Season 4, Episode 11: “Little Minnesota” Discussion

So, still no cable here plus I’ll be spending my Monday night out with some work people while they’re in town so the recap will be delayed yet again. This week will be tricky because Tuesday night I have to make food for my work potluck. I’ll find time to watch the episode and recap though, don’t worry. So, as before, for those of you who watch the episode live, feel free to chat here until I show up. I’ve no idea what the plot of tomorrow’s episode is, not even an outline.

UPDATE: Bah! Blame the holidays but I didn’t get to the recap last night either. Tonight! Sorry guys. Sit tight. I’ve been reading your comments and I think I’m going to end up right about where most of you are.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Here is my recap. In the spirit of the holidays since it’s already incredibly late I’m going to break format and post my “rough” version. These are just my stream-of-conscious notes while watching the episode. I write these each week then usually formulate it into a full-on recap. Sometimes they’ll contradict themselves by the end, there’ll be unfinished tangents, everything a good writer shouldn’t publish. Whatever, you guys are all drunk with turkey and egg nog and football still, you won’t mind, right?

The Carols were really awesome. “You’re like Weird Al Yankovic if he only wrote Christmas songs about banging my sister”

The chair spin was funny.

I really liked the way they shot the dinner scene, with Barney leaning into and out of the foreground to whisper to Heather.

Lily not keeping secrets at Christmas is a little cliche, but Hannigan is adorable enough to make it work. I do love the occasional surfacing of bad-girl Randy Lily.

The whole Minnesota bar thing is kind of one note. I’m sure if they did a Massachusetts bar, I’d be way more into it but not being from there, it got a tad old for me.

I kind of don’t like the actress playing Ted’s sister and I’m not sure why. She’s cute, and her body language with Radnor is good, they certainly seem like brother and sister, but there’s something off about it. I think she’s trying to match that brooding Mosby intensity (or douchyness, depending on how you feel) when she’s really a free spirit. Maybe that makes her a good actor as that is really the motivation for this roll.

“Your mom and I kissed.”

The whole “pretend we had sex” thing makes no sense. What was Ted supposed to think happened? They were pretending to have sex. If she pretended to steal something, I’m pretty sure Ted would’ve believed she’d been stealing. What were they trying to prove? It was sitcom logic, and the show is usually better than that.

“She’s Canadiannnnnnn. Robin’s Canadiannnnnnnnnnn!” I love Jason Segel.

That’s a hell of a speech Robin gives. Cobie has really become a wonderful comic actress as you guys have pointed out. True too about the strip clubs, having gone to college close to the border, that is a big tourist draw.

“In your neighborhood you really should get a good solid deadbolt. If you want. To live.”

Good apology Marshall. Robin’s been in a rough place and rather than hate on her or accuse her of being slutty *ahem*, he takes the time to point out she’s got more than she realizes, a lesson that we all need to hear from time to time.

Really? The lights had to go off at the Canadian bar? Too easy.

The look on Robin’s face when Marshall was singing is priceless. Perfect “regret” look.

Overall, I liked the episode. It wasn’t bad, or even disappointing, it just wasn’t as awesome as the show can be. Even I don’t expect that every week though.

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In Episode Discussion, Season 4 @ 14/12/2008 | By JD
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85 Comments to “Season 4, Episode 11: “Little Minnesota” Discussion”

  1.  Ike | December 14, 2008 @ 3:34 am

    Ted's younger sister visits, and he tries to keep her away from Barney. Marshall takes Robin to a bar with a Minnesota theme. Hilarity ensues.

  2.  KJO | December 14, 2008 @ 4:23 am

    This episode promises us that Robin and Marshall storyline that we have been waiting for four years to see.

    We have seen great episodes with Robin & Barney, Robin & Lily, Lily & Barney, Lily & Ted, and Barney & Marshall as well as the obvious combinations of Ted & Barney, Ted & Marshall, Marshall & Lily or Robin & Ted, but a Robin & Marshall story has been an obvious missing piece to Ted's ongoing recollection of his awesome years.

  3.  John Darc | December 14, 2008 @ 5:57 am

    I took that to mean that JD didn't want to know. I think he said he enjoyed last week's cause he didn't read spoilers. Dumb me read the spoilers from user mikejonas on the IMDB boards. He appears to have an intimate knowledge of the show and future scripts (that have been mostly proven true/correct) and uses the phrase "we" alot referring to the show's…writers, I think?

