2009 @ 2:22AM
Joe said...
Great continuity. Marshall's nude painting, people loving Marshall's calves, Scooter, Wendy, Kurt "The Iron Man" Irons. This is one of the episodes that sets HIMYM apart from other sitcoms, but in subtle ways the first time viewer would miss. Excellent.
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3-15-2009 @ 10:42AM
greg said...
WHOSE WENDY?
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