How I Met Your Mother Review- "Ted Mosby, Architect"

Ted Mosby, Architect

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Kristin Newman

One Paragraph Synopsis: After Ted and Robin get into a fight, Ted decides to spend the night off from her and uses his occupation as an architect to impress women. Without intent to sleep with any, mind you. Robin becomes increasingly more jealous as she follows Ted's footprints and realizes how much she cares about him. It turns out, though, that it was Barney using Ted's name and occupation to impress a woman, and that Ted actually went back to the office to work. After Robin comes up and sees the blueprints for his project, they fix their problems for the time being.

Yep, another night where I attempt two reviews before passing out! Cause why not, right?

But seriously, I haven't talked too much about Robin and Ted's relationship since they started dating. At least without treading the same water that I have before. When I see the couple now, obviously they still have their differences, but they do fit each other pretty well at this point in time. Robin is rising up in her career, but isn't quite high enough to forgo outside responsibilities, while Ted, no matter what he says, isn't ready to domesticate himself to begin with, so the balance works.

It also seems as if Ted needs someone like Robin to be a ray of sunshine for him after dealing with less fun ordeals at work, which is where a big part of their fight stems from (along with Robin's opinion on Field of Dreams, which I'll just skip right by- Barney and Marshall's response to Ted's retelling of the film is a classic moment, though), as Robin isn't exactly sure how to fill that position. While she likes being Ted's partner, there's only so much she can do for him, and otherwise, she isn't all that crazy on the idea of having to rub Ted's metaphorical back for him. Robin is just too independent of a person to have to put anyone's life before hers 24/7, even if they mean the world to her.

Ted wants this, though. He's willing to sacrifice everything for Robin, and wants at least half of the dedication he can promise her back, which just may never happen. Robin does lead to a compromise at the end, but he'll always be the pusher.

But Ted may not push as much as Barney, who gave him the idea to use his architect name to impress women. I've said before that Barney is pure id, which holds true tonight. He knows exactly what could happen if Ted went too far with his attempt to impress women, and he loves it. Of course, Barney goes too far himself, as he is wont to do, which is reflective of his chauvinistic traits, and makes for a hell of a twist for this mystery solver episode. It's also worth noting that Barney's note at the end of the episode is one of his funniest moments thus far, allowing him to make the audience crack up with only his narration.

But back to Ted, I do think that he learned his mistake from the Victoria ordeal, and won't cheat on a girlfriend again. He's also in a better place now than he was with Victoria, as his girlfriend is still in the same area, so I never suspected that he would have cheated on her. The brief attempt he had at impressing women with his career was enough to satisfy his ego.

Whatever doubts Ted may have had about Robin at this point seem eradicated, as him sharing his vision of a skyscraper is proof that he trusts her completely. Ted may be many things, but confident isn't a phrase that I would use to describe him. He knows enough of the right things to say to a lady, but he needed the support from someone he respected as much as Robin to get the courage to share his work to the company.

That's one thing that Ted, despite his flaws, has, respect. He treats Robin with great admiration, but now that he has her as a partner, doesn't put her on a high horse. This is perfect compromise, as his love doesn't go beyond blind devotion, which is a mix your mate absolutely deserves. Robin tries her best, but she doesn't give Ted the same amount of respect, since it's not what she's used to. The ending here gives a hopeful hint at her stepping up a little, though.

Usually, Ted isn't among my favorite characters. I think he is more misogynistic of a person than he realizes, so I rarely ever side with him. I also do feel that after a certain point, it's okay to tell someone, even a person you really care about, that they're going in circles if you're tired of hearing someone complain about the same thing over and over again. But Ted has the more concise idea of the relationship here, which makes me ultimately favor him over Robin in this episode.

But Robin does mean well. She may not be ready to use the word yet, but I'm sure that she loves Ted. Right now, she needs to reorganize her priorities, or at least allow herself to open to Ted.

But wait, I didn't touch on Marshall and Lily! Their roles are meant to help the other characters, but both have their strengths here, anyway. Marshall's material at his law school party is a great reminder that even though he and his fellow students are serious about their work, they're still young adults, and have as much of as much of right to party as anyone. The combination of frat party cliches that Marshall's cohorts engage in, followed by their future credentials, is among the episode's smartest gags, which only could have worked in this show. Lily, meanwhile, does well in an episode where she's mostly removed from Marshall, and instead mediates in Robin's dilemma. Lily has some great lines which makes her a highlight here, and her Footloose crack in particular never fails to crack me up.

"Ted Mosby, Architect" is a step in the right direction for the season. It stops to give Ted and Robin some development as characters and as a couple, while never ceasing to make great jokes in HIMYM's perfected quickly-paced style. And it's not even among my major favorites of the season!

How I Met Your Mother Reviews- "Brunch"

Brunch (2x03)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Stephen Lloyd

One Paragraph Synopsis: The photo I chose makes it seem like the gang is having a great time with Ted's parents, right? Well, not exactly. Marshall and Lily, after failing to reconnect when meeting up again, are successively trying to one-up each other in public, while fooling around again in private. Barney, meanwhile, is trying his best to win over Ted's mother, which is going better than Ted would ever hope for. At the same time, Robin feels that his mother doesn't find her worthy enough to be the mother of Ted's children, even though she still doesn't want them. But nothing here can compete with Virginia and Alfred's own news- they've been separated for a while, neglecting to tell Ted until just now.

In my life, I've learned that hiding everything inside isn't how you should live life. Not to dig up an overused lyric, but conceal, don't feel isn't right. At all. You won't learn anything if your true feelings aren't shared as often as possible, and neither will anyone around you.

Of course, that doesn't mean that you should always tell the truth, especially if whoever you're dealing with is overly sensitive, or the truth could make or break your career. There are times when maybe you should just suck it up and not let out your emotions.

But when you're divorcing from the mother or father of your children, that shouldn't be hidden from your kids. Nor should the death of their grandparents, but this isn't the right place to get into that subject.

"Brunch"'s core theme is that a lack of communication can be deadly. It can break hearts, create toxic environments, and send mixed signals all around. Like many a good HIMYM episode, this goes into extended detail of that belief, allowing for Ted and the gang to deal with their own communication issues while keeping the separation of the Mosbys its own important plot point.

Well, Barney is the outlier, since he actually does use communication to his advantage. What information he knew about Virginia prior to meeting her is unclear, but it seems certain that he understands how middle-aged women function, wisely playing the part of a nice, suburban boy to keep her happy. It only takes Virginia a couple of words for Barney to get exactly where she's at, where he exudes in charisma. But of course he does.

Barney also seems to have communicated well with Alfred, understanding that he is now single and open to trying out today's flirtation methods with him. However, this is where lack of communication does become a problem to Barney, as he doesn't make it clear to Alfred that he has a history with Wendy the Waitress, whom Alfred seduces to Barney's dismay. Barney also neglects to tell Ted about their divorce, but I'll get back to Ted later.

Marshall and Lily can't seem to reach an agreement with words just yet, as apparent in this episode. As unfortunate as that sounds, it is understandable, since they haven't had much of a chance to talk since Lily left, and their one attempt at discussion was too late for Marshall at the time.

With time removed a little, it's obvious that Lily and Marshall are just a little too immature to handle an amicable compromise right now, but it's not like their passion has completely evaporated. The brief fling that Lily and Marshall share holds just as much passion as any of their kisses from the previous season, which seems more than just a clockwork motion for Hannigan and Segel. Fryman has a strong enough grasp on the characters in that she's able to make sure that the actors keep them in the right frame of mind, that even though thy're not dating right now, they still hold a flame for each other.

But of course, neither of them are ready to talk about it just yet. This makes the moment when Robin and Virginia see the two of them come out of the women's room horribly awkward, since we (as in both the audience and the characters) know what Marshall and Lily have been up to, but they're not ready to announce it yet. They both need to grow up fast.

Robin's story is pretty special for her, since one of her biggest personal beliefs comes into play- her stance on children. She may not hate them, but she doesn't want one herself. For much of Ted's life, he assumed that this was contradictory to Virginia's beliefs, especially based on his history with other dates. Although Te himself very much wants to become a married man, while Robin just doesn't.

Robin's disappointment towards Virginia's lack of enthusiasm to her future with Ted becomes a bit silly after all is revealed for the character, but it makes enough sense for Robin. Right now, she doesn't want children, but she very much wants to keep Ted happy, so feeling inadequate to Virginia must be a big blow to her.

But that's the thing- Virginia and Alfred like Robin a lot, but they also know what happens if you settle for someone who doesn't share the same viewpoints as you. They don't want Robin and Ted to waste their potential life on an unsure thing, which is why they warn the new couple about the problems of lacking communication. They're still not great at communication now, obviously.

Poor Ted, he had to just find out about his parent's divorce, years after the fact. But this works as an important lesson for him- while opposites do attract, they eventually repel if there isn't enough mutual understanding to keep them together.

Does this mean that Ted and Robin's relationship is not meant to be? Possibly, but they have enough time to work out a future where it can. Virginia is right when she tells Robin that her career clock is ticking, but she's not stranded enough to meet the alarm so that the two of them can't find a reasonable solution along the way.

Ted spends as much of the episode as he can trying to be a mediator for everyone. Ted tries to keep his parents happy, make sure that Robin feels worthy enough as a potential Mosby, that Lily and Marshall don't have any complications to deal with after their awkward stage, and that Barney doesn't inject his gross ways into Virginia and Alfred's habitat. In typical sitcom fashion, nothing works out as expected, though.

