The How I Met Your Mother Blog

In just three days we’ll witness slap #3 in all its glory. Are you excited? I’m excited.

From the description it seems like Barney’s slap anticipation is a part of the episode. I hope this doesn’t feel too forced. Part of me just wanted all the build up to be for a totally random slap.

Fun trivia: Monday’s episode has a character named “Bob” played by this guy. There’s also a “young Bob” credit for Eben Ham who we’ve already seen on How I Met Your Mother in, ironically, season 1’s Thanksgiving episode “Belly Full of Turkey” playing Officer Pete who threw Lily in jail. What does it all mean? We’ll soon find out!

UPDATE: “Bob” in this Monday’s episode will be Robin’s new boyfriend, a man in his forties. Oh snap!

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This is a weekly column where the episodes from seasons one, two, and three will go head to head in a humor cage match. This week, the episode eight’s.

Season 1: The Duel

As Lily becomes more of a permanent fixture in the apartment, Ted feels like he is being edged out of the mix by his engaged roomies. Petrified of being left alone and homeless, Ted tells Marshall that when he and Lily are married, he wants the apartment. The problem is that Marshall wants to keep the place too, so they settle it like real “grown-ups” — launching into a sword fight that leaves one man down for the count.

Going into this week I did not have many fond memories for this episode. I rewatched it and while I still don’t love it, it’s not as bad as I remember it being. A few good moments I’d forgotten: Ted’s Tollbooth, Marshall’s use of ‘anhedonic‘, Robin’s date with yet another Freaks and Geeks alum (who has changed a lot between then and now), Barney’s Lemon Law, Lily’s apartment becoming a Chinese restaurant. At the time, I like this episode because I couldn’t yet imagine the greatness that the show would offer in the future.

Season 2: Atlantic City

Marshall and Lily drag the gang to Atlantic City to elope, and their quest to overcome the three-day wait for a marriage license crosses them with some Chinese gamblers, a ship captain, and a sexy novelty shirt.

Just like “The Duel” I didn’t have many memories from this episode. It was outside the normal setting and kept the whole gang together. Win or lose, this episode has the distinction of featuring Robin’s bikini shirt. The only thing better was Ted wearing it around the apartment later. “Is Robin even here?” Lily asks. “God, I hope so” Marshall replies. The crazy Asian game that Marshall immediately understood was funny too.

Season 3: Spoiler Alert

Marshall awaits his bar exam results; Ted introduces his latest girlfriend to the gang, who all see the flaw that Ted has missed.

This was a strong episode, one of the strongest this season. We got to see the game fight with each other which makes everything seem much more realistic. We also got what might be the most quotable episode of the whole series. No huge plot developments but, then again, the other episode eights didn’t have those either.

Advantage

Due to mediocre entries from both season 1 and 2, season 3 is the winner.

Scorecard

Vote

Start getting excited. Next week is the ultimate showdown between Slap Bet and Slapsgiving. It’s gonna be legendary. Belly Full of Turkey doesn’t stand a chance.

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I mentioned last week that Neil Patrick Harris was going on Wheel of Fortune and would be playing for charity. He did pretty well for himself and donated all his winnings to Children International.

Neil Patrick Harris, star of the U.S. sit-com “How I Met Your Mother,” donated the $60,452 he won on the game show “Wheel of Fortune” to a children’s charity.

Congratulations Neil and congratulations Children International.

via United Press International.

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Something occurred to me last night while watching Spoiler Alert. Robin has been relegated to the role of “heckler”. Let’s discuss.

Throughout S1, Robin served as the object of Ted’s unrequited desire. She was rarely the focus of an episode (with the exception of the great “Nothing Good Happens After 2am”) and most of her plot revolved around the will they/won’t they between her and Ted. In S2, she was Ted’s girlfriend and still didn’t have much to do on her own (save for the also-great “First Time in New York”). A lot of people have been complaining that Robin hasn’t gotten a lot of screen time this season. I disagree. She, for the first time really, has had her own subplots–her relationship with both Gael and the single Dad. While those weren’t my favorite plots, she’s gotten screen time. Continue reading…

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“Why do you think I call her Chewbacca?”, “I assumed because she’s loyal, wears shiny belts, and I resemble a young Harrison Ford.”

Over the weekend I watched a bunch of episodes from season 2 with my family. At one point my aunt asked “do people ever actually this close a group of friends?”. That led to a discussion of how idealized sitcom friendships are. Lo and behold, here comes How I Met Your Mother to prove this stereotype wrong. This episode saw Ted with yet another flawed girlfriend, but additionally pointed out the flaws of everyone else. Hilarity ensued and a great episode was had by all.