  4.  John Darc | December 14, 2008 @ 5:58 am

    "I'm moving to Japan. It took me 30 minutes to pack. Would have taken me 20, but a friend called crying."
    "This is very emotional for me, okay?"

  5.  KJO | December 14, 2008 @ 6:02 am

    That's not a story, that's like 5 seconds within an episode about all of them having fear of change.

  6.  Ike | December 14, 2008 @ 6:52 am

    I really don't see that as spoilers just an overview of the episode, like TV Guide would give. But if yall see it differently then I apologize.

  7.  High Hoper | December 14, 2008 @ 7:00 am

    LOL

  8.  JustinDickinson | December 14, 2008 @ 10:43 am

    Well, I do think it's funny that when someone says "I don't know anything about it" the first thing people want to do is tell them. This used to happen to me at work all the time. I do prefer to not know anything but what you gave is just an overview so you can't be too faulted for that.

    Re: mikejones on IMDB…that dude knows everything, it's kind of crazy.

  9.  John Darc | December 15, 2008 @ 1:37 am

    I think he works on the show.

  10.  TheMix | December 15, 2008 @ 1:50 am

    A Minnesota episode…..

    mother of god, I'm going to be mocked even more than normal.

    -Jason

  11.  High_Hoper | December 15, 2008 @ 3:29 am

    I think the same. Some people even think he's Carter or Bays.

  12.  JustinDickinson | December 15, 2008 @ 4:11 am

    He's not.

  13.  High Hoper | December 15, 2008 @ 9:21 am

    Ted has a little sister, who gets hotter every day, and if I ever meet her, with her boobies I will play… Everybody! (sister, sister, sister)

    OMG, Barney will be making me ROFL once again!!!! :D

  14.  Corey | December 15, 2008 @ 9:48 am

    Wikipedia has a listing of show outlines for this week and one or two other episodes so perhaps the imdb person gets his info from the same place Wiki does. Just a thought

  15.  Pitoza | December 15, 2008 @ 12:21 pm

    hey, what about the last episode of season 3… when Marshall is trying to convince Robin that miracles can happen.

  16.  Jennifer | December 16, 2008 @ 1:58 am

    I thought Ted said he didn't have a sister in the episode "Stuff".

  17.  Tim | December 16, 2008 @ 1:58 am

    ROBIN SPARKLES CALL BACK!!!

  18.  Gravity | December 16, 2008 @ 2:03 am

    Best karaoke scene ever.

    Hey, did you know karaoke is Japanese for "empty orchestra"?

  19.  TimK | December 16, 2008 @ 2:05 am

    wow, that's hauntingly beautiful

  20.  Geri | December 16, 2008 @ 2:05 am

    I can NOT contain my excitement about this episode! I'm afraid it's time for me to freak oot!

    Thank you Carter, Craig and crew! Thank you thank you thank you! The Robin/Marshall storyline was everything I'd wished for and MORE!

    The Hoser Hut was AWESOME! Robin Sparkles karaoke……AWESOME! You have no idea how many times I will play this episode over and over to hear Jason Segel say "Canada". AWESOME!

    Barney and Ted who?

  21.  Rami | December 16, 2008 @ 2:26 am

    did anyone else see carter and bays wearing vikings jerseys with their names on them? and the Smulders ones? and that marshall was wearing a jim marshall jersey and that robin was wearing a fryman (pamela fryman is the director) one.

  22.  KJO | December 16, 2008 @ 2:56 am

    Apparently some people here have a very loose definition of what a storyline is, but I believe tonight we got what was truly our first exclusively Marshall and Robin storyline…and it was AWESOME.

    Just as a disclaimer I'm not from Minnesota or Canada, but I remember watching that football game they're talking about. It was one of the best I've ever seen. The whole rivalry thing between Canadians and Minnesotans was priceless, and the recall to Robin Sparkles…genius.

  23.  Mike | December 16, 2008 @ 3:24 am

    haha, i caught that too, that was awesome.

  24.  SingBlueSilver | December 16, 2008 @ 3:53 am

    I'm from MN and it's funny because people do still talk about that game all the time haha. It was good to see an episode about my home state.

  25.  BGeo | December 16, 2008 @ 3:56 am

    noticed the Bays, Thomas ans Smulders ones but the fryman one went right over my head

  26.  Actual-Sized Barney | December 16, 2008 @ 4:20 am

    The Karaoke bit at the end ws the highpoint of the season thus far… no contest!