This makes for "Brunch" to be another enjoyable episode of HIMYM, although I'd hesitate to call it great. The attempts at truthtelling are as solid as you'd expect from the show, just as there are some always enjoyable jokes, but this just isn't as invigorating as the show at its best, ultimately making for an enjoyable expedition into the world of the Mosby clan, with some groundwork for better things to come. I wouldn't call this a skippable episode, but there are plenty of better ones to dig through.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "The Scorpion and the Toad"

The Scorpion and the Toad (2x02)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Chris Harris

One Paragraph Synopsis: Barney shows Marshall how to live, becoming his wingman, and while Marshall is enjoying the chance to try out the single life, Barney consistently failing at it. At the same time, Lily comes back into Robin and Ted's life, as she has them help her find an apartment. As they learn though, Lily's experience in San Francisco wasn't that hot, and she still misses Marshall. However, they don't end up back together at the end, by Marshall's decision.

Hey, I'll just say it right now for first timers- keep a note of that penny. It'll be a big factor over the course of the show.

But you know, I wasn't planning to write a review tonight. My schedule was too tight in the morning for me to allow myself to sleep in late after the requisite couple of hours I need for my writing, but after a not-so-great day and an unfortunate rescheduling of events, this won't be much of a problem for me now. HIMYM often used to make me feel better on a bad day, so I wanted to see if that's still the case.

Well, it didn't hurt. Thankfully both stories are strong enough, even if "The Scorpion and the Toad" isn't A-level on the whole. So let's get to it.

After,brief flashes aside, sitting out the premiere, Lily is back front and center to explain her half of the story. While it is nice to see her again, I don't think it was a big disservice to the premiere that she wasn't a part of it, since Bays, Thomas, and Fryman made sure that she wasn't forgotten at all. Even besides the bulk of the episode involving Marshall's grief over losing Lily, the camera often left a certain amount of the screen empty, enough to show that something is missing, deliberately done in a way to prove that it's obvious what is. The presence of a character couldn't linger on anymore than it does in "Where Were We?".

But Lily is back to form here, being able to keep a serious face on top of her true emotions. Initially, she can't let Marshall win whatever game they're playing, since this is a quiet act of superiority, whether she admits it or not. Lily knows that she was miserable after her San Francisco experience blew up in her face, but she isn't ready to admit that just yet. Only after a night of drinks and disappointment does she come out with the truth.

So Lily failed to reach her goals. It's a shame, since it really does seem that art is her passion, but passion doesn't always equate talent, which she seemed to quickly learn while being out. This episode only briefly lingers on the notion of Lily not being as great of a painter as she hopes to be, but it's a crushing idea that brings the show into an unfortunate, but truthful state of being, that sometimes you're just not meant to achieve your dreams. That isn't always fun to see in media, but I think it's nice to bring in this message in between numerous cases of wish fulfillment that fill up the screen.

It's still unpleasant to see Lily return to San Francisco unfulfilled, but it must suck for her even more to feel as heartbroken as she is. Despite her believable anguish that caused their split, Lily feels rotten about her separation from Marshall, which takes a while to come out, even though it consumes her mind.

I spent a lot of my first season reviews chronicling the bond that Lily and Marshall introduced to the screen, so I'd rather not repeat myself here. Instead, it's probably worth coming to the conclusion that while Marshall feels like half of a whole person without Lily, she feels the same, and needed to be back with her Marshmallow. It took a summer of disappointment for her to realize it.

But she might have to learn to deal with it, since Marshall isn't ready to let Lily back into his heart just yet. This is a great sign of strength for Marshall, allowing him the chance to be more than just a doormat. Not to say that he was back when they were still together, but I fully support Marshall's decision here, since he knows better. Good for him, but there's a full season for them to spend time together in.

Ted and Robin fit into Lily's story pretty well, as their view points help to give the plot some weight, as well as define their relationship. Robin tries her best to be neutral, as she's been with Marshall during the summer and has seen him deal with the break-up, yet feels that Lily deserves her day in court and doesn't hold anything against her. Ted, meanwhile, misses Lily, but also feels an obvious devotion to Marshall, and isn't afraid to admit it.

To me, this indicates that Robin is the more relaxed of the two, while Ted is more of the commandeering type. This has shown up sporadically in the two episodes since they've dated, primarily with how Ted chastises Robin for being a gun fan, but it hasn't been thrown in our face just yet. They have their clear dichotomy down, and right now it certainly seems to work, as both appear to be happy on and off the surface.

While Robin and Ted do clash, they ultimately do agree that Lily deserves to see some of her friends again, after a long time away. Neither of them hold back too much, but the characters assume the role of Lily's friends well, allowing them to play as side characters for a change, allowing her confession to take lead of the episode. It's a bold move, but it does pay off, and it's not like Ted or Robin are bereft of solid bits.

Robin's hangover spiel is quite possibly the moment I fell in love with her, actually. Cobie Smulders nails the role so perfectly, which seems effortless at this point on her part. If Robin hadn't fully arrived yet, that little giggle was her red carpet.

Marshall and Barney's story is the lighter of the two, but it allows for some consistently funny moments throughout. I wouldn't say that it's devoid of meat, however, since it works as an attempt for Barney to show compassion to Marshall as he gets over Lily, as well as helps to solidify their bond, giving them material outside of the office and excel in. But it is meant to be the funnier of the two stories, which it lives up to.

The rule of 3 is broken as Barney keeps on taking Marshall's dates, which isn't the last time the show does this, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. True, in many cases, going beyond three takes of the same gag does become tiresome, just as once or twice often isn't enough, but the fourth time Barney steps in over Marshall is a deliberate set-up for great pay-off. Barney's hypocrisy isn't forgotten, but the delivery is perfect for the episode.

Although "The Scorpion and the Toad" ultimately doesn't feel like HIMYM at its very finest, but there's plenty to like about the episode as the second season keeps on rolling. With Lily back, things are going to get interesting for the gang, as the writing maintains its strength. And hey, watching this episode again did make me feel a little better!

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Where Were We?"

Where Were We? (2x01)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Carter Bays & Craig Thomas

One Paragraph Synopsis: As we go through the summer after Lily and Marshall's break-up, he isn't taking it well. At all. Barney, along with the newly tinted couple Ted and Robin, try their best to help him get over Lily, but it hardly works. Especially after Marshall finds out that Lily is back in New York, possibly with another man. And yes, that is George Clinton in the pic.

What a great show. I'm only an episode into the show's second season, but by now, it's obvious that this series is special. Plenty of other sitcoms have dedicated episodes to the aftermaths of bad break-ups, but few can nail as tight of a mix of likability and brutal honesty as HIMYM does right here.

One thing the episode does well is show how distraught Marshall is without Lily. Perhaps "Where Were We?" did it too well, since Marshall came off as horribly pathetic here. It makes logical sense, as Marshall has proven in some ways that although he is a smart, capable person on his own, he is practically half full without Lily For better or worse, she completes him.

Marshall's codependency on Lily can be blamed on his relative lack of real-world experience before meeting her. Lily was not just Marshall's first great love, but his first girlfriend, period. They had grown a majestic bond in the past 9 years, only for it to be taken away after a painful night. If their separation had been a long-stemming one with increasing seeds behind it, their split would have still taken a while to get over, based on their history, but Marshall never seemed able to see the hints, which explains how roughly he takes it beyond just their time spent together.

I also feel that Marshall had loved Lily since their first day of meeting. I don't know if love at first sight exists, but for Marshall, it just might. However long he had been planning to go the distance with Lily is beyond me, but it does seem that Marshall has known for a good while that there is no other one for him.

So yes, I do understand Marshall's inability to get over his break-up quickly. I sympathize greatly. But Ted, Robin, and Barney, who otherwise had been doing their best to accommodate to their heartbroken friend, also have the right to feel irritated by him. I at least say this, since each of them, even Barney, still understand and respect Marshall's grief, but, as someone who actively deals with depression, it can be quite hard to be close to someone who has their own issues holding them back.

The way the three of them attempts to help Marshall get over Lily is pretty telling, and surprisingly legitimate, of their characters. Barney's is the easiest to decipher, as it's obvious that he loves strip clubs, but taking Marshall to one isn't actually a bad idea, nor is his method of having Marshall see other naked women to get Lily out of his mind. In many cases, arousal, even if it doesn't lead into actual intercourse, is a respectable way to get over an ex. It takes the former loved one out of the mind and gives the person something else to focus on, even just the appeal of the female body.

Ted's is considerably more innocent, which is perfect for his character- a game of baseball. Few things are as invigorating (and gender neutral, I promise you) than the thrill of live sports, especially for your favorite team. Sports has only been occasionally referenced in the show thus far, and even then, mostly just football (and whatever the hell iceketball is), but it doesn't take too many context clues to realize that Marshall and Ted are Yankees fans. So a nice day out to Yankee Stadium wasn't a bad idea at all on his part.

Robin's method, however, is probably the most surprising, although probably not by much. Somehow, seeing her as a gun enthusiast isn't defamation of character, as it allows Robin to keep charge of something, which she does well, as well as break from traditional gender roles. I don't believe that Robin is a conservative gun defender, though, since the right isn't very friendly towards strong women. Robin's smart, even if she has to be careful about pursuing her hobby around Ted.

