Season 3 Episode 18: Rebound Bro Discussion
Ted and Barney are yesterdays news. Barney’s on the rebound, Lily still loves sex, and Ted and Stella (who we finally see again) take it to the next level. All this and more tonight in Rebound Bro.
What Was Good
I liked that the episode started right off asking the question that was heavily discussed here last week—why was Ted so pissed at Barney but fine with Robin? Turns out he was never mad at Barney (easy to say now, but we were in the car with them) and had merely out grown him.
Marshall is still the best worst liar ever.
I love how horny LAME is. They used this to characterize the couple in Season One and I’m glad to see it back. Ted’s line about being on the top bunk was a throw back, the new information about Lily and Marshall’s football team spirit was not.
While LAME knock boots like cowboy bunnies, Ted is in yet another dry spell with a girlfriend ala Victoria. At least this time he had the foresight to get a hotel so Marshall and Lily didn’t wind up stuck in the bathroom.
I’m very glad that Robin and Barney still have such a good chemistry. The two of them are hilarious together.
“My friend Robin who is here because I threatened to put a tape of us on the Internet.”
“That I’m not convinced you have.”
“Then why are you here from Brooklyn at midnight?
I love the jokes Ted makes right at the moment when his girlfriend is admitting something personal. This is the proper way you “gently rib” a girl, not whatever Barney teaches you at the bar. The first of these jokes that I remember was when Robin finally said “I love you and Ted said “I’m gay”. Tonight we had a few of those. When it counts though, Ted gives just the right amount of pressure i.e. when he called Stella out for looking for a reason to distrust him. And it worked.
The entire potato skin bit I loved. That’s the kind of thing that would be hacky and eye-roll inducing in a lesser series but Radnor, Bays, and Thomas pull it off.
Will Forte = Legendary wait for it…ary
What Was Bad
I did not like that Barney’s nerdy new wingman was characterized by being a blogger. What’s the deal Thomas and Bays?
Has Ted lost weight? He seems a little thin. Doesn’t he have a jewish mother to call and harass him to eat?
Who’s Nell Carter? Oh, that’s who she is.
At first I thought I didn’t like Sarah Chalke tonight. Then I thought I didn’t like her chemistry with Radnor. I figured it out by the end tag though, see “closing” for my final thoughts.
Favorite Moments
- “Ted, you’re staring at my boobs.”
“In my defense, they were staring at me” <- best line ever. Must remember that one. - We finally got our Ted-having-fun-with-his-girlfriend montage with Stella.
- “There’ve been a lot of federal holidays since Thanksgiving”
“Remember Martin Luther King Day?”
“Oh yeah, we honored that guy” - “Here’s what’s on the rocket docket. My wife and I put the cheese out at 7, Cranium at 8, at 9 we watch 27 Dresses, everybody’s home by 11. Booya!”
- “Ted, there’s something I have to tell you.”
“I knew it, you’re 14.” - “Having sex with you will be great. I don’t think I’ll regret it at all.”
- “Your pillow talk is a little rusty.”
- “It’s your virginity 2: the sequel.”
“Virginity 2: Electric Boogaloo.” (major points for Stella here) - “Ted, I over reacted, I’m ready to be with you.”
“This is awkward. I have a girl here…” - And the Arc de Triomphe of funny lines:
“What are you doing?”
“I have to call Marshall and Lily and tell them about this.” - “Ted, why’d I hate Jerry Maguire?”
“Because you’re dead inside?” - “He was one ball away from being walked.”
Barney’s Vocab Word Wingman of the Week
No vocab this week but I wanted to use this space to give credit to the best line ever spoken by a supporting character on the show:
“My nose always bleeds when I get an erection.”
Closing
So at first I wasn’t sure if I liked Ted and Stella. (Tella? Sted?) I thought it seemed too jokey and something just felt strange. I think I realized what it was. They seem really natural together. I think I felt weird because I felt uncomfortable watching what seemed to be a real couple joke in a totally authentic way. Good on Radnor, Chalke, Bays, and Thomas for achieving that kind of chemistry on only the second episode Stella was in.
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Wait for it…
8:30pm Mondays on CBS.
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Kathleen | May 5, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
I’m secretly hoping that Scrubs doesn’t get picked up by ABC (isn’t it kinda over now?) so Sarah Chalke can do more episodes with the HIMYM gang. She’s got a great chemistry with Josh Radnor, and even if she doesn’t end up being the mother, it’s still really endearing to watch them. Btw, CBS needs to hurry up and renew this show so we don’t have to wait any longer!
p.s. It’s Will Forte, not Will Arnett, who is way funnier.
