Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Gloria Calderon Kellett
One Paragraph Synopsis: The night after Stuart and Claudia's wedding, Ted tells us a story. The story of a beautiful, single night that he shares with this angel of a woman, Victoria. It's a perfect story of someone who is just pretentious as he is, without ruining it by hooking up, sealing a kiss, or even planning to meet after. Now, Ted regrets making this a one-time event, as he struggles to find out who she is, which is made even harder as Claudia knows for a fact that there wasn't a Victoria at her wedding.
Holy crap. I won't keep count, but if I was to make a list of my ten favorite HIMYM episodes, this will certainly have to make it.
For a while now, the show has been embracing its use of combining succinct cuts, which always help to expand plot, and often character. "The Pineapple Incident" is another strong example of this, wisely taking us back into Ted's night, as the audience slowly sees him become increasingly less control of his inhibitions. This episode is similar in that regard, but is almost the reverse in comparison, as Ted remains completely sober all night.
But the amazing thing, which you can thank on Radnor, is how you can see Ted genuinely fall more in love with Victoria during each flashback. This is something I noted during their sequences, as Ted falls from being slightly impressed with Victoria's fervor in the beginning, to joining in on her ideas in admiration as the night advances, wrapping up in sheer disappointment as she leaves by the end. I can see many an actor play the performance straight throughout, but there's a sense of mist in Radnor's eyes after he opens them when Victoria promises to not let him see her walk off.
Radnor's performance during the entire episode is incredible, even behind his romanticism the flashbacks. Although if I can come back to that for second, recall how he showed Victoria "the moves". It's classic rom-com material as he takes away champagne bottles and glasses from the reception. The key in it is in the little details, the way Ted keeps a firm hold of Victoria as they plan to sneak off, and the way he paces himself. It's pure confidence that works marvelously.
But while Josh Radnor keeps Ted's yearning in check, there's more to the performance than just that. He's also quite funny! A favorite bit comes from Radnor's delivery of his promise to go to Foxy Boxing with Barney, which is an excellent combination of regret and sincerity. Radnor sells the disappointment he has in having to go to the event, but also keeps a straight enough face to prove to Barney that anything is worth getting a chance to meet Victoria again. I also give Radnor props for his delivery of Lando Calrissian as a potential alias. Yeah, right Smosby. But Josh Radnor has already completely owned his droll, dorky, totally likable Ted Mosby.
Speaking of great performances, Ashley Williams already got her character down the moment Victoria introduced herself. Victoria is a mirror of Ted in some ways, in that she has a unique view on romanticism and can be quite pretentious, but she is ultimately a little less dorky than Ted. She's also more of a leader, as Ted had no problem following her every movement, even the unfortunate decision of not planning another meeting, before Ted was coerced into doing so at the very end. Williams plays this with a fantastic, pure feminine charm that always impresses me when I come back to the string of episodes she starts off.
And together, they're magic. I was sold on Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders instantly, but his chemistry with Ashley Williams in this episode alone blows that out of the water. Although I don't see Victoria fall in love as instantly as Ted did, there's definitely a spark she finds for him, an appreciation for his odd combination of intellect. It comes closer as each scene unravels, and we see the two of them find a way to be even more romantically inclined to each other.
I've called Ted and Victoria pretentious on more than one occasion thus far, and that's because they so clearly are. Their idea of masking the drum roll moment last is a classic literary ideal, a brief encounter that matters more in their lifetime than most relationships. It's the kind of story that Richard Linklater made with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delphy in the 90's, but even then Linklater dared to make follow-ups where his actors returned to each other years apart, and eventually do marry. It was a controversial move to a previously one-off story that paid off, and I can see Ted being inspired by Linklater to build off on this encounter to obtain his own happy ending. While nothing ever works out as it should, the weight Ted carries must be carried off to reach his enlightenment. It's a question that haunts Ted throughout- mess with a perfect night or give it a chance- and this is what keeps the episode so fascinating.
Another thing- the editing in this episode is flawless. Each transition is presented marvelously between the past and present, as it is that time is well spent in both throughout. Wisely, the entire episode isn't mostly flashback, as the charm could have easily been lost if too much time was spent on Ted and Victoria's endeavor. The time spent over the next day, in familiar locations, is welcome and helps to give the episode breathing room by allowing the rest of the gang to bring strong material. I don't feel inclined to talk about most of them this time, but I must give Jason Segel credit for bringing the episode's other love story into fruition, though- Marshall and that wonderful cake. All I know is that this might be Tahitian vanilla, as per Claudia's wishes, but dammit, I want some myself.
The other character who I feel requires being singled out here is Robin. Mainly Cobie Smulders' performance, because wow, is she great at emoting. This is slightly ironic, since Robin herself isn't great at expressing emotion, but I feel anguish in the bathroom as she sheds tears over seeing Ted happy with another woman. I feel her disappointment at how she chose the worst time to fall for him all over again. Most of all, I see Smulders successfully bring to life a great conundrum on whether or not she should tell Ted the information she has on Victoria. This isn't Robin's funniest episode, but it's a riveting performance that helps to bring her to life.
Even the production details beyond the editing are to die for. The lighting in particular is astounding during the flashback sequences. The reception area is exceptionally well-lit, keeping a big showcase on everyone, while the smaller sequences away makes Ashley Williams glow as Victoria. Brilliant use of spotlight always makes the world go round. It also makes for a beautifully depressing atmospheric moment when the lighting is cut back when Ted opens his eyes to see an empty room without Victoria. Fryman's frames are also exceptionally tight, as per usual.
I've seen "Drumroll, Please" too many times to count, and each time I come away with a saddened feeling that is later replaced with a touch of hope and assurance. Hope in that life works around to bring the right person to you at the right time, and assurance that the show has perfected its form. This is a beautiful episode, even if it isn't the show's funniest. And as we have more of Ted and Victoria's story to tell, let me just say that love has found its way.
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