Marshall, however, isn't one for firearms. Really though, the guys mean well, but what they're trying isn't working. As we see, Marshall needed to get over Lily at his own pace, which he does by the end of the episode, almost like clockwork. He may not be a great cook, but he knows what works.

And of course, by the end of the episode, Lily shows up as more than just a periphery character via cutaways. It's a powerful reminder of the impact Marshall has left on her, and a great way to lead into the coming season, as their attempt at fixing the pieces occurs. We don't know what happened to Lily's attempt at reaching for her dreams, but there is much to see.

I don't really write about humor that well, but the show is as funny as ever here. Bays and Thomas didn't miss a beat over the summer break, allowing for the relaxed, but undeniably sharp, dialogue that they nail so well to come back into fruition here. That just one of the main things that makes "Where Were We?" a fantastic return to the series, and a great starter for a great season to come. Ted really should let his kids have a bathroom break before they start shitting in buckets, though.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Come On"

Come On (1x22)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas

One Paragraph Synopsis: Ted, still convinced that he and Robin should be together, attempts to make it rain so he can stop Channel 1 New's annual camping trip and thus make sure that Robin and Sandy Rivers don't hook up. He even convinces Barney to ask an old fling (played by Amy Acker- more Whedon royalty!) to pull off a rain dance. Somehow, it actually works, as Ted finally convinces Robin to start a relationship together. At the same as one relationship blossoms, though, another falls apart. Marshall discovers that Lily applied for an art fellowship in San Francisco, as she makes it in, which has the couple discuss their future. The answer of whether or not they could make it work is shown at the end of the episode, as Marshall is holding Lily's engagement ring in her hand, crying in the rain Ted believes to have caused.

Persistence works! Well, sometimes, I guess.

I've mentioned before that I'm not a fan of the "turning a no into a yes" trope in fiction, because it's a creepy idea. On numerous occasions, yes, someone who turned down another person for a romantic or sexual relationship can be coerced into changing their mind, but it usually requires a logical, not-forced attempt at getting to know and understand each other as people to come to this conclusion. Not bugging the rejector and creating crazy schemes to attempt a way to do so.

I'm otherwise very positive on this episode, as I'll get into later, but I do think it would have been better if Ted would have respected Robin's decision and allowed her time to change her mind, if she so felt the need to. It does seem like Robin was heading into this decision herself, but Ted practically trapped her into a corner until she rushed into her definite choice.

There's definitely misogyny in here, almost saying that women are only good on their own if they say yes. This is toxic logic, but it sadly exists in multiple forms of media. HIMYM is occasionally a little sharper in terms of its execution of tropes like these, but I do sincerely believe that Robin feels trapped here.

Still, I come out hopeful when Ted has his rainstorm vision come true. Whatever problems in sexism that How I Met Your Mother has, the series is still supremely adept at taking romantic comedy tropes and making them work. Against my better judgement, Ted and Robin do feel like a potential loving couple, as their reveal in the end keeps a sharply passionate bond between them that is apparent the moment they exchange lips. Fryman has kept her directing chops tight all season, with her camerawork being simply to die for.

There is also a wise cut to the blue French horn that Ted stole for Robin all the way back in the pilot, which doesn't linger for too long, but leaves enough of an impact for viewers. It's a smart way to symbolize that Ted has won his fight for now, and that he and Robin are going to work out pretty fine for now.

Will they? The audience will or did see, but the show has plenty to do with Ted and Robin as it goes along. For now, let's allow Ted his victory, and let new viewers (if you're there with me!) find out for themselves if they're really meant to be.

Marshall and Lily though, that's where my attention comes back to each time. Which makes sense, since even though Ted's quest to win over Robin is a big part of both the episode and the season itself, the main course for this episode is about the deconstruction of the show's core couple.

Which it totally succeeds at, in my book. By this point, the series had excelled at maintaining its structure, which extends itself over the course of the episode, as we're taken from Lily and Marshall's demise at the same pace they go through it. The couple seem lovingly serene at the beginning, until the call from Lily's fellowship comes in and quickly starts their deterioration.

The couple's invention of the pause system is an ingenious way to give them seemingly final moments of admiration before their split, which is used magnificently three times over the course of the episode. The reveal of their pause earlier gives the audience a better understanding of Marshall and Lily's relationship- they fight like every other couple, but they know when to put a happy face on or what to keep to themselves when needed. The second use allows for a comedic pause during their fight, allowing for the two to have a peaceful dinner before they both tear up at Red Lobster, making for one of the show's strongest usages of product placement, and a true highlight of the episode itself.

But the third, damn. It's at this point that it seems like no matter whether or not Lily and Marshall would survive this fight, they do truly love each other. The kiss that Hannigan and Segel share feels extraordinarily passionate, as it also works as a last kiss with each other. Whatever problems can't be resolved, nothing about Lily's eventual leave is definite. This is going to be just as hard on her as it will be for Marshall.

Although, did Lily really need to leave for San Francisco? To her, yes, she really needs to experience her own life before dedicating it to Marshall. This isn't against him at all, but rather just something that needs to be done for her. It's rough, and I do think that she should have handled this crisis better, but Lily has her right to analyze herself.

At the same time, Marshall's reaction is completely fair. Keep in mind that this is news to him, that Lily isn't happy with her current deal, and also that it's only natural to assume that he is the cause for Lily's discomfort. Marshall doesn't attack her, nor despite what Lily thinks, force her to stay for the wedding. He does seem to understand what she's feeling, although he is rightfully upset.

Alyson Hannigan and Jason Segel continue to competently keep their performances going throughout, as it's clear that they fully understand their characters at this point, including the love for each other that is present. It's what makes the reveal at the end of the episode all the more heartbreaking, as Segel wonderfully emotes pain as he holds Lily's ring. The rain keeps up with his tears, while Lily is keeping away on her own.

Despite the dramatic strength in "Come On", Thomas, Bays, and Fryman don't forget that this is a sitcom, and keeps the episode very funny throughout. Nearly every line of Barney's is a hoot, as he wisely slides to the side to keep the emotionally stronger stories of the other characters take center. He is also supported well by Acker's Penelope, who does a good job at playing her material of inexperienced white girl for Ted's rain dance, keeping a solid mix between likable and annoyingly pretentious. Even Marshall and Lily add some sharp lines in during their extended fight, yet also wisely find a way to not overshadow the seriousness behind their plot.

"Come On" delivers as the full HIMYM package, combining sharp, varied dialogue with powerful dramatic moments. Despite its questionable moments, this is a great way to end a solid first season. And I can't wait to start season 2 up.

Final Thoughts on Season 1: Like basically every show, the first season had a rocky start, but delivered on its potential fairly early on. The show's unique pacing found itself in no time, and helped to make the show stand out between basically every other comedy on TV, then and now. Since I'm crunched for time and most of what I feel about these episodes are in my reviews, I'll just give the first season a preliminary score of a B-. Good start, and I know it can do better.

Now onto season 2!

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Milk"

Milk (1x21)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Carter Bays & Craig Thomas

One Paragraph Synopsis: Love Solutions has finally delivered on their promise to Ted, as new management at the firm from "Matchmaker" have found a potential mate for Ted that hits all of his exact criteria. The two are set to meet, when Lily throws a wrench into his date time for personal reasons- she got a flat tire on Marshall's Fiero on her way to New Haven, and needs Ted to come help her fix it. The reason Lily is heading there is telling, though- she signed up for an art fellowship in San Francisco, which overlaps with her wedding date, and was heading to New Haven for the interview. While all of this is happening, Barney and Marshall are in the midst of a prank war with Barney's next-door-building rival.

Opposites attract, but they ultimately repel. A little realization that has often proven true to life.

Although, I don't believe that perfection is real, nor should it be aspired to. Just because this mystery woman has a lot in common with Ted, this doesn't confirm that they're an exact match in terms of chemistry, nor that they'll pass each other's test physically. It's also not necessarily ideal to want to date some similar to you, since why would you want to marry yourself?

While I think that Ted made a mistake by cancelling his date in hopes to win Robin over again, I understand the decision. For one, he knows Robin, knows how she works, and knows how compatible they are, even if they don't have much in common. While Robin isn't as enamored with Ted, she has the same understanding, which is something she mildly acknowledges here.

I also understand Lily and Marshall's exasperation towards Ted's reveal, though. Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders have the chemistry to pull off the relationship, yet Ted and Robin aren't in the right place to be together. They might never be. Robin's desires clash too much from Ted's to ever fully work, while there is no way that Ted would be willing to sacrifice his domestic dream down the road, no matter what his 28-year-old self thinks.

But I don't think Ted really wants to compromise, at least not at this point. Similar to the trope of women wanting to fix broken men, Ted seems determined to change Robin's mind on children. This is actually pretty cynical, since this indicates that Ted thinks Robin is living her life wrong.

Compared to even just a couple of episodes ago, Robin seems pretty happy with her life at this point, including her choices. Sure, she wants to move up in the broadcast industry, and there are moments of loneliness, but she's doing fine for herself as a reporter in her mid-20's, as she's likely to boost right up as she goes along. And yeah, sometimes only having her dogs for company isn't quite enough, but it really does seem as if Robin would rather be alone than having to deal with raising children, which is the opposite of Ted. It's possible that he finds this simply charming now, but the Ted of tomorrow will find this a little more depressing each day, since this isn't the life he personally wants.

I feel like I'm going in circles with Ted and Robin, so let's put that on hold for this review, and instead get to Lily, whose story has increasingly been building up to the front of the series.