CHH | May 5, 2008 @ 11:48 pm
My favorite bit:
“What do you like best about koala?”
“Their meat is delicous.”
Geri | May 6, 2008 @ 12:11 am
Great episode, though not one of my personal favorites.
It was nice to see Chalke back and her and Ted are still great together. For a minute I actually thought that when she walked out the door, angry at Ted for having told LAME her secret, we weren’t going to see her again. I guess since they made up, things are looking good for a possible re-occuring character. Especially since Ted has now met her daughter. That was sweet.
I’m also glad Robin and Barney are still on speaking terms. It’s interesting how no one has seemed to have taken sides as I think a few people here were discussing after the Goat episode. They all seem to want Ted and Barney to be friends and are obviously talking to Barney and not snubbing him. Obviously Ted will come around.
LAME are still the best couple ever to happen to the sitcom. I hope there’s another episode centered around them soon, but with so few left until the finale, I doubt it.
I’m not looking forward to Britney next week though. I haven’t read any spoilers or the premise of the show (I prefer not to know what the next episode is about until I watch it), so I don’t see why she’d be showing up with Barney again. Considering his “use them and throw them away attitude”, it doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t think we’ve seen Barney with the same girl twice have we?
Damon | May 6, 2008 @ 12:38 am
I don’t think they categorized the nerdy wingman as a blogger, he just mentioned that he found out about the open position on BARNEY’S blog.
natsirt | May 6, 2008 @ 1:55 am
I thought overall the episode was pretty boring. Not a lot of laughs, not a lot happened, what did happen was fairly predictable. Will Forte was funny, but not awesome. The situation with Stella was way too predictable. The ending really saved this episode for me.
I kind of thought the legendary wait for it dary, was like Barney’s “lesbian” cough cough cough, bit from Best Prom Ever. It’s gonna be a thing.
I’m also pleased to see that Robin and Barney still have good chemistry. I thought something might happen again in this episode after Will Forte’s character left the bar. Hope that continues. At this point I almost want Barney and Robin to end up together more than I want to learn the identity of the mother.
I agree with CHH that the koala bit was funny.
I hope they literally kill of Britney’s character next week.
john d'arc | May 6, 2008 @ 3:04 am
it’s Will Forte.
Will Arnett is GOB.
Ike | May 6, 2008 @ 8:16 am
Good episode. I can see what natsirt means by predictable. I am in love with horny Lily, best character development ever. Will Forte did a good job at playing the loser with problems. Loved how Barney found a way to get him laid. I’m hoping Robin does a stint as Barney’s wingman even through blackmail.
Stella and Ted are realistic and can’t wait to see more of them. And the best part was Ted’s quick jokes you highlighted.
Elizabeth | May 6, 2008 @ 10:22 am
I have to say, this episode wasn’t my all-time fave. I thought it wasn’t that funny at times, but when it was funny, it was hilarious. Sarah Chalke didn’t quake my world last night, but she has great chemistry with the cast!
Liz | May 6, 2008 @ 11:40 am
All of this Will Arnett talk makes me think that GOB would make an excellent wingman for Barney.
Chalke was much more sedate and likable here than on Scrubs; it’s sad that Elliott has degenerated from just being neurotic into being a neurotic psychopath. Stella reminded me of what Elliott was like during the first two or three seasons.
The Nell Carter joke was completely random but I thought it worked. I saw her in a revival of Annie once - maybe Marshall is secretly a musical theater fan?
Nicole | May 6, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
LA is going to cheat on ME.
I called it!!!
I HATE Sarah!!!
Yeah…..um I only comment when I am intoxicated and angry;)
Ryan | May 6, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
Liz-Their is nothing secret about Marshall being a musical fan.
Mama Mia rocks brah. Not to mention his constant singing.
LegenDerek | May 6, 2008 @ 2:30 pm
Will Forte was pretty hilarious in this episode. I was cracking up when he goes outside Barney’s office to celebrate.
Legendary….wait for it…dary is now one of my favorite lines from the show.
Also…Broseph Lieberman was pretty good.
john d'arc | May 6, 2008 @ 2:42 pm
@Liz,
dude, total agreement on Stella being everything Elliot isn’t anymore.
Geri | May 6, 2008 @ 3:14 pm
Ohhhh JD - I DARE you to submit an application to be Barney’s new wingman:
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/how_i_met_your_mother/images/content/blog/wingman_app.pdf
Ha ha! Notice what one of the multiple choice answers (and no doubt the correct answer) for question #1 is?
I also love how his rate of attractiveness scale goes from the bottom being Ted, to the top being Barney.
Hell…I’M gonna submit an application!