What Was Good

• I loved the dual-montage of Ted and his girl. The first time is was all romantic love, the second showed Ted shoving the spoon into the girl’s mouth and trying to run away.
• Marshall’s wispy mustache once he was done taking the bar.
• Robin in general. Her quips are excellent.
• Wow, Barney’s childhood sucked.
• The appearance of Lindsay Price who I first saw on Kitchen Confidential. John Cho was on that show too. Each week we’re getting more and more into the six degrees of How I Met Your Mother. I still think Nicolas Brendon is due for a guest role.
• Ted is a correcter! He’s even more like me now.
• Barney got me too. I didn’t see it coming with the Ka-ka-spaniel video he duped Marshall into watching.
• I love Marshall’s singing. He’s done this occasionally since season 1. They are surprisingly catchy.
• They called Barney out on his catch phrases!

What Was Bad

• This episode was funny, but didn’t do anything to move along the plot. Are Marshall and Lily still living with Ted? Their apartment was never mentioned.
• I’m still a little weirded out whenever Ted is just suddenly dating someone. I know we can’t meet them all in real time, but I’m not used to it yet.
• They’re starting to figure out how to handle Robin but she still needs more to do than just make quips.

Favorite Moments

This was a very quotable episode.

“You guys will love her. Lily, she knows all about art. Marshall, she’s open to the possibility of UFOs, Barney, she’s hot. Robin, she’s not hotter than you.”
“It’s a shopping list.”, “For who? A witch building a house in the forest?”
Ted’s “what if” scenarios:

• “One time, in 10th grade, as a joke, I told everyone that my English teacher had sex with me. He’s still in jail.”
• “So I volunteer at the pound. You can’t imagine the rush you get killing an unwanted puppy. I make bracelets out of their collars.”
• “He’s probably going to the urinal. I remember when I had a penis.”

“I was scared for her, I didn’t want her to choke. At first.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t tell you herself at some point. There’s only a finite combination of words in the English language.”
All the loud chewing metaphors:

• “Why do you think I call her Chewbacca?”
• “We had ribs and it sounded like Jurassic Park”
• “What’s in that cereal besides dry twigs and small animal bones?”
• “like a garbage disposal full of dry wall screws.”
• “like someone put a screwdriver in a pencil sharpener.”
• “where are those pretzels from, Ace Hardware?”
• “it sounds like cuff links going up a vacuum cleaner.”

“No, no, sometimes you just sing nonsense sentences like a stroke victim. And what’s worse, they’re catchy.”
“Apple orchard banana cat dance 8-6-6-3.”
“Lawsuit Up!”

Also, Maud, if you’re reading this, was that Miranda Kerr in the Victoria Secret Angel’s “Air Pushup” commercial?

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This is a weekly column where the episodes from seasons one, two, and three will go head to head in a humor cage match. This week, the episode seven’s.

Season 1: Matchmaker

When a matchmaker with a 100% success rate turns Ted away because he is not compatible with any of the available women in her database, he is still determined that he is going to find his match. After getting information from the matchmaker’s computer, Ted pays a visit to a very cute, but taken, dermatologist in an effort to prove the prediction wrong that there are no women out there for him. Meanwhile, Marshall and Lily are obsessed with ridding their apartment of a critter.

This episode never did anything for me. The “Ted is un-matchable” storyline was a little bit lame — Ted has never been a pariah, just a self-devastator. The thing with the doctor was probably the most pathetic Ted’s search for Ms. Right has been. The B-plot, about the Cockamouse, is cute, but not so memorable. I haven’t watched this episode in a long time so maybe I’d change my mind on repeat viewing.

Season 2: Swarley (aka Crazy Eyes)

Marshall goes on his first real date post-breakup with Lily. Not only do Ted and Barney try to warn him that this girl has got the crazy eyes, but Lily decides to do everything she can to find out about this her and break them up. Also, Barney gets a new name.

I love this episode. It was interesting to see Marshall trying to date. It’s always good to see Barney squirm. The laid-back fun the gang had with Barney’s nickname foreshadowed some of the better ribbing we’ve seen later in the series. Plus, Marshall and Lily get back together, how can you not love that? Plus we’ve got the great visual gag of Ted and Barney seeing “crazy eyes” and Lily-as-Quasimodo chasing Chloe down the street.

Season 3: Dowisetrepla

Marshall and Lily’s plan to buy an apartment is hampered by mistakes and Lily’s hidden debt; Barney claims to love commitment to seduce a girl.

I liked this episode. It shows the group growing up. Marshall and Lily’s hunt for an apartment was a more mature storyline than some we’ve seen in the past. Even the B-plot was tied in. What was the B-plot exactly? Barney’s girl? Random banter with Ted and Robin? The whole episode felt well crafted.

Advantage

A combination of hilarity and the reunion of a couple that turns even Barney into a blubbering romantic gives Swarley the decided advantage. Not only in this SvS but as one of the top three episodes ever in the show’s history.

