Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Joe Kelly
One Paragraph Synopsis: Continuing from the previous episode's bombshell, Barney copes to the news of Robin's pregnancy, even though it isn't exactly official. Barney does his best to show Robin the perks of parenthood, but she's still disinterested. A check with Dr. Sonya proves that she isn't actually pregnant, which is good news... until Robin later learns that she can't have children. Something she's okay with, but the realization of it hurts more than she could imagine.
Part of me was afraid to tackle this episode, but I also knew that I absolutely had to hit this one, so here we go.
But how do you touch such an episode? The series has had plenty of dramatic moments before, but a lot of them were pretty standard for sitcoms, but done very well- losing a parent, dealing with the return of a distant parent, rough break-ups. But infertility? This isn't necessarily untouched territory, but not that many comedies take this subject on.
Fryman and Kelly keep the show's traditional sense of humor alive, even adding in a silly (but not meritless- I'll come back to that) subplot, but Robin's news flash is treated with respect. Just as her character is throughout, with this episode being one of Smulders' biggest highlights. She knows all of Robin's comic beats, and keeps the script's energy alive through all of its highs and lows, nailing each of her lines.
And more importantly, Cobie is an extraordinarily competent actress, who can do dramatic roles very well. She proves this in the third act especially, where Smulders gives her all without reaching even in the slightest. A fantastic balance that she gets like nobody's business. Her entertaining take on the show's narration becomes delicately somber, delivering her plea of not wanting children with a rough embrace that makes her hurt all the more believable. Even Smulders' facial reactions are saddening, but never borders on tacky.
Good acting can save bad writing, but thankfully Kelly's script gives Robin a great arc in the episode. It's risky to have Robin's emotions switch so frequently in one episode, but all the more important in how its delivered, especially given the context of her character. The Robin of a few years ago wouldn't want to keep the child, just as the Robin of the episode's first act didn't plan to either, but the reality of the situation, and the likelihood of what she's losing comes in.
In a way, it's a bit of tragic irony that Robin, a woman who for most of her life never wanted children, has been told that she can't. The fact that she laments this fact isn't a fault on her or the writing, but rather a human trait, to want what we can't have. In this case, Robin's heartache not only is believable, but all too tragic. The realization is what kills her.
"Symphony of Illumination" still keeps the show's silliness alive, even with a problematic line or two, but never feels weakened for this. And that's the joy of HIMYM, as the series can offer serious character stories on top of fun with rotten teenagers and boob jokes. Marshall's storyline with Scott is goofy, but offers a realistic point for Marshall, as he's starting to embrace the suburban life. Marshall wants to be the cool adult for the local kids, but his naive nature is going to be his downfall. Literally. Hopefully he'll adjust better, but here it's shown that Marshall needs to bone down a little.
I wish that I could do this episode justice, since it's really one of the best. I haven't even mentioned Barney's patience with Robin's conflicting view points, since he did a good job. Even with his opening remarks.
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