Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Kourtney Kang
One Paragraph Synopsis: Ever since they decided to pause a disastrous study session in 2000, Ted and Marshall have decided to rewatch the original Star Wars trilogy together every 3 years. Barney tags along with them in 2003, as well. As they do, the guys take the chance to sit down together and reflect on how they feel things will change during their next session- Ted finds himself optimistic that he'll find the one by then, Marshall hopes for the best with himself and Lily, while Barney is thinking of his next exploit at that time. Each look into this timeframe shows how things are changing for the group, from Marshall's depressive post-Lily take in 2006, to how Ted is still single and miserable in 2012. But a necessary flash-forward to 3 years later shows that things will work for him, after all.
Now We're Even (7x21)
Directed by Pam Fryman
Written by Chuck Tatham
One Paragraph Synopsis: Yes, we find out why Ted wore a dress in this episode, and it's pretty funny. But this is also the one where Barney's qualms about dating a stripper are openly presented, as he tries to Make Every Night Legendary with Ted, who is also adapting to the single life a little too well. And also the one where Robin finally breaks into the media scene, when she pilots a helicopter after her pilot has a stroke. Also, Lily had a crazy sex dream about Ranjit, for some reason.
I wish that I wasn't losing interest in writing, since these are both great episodes. "Trilogy Time" has the best of Kang's skills, as she plays with chronology to her advantage and makes for a poignant reflection of where the guys are right now. The episode is also smart with how it uses Star Wars references liberally, but never allows them to take over.
Marshall has found his love, but it took him and Lily a little time to reach where they should be to have children, which they now can. Barney, for the longest time, only wanted random flings, but he seems to be very serious about Quinn, based on how he doesn't want to ruin things with her by farting too soon. But they're finding equity fairly quickly, which speaks well for them.
And Ted. Well, Ted needs to get his head out of his ass. Robin isn't the one, and he needs to accept that. But he should, as he already has his first kid come 2015. Also, there are only two seasons left, which bodes well.
"Now We're Even" is fun, but it's a little disheartening that Barney doesn't seem to be over Quinn's profession just yet. It's brought up regularly here, but there isn't closure for Barney's disappointment, which shows that we're not done with it just yet. I'm kind of over it already, but I do like how she's being allowed to flesh out a little in these episodes, even getting nice one-on-one time with Lily.
Hers and Marshall's plot is funny, if a little too bizarre to fully land. The idea that Lily likes strong father figures is nice, but the ending bit about Miss Potts and Frankenstein's monster almost messes with that to the point that it can't land. But I give this a pass for more of Ranjit's mugging, any day.
Robin's story is my favorite of the episode, as this allows her the validation that she deserves. This wasn't even dumb luck, either. Well, it was a little lucky, but it seems like this happened at exactly the right place at the right time for her to succeed. She needed a win like this, especially with Ted still being pointlessly cold to him. And speaking of Ted, he deserved having hot soup boil up on him, to be honest.
So yeah, good stuff for a mixed to good season. Only 3 episodes left! Or two, technically.
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