  27.  tarsila | December 16, 2008 @ 4:22 am

    maybe its because im not from the us or canada, but i didnt love this episode that much. i thought it was just average. the best part was barney singing dirty carols, it was awesome!
    maybe i missed the fun of robin-marshall interaction because i didnt understand the inside jokes and all, maybe its cause i read the spoilers and was expecting more.

    still, i think that cobie rocked once again.

    i dunno if it's just me who thinks this, but cobie has been getting awesomer each season, she now has this perfect comic timing, she saves the most insipid lines, like a simple "what" on the phone on the naked man episode, but there are so many examples…. its just the way she has been delivering her lines.

    im not prone to rants, specially on the internet, but ive noticed some people (i would imagine guys and envious girls) have been calling her character a slut lately, but im a girl, in my late 20s, and i identify so much with robin, going through some rough times and feeling homesick, and i think she is just great.

    but anyway, this isnt about robin, but cobie, which i think has grown so much as a comic actress, and i just wanted to register my humble recognition of her awesomeness.

  28.  HIMYM_NLBlog | December 16, 2008 @ 4:31 am

    It was a nice episode. The Barney Christmas songs were the High Light for me. I didn't like the story about Robin en Marshall so much. There were funny stuff, about the Canadians are afraid of the dark and also the end song from Marshall 'Let go to the mall". But the reason why Marshall went to this bar often without any of the other gang members, and specially without Lily, didn't get through to me.

  29.  Alli | December 16, 2008 @ 4:51 am

    Being from and living in Minnesota, I loved that part of the episode. I totally remember watching when Gary Anderson missed that kick (DAMN). haha! I was laughing hysterically too when Robin was eating an ice cream cone on the stairs in a t-shirt and Marshall came over and sat down next to her with an ICEE. I have to admit I thought about having some ice cream myself last night even though it was -8 with a windchill of -27 last night.
    Also, I'm really glad they didn't make the characters in the Minnesota bar sound like they were from the movie Fargo. I hate when shows do that!
    Robin Sparkles karaoke was great, especially when everyone in the bar started singing along.
    I wasn't a huge fan of the other story line of the show. Seemed a little blah to me. Barney's "carols" were pretty funny, but the rest wasn't my favorite.

  30.  CanadianWingman | December 16, 2008 @ 5:14 am

    Guys I wrote up a quick (Canadian) review on the forum if anybody wants to check it out. Contains spoilers, and JD's will be better, but I thought I would give it a shot.

    http://have-you-met-ted.com/forum/topic.php?id=87...

  31.  JustinDickinson | December 16, 2008 @ 5:25 am

    So, I was at work late but luckily we have a TV there so I sort-of watched the episode while working. Definitely didn't pay enough attention for a proper recap but I'll add my thoughts as if I were a visitor to this site:

    First time posting though I read it all the time, JD, you're an awesome writer, and I bet you're sexy too.

    So, what I saw of the episode was kind of meh. The Robin and Marshall stuff was funny, Cobie gets props for holding her own with Segel who is not only hilarious, but plays well off other's making him always just a little bit funnier than the people around him. The Canadian stuff was great though, is Canadians being afraid of the dark a real thing?

    The stuff with Ted seemed a little too "big idea Mosby" which I don't always love. Ted gets real serious sometimes and it's not as fun and light hearted. His sister was good, and the sentiment of the episode was nice, and realistic.

    What I saw of Lily I wasn't impressed with. OK, she's bad at keeping secrets, we get it.

    Barney singing the carols about Ted's sister was LEGENDARY. I was laughing my ass off.

    So, that's my half-watched recap. I'll be back tomorrow (hopefully early in the evening) with a proper recap.

  32.  KJO | December 16, 2008 @ 5:32 am

    There is one thing about this episode that I think needs to be addressed: with Ted's sister moving to New York, will she be a regular character on the show? JD, do u know anything about her being signed on for more episodes?

  33.  AEsprite | December 16, 2008 @ 5:56 am

    This episode had no flow. It was like watching a standup comic delivering punchlines.

    There were some good punchlines though.

  34.  FranciscaCat | December 16, 2008 @ 6:13 am

    "First time posting though I read it all the time, JD, you're an awesome writer, and I bet you're sexy too." -> ahahah you really love first posts! I recognize this eheh

    Agreed, not the best episode ever. Except for the Barney parts. And there are really lots of times when I don' like Ted at all.

