Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Carter Bays & Craig Thomas
One Paragraph Synopsis: Ted and Marshall, years down the road, reflect on how crazy their life has been, as they go back to a time shortly after the season finale. Marshall and Lily are still trying to have a baby, but Lily's momentum is killed when she discovers that Marshall has confided in his father about the big news. She feels that he tells Marvin too much and that he is also too impulsive, which Marshall resents until his father butts in a little more than he should, thus making Marshall agree with Lily, as he promises to cut back on the information he shares. Also that night, Ted has his eyes on a girl, who meets up with his ex Cindy. It turns out that Cindy had came out in between their time together, a decision she thanks Ted for (but not in that way). And Robin is about to get out of her post-breakup funk just when Barney needs some motivation.
New season, new beginnings, new promises. And this is looking to be a nice year, based on the quality of this episode.
HIMYM is often at its best when the show focuses on each of the gang together, and "Big Days" is no exception. Bays and Thomas still understand their characters, and are not only finding a way to keep their developments exciting this late in the game, but they have also found a way to bring most of the core storyarcs of the season up front.
The lukewarm reception to the fifth season was not lost on the show's creators, who instantly agreed and decided to use the next season to rectify as many of those problems as possible. The ongoing character arcs that made the show as fun and essential to previously watch are brought back, as we'll see in the episodes to come.
Just as the previous season wasn't forgotten. Lily and Marshall's decision to have children is the main plot of the episode, as the stress behind the effort is felt. They haven't been trying for too long, but the fear that this may not happen is there, as they both compensate in different ways. Marshall relies on the guidance of others, most of all his father, during tough times, while Lily tends to latch onto her biggest pet peeves, such as Marshall's method of handling stress.
The Eriksens haven't shown up in a while, but they haven't been forgotten either, which makes Marvin's presence in the episode fit in. Marshall's dedication to his family has been well-documented, as Marvin is particularly a big voice of confidence to him, which explains why his father is the first person Marshall runs to with news such as his and Lily's hopes to be expecting. Marshall just wants his dad's advice and inclusion, which isn't really a bad thing.
It's a little more complicated when you consider how impulsive Marvin can be, though. He means well, but the Eriksens have a history of sticking their noses where they don't belong. That is partly why Lily fell for and married Marshall, since she's a Nosy Nelly herself, but based on his calls, Marvin can be a bit too much. The come around to this revelation from Marshall works, but Marvin isn't totally shut out either, thankfully. Frankly, it's just nice to see some of Marshall's family again, and the plot is rounded well and makes sense for the characters.
Ted's story is just as important, as evident by the opening tag. While we don't find out whose wedding he is the best man for, it seems like he really has changed a little by that time. This season is meant to show how he gets there, and his run-in with Cindy might show us exactly.
Like how I mentioned above, I like how Cindy's coming out isn't a result of a bad experience with Ted, but a culmination of her own life. This fits her place now, and as it's shown, she's found her happy ending. Sometimes life works like that- something you don't expect comes and it all fits in. And just as I enjoy seeing any of the Eriksens again, I'll never turn down a chance to see Rachel Bilson. Especially when she's seeing kissing another woman.
But to return to Ted, this is a good way to get his arc rolling, as he is seen pining for a woman he can't have with no insight as to how he should get to her. It seems typical, but the reminder of Cindy's roommate makes it seem like this could mean more, only for it to end so abruptly. Which is also true to life- even the littlest things can add up.
Ted still isn't ready to find the one and start the ending phase of his life. He thinks he is, but he's still stuck in his old ways for right now. He needs to grow a little first, find out what he needs to do with his life, and go for it before he does. Which it's all up for him to do.
Barney and Robin's material isn't as big as the other three, but they have their own matters to deal with. Barney's simple whining about the end of the sundress season is rightfully silly, and handled well for the character, but there's a taste of what's to come for his character in between- Barney is still hoping to find his father, Bob Barker or not. He appreciates Marshall and Marvin's relationship, wanting that for himself, but it just isn't possible yet. This should lead to some great growing for the character, and give him more to do than try to find a girl in a sundress to screw.
Robin, meanwhile, needed to sundress up to give herself a refresher. Leaving Don and moving back in with Ted wasn't great for her esteem, as evident by her... existence. While I do think the episode becomes a little too mean to Robin in the episode, her scenes make for some of the best and weakest material as such. It would have been a little nicer if the episode was nicer to her, but damn if seeing Robin in a garbage heep cry out that she's ready for sex isn't gold. This is shattered expectations at its best- when we expect the best, the worst is a million times better to see on screen. Her return to glam, however, shows that she's not out yet, and that this will hopefully be her year.
And while you're at it, keep a look at Barney's reaction to Robin's sundress. Does this mean that there is more for the two to deal with together? I dunno, but I'm happy with "Big Days". It promises a lot, and has so far delivered on much of it. Let's hope the season doesn't disappoint.
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