Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Matt Kuhn
One Paragraph Synopsis: Ted is excited for the blind date he's hooked up on, but what he doesn't realize is that he already went out with this girl, Jen, 7 years ago. Neither of them figure this out until shortly into their date, when the revelation initially shocks, but helps the two to come to the idea that they should give each other another shot, to retrace their steps and see how this past date went wrong. After finishing their same dinner, walking the same steps down to McLarens and meeting with the gang as usual, and heading up to the rooftop, it all comes out. Ted had previously neglected to call Jen, but in truth, he chose not to because he resented how she disliked most of his quirks, and believed that she felt the same about his reaction to her own.So seven years later, Ted and Jen call it a night after one date, and go their ways. And on the same night, Barney takes Marshall into a strip club in hopes for a guy's night out, which Lily is surprisingly cool with. Robin, not so much.
Second chances are given out in a reasonable amount, when you think about. Goodbye is not always the literal end, and often times the closure you crave is reachable if you're patient enough. What is less common to see is these aforementioned second chances be completely moot, which is what happens to Ted and Jen's date in this episode.
The A-plot of "Double Date" could have contained the plot for an entire film of its own, its quality being dependent on the script and direction. And I can safely say that Kuhl's writing is not the problem with this part of the episode, while there are enough great calls in direction to make the episode stand out.
There's a sense of maturity and respect to the concept of a second first date portrayed throughout, while still maintaining HIMYM's unique brand of humor. There are dirty jokes that are used well to keep the general audience happy, while more gentle character moments help to keep everything alive, which the show is at its comic best when this balance is held. Kuhl has fun as he plays with Ted's nerdy idiosyncrasies, just as Radnor is game to poke fun at his character while maintaining a straight face. Similarly, the atmosphere isn't too harsh on Ted, as Jen's own faults (her cat obsession, her tendency to talk about her ex, the inability to play the check game) are meager but believable enough to come up as points against her.
And it is fun to see the two retrace their first date, compiled with clips from the date itself on top of this night's expedition. The editing is top-notch, as the juxtaposition is surprisingly fluid and believable to watch. While hearing Ted and Jen discuss their date gone wrong is fun, seeing it unfold is informative, bringing us right into their past, as they're compared to tonight. The effect could have been cheesy or poorly done, but here, it's a welcome call.
Seeing Ted and Jen seven years prior as opposed to today shows how much they have matured since then, and how they haven't. Ted has retired the lame goatee, while Jen has cut back on her cat talk a little since. They both have also moved towards more practical jobs, even if they're experiencing setbacks from them. On top of that, seven years is just enough to tell you what was wrong about you then, and how to evolve from that point.
The thing is, some things just can't and won't change, which is something Ted and Jen realize this night. Even though they both have changed some and are willing to change more, is it really worth it? Ted still likes to make dumb jokes that Jen doesn't appreciate, while Jen is still flaky about certain traditions that Ted (strangely, I might add) holds onto. Sometimes the change is worth it, but here, it seems like the two just weren't meant to be. Another date, another night has shown them this.
This night was a good indicator of what these two people are like at this point in time (we won't see Jen again after this, although the shellfish joke does return), but it also speaks a truth in humankind in general. Ted has dated a lot of women since his quest to find the one, and isn't anywhere closer to finding her. It's come to the point that he has hooked up with a person he has already dated before, which shows how far the quest can go. And sometimes, you're meant to go back to something you didn't give much thought towards before you try any further. It's an interesting challenge, one that makes for a damn good episode.
I'm mostly happy with this story, but my one fault is sadly a fairly big one- Lindsay Sloane isn't very good as Jen. A Sabrina, the Teenage Witch alumni, Sloane comes off as flat throughout, despite good intentions from Fryman's direction. The lack of chemistry that she shares with Radnor works for the character, but it's disappointing to see that she doesn't get the best out of some good jokes the character is offered.
Thankfully the subplot is fun itself, even if it isn't as enticing as Ted's material.
Barney's desire to have a guy's night out is fair, but Robin is justified to not support his interest in strip clubs. While there are no signs yet to show that Barney is willing to cheat on her, the fact that he doesn't tell Robin his intentions upfront is gross, so Robin is well within her rights to hold resentment. But it doesn't seem like telling her his plans to go would change her mind much, as Robin is dead against the idea of strip clubs in general. Which again, is fair.
Lily's acceptance, on the other hand, shows how cool she can be. Lily knows that at the end of the night, Marshall is coming home to her and nothing can compare, so she embraces it just fine. It also helps that they have had over a decade of strong communication and a deep bond to respect, something that Robin and Barney have yet to manage.
That said, Marshall's overly-complicated sexual fantasies are eye-popping, as Lily rightly calls out. His description makes for a funny moment, but if anything, this shows that he might be TOO dedicated to Lily, which can be a thing. But at least this all leads into the doppelganger reveal, which is a great moment for the show. And stripper Lily, man.
"Double Date" may not be perfect, but it's helping to keep the fifth season off to a good start. Let's hope that the show can keep this going.
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