Hello! I’m Star, friend of Jenn, and HIMYM enthusiast! Let’s get into the episode:

First, it was nice to see Robin behaving like a normal human being and having an authentic reaction to her mom not being able to come to the wedding. I honestly thought they wouldn’t acknowledge this plot point beyond the last episode. Back to the recap: After Barney accepts the challenge to cheer up Robin, we flash back to the Fall of 2012 where Lily and Robin present Barney with a series of challenges, leading to some great interactions between the three of them. Meanwhile, Ted and Marshall are at a Harlem Globetrotters game but of course they’re rooting for the Washington Generals. Throughout the game/episode Marshall and Ted debate Ted’s future with Robin, while Barney met The Mother and accepted the best challenge to date. The other twist in the episode was Hammond Druthers, Ted’s old boss/nemesis calling Ted offering him a job in Chicago. Ted eventually turns him down once he sees Robin eating olives. Once again, we see Ted caught up in the belief that he can get Robin to love/marry him, so he chose that hope over the job in Chicago.

Legendary Lines:

  • Robin: Does anyone know how to turn this off? Is there like a button or something?
  • Robin: I need you to take a year A full year and just be celibate. No boys, one year. Think you know I’m right about this.
  • Marshall: Oh my God, do you know who you are? You’re Nicholas Sparks.
  • Barney: More challenges, more challenges!
  • Hammond: I WILL LIVE ON YOUR FACEBOOK WALL!!
  • Hammond: The door’s always open Ted
  • Barney: Drawing a blank
  • The Mother: Do you want to keep playing, or do you want to win?

Moments of awesomeness:

  • Lily trying to scare Robin out of being sad and making her get hiccups
  • How nice was it to see Marshall back with the group – I’ve really missed him being around everyone this season.
  • Love the use of the Globetrotter’s music
  • Ted and Marshall heckling the refs and coach at the game
  • Marshall and Robin not being able to make out even if lives were depending on it. Am I the only one that really enjoys story lines with Marshall and Robin?
  • Lily and Robing giving up and getting Barney to run errands for them
  • Barney thinking that Zabka would be a dream date for the redhead
  • The scene outside the drugstore with Barney and The Mother was phenomenal. Can I be best friends with The Mother?
  • Every scene with Hammond Druthers
  • Marshall’s reaction to the Generals losing the game
  • The song playing during the last scene- anyone know what this was? I thought it was perfect.
  • Not seeing Marshall in that SUV on the way to the wedding.

Callbacks:

  • Ted and Robin saluting
  • Marshall making up a song about what he’s doing at the moment
  • Blue french horn
  • The Robin

Rereturn

  • Hammond Druthers- I love that he is so terrible at being an architect

Lingering Questions/Thoughts

  • How invested are Lily and Marshall in their bet? How far are they willing to go to win?
  • Is there a reason that this season is focusing on Ted chasing after Robin AGAIN?
  • Now that we’ve seen how Lily and Barney met The Mother, which non-Ted meeting are you most looking forward to seeing?
  • Will Barney remember meeting The Mother when she shows up to play at their reception?
  • Is Barney’s calligraphy pen actually Property of Ted Mosby?
  • Can George write every episode for the rest of the season?
  • I love how Barney always responds to smart , ballsy women who call him on his crap (Lily, Quinn, Robin, and now The Mother)

 

Thanks for letting me share a my perspective with you for this episode. Hopefully the professionals will be back for next week.