Ted catches on instantly that Lily is unhappy with her current placement in life, mainly being engaged so soon. This shouldn't be a surprise, since Ted and Lily have been best friends since the beginning of college, along with Marshall, so he understands them very well. And of course, if you've been watching these episodes again, or just reading my reviews, you know what's on her mind.

But here, Lily actually takes the initiative to follow on her thoughts. Again, Ted is right that she could have easily found a fellowship in New York, but the fact that she decided on one in San Francisco instead proves that she's interested in leaving, not necessarily Marshall, but rather her life itself.

Ted finds this to be selfish, but I don't see it that way. For a while, Lily's relationship with Marshall has been focused on him, making sure that Marshall is ready to go through and graduate from law school in a well-enough position to make him desirable to employers. Lily also stands as a beacon of hope when Marshall comes home from an unfeeling day at Barney's firm, which she still pulls off even after taking the interview. Lily isn't wrong to want to hope for more in her own life, even if she shouldn't have signed up for a fellowship so far away without telling Marshall.

So if I understand and even side with Lily to an extent, why do I think it wasn't a right move for her to go with the initiative? Well, even Lily herself concedes by the end of the episode that it was wrong, as she "subtlety" tells Ted that she won't be going. Whether or not she deserved to go to San Francisco, she still has a commitment with Marshall, who at least deserves to be told at this point in her decision.

It's rough, but oh so fascinating to watch. Alyson Hannigan had seven(ish?) years of excellent work on Buffy to prove her dramatic talents, which shows up right here as she doesn't bullshit Ted. Hannigan pours her heart out into Lily's ambitions, truly making the character feel whole as feels empty herself. I wouldn't go as far as to call her time with Ted painful, but I buy everything she tells him, as Hannigan allows the fitting of Lily's character to be complete.

Because, she is. Even though I said that her actions weren't entirely selfish, Lily is very egocentric in a way. She has very decisive thoughts, which she sticks to as long as she cans. Sometimes obnoxiously, but she knows her worth. Lily's comedic material comes from her mindset, as well, often finding a way to win over everyone with her views without pushing. She has Marshall to push if she needs to. This makes her an often enjoyable, even if she isn't entirely likable, character.

Another character who is almost there in terms of their definitive traits is Barney. His pathos still need a little work, but he continues his streak of highlight material on the show in this episode. The opening pick-up line may not be the best ever, but it's still a classic moment from the series, while his story with Marshall is tons of fun. It's also strong material for Marshall, as it shows his increasing descent into enjoying his internship at the firm. This isn't even removed from his life outside of work, as he tells Lily about their plot with the mice in such a gleeful way at the end, almost as if Barney has conditioned him like a mice of Pavlov's. Which wouldn't be a surprise, since Marshall does like cheese.

"Milk" deals with a lot, and delivers in practically every account. Will there be more to say in the finale? Stick around.

Edit: Y'no, I didn't forget to mention Bays and Thomas' cameo during Barney's massive hook-up scheme, but my desire to keep this from being a highlight reel had me refrain from commenting on it in a way that's cohesive to what I had in mind for the review. But yeah, it is a nice little addition, just as it is welcome to hear a reference to one of Shakespeare's lesser-heralded plays.

Besides wanting to do more than just list which gags do and don't work, I tend to not talk about the show's humor as much as I do other things since it allows for me to write about character and plot more, which I'm better at. If I was reviewing, say, Seinfeld or The Mary Tyler Moore Show, I could just as easily get into character analysis, but the structure in humor that these and other series use allow for more discussion of what does and doesn't work in that regard. HIMYM has a particular structure in comedy, but right now, I've been focusing on the development that's been occurring since the show started instead. But I have a lot more HIMYM to tackle, so we'll see how this goes.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Best Prom Ever"

Best Prom Ever (1x20)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Ira Ungerleider

One Paragraph Synopsis: Lily and Marshall signed up to have their wedding at this fantastic house... only two months from the date. Strangely enough, they have a lot of it down, aside from having a band. Ted gives them a solid recommendation for a local band, but Lily won't sign off  until she hears them play their song. Since they only have until Monday to give the band a yes or no, Lily and Robin have no choice but to make their way into a prom they're performing at to see them pull off the Violent Femmes.

The thing about "Best Prom Ever" is, it's all in the flashbacks. The storyline for Lily in this season fully comes into fruition during each of them, as we see what her plans were a decade ago versus where she is now. And damn if it isn't telling.

Lily's memories of her own prom not only introduce us to the fun of Scooter (played by Neil Patrick Harris' real-life partner, David Burtka, but also her own vision. Scooter was willing to give Lily an easy out by attempting to gain a reachable job as a pitcher and maintain a nice family lifestyle for the both of them, which sounds nice on one hand, but to teenage Lily is opposite to her wishes. Lily didn't want her future written for her so soon, nor did she see a future with Scooter, or anyone for that matter. Their break-up is shown to be typically rough for high schoolers, but also finds a way to not show the worst of it on Scooter's part, which shows where Lily's mind is that night.

Later, the episode takes the audience to when Lily first meets Marshall, wisely cutting out the introduction and focusing only on a select moment from this encounter. Lily's mini-speech of how she wants to travel and prove her worth to the world shows more of her character traits, then and now, as we see that she doesn't want to be just another domestic stereotype, but rather find a way to mean something. It's a genius move to have Lily talk about this, almost as if she's talking to the audience, only to finish her dialogue by reminding us that she is really telling all of this to Marshall, who might have been falling in love with her the whole time.

This isn't necessarily a contrast from the present day, however. Lily's still more or less in the same place, as we see now. She's happy enough as a kindergarten teacher, but this isn't what she grew up wanting to be. Lily's ambitions had always been artistic, as she pours her heart out to Scooter before dumping him. As she tells Marshall in confidence before being whisked away off her feet. To first-time viewers who are starting to admire this show and the characters.

It not only suggests, but basically yell to the world that Lily is having second thoughts about her marriage. Not because she doubts her love for Marshall- not for a second- but Lily is contemplating this decision as she looks back and realizes how little she's come to completing her goals. She hasn't done much of anything with her art; she hasn't gone too far away from her home state of NY; Lily Aldrin is hardly a known name to the world.

Lily assumes the role of the emotional bride even with all of this out of duty. She feels that she must keep this attitude going to not give anything away to the uninitiated. Especially since she might just go through with it, anyway. Again, it's obvious that whatever is on her mind, Lily still very much loves Marshall, and there is a ray of hope of the wedding going on when The 88 (who are apparently an actual band, it seems), play "Good Feeling". Lily's doubts towards her future are still alive, but her doubt of Marshall's importance to her doesn't exist.

Rich stuff. There's some questionable material in this episode (including at least one pedophilic joke that comes to mind, but the humor is still strong otherwise, just as there is more of the show's poignant character moments to keep things going.

Bringing back memories of "Okay Awesome", there are a duo of nerds that Lily and Robin deal with, who are a little more bearable here. I think it's because the writing has found its place at this point (this is Ungerleider's first script for the show, who also shows up as a chaperone), which also helps to give the characters a little more life. The chubby one that kinda reminds me of Seth Rogen had a memorable bit where he attempts to fight Marshall for Lily's sake, which is always good for a one-off. And I give the nerds credit for being bad at math, cause same.

Barney's tiny subplot of himself trying to get into the prom is funny on the surface, although I do think that it's a little off when you consider that he's going in to mack on underaged girls. Or maybe not, as he's made it clear at least once that he wouldn't go THAT low, and since this is a senior prom, there are bound to be some legal women. I'd knock the episode off a point anyway, but it's hard to not find the school cops escorting Barney out after he jumps in hilarious.

It's strange to see how this isn't as much of an episode about Marshall, however, especially as he was the one to give Lily the initiative to aim for the wedding house. Then again, Marshall does seem to be happy with his place in life right now. He's wrapping up law school while tackling a well-paying internship that he can easily leave when he graduates, just as he comes home to his lovely wife-to-be. While the show isn't afraid to show the other characters off as miserable, Marshall's doing pretty well as of now. There's definitely more to happen with him before the season's over, though.

Ted and Robin's material is also not a big part of the episode, although the show hasn't forgotten that the air is still a little funky in their part of the room. The main part for both comes at the end, when they're dancing together and Robin tells Ted that she does miss him, but not the bad parts. It's a sweet scene which proclaims that she may not be ready to let Ted back into her life romantically again, but their friendship is well overdo to make amends.

Lily's story isn't done just yet, as there is more to happen in her life. This is still a wonderfully made episode that allows for one of the less developed characters to have her moment to shine, and say a lot.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Mary the Paralegal"

Mary the Paralegal (1x19)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Chris Harris

One Paragraph Synopsis: Ted didn't forget to check "plus one" for Robin's local news award ceremony three months prior. Of course, he actually had a relationship when he was told, but now he doesn't. Ted was willing to go stag, although Barney objected and offered to buy him an escort for the night. Ted initially refused, until he meets Barney's choice escort, Mary, as well as sees Robin, who has been giving Ted the cold shoulder since the previous episode's fuck up. Then Ted decides to roll with Mary. The thing is, Robin was dating Sandy to make Ted jealous, while in even bigger news- Mary isn't a prostitute.

More firsts! This episode introduces us to Marshall's classic "laweyered!" catchphrase, which is an insanely well done way to use his skills in analyzing and remembering law to mess with everyone's head when needed. Barney's catchphrases will get more mileage, but this isn't the last time you'll hear it.

