Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Chris Harris
How to lose a girl in 15 pounds, or more.
While I did like the concept of Robin and Barney as a couple, the execution wasn't 100% up to par. In truth, even before future Ted's exaggerated description, it did seem like the pair were reaching couple's fatigue, as evident by their difficult time in previous seasons.
Why is this? So much about the two pairing up seems natural. Barney isn't as clingy or demanding as other people Robin has or could date, while Robin's independence should be a pro to Barney. But like many other things, time has run its course, and they're not clicking anymore. This explains their lack of effort into their physicality. Barney is eating like a male dog that just got neutered, while Robin's rocking the "just woke up and just waiting til I feel motivated to piss and start my day" aesthetic.
It's usually a good sign when you don't have to keep appearances up with your significant other, but not so good that they don't bother when they're in public. Barney and Robin seem tired, unmotivated, defeated, the opposite of their typical selves. While Ted and Robin's relationship showed signs of tear near its end, they didn't seem nearly this exhausted, showing just how different this has been working out for the couple.
I'm not fully sure how I feel about Lily's history with manipulating relationships to break up, but in some cases, a friend's bad pairing can be like a dying leaf. After a certain amount of time, it's time to cut it off however you can. Especially if two of your friends are involved.
Ted's trick comes from an old resentment he's still holding, when Robin freaked out over the ring in "Something Blue". Despite not even being his, it was still indicative of her feelings towards marrying him, which makes it no surprise that he wants to try it for them. This is also the first time since the icky lectures in "Robin 101" that Ted brings his past with Robin to the front and center. It's a smart, but also cruel, tactic.
Of course, it doesn't work out. Barney and Robin are so tired of life that they'll even settle into marriage, which is where Lily's more elaborate plot comes in, which exists as a best-of reel for their fights. The concept is great, but the execution works a little later than they hope, and results in an extended comedy bit as many of the supporting players try to one-up each other in terms of obnoxiousness, which has its moments but ends up about as tedious as it would in real life. But it is nice to see Badger from Breaking Bad, at least.
The stealth reveal of Robin and Barney's break-up nicely ties up a fun to watch, if occasionally spotty episode. Smulders' delivery of their catharsis is solid, just as the flashback to their split is a touching way to bring their time apart. Seeing Robin dressed nicely is a step forward, just as Barney suiting up better than usual is a return to form.
While this episode is strong, better than the previous season's "Shutter Island", this does show a problem with the fifth season- things get resolved quickly. Barney and Robin could have tried a little harder to stay together, or wrapped up a little later, since it's a bit rushed here. But Bays and Thomas decided to cut back on long-running storyarcs in season 5, as the show had become the big hit it was meant to be and it became apparent that the show wasn't ending any time soon, so the writers could slow down the plot. They wanted Barney and Robin over quick, not realizing just how strong Neil Patrick Harris and Smulder's chemistry was. A realization that they'd soon have, as evident in the show to come.
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