    I liked his parents better than the sister.

  35.  John Darc | December 16, 2008 @ 6:22 am

    Ted has made mention of his sister a few times. He said she got married to a guy who wore socks with sandals, and that he was in a detective agency with her as a kid.

  36.  Amy | December 16, 2008 @ 6:22 am

    YES! This episode is MADE OF WIN! ROBIN SPARKLES<3

  37.  FranciscaCat | December 16, 2008 @ 6:27 am

    But Barney doesn't drive at all, does he?

  38.  John Darc | December 16, 2008 @ 6:46 am

    This episode seemed very schmaltzy to me. Maybe it's the Full House head writer shining through (the writer of this ep wrote for Full House, btw) but it seemed like this entire episode, we were sort of being told instead of shown. Maybe it's cause Erin Cahill isn't that great of an actress. Her whole storming out and "Merry Christmas!" seemed a tad weak, as was the resolution that she got the briefcase with the lease in it. Robin giving her speech seemed a tad drawn "oat", as were her Canadianisms. Robin isn't THAT Canadian unless drunk, eh? That scene between Marshall and Robin on the steps, talking about how they'd go chase her down if she left…seemed a little "I love you, Michelle".

    Also people don't change. Just saying.

    Short cold open this week. Maybe this episode could have used a "Kids, this is…" but it sort of just went into it.

    I'll have more thoughts on this ep later.

  39.  CanadianWingman | December 16, 2008 @ 6:46 am

    Yes! That's my line! Score!

  40.  BGeo | December 16, 2008 @ 6:54 am

    We have been blessed lately with really funny episodes that went along with a good story line, however I thought this episode was funny, with a weaker story line than recent episodes. Being Canadian and proud of it I related to Robin. Afraid of the dark? Where do you guys get this stuff from haha.

    Barney's carols were obviously legendary and hilarious. I was really glad to see the long awaited Robin and Marshall storyline. Well done.

    JD your opening statement in your "reader" post was funny. I bet that JD guy is dreamy…

    Please tell me someone noticed the two jerseys in the bar with the lasts names BAYS on one and THOMAS on the other… the details in this show are unreal.

    Robin Sparkles Karaoke? too funny

  41.  JustinDickinson | December 16, 2008 @ 6:55 am

    I think I feel similar to you based on what I saw of it. It was a little too into the resolution ending and everyone kissing and having hot cocoa. maybe my thoughts will change when i rewatch.

  42.  K.R | December 16, 2008 @ 7:32 am

    It wasn't just Bays and Thomas…Robin was wearing a "Fryman" jersey, and another extra had a "Smulders" on hers.

  43.  K.R | December 16, 2008 @ 7:37 am

    Cobie Smulders has indeed gotten more awesome with each passing year. NPH and Jason Segel have been consistently incredible, Josh Radnor and Alyson Hannigan have been around the same the whole way through, but CS has improved dramatically. She was never bad to start off with, but you could tell in season 1 that she had the least experience; now she's hilarious no matter what.

    Re: Robin being called a slut– that pisses me off to no end. You're a slut due to other peoples' narrow-mindedness, not your own actions.

  44.  Gravity | December 16, 2008 @ 7:59 am

    The holidays are when the most secrets are kept, I.E. presents

  45.  Mary | December 16, 2008 @ 8:37 am

    love it!! just loveeeeeeeeeeee it!!!
    it was the best in a while!! hope that this can go on…
    Marshall singing let's go to the mall was hilarious!!

  46.  Humberto | December 16, 2008 @ 8:58 am

    The Ted's sister story was the plot to every other episode of Three's Company. I know nothing is ever truly original but the keep-away-from-my-sister plot line is so overused that I almost stopped watching, but America must love sit-com cliches, because at 11.44 million viewers it appears to be the highest rated episode ever:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIMYM_episodes#Seaso...

    Cliche or not, HIMYM always delivers and the ending was most awesome HIMYM ending ever.

  47.  BGeo | December 16, 2008 @ 9:36 am

    Barney's blog was especially hilarious this week

  48.  JustinDickinson | December 16, 2008 @ 9:39 am

    I have heard nothing but, to be honest, I haven't had my ear the the ground as much regarding show news. I'll poke around and see what I can find.

  49.  NV1 | December 16, 2008 @ 9:47 am

    Really liked the Robin-Marshall half of the episode, found the Ted-Heather bit a bit meh but I didn't mind it as I saw it as having promise as a beginning (I took the final Ted-Heather scene to mean Heather is going to be a regular at least for a few episodes). But Barney's carols were excellent.