Also memorable is the use of telepathic conversations between the gang. These allow two (or sometimes more) of the characters to talk telepathically and decide on the best course to take without letting anyone else in on the game. It's also something that only this show could come up with and pull off as strongly as it does, but even the creators will admit that by the end of the series, they became a little too liberal with their uses of this method. Although it is worth noting that in this episode, the only pairs to have telepathic conversations are the ones who are the closest to each other- Marshall to Ted, as well as Marshall to Lily. A great way to start off this device.

I do admire that even though we've hit the strong part of show, the crew is still learning new ways to add to the formula and inflect onto the characters. You never stop learning, just as the show still has higher highs to reach.

"Mary the Paralegal" is admittedly an episode that I haven't picked up too often, so it surprised me at how strong it was. The entire episode is build-up to a somewhat dark joke on Barney's part, and does so in a sharp manner, especially as it delivers on a sweet bit of payback from Ted.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's look at the structure of the episode. There isn't really a subplot, since although just about any good subplot is connected to the main story in some way, Harris makes no attempt to hide that this is all one plot that needs full attention. Robin's night with Sandy is directly tied to Ted's time with Mary, as we hardly see the four of them separate from each other for the bulk of the episode. The second act almost entirely takes place at the table where the gang is out, making for another rarity in the show's setting, yet as per usual, the pacing is deliberately kept tight. I felt nary a drag during this part of the episode, which makes sense as each of the characters get their chance to shine over some strong dialogue. I also enjoy the setting of the episode, as it reminded me of The Mary Tyler Moore Show's classic Teddy Award episodes, and any memories of TMTMS are welcome in my book.

Good pacing makes the world go round, but so do context clues. A very memorable scene, which helps to keep the potential that Mary isn't really a prostitute alive, comes when she describes her work as a paralegal. It works as proof that Barney is right about sex workers being able to be educated beyond what their choice of work may indicate (which, from every sex worker I personally know, is so very true), as well as hints at the aforementioned possibility. The way that Mary seemed surprised when Ted gave her such bold, yet not entirely sexist, compliments, also shows that she may not be a prostitute, although the way she keeps her interest kept alongside Ted also has duel meaning, both to indicate that she may very well be, and/or state that she could just be attracted to Ted's confidence.

Which is another thing that surprises me about this episode, Ted having game. Maybe it's because he was so miserable with his relationship in the last couple of episodes, but I forgot how smooth Ted can be when given the chance. Until he dropped the l word on Robin, he had charisma going, which he was able to keep all night with Victoria. Although I don't think Ted would normally call his date hot so early on (nor would it normally work like it did here), he clearly knows how to use an expression like this correctly to impress a woman. He still seems sweet and likable, though, almost making him an anti-Barney.

Mary's a perfectly suitable date for Ted, being sweet and attractive enough to keep him happy physically, but also containing a sharp mind and keen sense of humor that appeals to his aesthetic. If only he knew which disc was her favorite on the Otis Redding set, but Erinn Bartlett was succinct enough as Mary to not need this information shared to make an impact, anyway.

On the flip side, I'll get to Sandy Rivers some more. Alexis Benisoff proved his chops as a serious actor over his run in Angel, especially as the show reached its end and his character Wesley was taken to his breaking point. But often forgotten was his comedic turn in his original run on Buffy as the nerdy foil to Giles. Denisoff is a well-rounded actor, and this episode allows him to play a strong humorous personality, doing suave well on top of sleaze. It wasn't a surprise to find out that Robin was holding a fake date with Sandy when you catch some of his dialogue. But my highlight for Sandy is his brief exchange with Lily, which is classic material.

But if Robin was dating a guy like Sandy under false pretenses, what does that say about her? It seems like a combination between Robin wanting to grab Ted's goat as a way of revenge, but she also might somehow still like Ted romantically. Why? I have no idea, honestly.

But that'll come back later, even while the season is still running. Wow, I only have 3 more episodes to go, though. It's crazy, but knowing that there are more episodes as fun as "Mary the Paralegal" ahead makes me excited to go over them again.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M."

Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M. (1x18)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays

One Paragraph Synopsis: In this direct continuation of the previous episode, Ted attempts to tell his kids the titular lesson in two different stories. The main one involves his late-night rendezvous at Robin's place, while he's still technically dating Victoria. This conundrum isn't forgotten, as visions of Victoria come to haunt Ted every step of the way, until the real Victoria finally makes her call and ends the night for all three of them, as well as her relationship with Ted. Back at the karaoke bar, Barney attempts to prove Ted wrong by having Korean Elvis join Marshall and Lily in the night life. And it almost works!

"Are you a lesbian?"
"No, are you?"

What a better way to start off this review than with one of the show's best unsung quotes. Or actually, an even better way would be to start off my Buffyverse canon count! Alexis Denisof, aka Wesley Wyndam-Pryce of Buffy and, more notably, Angel fame (as well as the husband to Alyson Hannigan), makes his way onto the show as Sandy Rivers, Robin's slimy co-anchor. I'll get into the character some more when he shows up later, since I want to talk about the rest of the episode.

The thing about this episode is how well it builds on the potential from Ted's story last week that sadly wasn't built on, and totally delivers. Not only do Ted and Victoria call off their relationship, but good insight is brought into his and Robin's characters, particularly the place that they're at right now.

Earlier in my reviews, I've called Ted out, feeling that he's full of crap in terms of wanting a serious commitment, as the context clues made me realize that he isn't ready to compromise yet. Now that he and Victoria have been together for a little while, I do think that he has shown some signs of growth, yet not entirely.

Obviously, being willing to cheat shows signs of inadequacy. Not necessarily immaturity, mind you, but that's not an unfair point, either. One thing "Life Among the Gorillas" did well is show Ted progressively losing her dedication to Victoria, indicating that he did find long-distance to be a mistake. This doesn't mean that Ted didn't love or wouldn't have been able to have gone the distance with Victoria if she stayed, but rather that he is much more of a nearby person, as he lost his mojo without her there.

The visions of Victoria that Ted has over the course of the episode proves that, yes, Ted does still care for Victoria, but he can't entirely replicate his feelings for her without her there. Each vision becomes slightly more poignant, helping Ted to get closer to his real goodbye. As Victoria shows up every few feet that Ted gets closer to Robin, he's reminded of the strong relationship they once held, but the fact that he can tell right away that she's not really there indicates that he knows this isn't real anymore, and he'd rather try things out with Robin instead.

That said, Ted is very much in the wrong for choosing to go through with a late night affair with Robin while still being in a relationship with Victoria. Lily and Marshall tell Ted this repeatedly, but it doesn't take a need to hammer into the audience's head to realize this. Cheating is wrong, period.

If Ted had not lie to Robin, he may not have soured himself on both girls, but it's a necessary evil that he did. Ted getting away scott free would have been a disservice to the character and story, nor would it have been fair at all. He doesn't deserve a passionate night with Robin, nor does he deserve an easy out with Victoria, so thankfully neither happens.

How about Robin's feelings for Ted, though? While the end of the episode tests these emotions, Robin's recently found admiration of him is a big part of what lead her to make a booty call, but there's more to why he did than just to finally win him over.

The first act does a great job of showing us a day in the life of Robin, from a memorable Career Day in Lily's kindergarten class to a quiet night at home with her five dogs. While Robin has historically not been interested in a serious commitment, it does seem like she is lonely in her current place right now. While the strength of Robin's character comes from her refusal to be defined by her relationship with another man, everyone feels alone at various points, so her want for contact is believable. It also helps that the build-up to the events that inspire her call is fantastically portrayed.

Robin wants a night with Ted, in a combination of a way to help ease the ache behind what she believed was his break-up, and just because she wants him. It doesn't work out the way she wanted, because Ted lied to her, which proves to her that Ted may not be such a great guy after all. Whether or not that revelation sticks remains to be seen, but it's not a fault of the writing that the episode ends here, since the development behind it works rather well.

So as we see one relationship end and another potential one be shot down, Barney, Lily, and Marshall are experiencing a fun night with a Korean Elvis that becomes increasingly less fun as it goes along. Granted, this does end in a very memorable final scene, but this is the weak link of the episode, as similar to the previous ep's story for Ted, this feels like a distant B plot meant to only ease the harsher moments from the core story. There are definitely some funny moments, but the Korean Elvis plot just doesn't fully take off like I'd hope it would, based on the premise.

"Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M." is still a very strong episode, and a worthy cap-off to the Victoria story. The main story isn't as funny as some other episodes thus far, but the build-up is strong throughout, and there are enough good jokes in both plots to make the episode hold up for repeat viewings beyond the less fun aspects.

Although personally, I've had some great times after 2 A.M. Maybe I'm just too young to fully sympathize with the gang just yet, though.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Life Among the Gorillas"

Life Among the Gorillas (1x17)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays

One Paragraph Synopsis: Marshall isn't adapting well to his new job. Not only is he not saving the environment, like he's always aspired to, but his co-workers are misogynistic scum that makes Barney look like Mr. Rogers. His attempt to adapt into his environment works, but perhaps too well. Even though Marshall hopes to keep this job to keep Lily happy financially, she's not happy mentally with Marshall's work. At the same time, Ted struggles to keep his long-distance relationship with Victoria in check. It doesn't work, nor does Robin's attempt to conceal her feelings for Ted, as she gives him a booty call at the end of the episode.

