I was really excited about tonight’s HIMYM, and while it definitely had it’s funny moments I know a lot of us started tearing up before the end. I think the moment was inevitable though. How else are you supposed to follow up Bad News? Last Words is the kind of episode that makes you want to pick up the phone and talk to your dad, and that’s not bad at all. I mean all laughs at this point would seem like a waste and completely out of place.
I’m not sure how fan’s will feel here, but twitter seemed pretty equally divided. I both have valid points. One the one had HIMYM is a comedy and people love it for that reason. If you start putting too much sad into that recipe then not only will it start to taste bad but you will probably piss a lot of people off. On the other hand (foot, shoe..whatever), a lot of fans feel that episodes like this and Bad Days only make the show stronger. It’s what HIMYM has missed at times and it far better than the string of incoherent one off episodes we say in Season 5. However you choose to think of it, I’d have trouble arguing with either point.
I loved the way HIMYM tackled the absolutely awkward and difficult time of helping a friend/spouse through a funeral. It’s nice to see that sometimes you succeed, like Lily but often we fail here. Speaking of which, I really felt like we were leading to wards someone kicking Danny Strong (Trey, Marshall’s bully) in the nuts by the end of the episode. The best role had to be Robin’s as she stood in as Red from Shawshank prison, yes I noticed the reference… for bonus point does anyone know what other HIMYM carries a Shawshank reference?
For the sake of continuity, many of you may have noticed that Robin’s dad was not played by Eric Braden like in Season 4’s Happily Ever After. I missed it originally but read after that he had dropped the role the day before shooting because it wasn’t significant enough. Whether you think he had a good point or not, it’s seems like a really douche move to me. Though I’m sure the dude is busy. There may have also been some public words between he and NPH, NPH said sorry though. On the positive note he was replaced by RoboCop villain Ray Wise.
Musically, I don’t know if you have noticed but HIMYM has been slacking off the commercial music like in previous seasons. From what I hear & can gather a lot more has been show produced, so it was nice to have the song ‘Nothing Shows’ by Keegan DeWitt. On another odd note, I don’t know if I’ve seen How I Met Your Mother starting with the Theme music/ video reel in quite some time. Did that seem out of place to anyone else?
I feel like Marshall’s conversation between his friends and God at the end, was predictable. And I think HIMYM had a tremendous cast but Alyson Hannigan can really turn on the tears. The whole closing from that point forward was excellent. I didn’t choose a side earlier, but I like the funny with emotional path that HIMYM is taking right now. I do feel like it helps add some depth to an already good show.
What did you think?
How I Met Your Mother Music
![Nothing Shows - Nothing Shows [EP]](https://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/images/web/linkmaker/badge_itunes-sm.gif){kind=icon}
Moments of Awesomeness
- Ted was gold tonight. While he may have failed at making Marshall laugh, it seemed like every time his mouth opened I laughed.
- Robin, while having everything in here purse (loved the Mary Poppins reference) including Crocodile Dundee 3 (actually called Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles for you true fans out there) looked Amazing tonight.
- I personally like the emotional back and forth of this episode, I could use a little bigger laugh at the end but still.
- The giant Ericksen family is always entertaining.
- All of Marshall Ericksen Sr’s last words were hilarious. Especially, “plane food is ass.”
- Anyone else want to play “Tax Evasion” even though were probably aren’t in the 6-10 age range.
Legendary Lines
Robin: Be cool nerds!
Ted: Cigarettes … Alcohol … Are these firecrackers? My God, Robin, you somehow crammed Tijuana into your purse!
Lily: Robin gave me a little orange pill from her purse, I don’t know what’s in it but things are pretty smooth right now!
Ted: You’re like Mary Poppins if her magic purse was also filled with drugs.
Barney: She said Judy Duty
Robin: Really guys, at a funeral?
Ted: Not all of us share your sense of decorum, drug dealer from a 1980s Afterschool Special.
Ted: This video is entitled ‘Little league coach gets hit in the nuts and then vomits into a garbage can.’ I don’t want to give anything away … let’s watch!
Lingering Questions
- Is the whole “toying with our emotions” thing a new recipe for HIMYM episodes or is is just because it’s a follow up to Bad News?
- How soon will Barney meet his dad? I’ve already seen rumors of who it is (which I shall not repeat), but I wonder if we will keep on the emotional journey and hit it next episode or if it will be a few weeks off.
