Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Jamie Rhonheimer
One Paragraph Synopsis: The GNB building that Ted initially designed, but was later dropped by the conglomerate, is being picked back up for construction. Despite Barney's wishes, though, Ted chooses to not come back to help work on it, as he's happy with his job as a professor. But Barney alwaysssss gets his yes, and it takes some soul-searching before Ted eventually comes around to take the task on. At the same time, Robin is seeing Don's new job in Chicago, which is driving her insane, to the point that she constantly calls him to let him know her feelings. Lily tries her best to intervene, but Robin keeps on going crazy until she eventually moves on and forgets his number herself.
Rhonheimer doesn't alwaysssss get her ep, but when she tries, she can make some fine scripts for the show. And here's one!
It shows where Ted is in his current place in life that he even needs to debate if he wants to work on the GNB building or not. It's been a dream to make a building like this for years now, and the moment his chance arrives, bam. Doubt!
But Ted does truly seem happy being a professor. It fits his need as a perfectionist, while giving him the tiniest taste of parenthood. It's a pretty good position, and it's funny to think that he almost turned the job down. So this fits not only the character, but his place in the series. He isn't ready to find the mother and have children yet, but it's certainly time for him to find something meaningful in life, beyond his friends.
At the same time, working on the creation of his building should help with this even more. The GNB tower might serve as a metaphor for the building of his family, something Ted has wanted for a long time, but has never ceased the chance to obtain before. The thing is, the opportunity is right there, but he's stalling. This might mean that he's not ready, but something seems to tell him otherwise.
Stalling has always been an element of Ted's character, since the beginning. He a;ways seems to ruin the right opportunities (like Victoria) or aim for the wrong ones (like Robin), rather than give his choices more thought than he does. But following him in the half decade since shows me that he's actually ready for the responsibility and joy, if he doesn't purposefully screw things up.
I don't think that Barney is thinking about this though. He just wants the building made, and knows that Ted can do a good job of it. There's still a bit of friendly appreciation in Barney's actions, but keep in mind his general motives- this is going to look good for him. Which is why he really fights.
Ted has seen Barney make the moves on women before, but being the one who he is making the moves on gives him a different perspective, as he sees how good Barney is at it. Barney knows to not reach too much, which he doesn't, and to leave only something slight to give Ted incentive to change his mind. And it works, down to a T. The crazy thing is, Ted recognizes and loves this, which makes it fun to watch.
This is fun to watch, but I'm not as crazy on the b-plot. Smulders is too good as Robin to not make everything she does come out well, but it doesn't seem right for the character to come off as a jealous ex-girlfriend. There's truth to her bitterness- Don was wrong to leave her to take the job that she wanted so bad- but she shouldn't be calling him as angrily as she is, no matter how drunk she becomes.
And it's the thing that really drags down this fun episode. This is old hat, and it doesn't work for the show. Rhonheimer should have known better, as tiresome as it is. But even this material has its moments, again built up to Smulders' talent as an actress. She really helps to make her cries funny, for better or worse.
I can't totally call this a great episode, but "Unfinished" makes me happy for Ted's character, and the show's future. The GNB building seems to be the thing he needs to go forward with his life, and let's hope it works.
No comments:
Post a Comment