This episode is about relationships. Maintaining the love in a relationship, not shying away from truth in a relationship, and the importance of understanding one another in a relationship. The two core couples of the show thus far have tests to pass, as this episode puts them through the ringer.

Marshall and Lily have proven time and time again that their love is strong, and that they know each other extraordinarily well. This isn't only true in the writing, but also the performance- Segel and Hannigan share a special bond that makes the fact that their characters have been together for 9 years believable. They've nailed body language and have eye contact to spare, not forgetting the way both actors share their dialogue flow. This is a special chemistry that other shows would kill to have among their cast, but HIMYM got down very early on.

Of course, this doesn't mean that Marshall and Lily are always on the same page, though. While her wardrobe does prove that she has fancy tastes, Lily is fine in the financial situation that she's in, even if teaching kindergarten isn't her dream job. She's fine being where she is as long as Marshall is able to succeed, which shows maturity. It also brings up another point of her character, though, as Lily's hope is that at least one of them is able to work their dream job. If she can't be a famous artist, Marshall should have the chance to become an important environmental lawyer.

The opening flashback to Marshall meeting his childhood hero, Dr. Birnholz-Vazquez, is an important look into his character. It's also among the first childhood flashbacks that I can recall on the show, but certainly won't be the last. Birnholz-Vazquez's forewarning of destruction to the environment is presented in a way that makes sense for a young (or even old) Marshall to buy, digging into his beliefs of superstition, as well as finding the right way to strike a nerve into his earnest, helpful self that we see he hasn't forgotten in the years since.

Needless to say, this shows up quite well in the episode, as Marshall begins his adaptation into the world of sexist suits. When he discusses game plans with Barney, Marshall's skill of retaining knowledge come into play as he later nails the story they practice perfectly. The little sequence at the end when Marshall looks into a mirror and sees himself wearing a gorilla mask is further proof of this, confirming his transformation into this unwelcome habitat. Marshall has fit into the environment, and he has done it well.

Too well. It's almost uncharacteristic to see Marshall casually insult Lily as he does later in the episode, which is something she notes. If it wasn't clear before that Lily loves Marshall for his good qualities rather than his potential to keep them well-off, now it's crystal. It takes almost no time with Marshall and Barney's co-workers (both of which we'll see again- Bilson and Blauman will sporadically appear in the series as it goes along, with Blauman, who is Cobie Smulders' real-life husband, making a mark in a much later episode in particular) for Lily to realize that Marshall and even Barney are better than them.

Yet, albeit briefly, it does seem that Marshall seems content with being a part of this workforce. He adapts so well into this world that as a result, he ends up liking it. Or does he? As I reflect over the episode, I can't tell if Marshall did genuinely enjoy Bilson and Blauman's company, or if he eventually obtained Stockholm Syndrome. On the one hand, Marshall does inhabit generic male traits, admiring Y-chromosome led stupidity that doesn't run too far from society's normative rules, which does indeed fit into this environment. At the same time, it's become apparent that to Marshall, a little bit of Barney goes a long way, and these guys are a lot of Barney. Perhaps it's a little of column A and a little of column B? We'll see.

The key issue in Ted and Victoria's relationship that is present in this episode involves their trust as a long-distance couple. The thing that I notice about each scene in which Ted tries to figure out what to do so he can keep up with Victoria, Robin is involved. She gives him helpful advice each time, giving a double meaning- one, Robin felt that the best way to support Ted is to comply in his confusion about his relationship by giving him logical suggestions; and two, while she is happy for Ted, Robin still harbors feelings for him.

That couldn't be any more obvious after the ending lands. There isn't a cliffhanger here, as the narration's last word, "go", says all that needs to be said. What this suggests is that Robin's unrequited emotions aren't one-sided, and that Ted may very well become a cheater.

But it seems like Ted was ready to end things with Victoria anyway, even if his suspicions of her wanting to break up aren't accurate. Ted's story is a little disjointed, ultimately making this a step down from the previous few episodes, but the part about this ep that always sticks to me comes from when Ted meets Marshall at the karaoke bar, and tells Marshall that he remembers his feelings for Victoria, but everything else is becoming a blur. Many couples have been able to keep a strong foundation despite being thousands of miles apart, but Ted just can't as he doesn't feel that he's pulling his weight, nor can he truly remember why he should.

I'll have more to say about Ted and Victoria's falling relationship in the next review, since this is only a precursor. "Life Among the Gorillas" is a good episode, but primarily when Marshall's story is involved. The best lines come from Marshall and his workmates, including Barney, while Marshall and Lily's dilemma feels fully developed. Ted's only feels like a sampling, which is why it comes off as disappointing to me despite Bays and Thomas' best efforts. Although Ted and Victoria's story isn't over yet.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Cupcake"

Cupcake (1x16)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Suzy Mamann-Greenberg & Maria Ferrari

One Paragraph Synopsis: They've only been dating for two months, but a wrench is thrown in Ted and Victoria's relationship when she is offered a two-year internship in Germany. Now Victoria has to decide if the opportunity is worth leaving Ted, while he has to consider if he wants her to go as well. Victoria decides to go, so the two attempt to spend a wonderful night together before she leaves. However, by the end of the episode, they agree on a long-distance relationship. Meanwhile, Barney has Marshall try his tailor out for a new suit. After he ends up having to pay for it, and Lily's stuck with a wedding dress, he ends up taking a less than favorable job in Barney's firm.

Ted's tag at the end about long-distance relationships sucking is very true, at least in my experiences. I have nothing against the lucky few who were able to make it work, but it's hard to keep a solid foundation of trust when you don't have close access to your loved one. It's also hard to replace being there with your beau, as much fun as romantic phone conversations and sexting can be.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. While it is made clear that Ted and Victoria won't make their time apart work, this isn't the last episode in their story. As a precursor of what's to come, "Cupcake" is strong, and has important moments for everyone, although I don't think it's ultimately an outright classic like the previous few episodes have been.

So far, the women haven't been given as much to do on the show as the guys have, especially not as a group, so seeing Robin and Victoria join Lily as she goes wedding dress shopping was a welcome change. Lily and Robin's friendship has been building for a little while now, expanding from just a necessary transition into girl time when Ted or Marshall's issues were becoming too overwhelming on the show, but I do feel that there is more to their ties by this point.

Robin and Lily are both modern women, albeit in different places- Lily was raised by a second-wave feminist who taught her to not adhere to today's present stereotypes of womanhood, which is a trait Lily took with her into her college days and still maintains years removed; meanwhile, Robin was raised by a traditional masculine-bound father who didn't bother to hide his disappointment in having a girl first, nor did he bother to raise her like a traditional young girl. Similarly, they both still share appreciation for traditionally feminine items, like cute clothing, make-up, and the aspiration to be a princess, without any shame. It seems as if Lily had always kept some traits of girlhood all her life, while Robin had to learn herself that she can enjoy both masculine and feminine favorites, as she's still an admirer of stronger drinks and activities like laser tag and hockey. Lily herself also shares some of Marshall's more guy-friendly interests, but also has her ideas of romanticism.

Or maybe we shouldn't label things like scotch or fashion as masculine or feminine, nor should we chastise anyone for enjoying these things. Robin and Lily sure don't, which makes them great characters, and great friends as a result.

Victoria is harder to crack, since although Ashley Williams helps to make the character as likable as anyone else on the show, she doesn't have her own well-defined interests as of yet. She likes cats (not the musical, mind you), and clearly knows her way around a nice pastry. That's something, right?

Yet she fits pretty well with Robin and Lily, even if Robin is hesitant at first. These are three smart women who seem to casually enjoy each other's time while window shopping. Of course, free cake and champagne doesn't hurt, either. But Victoria functions well in this dynamic, as she's quick-witted enough to follow both Robin's reliance on appeasing Lily, while not being afraid to tell the truth when Lily wants it merely a second later. It sure does seem that Victoria works well under pressure. It's also worth nothing that this subplot wins for the funniest story in the episode, containing a lot of the most fun moments as the three girls go through Lily's options and share equally well-written lines with each other.

One thing that I admire about this episode is how it takes a problem that plagued the previous ep and a good chunk of this one, Robin's petty jealously against Victoria, and fixes it before the second act is over. While Robin's feelings for Ted aren't eradicated, she does seem to realize that the both of them are happy together, and that Robin needs to back off for the sake of them both. Her goading Victoria to go to Germany stops after a little while, when Robin gives her a sincere answer to whether the internship is worth taking. It takes serious growth on Robin's part to put her feelings aside, as well as rightfully removing this one-sided cat fight for Ted's sake.

I need (and want) to talk about Ted and Victoria, but before I do, let's look at Marshall and Barney's story this week. Again, Barney is being given more substantial material, as he is the driving force behind this entire subplot. Marshall wouldn't get a new suit if it wasn't for Barney, nor would he go into debt if it wasn't for him. This is structurally a despicable move on Barney's part, but it isn't a move without merit from him- Barney wants to see Marshall succeed and be able to spend time with his good friend, which is why he pushed for Marshall to take the interview.

Although Barney decided to find a way to make him take the interview by deceit, he also knows that Marshall is historically a person that needs a push to excel. Sometimes, it's Lily's body, other times, it takes financial woes brought on by both himself and Lily to take the initiative. While this job won't qualify as Marshall's dream of becoming an environmental lawyer, it's still a job in his field, which is a step in the right direction no matter. Barney's still in the wrong for being an ass, but his heart is present.