I know which other episode had the Shawshank reference but I’ll let someone else have the glory. Also, from what I read, Eric Braeden didn’t return bc he was recovering from surgery and didn’t want to come back for just two lines. Don’t know if I can blame him.
Great episode. I’m all for a bit more serious episodes every now and again bc thats life. The best humor comes from whats true to life.
The entire season 1 started with the opening sequence, which we saw today.
well I’ll be, it did.. amended.
There was an important question raised tonight. Would you, for a friend who deeply needed to laugh, get kneed in the balls?
I thought Barney never wore suits to funerals?
Aww man, you beat me to it.
Barney with a suit at a funeral? That’s just not the way it’s suppsosed to be…
Otherwise not much to say. I didn’t like the episode that much, it’s still a comedy and this very emotional part just didn’t fit into the show very well. But I am psyched to find out about Barney’s dad!
I had a feeling they’d start with the opening sequence. They usually get in a god joke at the start of the show and then cut to the sequence. Based on how Bad News ended I thought a “cold” opening was more appropriate.
Solid episode.
I was actually worried for a minute that Marshall’s dad “pocket dial” was him having the heart attack which scared me….however that would be a little too dramtic for HIMYM
Good episode!
It made my cry a little bit with the phone message.
Was a good episode, even I expected a little bit more of the High School Bully. It seems to me that they haven’t played with it enough.
And woooww! Barney looking for his Dad! 🙂
I’m excited to see this!
Don’t you think that Robin also should solve somehow her Daddy issues? I mean, all parents in the serie seem to be pretty strange and the relationships are a bit weird… but Robin with her Dad maybe is the worst.
Btw, what about the mums? Have we heard about Lily or Robin’s mums?
And yes, little mistake. In principle Barney don’t wear suits to funerals…
But I don’t mind, Barney is changing a little bit, isn’t it?
did anyone notice barney in a suit at a funeral?
I prefer the more emotional episodes. Those are the ones that really pulled me into HIMYM in the first place. Admittedly, most of those were of the “lovey dovey” type emotion, but they were still great. In particular, the entire story arch in the first season with the cake baking girl was absolutely fantastic, going back and forth from emotionally jerking me around to making me laugh out loud.
Who are the rumored fathers of Barney?
I don’t think it’s a rumor anymore. John Lithgow has been casts from what I hear. Thought nothing is for sure so we can call it a rumor!
I really hope they give us a classic funny HIMYM episode before getting into the Barney’s father thing. We need a break.
I want to use all my awesomeness in other places instead of just not being sad anymore. True story.
I too wondered why Barney was wearing a suit. My only guess for an explanation is that he was trying to make Marshall laugh during his dad’s funeral and thought that dressing down would be too much of a downer.
Auch… I’ve seen next chapter will be on 8th of February!
Why?!?! It’s too much 🙁
ok firstly, those disappointed with barney wearin a suit at a funeral, have some respect!!! hes at his friends dads funeral, therefore not trying to pick up women, therefore not tryin to stand out, therefore wearing a suit even though everyone else is. secondly no show in history has made it longer then a season based solely on comedy….
Aaron i belive you wrote this page, well written, agree with everything except one thing, TED sucked in this episode, TED sucks in almost every episode…sorry i shouldnt out and out say that coz im sure hes made me laugh a few times, but the show is held up by everyone around him,,,,,,,the only reason i put up with him is because i know eventually he’ll become bob saget!!!! whats his name JOSH RADNOR thats it…..watch him in every close of scene where they fade away on the group laughin or anythin but laughin especially……HE OVERACTS SOMETHING CHRONIC AND IT MAKES ME WANNA BREAK THE FRICKEN LAPTOP…..the NPH comes on with Segel and saves the show ahaha
Sorry, found it very difficult to follow your train of thought, Answers. I agree however with the previous poster re Barney wearing the Suit at a Funeral. While he did state its the Sartorial Equivalent of a Baby’s smile, I think he has wised up to the point where he will wear one for the group and for Marshall. Is that a sign of Barney maturing? It sure is.
The laugh track is what hurts me the most about this show. In particular one laugh track where the very last laugh is weird and outta contesxt. Egad man, kill that keyboard full of laughter!
OMG. thank you. he is horrible.