How I Met Your Mother Review- "Rally"

This is a good episode, although not exactly a great one.

I do want to point out that this isn't the first time Lily and Robin kissed, though- they did back in season 7's "The Broath". Still, that was a funny moment.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Sunrise"

This isn't quite as good as the previous episode, but it's definitely one of the stronger Tracy-less episodes this season. Her material has usually been on point, but when she's gone, the show starts to linger.

But this episode has good use for the main characters, almost making up for their lack of original screentime in "How Your Mother Met Me". Marshall's ghost fight was a useful way to help him accept his best place to stand for his support of Lily, and ends the fight well. Barney's drunken wingman scheme allowed him to retire his playboy persona once and for all in the best way that he can. And I just hope that Ted and Robin are done for.

Also, I really appreciate the return appearances. Seeing Stella, Victoria, and Jeanette here seems like a good way to say goodbye to these characters as the show can focus on its end. And Tim Gunn, too!

Really, the only issue is the floating Robin at the end. Ugh.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "How Your Mother Met Me"

The best episode of anything ever.

Is that hyperbole? Probably. But this is a perfect episode.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Unpause"

Good compromise- Ted only names one of his kids after Anakin's twins, and it's the more "traditional" name, at that. And Penny is a name with meaning as well, considering that a lucky penny is what caused Ted from his first move to Chicago.

This is a great episode, and I'm glad that Marshall doesn't let Lily get off too easy with his defense. Although he forgot to mention how she nearly ruined their credit history with her debt, which seems like as big, if not a bigger issue, than the time she left.

But hey, at least we know what Barney does for a living. Please.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Bass Player Wanted"/"Slapsgiving 3: Slappointment in Slapmarra"

In this pair, it looks like we have the best and weakest episodes of the season to date.

The former is excellent for bringing the gang back together alone. It's nice to have Marshall back with his friends, as well as to see a return of the pause method that he and Lily share. And Tracy is continuing to prove her own, as an addition to the cast and as her own character. Niceness can be a fault, as she does seem to be too passive here, which is hopefully something that she'll fix by the time she meets Ted.

And then the other... has its moments. Boyz II Men have a great performance, and it's nice to see a slew of Barney's exes cameo, including Nora! But the attempted yellowface is awful, whitewashing an already predictably racist concept. Not to mention that the whole episode feels like a waste, not adding much to the final story.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "The Rehearsal Dinner"

This episode was actually the one that really bugged me at first. I couldn't stand Barney's inability to shut up about laser tag, and didn't think that the pay-off was worth it.

But in hindsight, this is pretty good. Like his proposal, this is a moment where Barney's deceitful side is beneficial. And really, I just miss seeing Marshall be a part of the gang. As brief as his time here is.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Mom and Dad"/"Bedtime Stories"

I can barely rhyme
But I don't feel like writing much this time
These episodes are fine
But not much more on the line
I was bigger on the latter when it was new
Seeing how the season developed, though, fuck rhyming

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Platonish"

This episode juggles a lot of things together. Both serious- Ted's conflicted stance on his relationship with Robin, Barney and Tracy's poignant introduction, which leads into Barney's desire to win Robin back. And comedic- Ted and Marshall heckling a Globetrotters game, Barney's crazy schemes, other silly moments. And Bryan Cranston going full out as Druthers.

But what works- much of it. I'm lazy lol

How I Met Your Mother Review- "The Lighthouse"

I remember when I saw the teaser trailer for this episode after the previous one aired, and it promoted the scrambled eggs contest like it was a serious thing. And considering how silly some of the episodes had been recently, I remember being among a fairly big group of fans who weren't too excited for the outcome.

But then the episode aired, and wow. This is easily the best the season has done since the premiere. The comedic moments mostly work. Robin and Loretta have a great moment at the end, as we get to find out more of what makes Robin tick. And the proposal was beautiful, perfectly scored by Ted's favorite artist.

This is why I'm still watching. The show that I love is here, and it's not afraid to show itself again.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "No Questions Asked"

So far, this season has been an improvement over the previous one, but it's still not A-game.

Funny stuff, but it's pretty routine. That feels about right.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Knight Vision"

Y'no what, I like this one. It's one wacky event after another, but it works. And killing off the reverend was a surprisingly dark comic moment.

If you stuck around for this point, you chose... I don't know, wisely I guess.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "The Poker Game"

Part of this feels like a rehash of "The Ashtray", but frankly, the flashbacks do help to make it a decent episode. As silly as it may seem, getting the chance for Ted, Lily, and Marshall to iron out this feud connects Marshall to his two closest friends in a way that has been missing in the past few episode. I appreciate it for that, alone.

And more Frances Conroy is nice, too.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "The Broken Code"

Four episodes in, and we hit a weaker episode.

Well, Ted and Barney's closure feels nice. Since his feelings for Robin still haven't been dropped yet, hopefully this will help to get there, as it's well past time. No one still wants them together at this point.

I'm less enthused about Robin and Lily's storyline, which is fairly sexist. Internalized misogyny is still misogyny, and it's annoying to see Kuhn play with Robin's inability to connect with other women like a joke. The ending is meant to come out nicer, but it doesn't fit.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "Last Time in New York"

I remember the excitement I felt as I, and the great majority of my social circle, caught up with the last season of this series every week. And I remember finding this episode to be a slight disappointment from the stellar premiere eps, mainly due to the lack of Tracy. While having more of her presence would have been nice, this holds up a little better than I remembered, and I like it about as much as "Coming Back".

If anything, my least favorite part might be Marshall and Daphne's weak attempt for a side plot, but it's slight enough to where I can forgive, or at least ignore it. Vikings jokes usually do work for the show, and this has a couple that are solid, but this feels like a waste of space to give Segel his paycheck for the episode. And Daphne so far hasn't been given a lot to make her stand out, despite Sherri Shepard being game for the show's sensibilities.

Robin and Barney's material is similarly silly, but not necessarily in a bad way. This is a good way to bring them back together, as they address whether or not they can keep the spark going well after this weekend, an issue that even Lily and Marshall tend to still have. The recurring gag about anal wears thin fast, but their chemistry shines regardless.

The main course of this episode comes from Ted and Lily, who get the chance to hash out their issues just once more, along with a few Princess Bride references to fill the show's quota. The characters still have it, as their discussion feels real and essential here, just as it should. If Ted really is going to leave New York, then he better hope that he can find some friends who can match the gang, particularly Lily's honesty.

How I Met Your Mother Review- "The Locket"/"Coming Back"

I promised to avoid spoilers here... but nobody's reading. And I refuse to go by with calling her the Mother, so I'm going to use her name, Tracy.

But wow, finally seeing Tracy on the screen is magic. Bays and Thomas had a clear vision for the character, which they have thus far brought to life in a wonderful manner, just as Cristin Milioti is perfect at maintaining the show's dialogue and tone.

These are very good episodes, brought to life by a set of actors that are committed to giving their show the final run-through that it deserves. A couple of questionable lines of dialogue appear, and the family history flashback that Barney shares could have been taken out, but these feel like a welcome return to arms after last season's downswing.

Really though, seeing Ted and Tracy together was just out of this world. Radnor and Milioti have perfect chemistry, even as evident from their one scene. But that's nothing compared to hers and Lily's time together. If I could eat peanut butter, I'd want some Sum Bitches.