    Prediction from me… I thought the Barney/Robin angle completely ended, but I now think Heather is going to be used as a source of tension between Robin and Barney, as in Robin can easily refuse Barney when he's the regular… how shall we call him?… one-night-stand fanatic, but if he shows something different to Heather, perhaps Robin'll get interested.

    Not that I'm hoping for any of this. I'd much prefer Barney to remain as awesome as ever (that means no falling in love) and Robin to be the mother.

  50.  Mike | December 16, 2008 @ 9:54 am

    I love this show to death. It's easily my favorite on TV right now, but I just really disliked last nights episode and might rank it as the worst of the series. Just didn't like it at all.

    The scene with Ted's sister crowd surfing was CRINGE WORTHY awful. Just a very annoying scene.

  51.  ashlee | December 16, 2008 @ 10:09 am

    I just thought the same thing. Barney can't drive. We learned that in season 2 Arrividerci, Fiero.

  52.  Amy | December 16, 2008 @ 10:19 am

    I think its sort of a theme that Lily never keeps secrets. Ha! I think she only wants to admit it to herself around the holidays.

    And I can see Marshall hitting up the Minnesota bar for game days. It's probably just his thing. Some guys will always have a bar and crew for their favorite team.

    I'm wondering about the sister as well. Will she be showing up as a semi-regular now??

  53.  CanadianWingman | December 16, 2008 @ 7:11 am

    Also guys not sure if you saw Barney's blog but here is the link: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/how_i_met_your_mothe...

    Notice he asks for "Forgetting Sarah Marshall on DVD"

    And one more point: what kind of silly plot premise that someone can't keep secrets "only around the holidays?" How does the time of year change an ability to do that? Kind of a goofy plot device but whatever

  54.  Jona | December 16, 2008 @ 11:24 am

    King of Kong reference! "Possible gill-screen coming up."

  55.  Marcy | December 16, 2008 @ 11:26 am

    To be honest, as much as I think that this episode was o.k for a christmas episode, it was not really that funny overall. It´s awsome to have a Robin/Marshall storyline, but it kind of seemed to come out of nowhere and that really bugged me. Also, the entire Heather thing seemed to have been thought up on a rush. O.k, so she WAS married for 5 days, but I can´t imagine Ted giving a speech about accepting his sister´s husband in season 2 if it wasn´t something serious. Plus, people mentioned it on spoiler threads before this epi aired, and I think it is a good point: Robin has been a membe of the group for 4 years now. She should know about Heather and Barney´s reaction to the christmas cards. This would have worked in season one, maybe in season 2, but in season 4???
    All in all, I didn´t hate this episode, it had it´s moments (the Robin Sparkles karaoke was genius) but I´d still give it only a 5 out of 10.

  56.  John Darc | December 16, 2008 @ 8:03 am

    Cocoa break!

    I'm just thinking…why did Robin feel a need to lie about her son? Just say she was raised as a boy, so she could be called "son", thereby cementing her status as a manly man at the Minnesota Bar.

    edit: I also loved the absurdity of her pulling out a hockey mask at the end.

    double edit: They could have mentioned Barney's previous breaking of the Bro Code, and how he learned his lesson. Why wasn't Ted "The Goat"-angry at Barney this time?

    Also, I wonder how much Heather knows about Barney. She seems to be taken in by his charm at the door…maybe she wants a piece of that white chocolate after all. I mean, Barney is allegedly real good at sex, right?

    3rd edit: Man, Lily with bangs just looks awful. And in that flash back, it was so, I dunno…not good. It looked really thin. Maybe that's why she changed her hair between Platinum Rule and no Tomorrow.

    4th edit: If Ted and his sister don't get along, why is she there? And she stole his couch and television? And got all the way to Spain without Ted knowing?

  57.  John Darc | December 16, 2008 @ 12:06 pm

    I think this line from a review was quite apt: this ep was more "Best Burger" than "Naked Man". I do agree that the Heather thing is a bit rushed, and wished that they just gave Ted another sister or something, just so that all the stuff he said made more sense. In this episode, he seems to not get along with Heather, and she seems to be a royal screw up, yet he was allegedly close to her. How does it get so bad? 9 months in a tree, 5 days married to this alleged socks/sandals man.

