I’m not ready for this. ~Marshall
HIMYM creators are on the record as saying “I hope no one will throw the word ‘sitcommy’ at us after Season 6.” Bad News was a huge step towards that. There was a lot of good tonight and definitely a lot to talk about. When you start watching the episode you will notice some numbers placed at random places throughout the show. It become an intriguing game through out the show to see where they will pop up and you begin to wonder, What are we counting down to? …now I assume that if you are here you have seen the episode, but if not then take my advice and don’t go past the here till you do…
So, the numbers. The whole episode it’s like a running gag, a joke. And then the ending hits you. The ending was a complete shock. Gut wrenching but brilliant. Acting, writing, timing, the realization that all that time the countdown was truly for the bad news. I think most fans will either love that ending or hate it. It’s easy to draw lines between shows and maybe I just miss Scrubs, but I felt much the same as when JD’s dad or Ben died. Those moments are nice to reflect on, but you do have to remind myself this is a comedy.
While the end and the countdown are what people will always take from this is is more that happened! We finally see the final doppelganger! Robin get’s humiliated then stands strong. Ted…does very little but at least isn’t a douche.
Consider commenting and discussion a form of grief counseling. =\ Love it or hate it, What did you think?
Moments of Awesomeness (…just moments)
- The fifth doppelganger! This is huge people! Plus Barney in disguise was brilliant as well, totally pulled off the beard.
- Barney’s laser tag tournament…I was really looking forward to some lasertag. Have we even seen him play since Murtaugh?
- Suited up Robin is EXTREMELY HOT with those glasses on…and off for that matter.
- The sensory Deprovator 5000… awesome x awesome. (ref. Monday Night Football)
- I loved it they they do a call back to Robin’s most embarrassing moment from “Return of the Shirt”…then you get to see an awesome montage of all of them. Nice.
- Marshall’s parents really are awesome. I mean how excited his dad gets for all his news. We should have seen it coming, it was too good.
- It’s in quotes but the Motility Five… instant classic.
- Whether you liked the moment or not, Jason Segel & Alyson Hannigan were brilliant in that moment.
- Very cool seeing Alexis Denisof back as Sandy Rivers.
- RIP, Mr. Eriksen (Bill Fagerbakke)
Legendary Lines
Lily: This is bad news, this is like a black cat walked through my uterus.
Barney: Motility Five
Marshall ( after thinking of his friends): Maybe Adoption
Robin: They even found the video of me being attacked by an owl.
Ted: You got attacked by an owl? Classic!
Robin: I did NOT get attacked by an owl.
Ted: I thought he needed to listen to common sense and reasonable discourse
Robin: Oh God, tell me those aren’t the names of your fists?
Ted: They’re my feet … I’m actually more of a kicker.
Barney: It’s like I’m looking in a poorly-dressed mirror!
Dr. Stengel: Leave the model of the vagina.
Barney: Gyno-mite!
Barney: I’d give my first born to not be able to bear children.
Barney: Hey, dad! You’re speaking to the regional laser tag co-champion… And my sperm don’t work.
Lingering Questions
- Do you feel like HIMYM pulled one on us? The countdown was brilliant and engaging yes, but was the so far out of the ordinary that it’s COMPLETELY out of character or is the show being taken in a better direction that the “sitcommy” Season 5 that most hated?
- I feel like most everyone assumed the “Bad News” was about Lily & Marshall’s baby till the end, but we know that long term they do have a baby (ref. Last Cigarette Ever)…with that in mind, when did you realize what was going on? (For me it was between 5 & 4, when he asked for his phone)
- Miss the Countdown? Check out 50 things that make you laugh
That ending hit me hard. Well done all around. On a lighter note, I love Robin with glasses. Her greatest hits was hilarious.
I’m trying to find a youtube video of that… plus I really wanna see the owl attack!
Wow… this episode hit me hard. I had to watch it twice before I actually really had it sink in. The countdown was kind of distracting at first, but I liked how it added to the effect of the final moment when Lily comes out of the cab and… well you know. I felt that the moment when Barney was pretending to be the doctor and telling Marshall the “Bad News” and then we realize that it wasn’t really the Doctor, but then realizing the ending was written perfectly. The ending was spectacular, and Alyson and Jason did a terrific job portraying those emotions.
On a side note, Robin did look super hot in her work suit. I just love Cobie.
That ending totally blindsided me as I’m sure it did everyone else. The Marshall and pop relationship was one of the most endearing bits of this show and I had instantly teared up when the credits rolled.
Going over the show in my head later I remembered something that Marshall said a little earlier how Marshall was forever grateful that Lily revealed that Marshall was trying to masturbate. We probably should have picked up on it right there. But the writers used some brilliant sleight of hand with the Robin-Sandy Rivers side story. In hindsight I think I was concentrating more on spotting the numbers than really watching the show and savoring every joke. This episode definitely needs a re-watch. I’ll keep the tissues close this time.
