Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Jamie Rhonheimer
One Paragraph Synopsis: Things become weird for Barney when he meets up with Rhonda, the woman he lost his virginity to after the Shannon fiasco, for the first time since. It turns out that while Barney thought that he totally rocked her world, the whole event was initiated by his brother James to help Barney get over the rough break-up, and he in fact did not rock her world. This causes Barney to receive the yips, in that he has no game to speak of even more, even when Victoria's Secret models are on the line (yep, there they are on the front). It takes another shot at rocking Rhonda's world for Barney to get his mojo back. But while Barney is sorting out his issues, the rest of the gang are spending their time at the new local gym, with mixed results all around.
The Platinum Rule (3x11)
Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Craig Thomas & Carter Bays
One Paragraph Synopsis: As Ted is getting ready for a date with his doctor, the rest of the gang try to warn him to not go through with it, as dating someone you're in close proximity to often ends in disaster, and each of the gang has a story to prove this. Using Ted's preparation as a background, each story is told simultaneously, as we see Robin's disastrous time dating her sports anchor piled on with Lily and Marshall wooing their new next-door couple (featuring Kristen Schaal!) until being smothered, just after Barney sleeps with and unwittingly wins over Wendy the Waitress. Despite the stories, Ted goes on with his date as planned, only to learn that it wasn't a date, as doctors can't date their patients. Swing and a miss.
I wanted to make my next review a combination, to make up for my lack of time to work on these recently, but I wish that I picked a better pair. Not that either of these are bad at all (far from it, in fact), but they don't really fit.
Still, there's enough to work on both episodes that I'm glad to take them on here. "The Yips" isn't all that important to the season't current story, fitting almost like a side story for Barney than anything, but it's a welcome story to the character.
The Shannon story is a legend that surprisingly hasn't been mentioned since its appearance in "Game Night". I guess it makes sense since even I felt some second-hand embarrassment for Barney that might just be too much for the gang to constantly bring back, and he gave the story his own closure. There wasn't all that much for the show to do with this part of his life, as welcome as it would be.
Now seems like a good idea to bring the story back, as we've been seeing Barney's character progression in the two years since- there actually isn't that much of it, but it's clear that there is more to Barney than just a skirt chaser. The idealist that defined Barney's social justice days is mostly, but not entirely gone, and while he's quite childish, there's still an honest loyalty to his character which pushes beyond his issues.
But just imagine how Barney must have felt to know that the lie he's been living for the past 10 years, well, really is a lie. Already, a good deal of his stories are missing the citations to be taken credibly (this episode takes note of Barney's obvious fibbing when he tries to get Ted to go along with the fabrication of how he made out with Heidi Klum, which SO did not happen), but to have such a story blown up in his face must be rough.
Especially since it really seems like Barney did not think that he barely passed this test. Like Rhonda says, no one is good in their first time, and there's no reason to assume why Barney would be an exception. But the fact that he doesn't breaks him, going beyond Barney's typical male association into straight ego. Healthy or not, it makes for a fun watch.
While the rest of this story is mostly predictable and less fun to write about, I do think it makes a good compliment to the following episode, as both revolve around accepting the truth and improving yourself however possible. "The Yips" has Barney come to grips that he hasn't always been the sex beast he was, while "The Platinum Rule" bends him and the other 3 friends as they warn Ted of his date.
The thing about "The Platinum Rule" that makes it such a unique experience is the way the episode nixes the show's traditional sitcom structure by taking place, flashbacks aside, entirely in the apartment in the course of a night. The plot is minimal, the stakes are quite low, and (seemingly) everything is resolved by the end of the episode.
This is almost taking the show back to All in the Family or Everybody Loves Raymond, shows that often took place in one building, occasionally even in real time. But HIMYM is a little too layered to stick to that formula, as instead the meat of the story comes from flashbacks.
The set-up of the flashbacks are, as expected, well-organized. Lily and Marshall's are always right in the middle, being the second to deal with the Platinum Rule themselves, while Barney and Robin's stories alternate. Everyone gets equal time, though, as their stories are being unfolded to the audience, but really Ted, all at once.
