TVSquad

(S04E19) As a steadfast HIMYM watcher, the fan in me always struggles with the TV critic in me. The critic wants the show to go back to the continuing storyline goodness of the show's early seasons. But the fan in me doesn't want to be weighed down with all that semi-serious thinking and just wants to laugh his ass off at 8:30 every Monday evening.

This week, the fan won out. Like most of the episodes this year, the story was a standalone, not full of Mother searches or Ted/Robin/Barney triangular angst. It was goofy as hell, more full of gags than crafty jokes. But it was funny as hell. And considering this is a sitcom, funny should be good enough, right?

I mean, how can anyone hate an episode that has Barney wearing a pink wig and a fishnet tank top while sporting an earlobe that looks like a rotting cheesesteak?

Man, I can't even tell you how many times I've said the Danny-Glover-as-Murtaugh catchphrase: "I'm too old for this sh--stuff" over the last few years. So I can definitely relate to Ted's Murtaugh list. Mine would probably include "Drink a half-bottle of Southern Comfort," "Drive 40 miles to pick up your buddy from work at midnight," "Stand next to a speaker at a concert," and "Wear jeans."

The fact that Barney attempted to do all of Ted's list in 24 hours makes perfect sense, though. He's always up for a Gentleman's Agreement (Huzzah!) and refuses to grow up, hence his Laser Tag domination over kids one third his age (Notice that when he's getting chewed out by the manager -- more on that in a sec -- all the slots on the "high scores" board say "Stinson"). The Best Barneyism was after he slept overnight on a futon and wrenched his back; he did shots with strangers by "Rockin' a party hunch. This way, I'm closer to my boobs booze." Ah, to have his attitude.

Even getting a non-asprin asprin at a rave while hunched over with an infected ear didn't cramp his style. Only the prospect of warm Russian beer (a true "brewski," as Robin pointed out) being funneled into his stomach made him give up.

You knew Ted would fly through Robin's "too young for this stuff" list. He's been an old man since he was 18. Go to bed at 8? Check? Wake up at 4 and take ages to answer the phone? No problem. Eat dinner at 4 PM? Easy. At least he saw the light; though it seems like the only thing that saved him was the fact that Danny Glover kept accepting sizable paychecks to do more Lethal Weapon movies. Not a strong connection, but at least it's better than seeing him ride out his "golden years" from 32 to 92.

More fun stuff:

• The Canadian jokes never get old. If anyone can create a movie poster for McElroy & LaFleur, I'd appreciate it.
• Knowing how much Marshall was tortured by his lunkheaded brothers and dad, it's no surprise he's a Bob Knight-in-training as a coach. But I do agree with him that even five-year-olds need to learn about winning and losing. Playing the guitar and saying they're just there to have fun (Lily's coaching method) isn't at all helpful to a kid.
• At least Cobie and Alyson weren't sitting at MacLaren's the entire episode. Hannigan was blocked by a crate of orange slices, a guitar, and a dish. Oh, and the most extreme close-up I've ever seen of her, during L&M's telekinetic argument. Cobie can still get away with just wearing baggy clothes.
• Gotta love the whole '80s cop movie dynamic of the angry boss (wearing a Member's Only jacket, no less) chewing out the renegade under his watch (Barney). Also loved how Barney went right out and put held down a kid with his foot.
• "He gave me no quarter and I asked for no quarter." Yikes. It's like the Eriksen house was an Amistad-style slave ship.
• "This will make me finding your Internet search history look like a picnic!" Wow, don't cross Lily. And what's in that search history?
• "There's a Teen wolf! On the court! That can't be legal!" Marshall must have been a good embellisher as he got older.