Yeah, I thought that the numbers helped with distracting us long enough to spring up the last moment in such a surprising way.
My wife would also like for me to note that all women should wear pretty/comfy socks when having their lady parts examined. It’s like a lady rule or something.
For me, this episode hit really close to home. My mom passed away suddenly in April (I kept calling to tell her something and she never answered, similar to Marshall’s call) and the end of this episode was especially hard to watch because it brought all of those emotions back for me. Jason handled it superbly and Alyson couldn’t have done a better job as the supporting wife during that time. I loved the episode but I won’t be watching it again anytime soon.
I caught on to the numbers right away, but the ending was almost a complete shock… I figured it out at #2, when his dad didn’t answer… I love shows like this one and Scrubs that can make you feel an emotional moment like this amidst the hilarious comedic moments.
I think the mix is important, for sure. I do miss Scrubs…thought not the new class.
sorry for your loss KS. I cam completely see why you wouldn’t re-watch. Thanks for your visit & the comment.
the episode was so funny and the end was just so shocking .. I expected Lily to come out of the cab and tell Marshall that she finally got pregnant ..but that was so unexpected. It seemed so real, not like a story where everything happens the way it’s expected to happen.
I for one hated the countdown. I feel like it was too distracting. I did not feel as emotionally invested in the ending because I was too busy looking for #’s throughout. I was basically distant. The countdown seemed juvenile and unnecessary to me.
Very sad. Still trying to process it. Did anyone else pick up on line references to time running out? I.e. when the doctor is telling Marshall to hurry up and get back because clock is ticking/running out? Another clever but subtle way of hinting in the show.
Wow, just amazing. I think all the important things are already said but what about Ted? It’s kind of astonishing that he appeared that less in this episode. I wonder when his story will be continued. In the past episodes he was just kind of supporting the others. Sorry for my bad english, I’m actually from Germany …
Really nice episode …
I really miss Marshalls dad now already, he was always great
but anyway I liked this episod and i hope we know what happened to Ted all the time e.g. the thing about the green dress (dunno whichh episod it was)
AND: I’m definetly looking forward to Lily and Marshall’s baby
There he is, Barney’s Doppelganger! Awesome (though poorly dressed)! I have to admit I didn’t believe it was Dr. Stengel (Language fun fact #22: Stengel is a German word which is in some cases used to describe the “man organ of love”… See what I did there? -> S1 E6) but Barney in disguise at first.
Robin: New job, new look (love the glasses and the suit) and she stood up for who she is. Way to go! And how is Lily’s “Oh what’s your plan Marshall? Just have unprotected sex day, after day, after day in every position imaginable until… wait… sounded worse in my head…” NOT a Legendary line? Also I kinda missed Ted this episode…
As to the death of Marshall’s father, it was a very intense moment. Wonderful play by Segel and Hannigan. I guess we all feel sorry for Marshall here. His dad was a great guy!
Question: Will his dad’s death influence Marshall in following episodes, just like beginning of Season 2? Will he think it’s his fault? After all the last thing he told his dad was that he might not be able to give him a grandson.
Overall good episode: funny and sad at the same time and a step further in the HIMYM storyline.
I guess his kicks line were funny enough to cover him for the show. On that same note, I’ve been wondering similar things like when will the story line with Zoey pick back up.
1. Love the fun fact… these facts are fun, have fun with them!
2. You are right, Lily’s unprotected speech followed by “Yea,it sounded worse in my head… should have made the Legendary Lines list but I’ve gotta leave room for you guys to add!
3. I felt like Marshall actually got some closure before his dad left, because his parents telling him it didn’t matter…and their blowdryer speech didn’t make the list either, but it almost did.
Damn. Just, damn. Best episode in years, in my opinion. [even beats the episode from a few weeks back] Just, awesome. And the story is going further. It was funny as a monkey in a tuxedo. And that’s funny.
Beautiful episode, beautiful ending.
I like when Ted asked Robin if she was planning on sleeping with the lead anchor eventually. Also, I hope we see the owl attack and Barney’s fictional Swedish cousin Bjorney at some point.
I lost my dad a few years back and this episode was like a kick (from maybe one of ted’s feet) to the stomach. I like to escape by watching tv sometimes…however losing a parent is real and I appreciate how it was handled thus far – i’m anxious about the next episode.
I was oblivious to the numbers (now that I think of it, I don’t know how I missed them) and oblivious to the ending. When I saw Lily’s face I knew what happened, but was still incredibly shocking. I really liked this episode – not sure how it’ll go from here. Might need tissues for the next one!