The theme of each story becomes that each of the attempted couples work initially, becoming exactly what the characters were hoping for, with just a little bit of bargaining to make it. Barney wanted a hot fling with Wendy; Lily and Marshall wanted a nice couple to interact with on lonely nights; Robin wanted a fun dating experience with someone convenient and with hockey ties. All of these became true right away.
Obviously, there's more to this. Just as there's more to "The Yips", with the gang's exercise attempt being the core subplot. Marshall's is easily the most substantial, as his fitness instructor is a joy to watch in her random anger. Marshall may have been proud of his fluff, but he really must have wanted some of it gone if he stuck around with her long enough, but I also see a sadistic side in him, as her instructions almost go over the line more often than not. Only a moron or someone who enjoys the pain would have taken as many lessons as he did.
Lily's attempt to make Marshall jealous doesn't work as well, the main reason being, well, her instructor didn't actually work there. This is actually a very funny idea, one that doesn't overstay its welcome as Rhonheimer realizes that there's more to the episode than some funny gag plots. Although she still finds room for good material with Ted and Robin. Robin's lack of attempt towards physical beauty normally would have made for unfortunate transphobic or body shaming jokes, but that doesn't seem to be the attempt here. What I see with her work is one more chance for Ted to get over his ex, seeing her at her least desirable and finding a chance to laugh along.
But Robin does get her vengeance, as she gets to see Ted at his most pathetic, and gets a good laugh herself. The concept of Ted going to the gym, but not actually doing any exercise, is a great one that is present throughout, never being overstated until the end, when he's called out on it. Ted is a doof, but a sly one when he wants to be, and can hide away just when necessary. Albeit not for long, as shown.
But for the bulk of "The Platinum Rule", what the four also share are unfortunately clingy significant others, and this is where the problem for each comes from. As it's become clear, Robin isn't clingy at all, and while Barney sticks closely to his ties, he was not looking for anything serious with Wendy. Lily and Marshall are definitely close to each other, but that's love, bitch. A love they can't share with anyone else, maybe aside from Ted. Seeing Wendy make herself closer to Barney, the Girards constantly plan charade nights with Lily and Marshall, and Curt freak out about Robin forgetting to call is all you need to know where this is going.
And that's when the ugliness kicks in, showing why they made the right decision to call things off. Curt is understandably angry about Robin's decision to break up, going as far as to (in an uncool decision) embarrass Robin on screen, which proves how childish the character clearly was when context clues weren't enough. Marshall and Lily have some stalking to deal with, itself a creepy tactic. And Wendy... respected Barney's decision and remained ethical about it, meaning that Barney might (well, totally) be the problem here, especially when he questions her every move after.
This is where Barney and the gang try to end their story, but there's more. Just as there's more to "The Yips", such as the Victoria Secret party, where Barney's titular yips are front and center. After three seasons of grossly winning over overqualified women, it's nice to see him so utterly fail to impress Miranda Kerr and Adriana Lima, women he clearly has no right to spend a night, or even five minutes with. Ted and Marshall do their best to be his wingman, but this must be equally cathartic to them, as he so deserves such a loss after too many undeserved wins.
Also important is James' material, who is only seen in flashback but has his own story to tell. This is his coming out, as whatever facade James held to prove unnecessary masculine credit is slowly fading. James' winking nods to his true sexuality are becoming less subtle, just as he openly admits to enjoying figure skating, itself a cliche gay stereotype, but at least one that helps to get the point across. When he takes one for the team to sleep with Rhonda, that has to be it. No more vagina for Barney's brother, just as Barney gets
Vagina like Wendy's, for example. Although Barney is clearly under delusion of how their relationship went, the last addition to the Platinum Rule only proves that happy, or at least accepting, conclusions can happen. The Girards can find happiness with another couple, Robin and Curt can be on good terms again, and Barney just needs to get over himself, and not waste good alcohol.
As for Ted and this Stella, well, that's a story for another time, I'll reckon. These episodes are paced almost like day and night from each other, but both are strong endeavors into the show's canon, continuing a strong season. This is also the last taste of HIMYM that fans saw for a bit of time, as the 2007-2008 Writer's Guild of America Strike occurred. But thankfully not too long, nor disappointingly, as you'll see.
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