Both of these storylines are strong, but the episode is called "Cupcake" for a reason, after all. This is about the fellowship Victoria is offered, and whether or not their relationship is strong enough to make or break this deal. A strong question that makes for a strong episode.

Although they ultimately do decide on long-distance, Victoria and Ted are hesitant to try it for obvious reasons- distance, loneliness, trust, time. The other thing that keeps them away from considering it at first is Lily and Marshall's previous experiences at it, as Lily took a year abroad in Paris while they were still in college. Marshall didn't trust any men in the country with Lily, which resulted in him scaring away the one friend Lily made there, told to us in a joke that ends up landing as transphobic rather than anything else. Lily and Marshall are only one couple, which is a very small sampling to survey, but Victoria and Ted seem to be fine in taking their experiences so seriously in this debate, considering that their time as a couple has lasted longer than some dog breeds' life expectancies are meant to.

This is why Victoria allows for Ted to consider whether he wants her to go or not, even though I'm personally not crazy on the idea of one person being allowed such a option. Ted takes this position seriously, as his pondering on the right move makes for a palpable moment of clarity over the episode. The romantic whose self-doubt has ruined most of his good chances thus far has finally found someone who might be his great love, allowing the show's concept to find itself. While it would take great strength to initially agree that Victoria would be best off going to Germany, he has every right to doubt if her leaving is for the best.

Thankfully, when Ted decides that he's not crazy on her going, Victoria realizes that his say shouldn't matter, and plans to go through with it. Again, I do believe that Ted has the right to his opinion on whether Victoria is making a good call or not, but at the end of the day, this isn't his opportunity, it's hers. If Victoria thinks her fellowship is the right move for her, she has every right to decide on it. Perhaps if they were together for a longer period of time, or certainly if they were married, Ted's say might make more of a difference, but I'm all with Victoria here.

Although from a first time viewer, it warmed my heart to see them decide on trying long-distance anyway. If that pesky tag didn't exist at the end, I would have hoped for their three years apart to work. But unfortunately, we'll soon see just why this wasn't meant to be. Enjoy it while you can, though.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Game Night"

Game Night (1x15)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Chris Harris

One Paragraph Synopsis: Marshall sets up a game night with the gang, introducing his new game- Marshgammon, which combines the best of every game (only including the "gammon" from Backgammon, leaving the rest of it in the trash where it belongs. Segel's delivery on the line works better than my text). In typical Marshall and Lily fashion, though, this game is used as an opportunity to quiz Victoria to see if she's right for Ted. But this night is actually about Barney, after the discovery of an embarrassing tape brings a tragic time in his life to the gang's life. Along with the encouragement of the group via their own embarrassing stories, Barney tells just how he got to where he is today.

I can't tell when the Barney Stinson character started to take over the show. It seemed pretty clear from the beginning that he was meant to be the breakout personality, given that a lot of the best lines from the pilot were his. Even as the show kept Barney to the back to focus on Ted's titular story, Neil Patrick Harris continued to find a way to shine as a highlight. It's worth mentioning that Bays and Thomas initially wanted a Jack Black type to play Barney, but NPH came to the audition and owned it to the point that they okayed the character to adapt to the way he is at this point in the show's run.

The previous episode gave Barney his most substantial role yet, while this one gives him an even bigger one, the main story. Thankfully, "Game Night" passes the test as not only potential for more A-story Barney episodes, but as another very strong episode. There's also room for the others to shine in here, as well.

Although I want to still focus on Barney, the thing that must come out first is this episode's pacing, which is typically fast and detailed for the series. The time spent between flashback and present day is evenly mixed, portrayed well thanks to the episode's framing device of Barney pausing his story to make everyone tell theirs. This works well to never make the audience feel as if there's too much time being set on one scene, but not necessarily cutting away too fast from anything. Your average scene is set and used in a consistent frequency.

"Game Night"'s use of storytelling between the gang is particularly noteworthy, as this won't be the last time we see the show use this method of pacing to keep an episode going. Having frequent flashbacks to the characters' pasts, like Lily's story where she and Marshall made love on a blanket his mother made for him while Judy is on the phone herself, not only helps to set up great jokes that wouldn't feel as authentic from verbal retelling, but they help to expand the world behind these characters as well.

There's a surprising amount to learn from the additional stories being told as to how these characters work, like how Lily's relationship with Judy is spotty, which is admittedly something that we've already learned from "Belly Full of Turkey", but is presented well again here. It's clear on the surface that Lily wants things to go well with her soon to be mother-in-law, but Lily and the Eriksens simply come from different environments, despite her best efforts to not allow this to clash. This also proves that maybe Lily doesn't try hard enough though, as she's quick to mock Judy's efforts to keep in touch with her son's life, and should be something that Lily attempts to resolve in the near future.

Marshall's story, meanwhile, tells us that he's fairly modest and tries to keep a good face, even when he falls on it. It's not that hard to interpret, really, since who wouldn't be embarrassed if they accidentally mooned a class of kindergartners? As for Ted's story... well, I'll save that for later. And if you've seen the episode, you know that there's no need to talk about Robin or Victoria here just yet.

But seriously, poor Barney. I think? Barney Stinson is far from the only chauvinist with a heart of gold story to make its way into the media, but the story somehow makes sense here. No backstory can fully justify someone's heinous actions, but I don't have too much to judge Barney's character on with this episode, so I'll spare that. As an attempt to put the puzzle of what makes Barney tick together, though, this works marvelously.

So far, we've seen that although he clearly can be selfish, Barney has a good streak at heart, which makes the reveal that he wanted to volunteer for the Peace Corps legitimate. It's quite jarring, though, to remember that two episodes ago, Barney used the Corps as a pick-up line at the wedding, yet it does give off the implication that Barney hasn't forgotten his earlier self at all. While he does boast about sleeping with Shannon at the end of his story, leading to tears of happiness from a life well spent in decadence, I do find genuine feelings of regret that his life turned out so differently. Of the five main characters, Barney seems the happiest in his current place in life, but that may only be due to the fact that we knew the least of his life before this episode. This still seems to be the case, but I still see a trace of Barney the dreamer in him. It also proves my theory when the ending hits, and Barney is seen alone, drinking and feeling empty before he finds a girl to hit on. This is his life now, for better or worse.

It really is fascinating to see how Barney changed from his experience with Shannon and her guy, from a peaceful hippie type (with a zine, to boot!) to the suit and tie, womanizing machine that he is today. Knowing all about Barney's story to come as the show progresses, I'd rather not reveal it to newbies, but there is a logical progression throughout. But as one can see, a man of confidence is all it takes to change the mind of someone, no matter how dedicated they may be. The catalyst in Barney and Shannon's relationship knew what he wanted in life, and knew how to get it, as opposed to Shannon, who was simply living the college student life, and quickly persuaded her onto his team. Barney was merely a byproduct of this untimely transaction, as he so obviously changes himself for what he considers the better to get everything this man has in life, and more.

But speaking of Barney, his "call" to the leg warehouse, and more importantly, Lily and Marshall's reaction to it, brings one of my favorite aspects of the show to the front- the fact that the gang can laugh at each other's jokes. This is something so rare in other comedies until you notice it, but most sitcoms do maintain that their actors keep in form throughout, even when a great line is being shared among them. HIMYM is an exception, in that it's often encouraged to show the others laugh along with each other. It really does help to bring the excellent chemistry behind the cast to form, as well as make the characters as fun to watch as they believe they are.

As for Ted, well, we're back to his feelings for Robin, although to be fair, the re-return took place during the pilot. But it should be clear to most everyone that he still has some remnants of feelings for Robin, even now that he's happy with Victoria. If there wasn't any fuel left in the fire, he wouldn't have cared as much about Victoria discovering Ted's history with her. At the same time, it's hardly a secret that Robin is now into Ted herself, although it is gross how she calmly insults Victoria during the game. Still funny in Smulders' delivery, but slut shaming is a tiresome act.

I'll have more to say about this quasi-love triangle later, but for now, I'll conclude my thoughts on "Game Night" by saying what. Now everyone has to drink, possibly while enjoying this awesome episode again.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Zip, Zip, Zip"

Zip, Zip, Zip (1x14)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Brenda Hsueh

One Paragraph Synopsis: We fast-forward about a month after Ted and Victoria meet up, to see them still together. While they're both doing well, they're also feeling anxious, as Victoria suggests that they should wait a month before consummating their relationship. In more awesome news, though, Victoria is called away for a meeting just before their anniversary, so they decide to connect anyway before she goes. In less awesome news, Lily and Marshall cancel their plans for a cozy getaway to stay home and bang, but they're both stuck in the bathroom while Ted and Victoria get things started in the living room. In news that alternates between awesome and not, Barney and Robin decide to spend bro time together while everyone else is busy, and all goes well before Barney shakes things up by sharing some honest truth.

It's official- I've hit the point of the show where I shouldn't be surprised about coming across a very good episode. That's not to say that every episode in the future is going to be a winner, but HIMYM has almost entirely hit its groove by now.

"Zip, Zip, Zip" is a title that has always stuck with me since it lives up to the titular promise, as the pacing is traditionally rapid fire. Which is all the more helpful, since there are three different stories to hit, and each one helps to build character to come.

