Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Kristin Newman
One Paragraph Synopsis: When the rest of the gang holds a couple's coma during the winter, Barney, still maintaining single stamina, decides to impress the gang by having his gay brother James show up to raise their enthusiasm. The thing is, though, James is engaged with plans to adopt, which breaks Barney's mind and heart. The episode deals with his unwillingness to adapt to James leaving the dating world, before Barney eventually meets the man and child his brother will spend his days with, and relents. Meanwhile, Ted and Marshall see what it's like to consistently be hit on when the gang goes to a gay club, as the ladies get time off from their usual scenario.
Let's start this off by dealing with the elephant in the room- yes, this is about gay rights. The episode was nominated for a GLAAD award as it handled the issue of gay acceptance in a vaguely subtle way. While there are elements of the episode that I don't think work very well, the metaphor is portrayed well enough that I'd call it effective.
Of course, Barney is cool with James being gay. That's just a part of who he is, and Barney seems to have always been accepting of it. It's the notion that James is get married that disappoints Barney, and where the episode builds on gay rights. His denial fits in with family members that are initially unconvinced of their loved ones not being straight, as it's often a big shock, even now as our culture has become increasingly more welcome to queer people. Blame some dated pieces of literature on that.
Granted, not everyone becomes accepting of their queer child's being. Some people are so conditioned to believe that homosexuality is a sin that they may never become accepting, but plenty do take time. Barney goes right into anger, though, as James' revelation causes him to almost want to write James out of his life. The gang also takes note of Barney's rage, as he isn't necessarily willing to hide it. This is an unfortunate cause, one that Barney quickly glances over.
Barney goes to bargaining when he brings James and the group over to the gay bar. Initially sold as a "bachelor party", James is quick to see Barney's motive, as he brings numerous attractive men over to his gay brother in hopes of having James forget about his fiance. James thankfully doesn't hesitate to let Barney know that he thinks this is wrong, similar to how a queer person's loved one is likely to bargain to them to change their viewpoints, sometimes by praying away the gay. As you can imagine, that just doesn't work.
This episode goes past the depression phase quickly, as it fast-forwards up to the wedding and shows that Barney has grown full acceptance of James' decision. Barney's little speech to his newly adopted nephew is a thing of beauty, showing Neil Patrick Harris' natural acting graces in a calm, loving motive. In hopes to save time, I don't think that I need to explain how the last two stages would affect the loved one of a queer person's coming out, nor that a queer person may likely have their own system of coping towards their coming out.
The KΓΌbler-Ross method of grief is used in "Single Stamina" for two reasons- not only to show how Barney adapts to his brother's recent venture into a lifetime of couple's coma, but for him to hold the potential in his mind that some day soon, Barney may similarly go into that same coma. The Barney Stinson of today is a self-proclaimed bachelor, but give him 6 or 7 years, and who knows what will happen to him. Like everyone else, Barney will continue to mature as he lives his life, and there's no reason to believe that he'll be so against domestication in the future as he is right now. He's not able to admit it right now, but it seems like Barney even has this idea right now.
The bulk of the story is about Barney and James, which is lifted not only from NPH's usually excellent performance, but from Wayne Brady's own acting strength. He adapts very well to the show's structure as he adheres to its typical sense of humor, but also adds a unique energy to it. James' dialogue has a different kind of punch to it, as he's even more long-winded than Barney, as well as even more charismatic. Barney may be funnier, but Brady still proves that he understands comic timing just fine when he's given the chance to let James deliver some real kickers.
At the same time, Brady is also great at performing more gentle moments, as shown here. When James confides in Barney, it comes off as believable and generally likable from him. This is only the first episode for James, but he nails the character immediately, as there's already a brotherly bond between the two characters that's clearly present.
But as for the rest of the group, there's definitely some good in here. Their material isn't as essential, but the idea behind couples coma and single stamina is logical, as it common for people in happy relationships to lose their desire to go out when they can have just as much fun with their boo at home. I've been on Barney's end more than the other way around, but it is definitely a thing. One that is respectable on both sides.
The part that does stick to me about their material, though, is the role reversal at the gay club. There is some excellent commentary about misogyny with the constant advances that Ted and Marshall deal with in relation to the guys there, as they see what women have to deal with daily. The idea that they should be flattered by unwanted flirting, grouping, and creepy comments helps to give these men a clue as to what not only the women in their life, but practically every female alive, deals with from men.
Although it almost loses me when Lily and Robin grow tired of being ignored at the club, and head back to McLarens. I just can't buy that they actually miss the gross attitude from men, since a lot of it borders on abuse. And abuse is just wrong, which makes me wonder what the intent here is, as it comes off as counterproductive.
The shared lines from Robin and Lily at the end results in my biggest flaw from the episode, which is otherwise another strong installment. James doesn't keep his distance for long, appearing sporadically in the years to come and usually adds something of value to the episode. Here, his relationship to Barney definitely helps to contribute to the episode's qualities, as it's another loving, believable addition to this great show.
Also, keep note of Ted and Robin's ending scene, especially how it contrasts to Marshall and Lily. There's more to come for the couple over the course of this season.
Continuity Error (?): Ted talks about how he isn't crazy on his brother-in-law, but to my memory, over the next handful of times we see or hear about his sister, there isn't another reference to a husband. It's possible that they got divorced, but this seems like an error.
It's also worth noting that Megan Mullally voices Barney and James' mother here, even though when we finally meet her, she doesn't keep the role. It makes sense, since Bays and Thomas don't seem to have her down as a character rather than a concept just yet, but this will change. Thankfully, Mullally is often great, and she delivers some crushing lines here.
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