Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Carter Bays & Craig Thomas
One Paragraph Synopsis: Back in Minnesota, Marshall is getting ready for Marvin's funeral, and the gang is doing their best to make things easier for him. Ted and Barney are looking up funny videos to crack him up a little; Lily is aiming her sights towards Judy, who needs a break from all the stress; and Robin is like the service's own Mary Poppins, with a purse full of everything you can imagine. But nothing they can do will really help Marshall out, who feels that he was robbed of meaningful last words with his father, after hearing what Marvin's last conversations were like to Judy and his brothers. All it takes is a newly found voicemail to change his perspective, though.
This shouldn't have worked. The Korean-themed string of gags and the joke about Barney getting Marshall's fifteen-year-old cousin should have hurt this episode a little more (but hey, Barney did instantly give back her number, so at least he isn't THAT gross).
But even problematic material can't hold back what is a fantastic episode, as we get to say goodbye to Marvin with Marshall and his loved ones, and say hello to a new, exciting chapter in the gang's life. "Last Words" has been compared to "Chuckles Bites the Dust" and the first Hartman-less NewsRadio episode, perhaps haphazardly, but in a well-meaning way, as this succeeds at what it aims for.
Marshall brings up a good point- how would you feel if the most recent conversation you had with your father was your last? Mine was about a decade ago, and I don't really remember it, so I'm not a good person to come to here. But this paints a picture for the gang, who each considers where they stand with their father.
We haven't seen Alfred since his first appearance in the second season, as he and Virginia told Ted of their divorce. Since then, it's become apparent that he's grown into an awkward 60-something-year-old attempting to be one of the cool kids. While Ted rightly isn't attracted to this side of Alfred, the fact remains that this is his father, and he wishes for a better relationship with him, but first he should be in a better place.
Mickey has never been great with Lily, and it seems that in the year since "Slapsgiving 2", he's been incarcerated. Lily's inability to even answer or respond to him shows where her current place with her father is, but at the same time, it seems as if Mickey hasn't done any growing himself. It doesn't seem like he's still in jail anymore, if Lily can easily contact him, which means that they have the chance to work on their bond together.
Robin still feels inadequate to her father, which is something he reciprocates (this episode also introduces Ray Wise as Robin Sr, as Eric Braeden chose to not reprise the role. Wise will play Robin Sr. from here on at). Robin just wants her father to appreciate her a little, and it doesn't seem like she's at fault here, even if she is too willing to open up to her.
Barney, meanwhile, hasn't seen his father in about 30 years, and even then only knew him as "Uncle" Jerry. This is why he stayed absent when the other characters talked about their father, as much as it must hurt. His call to Loretta at the end of the episode indicates that this should change soon, though.
Marshall, on the other hand, had a generally great relationship with his father. They loved each other dearly, and kept in contact regularly, even getting a chance to see each other days before Marvin died. But all Marshall can muster his father's last words to him being were "rent Crocodile Dundee 3!" When his family gets to their stories during the service, it makes sense that Marshall feels left out.
This voice mail shouldn't mean too much, but to Marshall, it's everything. It's a chance to hear his father's voice one last time, and it could mean something very poignant. Yet his initial pause makes it seem like Marshall isn't ready to accept the possibilities, though. What if Marvin just asked about his foot cream? Or what if he just accidentally butt dialed Marshall?
It turns out that this was a butt dial, which hurts Marshall at first, even going as far as to call out to God. One thing the series only occasionally, and unobtrusively acknowledges, is Marshall's faith. Coming from a small town, it makes sense that Marshall is at least somewhat religious, but the show knows better than to throw it at our face, unlike other series. Instead, we usually see Marshall's faith in little comedic bits, like his belief in the supernatural.
But there's no denying that Marshall has a lot of faith and belief in his heart, enough of it goes to a higher being. Here, he's legitimately angry towards his God, feeling that he was denied a chance to hear his father's voice again. Still, Marshall never doubts his God's existence, and thus is rewarded with a real, touching message from Marvin. Along with something about his foot cream, but that doesn't matter. A great choice in camera angle, on top of Segel's acting chops and smart pacing keep this as one of the show's most poignant moments. And this comes from someone with no faith.
Yet Marshall decides to not share the story of the last voicemail, and instead tells the Crocodile Dundee 3 story. Sometimes, the original take is the best in terms of storytelling purposes, as it works like gangbusters during his piece.
This is a great way to round up the episode's honest depiction of grief. None of it is left on the others, who are each given memorable ways to keep Marshall and Judy's spirits alive, but this is Marshall's episode, as Segel knocks it right out of the park. This is the show at its best.
No comments:
Post a Comment