    Was this the first holiday episode that was quite standalone? We had New Years, Thanksgiving, Xmas, and they were all quite serial.

  58.  John Darc | December 16, 2008 @ 10:39 am

    Shades of "Do I Know You?" with Lily's "I have a secret NO I DON'T yes I do NO I DON'T"

    edit: Barney doesn't drive people to the airport unless he's in college and trying to sleep with them, right? So I assume he was trying to get some from Ted's mom. Oh, Barney. Bro Code – moms are off limits, stepmoms are ok if they make the first move and/or wear one piece of leopard clothing.

    and how can Heather to expect Ted to trust her if she's such a fuck up and she makes evidence that points to that (her and Barney)? Bad logic. Don't make it look like you had irresponsible sex, and then get upset when he thinks you had sex.

    and the Canadian karaoke singer was singing Crash Test Dummies "Mmm mmm mmm mmm"

  59.  Joana | December 17, 2008 @ 2:03 am

    I´m brazilian and I saw this episode without subtitles… so got a little hard to understand the joke I THINK Marshall made about brazilians, when he talks with Robin about estereotips (is it written like this?).
    Do someone knows what did he say?

  60.  Geri | December 17, 2008 @ 3:38 am

    I didn't notice that. Good eyes people!

  61.  Geri | December 17, 2008 @ 3:47 am

    Funny you mentioned wanting and ice cream Alli, cause I was craving an Iced Cap(pucino) when I saw Robin with her ice cream and yeah, it was pretty cold here last night!

    You know, I think they gave the Fargo accents to the Canadians on this show. Seriously, if you compare the way Robin and Simon spoke, to anyone from the film, it's almost a match. Scary – but not as scary as when the lights go out!

  62.  CanadianWingman | December 17, 2008 @ 4:46 am

    Marshall stated Brazilians put too much postage (stamps) on mail.

    I didn't get it either…. but then again, I'm Canadian and I didn't get the dark thing either….

  63.  Ike | December 17, 2008 @ 4:53 am

    I've never heard it before. One theory is that they made it up to show how ridiculous and stupid other sterotypes are. Robin's face supports the theory because she looked at him like he was crazy.

  64.  Grady | December 17, 2008 @ 5:41 am

    I liked this episode's B story more than the A story. Personally, I could live without Ted's sister being a part of the show on a regular basis, and I found the whole story a little trite. But I love love LOVE the Little Minnesota side of things- it was awesome. Between this and Woo Girls, I'm really enjoying seeing the other bars in NYC other than Maclarens (but I still love Home Sweet Home)!

    In other news, Jason Segel is starring in "I Love You, Man" and it looks awesome. The trailer is here: http://theboxofficejunkie.com/2008/12/i-love-you-...

  65.  canucks 4 the cup!! | December 17, 2008 @ 6:53 am

    haha, i love to see all these posts from people from minnesota and canada. thats what i'm here to do too. i love this show, and as a canadian, always enjoy the shout-outs we get. btw, props to the writers for getting marshal to mock their own usage of stereotyping for laughs. i've got two little nit-picky things to point out/ask. i realize that this is a sit-com, and these little things never take away from my enjoyment of the show, but i figured this was the place to talk about them.

    1) haha, yes, fine, canadians say 'ooot' and 'aboot' (just for those not from the great white north, its really only hicks and newfies (newfoundlanders) who sound even close to this). but if you're going to make a joke of it, you gotta get Robin to say "there's only one way to find ooot" when she testing if the 'hoser hut' is a true canadian ex-pat bar.

    2) this is my first time on here, so i dont know if its already been talked about. But in 'the intervention', Robin gets drunk and starts reliving great Vancouver Canucks moments (hahaha, she sounded just like me with a sixer of molson canadian in me). this led me to believe she might be from vancouver, cause shes such a die-hard canucks fan. problem with this is that vancouver winters are exactly the same as seattle's: rainy as hell, but NO SNOW (except for this last week actually). so i totally wouldn't believe her thinking its t-shirt weather. basically, I'm asking where in canada everyone think Robin's from? (hey, we know the states where everyone else is from, why not Robin's province?)

    Joyeux Noel!

  66.  CanadianWingman | December 17, 2008 @ 7:24 am

    It's been previously established that Robin is from Vancouver.

