Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Joe Kelly
One Paragraph Synopsis: When Barney is banned from the laser tag playhouse for being too rough with kids, he tries to get Ted to TP the place with him. Ted, who considers himself too old to do things like this anymore, pulls out the Murtaugh list, a combination of things that people over the age of 30 shouldn't do anymore. Barney decides to try to do them all in the next few days, and later comes up with a list which contains things people around the age of 30 are too young to, which Ted goes through himself. Meanwhile, Marshall coaches Lily's kindergarten basketball team, which she thinks he's too harsh with. Lily forces Marshall to calm down, which results in them failing.
I haven't seen a Lethal Weapon (although I have seen It's Always Sunny's sequels, and do intend to watch at least the first 2 in the near future) or the original Teen Wolf, so this episode might work better if I had. I have played Duck Hunt though, and fuck that annoying dog. Although he is apparently good in the new Smash. But this is irrelevant, as the episode itself is great.
Age seems to occupy this entire episode, particularly the importance of how your maturity should be tuned to your age. The core conflicts between Barney and Ted and Marshall and Lily make for intelligent discussion on both sides, as they're also just funny to watch explored.
The Murtaugh list contains things that even someone who is well below 30 wouldn't consider doing anymore, like go to a rave or get my ear pierced (especially by myself, jeez, Barney), which speaks to how it holds up. As you grow up, certain things are meant to be abandoned as you approach adulthood with tact and common sense, which Barney seems to have difficulty doing himself.
Barney's refusal (inability?) to age has constantly made him such a fascinating character. He has grown as a character enough to make him more likable as the show has progressed, but he still chooses to release his inner child more often than not, as he does during his entire laser tag spiel. He has fun, which is matters.
Here is a rare moment where his age catches up with him, though. Barney breaking his back is a little too obvious of a metaphor, but it works to get the point across that you're not going to remain where you are forever, so it's best to embrace age with open arms. Not as open as Ted's arms, of course, but I'll get to him later.
On some level, Barney does understand that he is getting too old to do everything that he used to, but he's not ready to fully admit this yet. And why not, as age is scary, especially when you're reaching it. But it is inevitable, and when you hit 30, there are certain things to consider, like how you interact with children. Barney definitely does need to change this, as his time with the kids in laser tag was uncalled for.
Ted was right as he watches Barney flail through the Murtaugh list, just as Barney and Robin are right that Ted is becoming too square for his age. Look at how he embraces the list they create, almost seamlessly. It's a little pathetic. While Barney is having difficulty adapting to his age, Ted needs to reflect on how he is acting, as he does at the end of the episode.
Ted's epiphany from his Lethal Weapon marathon is a great moment that helps bring the episode together. Here, he sees the error in his ways, as the Murtaugh list is retired, even though he and Barney still agree that there is merit to retiring some activities as you age. Compromise is the spice of life that makes it constantly worth tasting. Although they really should have thought better before TPing the laser tag place.
Marshall's material has him show a little more edge than usual, but it's a welcome change, especially as Lily plays a strangely serene take herself. Or rather, she is more serene than usual, just not fully, as she still plays fairly rough against Marshall.
But this is a strength of Lily's that is worth note- while she can be quite antagonist when she wants to, she knows to keep herself controlled in front of children, and usually succeeds. Marshall, however, doesn't have this going for him based on how he treats the boy in his team.
While some ferocity is necessary to keep a team pumped, you really need to consider the age group you're playing to. Lily teaches kindergartners, young children who need nurturing before they're ready for more competitive sports. Marshall doesn't seem to care, based on his reactions. This is not right, although Lily isn't exactly helping with her lollygagging as a coach, which doesn't even really count as coaching. You can see this by how badly they perform during the game.
The flashback to Marshall's history of playing with his dad brings some insight to his methods here, even if his actions aren't justified. He wants to succeed, and comes close, but he definitely comes off as a jerk here. I don't mean this as a complaint, but rather a fun way to spin the episode, as it somehow makes sense for Marshall's otherwise kinder character, especially when you remember how his brothers used to treat him.
But what really makes this subplot work, besides Marshall and Future Ted's exaggeration of the competing team's height, is the subtext being thrown here. Lily and Marshall are arguing about more than just effective coaching methods, but their ability to become parents. This otherwise perfect pair aren't on the same team here, in a way that wraps up towards potential parenting conflict. Marshall could be just as rough with his future children as he is to the boys, while Lily might be too carefree, or this is at least how each other view their lover.
The way that they don't exactly see eye-to-eye by the end suggests that Marshall and Lily just aren't ready for raising children yet, which might be for the best. There aren't hints towards a separation, just a lack of communication in this regard. That's just fine for right now, as the two still have more things to take care of.
These stories tie up the theme about how to handle age, as Barney's reluctance towards embracing adulthood and Marshall and Lily's conflicting methods fit well with each other. You are never really done growing, as evident here. And that's what makes the episode work. It's quite funny, and leaves enough to analyze the characters with to stand as a great episode, instead of merely a good one. Just as this is absolutely a great season.
No comments:
Post a Comment