Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Carter Bays & Craig Thomas
One Paragraph Synopsis: The new GNB building has found a new location- it shall replace the Arcadian, a classic (and fictional) hotel that was a landmark in its heyday, but is showing its age and has become a product of waste. Ted initially is fine with the decision, but he changes his mind the next day, when he meets a new girl- Zoey- who convinces him of its importance to remain. He finds a compromise shortly after Zoey discovers his role in the design, but after discovering that she's married, Ted nixes it so he can stick to the original plan. Also, Marshall's friend Max has a small penis, and Lily tells Robin everything about their sex life.
Baby Talk (6x06)
Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Joe Kelly
One Paragraph Synopsis: After meeting Stuart and Claudia's daughter, Lily and Marshall decide to come up with baby names. The thing is, though, Lily only comes up with girl names, while Marshall only has boy names. It gets to the point that Marshall takes advice from his father on how to give birth to a boy, while Lily looks up tips to have a girl, which they soon recognize, and try their best to settle things out, as they end up agreeing to not care about gender as much as they do. Meanwhile, Ted is dating Robin's co-anchor Becky, while Barney tries to hook up with someone while talking like a little boy.
Well, we've hit it. Here's Zoey.
Jennifer Morrison is now better known for Once Upon a Time, but she's pretty solid as Zoey, all things considered. Her timing and delivery fit the show, just as her chemistry with Radnor isn't awful. But be prepared for more of her...
This is fine for a one-off, though. She fits Ted's usual structure as a cute but determined woman, who is more than able to be a great obstacle for him, just as the conflict works. Here, his architecture dreams are getting closer to becoming a reality, but they're being shattered solely by a woman who has a history of causing riots for her beliefs. This is something Ted would normally be all for, but not in his face like this.
Or maybe the conflict turns him on? While he seems against Zoey by the end of the episode (I wouldn't want anything to do with someone who egged my house, after all), it's hinted that he's still thinking of her. We're not done with Zoey yet, but does that mean that they're going to hook up? Hmm.
That sexual tension is what keeps the episode interesting, as it is present throughout, even by the end. Ted sees someone who reminds him of his days as Dr. X in her, for better or worse, and Zoey has that for better or worse vibe to her. It's what keeps Ted interested, for obvious reasons.
Since he already sees the Arcadium as a relic. The building isn't a penis metaphor, even with the subplot still around, but rather a metaphor for change. The Ted of the first five seasons would be more likely to keep the building as is alive just to please a girl, just as he almost did. All it takes is a wedding ring for him to change his mindset, and actually grow a pair.
The other plot is similarly fun, as it sticks to an old sitcom format- battle of the sexes- in a respectfully modern way with no need for winners. Like many other arguments like this, there isn't a completely universal truth here- not every woman is as frank, while some men are more than willing to get candid. But in general, this speaks to the theory that men and women speak about as much as each other, just in different subjects. What that subject is should make all the difference, but note how men aren't afraid to discuss even the grossest facts, just without some of the more colorful details women are open to.
Marshall's surprise comes from how Lily and Robin discuss their anecdotes about their men, which shocks his small-town mind. And to be fair, I don't disagree about one thing- there are some little facts that I don't want to know about my friends. But it makes for a fun build-up that resolves well at the end.
If I have one fault with the episode, it's the frequent transmisogyny in the first act. Yikes, but the show hasn't always been great with trans people and pronouns, I'm afraid. You take what you can get.
Because hey, "Baby Talk" is a better episode, even after a good turnaround from "Architect of Destruction"!
The most important part has to be Robin's discussion with ed and Barney about her feeling of necessity with them- Ted never felt like Robin needed her, which bothered him. Barney, meanwhile, never felt that Robin needed her, which is why he was so happy with her- Robin is her own woman, which is awesome. She's a strong, wonderful person, who is exactly the kind of woman Barney doesn't aim for a one-night stand with, which is why he liked dating her. It's a great character moment for the two.
On top of that, the episode calls out the lolita culture without directly addressing it, and is only aiming for the creepier aspects. The best use of that is the ending tag, which shows how close to home dating a younger-minded woman can be. And yikes.
Great stuff, though.
No comments:
Post a Comment