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(S03E08) HIMYM has always been at its best when it is shifting perspective and twisting time in a knot. This episode does both of those things. While neither plot was very earth-shattering from a creative standpoint, the time-shifting involved in telling the stories (along with some very funny sound effects in one case) made them both very funny.

Oh, and just as an aside, I'd like to finally welcome back Cobie Smulders and her character of Robin Sherbatsky back into the fold. She's been kind of on the outside looking in all season, but the she's been fully integrated back into the gang the last couple of weeks, and the show's much better for it.

(S03E07) One of the grand unfolding mysteries we've been given this year by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas is "What the hell happened to Marshall and Lily?" I mean, every couple gets away from the hearts-and-flowers ideal that was pervasive when they got together, but it seems like Marshall and Lily lost more of it than most; Lily goes from flower-print-wearing kindergarten teacher to pearl-wearing hard-ass, and Marshall goes from youthful environmental supporter to balding corporate stooge. Something must have tripped them up along the way.

Well, tonight we're starting to find out what that is. It started with Lily's love of boots and Marshall's new corporate law job, and now its spreading to an apartment that's in a neighborhood that no one ever wants to live in. What's next? Sexual inadequacy? Kids who deal drugs? Clinton-esque side nookie? The mind boggles at the thought.