KC | May 6, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
GLARKWARE BROUGHT BACK THE SLAP COMMISONER/MALL TOUR SHIRTS
It made my day, but I guess that’s besides the point.
Overall, I felt like something was missing from this episode, and it wasn’t until later that I realized it doesn’t feel like HIMYM unless all five of them are at the bar in that booth. Something felt off about it to me, and it ruined the whole episode for me.
And as cliche as it might be, I had to love Randy’s dance. The sheer length of it made it worth it.
daserca | May 6, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
It is really interesting that Ted has a second Stella in his life, isn’t it? And, I think that after the writer’s strike, this season started to get better and better just as the previous two seasons. Keep it going. I hope we can enjoy one more season of this amazing show.
AF | May 6, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
I loved Randy’s character and I’m glad Barney found a story for him. The bullet lodged in the sinus cavity was actually pretty brilliant. I’m impressed the girl fell for it. His dance was great though and appropriate that it was right outside Barney’s other window.
The 27 Dresses line cracked me up. Nicely done, writers.
And I was glad that Barney and Robin still have chemistry even if there were threats involved.
Finally, Horny!Lily is awesome. Alyson Hannigan does a brilliant job acting like a nympho. Three cheers to her!
Ally | May 6, 2008 @ 6:52 pm
I tend to prefer episodes when the gang is all together, but last night was still great!
“Ted, there’s something I have to tell you.”
“I knew it, you’re 14.”
I honestly expected him to say, “Let me guess, you’re a pop star in Canada.” But I guess that would have opened up too many questions.
Jenn | May 6, 2008 @ 8:26 pm
Ted did look like he lost weight. If he needs a nice home cooked meal, he can always call me!
NV | May 6, 2008 @ 10:20 pm
Good episode. Not great, not bad. I like.
Didn’t really care too much for Stella before. She was meh-character, you know, a woman for a few episodes and then brush her off-stage.
But I admit this episode fleshed her out. And finally, we have that elusive progression of the story. Very good. I hope the Ted/Stella break-up will be completely different from the Ted/Victoria break-up. And I have a feeling it’ll hurt more, as when the kid gets introduced to the new boyfriend/girlfriend, things are serious.
Good job on Stella, this episode. It changed someone who really didn’t give a damn about her to actually getting into it.
Rebound Bro was okay. Some parts funny, some parts not. Robin didn’t have anything to do in this episode.
This might come off wrong, but horny Lily is amazing. I have no idea if I’d love to meet a woman like that in real life (I mean, come on, I’d require a marathon runner’s stamina to hit that. Respect to Marshall).
Funniest moment for me was when the earthquake hit in Lily’s flashback. First I was wtf? then ah, okay… For some reason, I find jokes funnier when it dawns upon me what’s going on rather than it simply hitting me immediately.
One more thing. After Ted’s reaction towards Barney, there’s no way in hell he’s not angry at Robin. It’s fricking inconcievable. I think Ted’s slowly building his anger and will lash out soon.
I might be projecting my views, but I know I’m going to be equally pissed if my girlfriend and friend did it. And if it was an ex, I’d either be pissed at both my friend and ex, or pissed at neither.
Ted’s pissed at Barney and hurt. Thus, I cannot understand why he wouldn’t be pissed or hurt at Robin. It don’t make sense. And I’m happy Robin actually asks Ted that, because otherwise I’d think the writers would want us viewers to simply swallow that (and there’s no way I’m swallowing that).
Come on. Ted and Robin massive confrontation!
More horny Lily please. She’s insane.
NV | May 6, 2008 @ 10:42 pm
Oh yeah, there’s nothing to comment on the Robin/Barney thing, as nothing was discussed in the episode.
(I commented that there’s nothing to comment. I’m pathetic)
JackAtak | May 7, 2008 @ 12:11 am
Hanging up on you once wasn’t enough.
AF | May 7, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
Just so everyone can order one now… heres the link to the Glarkware shirts mentioned above …
Sparkles = http://www.glarkware.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=2278
Slap Bet = http://www.glarkware.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2351
You can only order them in May though, so don’t forget
Ae | May 7, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
Do you think Ted told Stella about Robin? She assume Ted haven’t had sex in 5 years also.
NV | May 7, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
> Do you think Ted told Stella about Robin? She assume Ted haven’t had sex in 5 years also.
No, didn’t he say “Five months too?” and then the next scene was him telling LAME that it was five years?
I’m pretty sure she knows Ted didn’t tap anything for five months (before her, of course).
Ae | May 8, 2008 @ 3:15 am
The five month is Thanksgiving when Ted and Robin hookup making the pies, six months after they broke up.