    Yes, as a Canadian I also realize most of this is gross generalization. However I give it up in the name of comedy and allow the farces to function (for the most part). However as a southern Ontario guy who spent his share on winters in Thunder Bay, ON (very close to Minnesota) I also get what they're talking about. Let's just leave it at funny… if I really wanted to nitpick I'd go back to the "Mount Waddington" line from season 3

  67.  Geri | December 17, 2008 @ 3:29 am

    Carter or "Craig" even? Or Thomas and Bays. I know, it's confusing with 2 c's.

  68.  Geri | December 17, 2008 @ 3:34 am

    Um yeahhhhhh, we're not afraid of the dark. OH GOD – THE LIGHTS JUST WENT OOT! Oh no wait, it's all good ;)

  69.  Geri | December 17, 2008 @ 3:40 am

    Not a bad review fellow canuck, though I do feel the need to make this correction once again…..it's Carter Bays and Craig Thomas. I've seen a few people mix it up lately. Hate me if you must, but I noticed it and said something about it lol!

    And yes, 'tis true about the alcohol/nudie bar sitch. My 2 best friends from Detroit used to drive over the border into Windsor, Ontario just so they could drink and watch men get fully naked. They're only allowed to strip down to their skivvy's in the USA. SUCKERS!

    Just editing this to say that though I think the Marshall and Robin storyline was hilarious, I think the Ted and Heather storyline could have worked better as a full plot on it's own show.

  70.  taot | December 17, 2008 @ 7:50 am

    The Only Way to Test for Sure -method rang so true for me and was because of that so funny. I used to be like that when I came back from living in Canada. Now I've changed a bit back to silent Finn but I sometimes still automatically behave like that.

    I don't recognize the accents but that's what stereotypes are for in comedy. The wearing only a t-shirt is a bit doudbe-edged sword, yeah you don't feel the cold as much as you visit somewhere south but then again you know to always wear enough to be comfy.

    For example, I never understand how Londoners refuse to accept it's winter and dress approriately for it. :)

    The main story line of Ted/Ted's sister did not make any sense which is really rare for this series. One acts irresponsibly, then gets annoyed that she is judged by her actions, fakes evidence that she acts irresponsibly and then takes the moral high ground that Ted should have believed she has changed even though there's no reason for Ted to believe that. And Ted agrees with that? Or just loves his sister and doesn't care?

  71.  french boy | December 17, 2008 @ 9:31 am

    it wasn't awesome.
    it was kinda lame episode, not entirely for sure, but it was.

  72.  Ike | December 17, 2008 @ 12:08 pm

    He probably rode with her in a cab. But he definitely broke the Bro Code.

  73.  Ike | December 17, 2008 @ 12:16 pm

    So I rewatched last night. This episode lost some points during the second viewing. It's an average episode overall with some really good jokes. Barney's Christmas carols and Marshall's karaoke were beyond awesome. The sister storyline needed some polishing, and Aly did her best job but wasn't given much to work with. BTW Why would just Lily and Ted go out with Heather, I loved the Marshall and Robin storyline, but them (esp. Marshall) not being at that dinner is odd. The good news an average HIMYM episode is still the best comedy on TV. I can't wait till it comes back in Jan.

  74.  Gaelle | December 18, 2008 @ 9:35 am

    To me, season 4 is really a great batch so far. It was good to finally see some Robin and Marshall private time. Their storyline was really funny. But what made me cry were Barney's special Carols. And to learn that there won't be a new ep before January just made my Christmas a lot less merry.

  75.  John Darc | December 18, 2008 @ 11:33 am

    Hmm, that's weird. When Heather arrives, she grabs Robin's hand. Have they met before? There's no introductions, not even a bit of girly one on one between Heather and Robin (so, you dated my brother type stuff)

  76.  macdawson | December 21, 2008 @ 3:32 am

    After reading "The Bro Code" i find myself checking everyone of Ted ad Barney's actions acording to it. Having sex with a Bro's sister is a no-no but making remarks as to how hot she is is accepted. That had me thinking that Barney had set up Lilly and Ted, though having broken the Code before, it wasn't totally impossible he had actually done it with Heather (kudos on the casting BTW, she's hot). But after forgiving him for doing Robin, would Ted be capable of forgiving Barney again? Doubt it. So it had to be a trick, Barney style. (Although i found it disturbing that he and Ted's mom kissed – if it doesn't break the Code, it sure bends it).
    .