Scorecard

Season 1: 1-4-2
Season 2: 3-2-2
Season 3: 0-5-2

Vote

If you notice, this is a season-total tally. That’s right, I’ll be posting back-dated Season vs. Season very soon. I’m going to post them as if they came out on time so as not to upset the chronology of the site too much. Be sure to check them out so we can discuss the older episodes.

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It looks like HIMYM will not suffer as much or as immediately as some of the other shows on TV. Last week the cast finished filming all the written scripts before the strike started. This positions the show to continually serve up new episodes, possibly well into December. A potential blessing in disguise–if this is the only new show, maybe it will gain a lot of new viewers!

The cast has been positive. Alyson Hannigan and Cobie Smulders both showed up outside the picket lines this week to pass out food and keep people company.

In related news, Neil Patrick Harris will appear on The Price is Right Wheel of Fortune next week, playing for charity this time rather than discovering his father (who is definitely NOT Drew Carrey Pat Sajak). I’m not sure of the exact day but The episode will air Monday Nov 12 so keep your eyes peeled to see if Neil can clean house the same way Barney did last season.

both stories via BuddyTV

UPDATE: Apparently I can’t read properly, which Voltaire was kind enough to point out. Good call.

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First, sorry I’m late. I was in NYC this weekend which was fun, but not How I Met Your Mother related. Now, onto the show!

“It’s this sort of inconsiderate, immature jackassery that makes me feel like I’m living in the Real World house. And not the early years when they all had jobs and social consciences. I’m talking about Hawaii and after.”

With that sentiment Marshal and Lily decided that, as a married couple, it was time for them to find their own place. This week’s episode was all about mistakes, Lily’s mistakes, Marshall’s mistakes, Barney being a mistake. The only people not making mistakes were the writers who gave us a tight, guest-star-free, classic How I Met Your Mother episode. Continue reading…

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Due to travel I’ll be delaying the recap from last night. Expect it later tonight or first thing tomorrow morning. Sorry!

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This is a weekly column where the episodes from seasons one, two, and three will go head to head in a humor cage match. This week, the episode six’s.

Season 1: Slutty Pumpkin

Ted makes his yearly pilgrimage to the rooftop Halloween party in search of a girl dressed as a pumpkin who he met years ago. Meanwhile, Robin is dumped after driving her new boyfriend away with her independent ways.

I love this episode. While talking to the wise and intellectual “The Mix” last week about favorite episodes he pointed out all the things about this episode that make it great. We get to see some of Robin’s flaws (and, to me, she’s never been more endearing. Her “needs her own space” nature is VERY appealing to me even if it did cost her a boyfriend in the episode). We get to see Ted’s undying romanticism. We get to see Marshall as a gay pirate and Barney as a wingman–for real. This episode had some great jokes too. I love the gang talking over Ted as he tells the story of the slutty pumpkin (and Robin’s authentic laughter, a technique that would go on to become a signature element of the show). I love Marshall’s string of pirate jokes ending with “What be a Pirate’s favorite restaurant?”, “Arrrrrby’s.”, “You’d think so, but it’s actually Long John Silver’s.”. I’ve used that joke many times since this episode. To top it off, we get Robin and Ted snuggling on the roof with a sweet Nada Surf song in the background.

Season 2: Aldrin Justice

Barney seduces Marshall’s law professor in hopes of getting her to grade more leniently. Lily takes a job at Ted’s office, where she promptly steals to teach Ted’s boss a lesson.

I’ve never really liked this episode. It seemed very ’sitcomy’ and contrived. I find the whole main storyline to be kind of lame. The Barney storyline is funny but covers material we’ve seen before. Guest stars get a 50% approval since Jane Seymour was great but I thought Ted’s boss (Bryan Cranston) was lacking. This gets points for the whole bit about how Ted made the former office assistant quit by accidentally calling out her eating problem. That was funny.

Season 3: I’m Not That Guy

Marshall has to contemplate giving up his plan of using his law degree to help the planet when he’s courted by a major firm; Lily reveals a secret to Robin that not even Marshall knows; Ted discovers a porn actor is using his name

If I had written this Tuesday morning I think I would’ve picked this as the winner because I really liked this episode. Since then I re-watched “Slutty Pumpkin” and have had its magic reaffirmed. While “I’m Not That Guy” was funny and ranked high on the quality of its guest star, it just didn’t have the charm and sensitivity of “Slutty Pumpkin”.

advantage

Season 1 wins by a healthy measure. Slutty Pumpkin gave us some great jokes, some quality visual gags, and a great amount of characterization for both Ted and Robin.

Scorecard

Season 1: 1-3-2
Season 2: 2-2-2
Season 3: 0-4-2

Vote

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