There is really nothing else to say but …
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True Story.
This may be the best and trues reply yet…How did I miss something so obvious. I need to find an award for you…or throw a parade in your honor.True Story.
I totally remembered that one too. Until now it was only something to laugh about.
btw
If we take Lilys line about the black cat as superstition reference you’ll notice that this was episode 13…
Kudos to HIMYM ……grt way of depicting storys……..
the best one wud ever see…..And this ending ws nt at all expected ,,,,,,,,,the concept of nos. ws brilliant and hinted thru-out some big to come……love this season
I actually had to say it to myself last night … I was bummed and not ready for a big dose of reality from HIMYM.
Fave part of the episode – look at the books Ted is reading. They’re all “75 Greatest Bridges” and “Top 50 Buildings”
Truly shocking ending for the episode. Non of the others have had a huge impact like this one, not even the episode where Ted was left at the alter. Marshall’s dad was a man’s man, BASK-ICE-BALL!
I really enjoy watching Ted’s friends develop, it really makes Ted who he is, and values his buddies trials and tribulations. A true friend.
But i can foresee more of Ted’s Life develop over the season, with meeting the mother and all.
Hi, just found out about this site. Very Awesome.
I have to say it. I didnt like this episode much after the first viewing. After the 2nd and 3rd ones though, i found that I did enjoy it. The last scene caps off the episode perfectly. its not often to me that we seem to get ‘real’ emotion in HIMYM. I know it was a death we didnt see coming but that scene worked for me!.. I wont say i ‘enjoyed’ it, but to me it proved this show isnt a Friends or the like. It is something else.
I recently watched The Fight episode (season 4) which re-return shows Marshall coming home for Thanksgiving in 3-5 years later and he carves the turkey with a lightsaber. In that scene, I dont see Marshall’s dad. And Marshall said “it’s good to be home.. Mom..” He didn’t say Dad. Looks like Marshall’s dad passing has been planned for a long time. Another example how great HIMYM’s continuity is.
Wow… just wow!
Good episode, with lots of callbacks, details… And the end, really sad and shocking.
Probably the touchiest scene in HIMYM. Until today I had in this position the end of “Cleaning house” (maybe it’s jus me, but Barney’s childhood and Loretta’s strength touched me), but this definetly overcomes everything.
Do you think the extinction of Corporate Marshall can be related to his Dad’s death?
Nice to see the fifth doppelganger 🙂
I have always loved this show and how true to life it is. I said after this past episode aired on Monday that like always this episode kept things true to life. You can lose someone so suddenly as you are going through the ordinary things in your life. I have an even greater appreciation of that now, my grandfather passed away last night, and I thought of this episode, and I feel somewhat comforted.
i lost my dad two years ago. to a heart attack. in january. this episode was played out so amazingly well though. like KS, i won’t be watching this episode again anytime soon, but kudos to the HIMYM cast and crew for being able to take such a serious topic and keep it as serious. i’m looking forward to seeing how marshall is going to handle this loss and see if its similar to how i dealt with mine.
I’m sure it will influence a lot, not only Marshall but the whole group.
Actually I read this in an interview to Craig Bays.
It was mentioned also Barney’s search for his father, Zoey and Ted’s relationship and Robin’s career. All this will be affected, so we’ll have more of this!
I’m really interested to see how Barney deals with his father issues…
Bays doesn’t tell anything specific about Marshall but I think we’ll see the end of corporate Marshall pretty soon.
Great call on that Ganco,
I had completely forgot till you said something. That is probably also why Marshall is carving the turkey instead of the head of the house, his dad. I mean his dad sits at teh head of the table during “Belly full f Turkey”
On a side note from “Belly Full of Turkey” we should have known Marshall’s boys weren’t the problem. Because Erkisen boys’ boys’ can swim, they have two tails and drill bit for a head…
“So a monkey wearing two tuxedos?”
Good point about Marshall leaving the corporate world. Remember earlier this season when the gang attended a benefit at the museum. We see in that episode that corporate Marshall becomes extinct while he is still younger.
I also loved this episode so much. Jason Segel did such a wonderful job and really got me when he said “I’m not ready for this.” The whole episode was really well done.
Why did they have to make it another 2 weeks until the next episode? Did I miss a big American holiday or something? I need this… this is what keeps me going week after week, after week… Jk, lol, jk… lol? =D
It was an American Holiday actually. It was the BCS Championship. College football…heck big sports games usually trump new eps. =)
hahaha not being American I was surprised also.
what song plays at the end of that episode?
there was a count down from 50 to1 50 at the first on the doctors desk and 1 on the taxi at the end
I’ve watched this show start to finish 4 nearly 5 times through and this was the first time I’ve noticed the numbers. Cry every time though