From that scene Stella also thought it has been 5 years for Ted. Ted held out five fingers and she said, “me too”, which would imply she is thinking 5 years when Ted said, “its been five months for you too?”. If she is thinking 5 years for Ted also then I don’t think he told her about Robin.
I just don’t think Stella is the mom and wondering what going to be the reason for the breakup with Stella. Robin is going to be a problem with any girl Ted is dating. And Robin going to be in living with Ted within a years time, how is he going to find a wife?
JD | May 8, 2008 @ 9:30 am
@AE that’s assuming Robin is living with Ted and that Ted didn’t move out at some point.
Also, there’s no reason for him to tell Stella about Robin, Thanksgiving happened before he met Stella. I’m sure she knows Robin is Ted’s ex, but you don’t make the lists of people you’ve boofed this early in the relationship.
Ae | May 8, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Here is my reason that I don’t think Stella knows about Robin being his ex, cause if Ted tell any of his GF that Robin is my ex and we are just friends now. I’m sure some of the next questions the GF going to ask are, when did you break up? Have you slept with her? If so, when was the last time?
JD | May 8, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
@AE I don’t know what kind of girls you’ve been dating but I don’t think that’s the expected reaction. Ted’s 30, of course he has an ex. Unless Stella is a crazy untrusting freak, I don’t think that conversation would’ve happened.
Ae | May 8, 2008 @ 3:59 pm
Robin is in Ted’s inner circle of friends. An ex in your inner circle is not a good situation if you want to hookup with someone new. It’s awkward and make starting off an uphill challenge, kills all momentum that you have gained once they find out. Much easier if she is not in your inner circle.
The episode with blahblah is a good example.
JD | May 8, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
Your point of Blah Blah proves my point, it’d have to be a crazy/distrusting girl for it to be a problem. If what you’re saying is true, Ted would always have an issue with a new girlfriend because of Robin. I think that if there were still feelings between Ted and Robin it might matter, but it’s been pretty clear lately that there are no longer. Ted being upset with Barney doesn’t count because he was upset that Barney broke the bro code, not because he still cares for Robin. I think that Stella, who’s being portrayed as a reasonable woman, wouldn’t take issue with that. Especially since they showed us in VO and montage that Stella and Robin get along.
Elizabeth | May 8, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
@AE - I agree with JD here. For Robin to be an issue at this point clearly proves a problem with whomever the new girlfriend is.
Ae | May 8, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
Blahblah lasted what a few hours after she met Ted inner circle. You are saying she is the crazy jealous type but I’m saying even if she was not the result are the norm when they find out the ex is in your inner circle.
Given that Stella and Ted been dating two months. I’m saying I don’t think Ted told Stella that Robin is his ex. So you think Ted told Stella that Robin is his ex? She thinks that Ted been abstinent for 5 years. We may never know.
Poll, ex in your inner circle of friends is OK or a bad idea when you want to met new people?
Elizabeth | May 8, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
Stella does NOT think Ted has be abstinent for 5 years. She KNOWS it’s been 5 months.
Just because someone is in your inner circle doesn’t mean you’re still in love with them.
I personally don’t want to know anybody that is that possessive.
Ae | May 8, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
She said, “ME TOO” and for her, me too is 5 YEARS. She knows now that it’s been 5 months for Ted, which leads me to think that Ted has not told Stella about Robin being her ex.
Having your ex as a friend in your inner circle is a bad idea, WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO MET NEW PEOPLE You can blame the problem on the new person all you want but you just handicapped the new relationship. Whether you can overcome it, time will tell.
Elizabeth | May 9, 2008 @ 9:15 am
Ok. You are clearly unable to hear any other opinions. I recommend you go back and re-watch the scene. It is very clear by the end that Ted has only been celibate for 5 months, and Stella is very sure of that.
As to Stella knowing about Robin, I can’t say for certain; but I don’t think that’s important here.
And at this point, I don’t really care what you do in your personal life, and what circle your exes are in. This is a discussion about the show, and Robin is a main character. Whatever your beliefs, she will remain close to Ted, because this is a TV show, and it works.
JD | May 9, 2008 @ 9:33 am
I think we need Dr. Phil in here. Now, having an ex in your inner circle, how does. that make. you feel?
Only time will tell about all this.
Ae | May 9, 2008 @ 11:38 am
@Elizabeth - Yes Stella knows it been 5 months for Ted after the scene.
Let me clarify my statement. Stella thought for ONE SECOND that Ted’s dry spell was as long as her when she said, “me too”, after Ted held out five fingers which she thought was 5 years. Ted next sentence straighten her out.
mike | May 11, 2008 @ 10:36 pm
does anyone know the title of the song used at the end of the episode?