  77.  macdawson | December 21, 2008 @ 3:33 am

    - Barney's carols… legen—dary.
    - Minesotta bar scenes were—DAMN— hylarious.
    - Lilly, IMO they should go back to how she was in the begining of season 1, she was outrageously fun (" he couldn't spank me for fun"), wild, awesome. She's getting more uptight , kind of snob (one of her low moments was in "Dowisetrepla" when she fantasised about her two daughters, and she was all "artsy-fartsy") Everynow and then the good old Lilly resurfases (in"The Fight": "Bitch, don't even…!") That's the Lilly i love. In this one she was funny but underused.
    - Marshal's karaoke…ROFL.

    And now 3 weeks with no new episodes… :(

    Happy hollydays to all who visit this blog and special tip of the hat to Mr. Dickinson for providing this gathering of thoughts on HIMYM, the best comedy show presently on air

  78.  New York Gal | December 22, 2008 @ 9:16 am

    Overall the episode was very good and I agreed with the way it ended between Ted and Heather. I thought the twist setting him up to teach him a lesson was very funny. I thought the actress playing Heather (Erin Cahill) did a great job with what she was given and I am sure with how she was directed. Not everything has to be done in broad comedy. Sometimes "real" is called for. and this was very believable. There was another great comedy you might recall named "Friends" and sometimes it was very serious and even poignant. If you watch the episode again watch Heather's facial expressions and how she connects with the other characters, especially Ted and Barney.

  79.  New York Gal | December 22, 2008 @ 9:16 am

    I would like to see an opportunity for her character to do more; having only just starting watching the show this season I was not aware of some of the back story to Ted's sister–so from what has been said I gather it does not fit together as it should. However, if you have ever seen Erin Cahill in other things you will know she is a very talented actress (both comedy and drama) so I hope when they bring her back in the future (which I assume they will from the storyline they have created) the writers give her an opportunity to really shine. She and Ted really did fit as siblings

  80.  Serenichi | December 24, 2008 @ 4:12 am

    When I think about Ted's mother my mind immediately goes to Heroes, with her being Mama Patrelli and all.

    I too am in agreeance with the Barney carols being the best part of the episode. I showed it to my friends on youtube and now they've started watching season 1 with me. :D

  81.  Diana | December 28, 2008 @ 12:48 pm

    I was disappointed with the "A plot" of this episode. ted's sister could have been so much better utilized and everything we'd been led to believe about her for years in all the other episodes was completely ignored. For instance, Ted's mom tells Ted at the beginning of season 2 not to tell the sister that they are divorced. If she lives at home, wouldn't she know already? Also, Ted at one point says he had to learn to like his sister's husband, though he wears sandals with socks. Would he really have had to do that if they were only married for 5 minutes as they say in this ep? (My friends and I have had a theory for years that the reason Ted knows sign language is because his sister is deaf — I have to admit, we are disappointed. What a great way to tie that in! There has to be a good story behind that!)

    On the flipside, the Minnesota/Canada bars were PERFECT. I disagree that they are one note and they fit perfectly into the ongoing story of the whole New York blinders that the New York native/convert half of the cast has. Barney and LIly couldn't imagine ever ever living anywhere else, Ted doesn't want to. Marshall and Robin, however, see the benefits of living in, oh, say, Argentina or New Jersey or St. Cloud, and they get homesick for places OTHER than NY. I can understand that.

  82.  vacations | May 7, 2009 @ 1:41 am

    Another interesting article from your blog :) When will it stop….hopefully never

  83.  Stargate Atlantis | July 5, 2009 @ 4:44 pm

    Like to watch Stargate Atlantis episodes and also Lost. I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.

  84.  Geoff Wood | October 21, 2009 @ 11:06 am

    Just found your blog, hence, I’m adding a comment about a post that’s nearly a year old.

    “Little Minnesota” is actually my favorite episode of HIMYM, ever. The Minnesota bar may appear over done but it was perfect for those of us who are Vikings fans. It’s the type of thing that could have been so over the top that it’s stereotypical and “offensive” to Minnesota fans (as happens often when the Midwest is depicted on TV and in movies) but this was done very well.

    I think the reason is that it was accurate – any Vikings fan knows the pain of the end of that 1998 season (“Damn!”) and I didn’t even know that Gary Anderson now lives in “Canada” (which is true, according to Wikipedia). Even Jason got into the bit, with the Marshall character wearing Jim Marshall’s actual jersey (at least the number) in the episode.

  85.  Nedra Doll | December 24, 2009 @ 2:27 pm

    Great post mate! Where?s the subscribe button? Haha

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