Strangely enough, Ted and Victoria have the least substantial story. Hell, it's barely a story after they get out of the cab. But considering how much material of the series that Ted has dominated so far, that's a good call in my book. Still, there is meat to Ted and Victoria's sexual hiatus, as not only does it make sense that the two of them want to take their time to get to know each other and not rush into anything, it seems as if it's been a while since either of them have gone at it. There's nothing wrong with waiting, although based on Ted's obvious blue balls, their time was indeed near. It's also nice to see Ted, who can be pushy in his own way, not pressure Victoria into anything she doesn't want to do. The show has issues with keeping both sexes happy, even this early in, so such a fair compromise is welcome.

The best parts of their story comes from Ted and Victoria's obnoxious pillow talk. Both of their intellectual sides show throughout as they share awkward attempts at soliloquies on the couch, and no matter how many times I've seen this episode, it never fails to crack me up. It fits Victoria's character to ask just what makes Ted cry as they make their way into each other's pants, and in truth, it seems like a fresh attempt at bringing romanticism to the bedroom. And of course, it works!

Marshall and Lily's material is similarly goofy and compressed, since a big chunk of it revolves around them being stuck in a toilet while nature is calling for Lily. Despite the pee trouble, it takes no time to find the heart behind their story, as the couple question their lengthy relationship status come their ninth anniversary. The wedding is still a ways away, so it only makes sense that Lily and Marshall feel like they've explored almost every facet as lovers that they can.

This contemplation on their status juxtaposes itself well with Ted and Victoria's first sexual encounter happening right outside. Here, the senior most couple on the series have come to a realization that they have done almost everything that they can as a pair, while their best friend is making personal history with his new love right across from them. Is the torch being taken from them, or is there no more mystery to be solved? This is what on Lily's mind, as she realizes that she and Marshall have cut back on their erotic passion for complacency.

But hey, as Marshall points out, they haven't urinated in each other yet. It's not exactly their first attempt at intercourse, but this is a strange little sign that they're never done learning things about each other. Life is too long and big for Lily and Marshall, or any person, to fall into stagnancy if they don't want to. There is more for Marshall and Lily to do with and for each other, but it's up for them to find out just what there is to discover.

But Barney and Robin. Now we're onto something. We've seen the two of them interact before, but this is the first time that they've had a wide range of material together. And almost instantly, one thing becomes apparent- Cobie Smulders and Neil Patrick Harris have fantastic chemistry with each other. Already, they feel like the kind of close friends that Lily and Robin haven't fully embraced being just yet, almost effortlessly. Watching Robin and Barney play laser tag together gives a sense of shared energy that actors try for ages to master, while their calmer moments are fantastically set up as buddy pieces, while Harris and Smulders deliver without a hitch.

As friends, Barney and Robin work. They both share a mutual appreciation of a non-typical mindset, based on their passion for laser tag and varied attempts to pick up desirable women, as well as the occasional desire to class up for a night. Not to mention that they both enjoy classic board games, and even give each other helpful tips at how to play.

As love interests? Well, Barney isn't wrong when he brings up how neither of them are looking for anything serious and that they get along great. But Robin isn't wrong herself to consider Barney at this point as a dirty sleazeball that barely works as a friend, let alone a lover. While Barney did forgo his chance to score that night, it took no time for him under dress while at Robin's place. Barney knows how to be a friend, but he needs to mature some more before she even considers being more than a friend with him.

But life is long, and both are smart people. Just as this series is considerably becoming smarter, by allowing each of its core characters a welcome moment of clarity in this episode. "Zip, Zip, Zip" wisely keeps the momentum going throughout, allowing everyone time to shine in an unforgettable episode that rarely stops entertaining or expanding the show.

Continuity Errors: Lily and Marshall have separate toothbrushes here, as any sane couple should. Later on, we learn that they supposedly share a toothbrush, which is just... god, why, Bays and Thomas?

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Drumroll, Please"

Drumroll, Please (1x13)

Directed by Pam Fryman

Written by Gloria Calderon Kellett

One Paragraph Synopsis: The night after Stuart and Claudia's wedding, Ted tells us a story. The story of a beautiful, single night that he shares with this angel of a woman, Victoria. It's a perfect story of someone who is just pretentious as he is, without ruining it by hooking up, sealing a kiss, or even planning to meet after. Now, Ted regrets making this a one-time event, as he struggles to find out who she is, which is made even harder as Claudia knows for a fact that there wasn't a Victoria at her wedding.

Holy crap. I won't keep count, but if I was to make a list of my ten favorite HIMYM episodes, this will certainly have to make it.

For a while now, the show has been embracing its use of combining succinct cuts, which always help to expand plot, and often character. "The Pineapple Incident" is another strong example of this, wisely taking us back into Ted's night, as the audience slowly sees him become increasingly less control of his inhibitions. This episode is similar in that regard, but is almost the reverse in comparison, as Ted remains completely sober all night.

But the amazing thing, which you can thank on Radnor, is how you can see Ted genuinely fall more in love with Victoria during each flashback. This is something I noted during their sequences, as Ted falls from being slightly impressed with Victoria's fervor in the beginning, to joining in on her ideas in admiration as the night advances, wrapping up in sheer disappointment as she leaves by the end. I can see many an actor play the performance straight throughout, but there's a sense of mist in Radnor's eyes after he opens them when Victoria promises to not let him see her walk off.

Radnor's performance during the entire episode is incredible, even behind his romanticism the flashbacks. Although if I can come back to that for second, recall how he showed Victoria "the moves". It's classic rom-com material as he takes away champagne bottles and glasses from the reception. The key in it is in the little details, the way Ted keeps a firm hold of Victoria as they plan to sneak off, and the way he paces himself. It's pure confidence that works marvelously.

But while Josh Radnor keeps Ted's yearning in check, there's more to the performance than just that. He's also quite funny! A favorite bit comes from Radnor's delivery of his promise to go to Foxy Boxing with Barney, which is an excellent combination of regret and sincerity. Radnor sells the disappointment he has in having to go to the event, but also keeps a straight enough face to prove to Barney that anything is worth getting a chance to meet Victoria again. I also give Radnor props for his delivery of Lando Calrissian as a potential alias. Yeah, right Smosby. But Josh Radnor has already completely owned his droll, dorky, totally likable Ted Mosby.

Speaking of great performances, Ashley Williams already got her character down the moment Victoria introduced herself. Victoria is a mirror of Ted in some ways, in that she has a unique view on romanticism and can be quite pretentious, but she is ultimately a little less dorky than Ted. She's also more of a leader, as Ted had no problem following her every movement, even the unfortunate decision of not planning another meeting, before Ted was coerced into doing so at the very end. Williams plays this with a fantastic, pure feminine charm that always impresses me when I come back to the string of episodes she starts off.

And together, they're magic. I was sold on Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders instantly, but his chemistry with Ashley Williams in this episode alone blows that out of the water. Although I don't see Victoria fall in love as instantly as Ted did, there's definitely a spark she finds for him, an appreciation for his odd combination of intellect. It comes closer as each scene unravels, and we see the two of them find a way to be even more romantically inclined to each other.

I've called Ted and Victoria pretentious on more than one occasion thus far, and that's because they so clearly are. Their idea of masking the drum roll moment last is a classic literary ideal, a brief encounter that matters more in their lifetime than most relationships. It's the kind of story that Richard Linklater made with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delphy in the 90's, but even then Linklater dared to make follow-ups where his actors returned to each other years apart, and eventually do marry. It was a controversial move to a previously one-off story that paid off, and I can see Ted being inspired by Linklater to build off on this encounter to obtain his own happy ending. While nothing ever works out as it should, the weight Ted carries must be carried off to reach his enlightenment. It's a question that haunts Ted throughout- mess with a perfect night or give it a chance- and this is what keeps the episode so fascinating.

Another thing- the editing in this episode is flawless. Each transition is presented marvelously between the past and present, as it is that time is well spent in both throughout. Wisely, the entire episode isn't mostly flashback, as the charm could have easily been lost if too much time was spent on Ted and Victoria's endeavor. The time spent over the next day, in familiar locations, is welcome and helps to give the episode breathing room by allowing the rest of the gang to bring strong material. I don't feel inclined to talk about most of them this time, but I must give Jason Segel credit for bringing the episode's other love story into fruition, though- Marshall and that wonderful cake. All I know is that this might be Tahitian vanilla, as per Claudia's wishes, but dammit, I want some myself.

The other character who I feel requires being singled out here is Robin. Mainly Cobie Smulders' performance, because wow, is she great at emoting. This is slightly ironic, since Robin herself isn't great at expressing emotion, but I feel anguish in the bathroom as she sheds tears over seeing Ted happy with another woman. I feel her disappointment at how she chose the worst time to fall for him all over again. Most of all, I see Smulders successfully bring to life a great conundrum on whether or not she should tell Ted the information she has on Victoria. This isn't Robin's funniest episode, but it's a riveting performance that helps to bring her to life.

Even the production details beyond the editing are to die for. The lighting in particular is astounding during the flashback sequences. The reception area is exceptionally well-lit, keeping a big showcase on everyone, while the smaller sequences away makes Ashley Williams glow as Victoria. Brilliant use of spotlight always makes the world go round. It also makes for a beautifully depressing atmospheric moment when the lighting is cut back when Ted opens his eyes to see an empty room without Victoria. Fryman's frames are also exceptionally tight, as per usual.

I've seen "Drumroll, Please" too many times to count, and each time I come away with a saddened feeling that is later replaced with a touch of hope and assurance. Hope in that life works around to bring the right person to you at the right time, and assurance that the show has perfected its form. This is a beautiful episode, even if it isn't the show's funniest. And as we have more of Ted and Victoria's story to tell, let me just say that love has found its way.