Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Carter Bays & Craig Thomas
One Paragraph Synopsis: On Punchy's wedding night, Lily is still trying to hide her pregnancy, and has Marshall drink for two until she's ready to reveal the news. The problem is, Marshall has a little TOO much, and ends up ruining the night as a result. But it's out to the gang that they're expecting, at least. Ted is gearing up for his best man speech, a usual spectacle, and he especially bound to make an ass of himself when he sees all of his old high school buddies married and with children, while he still isn't. And Robin is trying to get over her emotions for Barney, who's hoping for Nora to give her another chance.
The Naked Truth (7x02)
Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Stephen Lloyd
One Paragraph Synopsis: Marshall finally hears from the head of the environmental firm that he wants to work for, Garrison Cootes (Martin Short), who promises that Marshall is all but bound to have the job if a precise internet search checks out. Marshall looks himself up and finds his slate pretty clear. Except for one thing- the time he ran around his campus, nude and drunk out of his mind. To ensure that Cootes doesn't find this video, he tracks down the guy who shot the video to remove it, but Marshall ends up getting very drunk and does it again. It turns out that Cootes doesn't care anyway, and Marshall still gets the job. Also, Ted and Barney have women trouble.
Man, that dance scene was enough to pull the weight for the whole season ahead of it.
A brilliant work of direction and lighting, Fryman only continues to prove herself as a great observer of the characters as she allows them to own their way through this kinetic work. It helps that NPH and Smulders only grow with their roles as the show goes on, finding every point that Barney and Robin are supposed to hit without a hitch.
Notice how Barney leads a great deal of the sequence, but Robin holds her own as the lead. She wouldn't allow Barney, or anyone, take full control, but she respects him enough to lead when necessary. It helps that Barney still drives her wild, so it's easy for her to allow him to. The way Robin pauses when Barney creases her up at the end of the sequence is all the proof you need, just as his touchy nature is more than just typical- he wants her too.
I also want to give props for "Groove is the Heart"'s use. A 90's gem, this is a perfect feel good dance number to use for the sequence, not only for the show's playing with nostalgia and for poppy purposes, but also the song's idea, that love and dance can be equated. A perfect metaphor for the motion.
Robin sadly doesn't get nearly as much involvement in "The Naked Truth" as she does in the premiere, but her pining for "Lenny" Kravitz is pretty funny itself. The end result was almost like punishment for wanting too badly to meet him. But "The Best Man" puts her in an interesting place, as she still hopes for another chance with Barney, even though it's increasingly becoming moot.
As Barney himself is changing a little. "The Best Man" shows him in his natural state, trying his hardest to get some action in Cleveland, but falling back thanks to some terrible schemes. Purposefully terrible perhaps, as he's still waiting for a return call from Nora.
Barney's sincerity is proven in "The Naked Truth", when he gives Nora FAR more information than she needs. Barney didn't actually have to tell her every sordid lie he told for sex, but his unabashed honesty in the results is what makes this. Right down to how he waits in the diner for her return, a gesture that doesn't sound practical, but works in concept.
Some of the lies that Barney confesses to are pretty bad, too. The Soul Man is especially disturbing, as the show hasn't had the greatest history with race. But at least Ted dated a black girl tonight, right? Who only appeared for one scene, but I digress.
Ted seems to be in the same place he always has been, wanting to settle down, but not getting any closer to doing so. Zoey isn't mentioned at all here, but her effect is still felt when he's shown to be as miserable as he is. Although he at least seems to realize that at this point, their relationship wasn't meant to last.
This is why he has been overcompensating with the recent admission of his status as a hot young architect. To be fair, appearing on the cover of a decently popular magazine is something to brag about, so I can't blame Ted for doing so. But his attempts to win women over in both episodes are fairly pathetic, to say the least.
But it's evident by the fact that he doesn't win anyone over, and comes out empty in both episodes that this is for the best. His dates in "The Naked Man" are mighty pretty, but they're hardly what he's been hoping for in terms of a steady relationship, just quick flings. If he wanted to be serious with either woman, he would have done so, instead of making pros and cons charts (I would cheer too, btw).
Besides, Victoria's appearance at the end of the later episode is all the proof we need that something serious will be coming down the road soon. We're not done with her yet, but I think even casual fans can recognize a cliffhanger when they see one. Also, the Mosbius Designs Has Failed remix is A+. Look it up.
And now we're at what is probably the most important arc of the season, Lily's pregnancy. Right now, she and Marshall are adapting early on, but they're still taking baby steps. Both are clearly excited, but it's going to take a while before their child comes out.
Lily is just embracing the joys of pregnancy, while Marshall really needs to stop drinking so much. He makes an ass of himself in both episodes, just as he should. As I've mentioned a few reviews ago, we rarely see the characters too drunk, so finding Marshall casually throw a football through a wedding party and running around Manhattan naked as the day is surprising. Yet this paints a portrait of a Marshall who needs to take a look at himself, and how he handles his liquor. But at least until he does, getting the job with Cootes was a great moment, and this will hopefully lead to some more fun with Martin Short, who has some cute moments, as isolated as he is.
Also, "The Best Man" introduces the other big theme of the season- LeBron's departure from Cleveland. He's back now, but who cares?
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