Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Craig Thomas & Carter Bays
One Paragraph Synopsis: Ted's life changes after being involved in a car accident while in a taxi. He's not really hurt at all, but is now questioning his break up with Stella, something he recently initiated after feeling pressured when she invites him to a wedding six months in advance. When she comes to visit in the hospital, she and Ted reconnect, or so he thinks, as Stella didn't realize that they broke up to begin with. Some cliches exist for a reason, Mosby. But a bit of the Mosby charm and some reasonable compromising allows for the two of them to be engaged, as soon as it may seem. Ted also reignites his friendship with Barney after he runs to catch Ted in the hospital, and gets hit by a bus along the way. And during the episode, Marshall and Robin discuss the existence of miracles.
Fucking magnets, how do they work?
What a great way to end a great season. Of course, it couldn't have ended without Ted proving himself to be the dumbass that he is, but that's the fun.
It's a great joke to see Ted consider saying that they're breaking up to be a cliche not worth mentioning, when there's enough of a sense of vagueness to make this a bad call on his part. It's the way Ted functions, and seeing how the rest of the gang finds it irritating is palpable. I'm a little annoyed with him, too.
So I do side with Stella's response to when she realizes Ted's original intent, even if I do wish for their best. They've proven their worth as a couple, despite their brief time together. While Ted isn't always the most considerate guy, he does truly find something special in her, as Stella does in him. They both are intellectual, they laugh at each other's jokes, and Radnor and Chalke are finding some good chemistry together. But this isn't enough for me to not be annoyed with Ted.
Stella deserved a proper break up, even if he had to use one more trope on top of his averagely-written speech. Even if she is putting all of her eggs in a basket, she is doing this because she trusts and likes Ted enough to guarantee that they'll still be together in six months, which isn't that bad of a claim. If Ted is doubting that this can happen, he's in the wrong place, and should have made sure that Stella fully understood his decision.
I see this, and I'm annoyed with Ted, then the ending arrives, and I'm won over by Ted's orange kangaroo proposal. This is the How I Met Your Mother that I love, why I'm writing this- small little things that can build up to something special, brought together by sharp writing, excellent direction, and strong performances. Radnor and Chalke bring their all to this scene, allowing for welcome light humor before the inevitable proposal, all without a hitch.
The reason I support this moment despite still being annoyed with Ted's actions is that I do believe that Ted feels remorse for the break up, and wants her back. The build-up to this revelation is well done and hard to dispute. My problem is Ted not choosing his words well, not his realization of the split being a mistake.
The choice of a car accident being responsible for this epiphany is a good one, even better complimented by Barney being the one to give Ted a push to find Stella. As Ted is about to take a big leap forward, it only makes sense for something that could have easily been a seismic shift in his life direct him towards this. While of course another important decision, the return of his friend into his life, is only a continuation of this. When someone who otherwise has little use for marriage like Barney gives Ted the okay, it becomes apparent to see that this is a good decision.
Barney's story isn't front and center, but it is present and a good addition to the episode. He's still grappling with Ted's separation of friendship, a decision Barney has never agreed with. Seeing how he takes the call with a strong face, only to leap into action the moment he can for Ted shows how Barney is doing his best to take this. He misses his friend, misses the chance to do good for him, but is also trying to respect Ted's decision.
Also consider how Barney is removed from Ted's emergency contacts (if Marshall isn't his only one, anyway), but Ted seems to be Barney's only contact. While Ted seems ready to move on with his life, Barney is still grounded in the now. Here, both collide, as their friendship is restored while Barney gets to see his buddy go win the girl.
As for Barney's lingering towards Robin? I knew that his night with her wasn't a one-off thing in his eyes, and the challenge will be to see how this continues for the both of them, if it does. There isn't much to say yet, as this and the past few episodes don't say much about their potential together.
Robin does get some good material with Marshall, however. Their arguments in regards to miracles are a highlight, bringing good repertoire together, while sharing fun flashbacks to keep the pacing alive. Robin's anecdote towards where her disbelief of miracles only further shows how destructive her childhood was, and allows for a cute turtle to be on screen. It also explains her love for dogs, and why she keeps so many, to make sure they'll have a good home. This is only subtext, but strong enough to be read, as evident by Smulders disappointment in her face as she continues on.
Marshall's are more comedic, but he does tell of how he almost went back to work at NH&W, but a fluke changed that before the firm got in trouble. Each of these are entertaining, but do allow for those who believe in faith and miracles to support Marshall, as Robin's stance on coincidence works well for skeptics. While religion is rarely discussed on the show, it is evident that Marshall is of faith more than the rest of the group, which makes his passion towards the subject believable. Robin cares for the guy, but has her own beliefs that clash, and these are tastefully brought to the table in these well-written moments.
Just as "Miracles" was a well-written finale for a solid season. Enough is set up to prepare the fourth to be an important one, and I can't wait to get to it.
Season Rating: In truth, I'm still irked by some structural issues in the season, primarily the lack of material used for Lily's debt, and the lack of time for Stella to allow for the random engagement to fully land, as much as most of this works for me. But there wasn't a truly bad episode all season, a lesser plot or some unfortunate choices in dialogue aside. The writers and actors are continuing to find and perfect the show's voice, as they've all but done here, while Fryman's direction compliments it all. It's funny, I always considered the second season to be better, but I think that the third succeeded enough to earn an A-, which is not bad at all. How will season 4 rank? I don't think it'll be much of a step down at all, but let's see!
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