Season 4, Episode 17: The Front Porch Discussion
By JD
First, let me apologize for the lateness. This recap has been written, but due to a plugin on the fritz I couldn’t log into the blog admin for a couple days. All is well now.
Spinning plates. That’s what these kind of episodes are like. They make you wonder why any of the five are ever left out, why any of the B-plot lines ever suffer. Episodes like this confirm the fans’ claims that How I Met Your Mother is the best-written comedy on TV. Yeah, I said it. 30 Rock is funny, don’t get me wrong, but the humor crafted on HIMYM is of a different cloth. Theirs is a rich tapestry woven from characterization, history, emotion, and depth. It’s history the characters share with the audience along with a future they don’t yet know though we the viewers do. All that combines to a pinnacle never more evident in episodes like this.
Watch the Episode
[casttv lbirso1]
What was good
The driving plotline of this episode is something really fresh and new for sitcoms. It totally makes sense that Lily would do that (she might mean well, but she’s not infallible) and also that Ted would react that way. It’s the kind of fight best friends have. A lesser show might have used the scenario for easy laughs but neither of them break character at all. The show realizes that everything doesn’t have to be funny, and the audience gets these moments of real drama and empathy. Was what Lily did right? Probably not, but she does have a point. Even Ted saw it when it was just about Karen. While she was meddling where she didn’t belong, Ted does have a tendency to fall in love with girls who don’t deserve it. It’s each of their fatal flaws, the things they can’t escape.
Just to stir the flames of certain fanatical people, did you catch the dialog from Lily about which girls she broke up with for Ted? “If there was ever the tiniest chance of that I swear I didn’t do anything. Like with Victoria or Stella.”
With a story this serious, comic relief was necessary. Outside the awesome “you can’t handle the truth” homage, Robin’s silent adventures on the TV in the background was an excellent solution to this problem. Props to Cobie for still being hilarious without the benefit of dialog.
The rollback to Ted and Robin’s breakup with the additional Lily content is another thing the show does so well. Revisiting situations with more information to give them a different perspective.
Awesome reference to Big Lebowski. I’ve asked Carter about these pop culture references and he mentions that they like to keep them subtle, so the episodes don’t feel too dated. I think they’re perfect.
I love all the night shirt/ suit pajamas stuff. It’s hilarious and perfect interchange for Marshall and Barney to have.
On that note, the marriage talk in bed between the two of them are two of the most inspired minutes in the history of the show. Excellent.
Cobie is awesome at being pregnant. She looks great, doesn’t she?
Even without the ending this would’ve been a great episode. The addition of the Ted/Robin stuff was just icing on the cake. Manipulative, argument-starting, sand-line-drawing icing but sweet, sweet foreshadowing nonetheless. Any Ted and Robin is good Ted and Robin.
What was bad
I got nothing.
Favorite moments
- “I only need one finger to give her what I’m thinking” – God, Karen is a douche.
- Barney asking Ted to elaborate as he leaves the room is genius.
- “Maybe it’s because I’ve always been faithful to you while you’ve cheated on me like six times, bitch.” How great would it be if Ted really sacked up like this sometimes?
- “Not just any movie, that’s the exact scene from…never mind.” I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it. I love horny Lily.
- “You can call it a ninja-star danger jock if you want, it doesn’t make you any less of a cross-dresser.”
“So flying to Neverland with Peter and Tink, was that amazing?”
“Was it nice to finally get out of that crowded bed and take Charlie to the Chocolate Factory?”
“Something about Scrooge!”
“And if Clarence the Angel says it’s true it must be true.”I love the meta reference to the round-robin style ridicule they put each other through. - “Bridges are wild, 4 of a bridge beats a royal bridge…We’re going to take a class.” Awesome
- “I can vouch for that. Can you cross your legs buddy?”
“I can vouch for that. Can you uncross your legs buddy?” - “Creed?! OMG, I have to break up with her.” That’s really awesome. Even Jesus hates Creed.
- Marshall does one awesome Wookie voice.
- “Hm, a deuce. Exactly what my career dropped when I decided to settle down and married Ted.”
Closing
To address the continuity people. Is it impossible to believe that Ted and Karen dated in high school, didn’t quite have sex, broke up, he then slept with Molly, then they dated again in college? They have been off and on.
It’s a testament to NPH that he’s taken Barney, who is quite vile when it comes to his romantic conquests, and garners real empathy at times like the epilogue where his fantasy does come true, at the worst possible time. We laugh at him, but he’s more than a scapegoat—he’s lovable enough that we feel for him, even as we laugh.
Lastly, I really like Marshall’s headboard.
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22 Comments to “Season 4, Episode 17: The Front Porch Discussion”
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SSJ | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 08:20 am GMT -4
Fantastic recap!
I feel the same way as you are about this episode
.
MarzipanInUrPiePlate | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 10:44 am GMT -4
Thank you for being the first internet-review-type-person to mention the ninja-star danger jock. Which, I believe, would be just about the coolest thing ever
GoForBarney | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 04:28 pm GMT -4
I was kind of sad to find out that Laura Prepon had to play such a douche, but I think it helps partly explain why Ted is the way he is.
GoForBarney | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 04:28 pm GMT -4
I was kind of sad to find out that Laura Prepon had to play such a douche, but I think Karen helps partly explain why Ted is the way he is.
Tash | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 05:02 pm GMT -4
Hey JD! What did you think about Robin holding up the picture that was supposed to be taken almost a year later? :S
JustinDickinson | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 05:08 pm GMT -4
I couldn't remember that picture. When was it supposed to have been taken?
Rhea | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 06:16 pm GMT -4
it was taken when they were in the ba drinking that gross scotch a year later. the only reason i found that out is because cobie is wearing that yellow shirt.
JustinDickinson | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 06:26 pm GMT -4
Oh right! Could a year have passed already?
sydb | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 08:36 pm GMT -4
i don't think so. aren't we supposed to see ted's 31st birthday with the goat this season? a year later would be fall 2009.
it was a mistake, but i don't mind them, this isn't lost.
Rhea | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 09:34 pm GMT -4
yea i really dont care either, it was just a bit confusing, but i guess you cant really put this show on a timeline
JustinDickinson | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 09:45 pm GMT -4
you can always chalk it up to Future Ted forgetting some details or inverting events.
TheNakedMan | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 10:23 pm GMT -4
Was I the only one shouting 'NOOOO!!!' at my TV when they teased more Ted-Robin relational hijinks!
What about the freakin' Barnacle!!!
CanadianWingman | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 10:28 pm GMT -4
I noticed the headboard too! They have all this nice stuff in their apartment, and THAT"S the headboard???
The scary part is, that's a NEW headboard. The bed at the old apartment had a different one!
JustinDickinson | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 10:42 pm GMT -4
That headboard is awesome. The coolest thing in the apartment!
Sent from my iPhone
JustinDickinson | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 10:42 pm GMT -4
That headboard is awesome. The coolest thing in the apartment!
Sent from my iPhone
Major Buzzkill | Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 06:18 am GMT -4
JD, I'm curious about your view on the Ted/Robin ending. Obviously you liked it, but your comments as to why seemed a little cryptic.
I'm starting to see that it's going to help them continue creating tension in what should by all means be a tension-free situation (since we've always known Robin's not the mother). I just still worry about them laying it on too heavy or drawing it out too long. God, now I'm picturing the Clark and Lana disaster in Smallville… I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Lied | Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 09:00 am GMT -4
Another 'mistake' they made, beside the picture of them which Robind held up, was that Barney had two pillows lying in his bed. As Lilly moved in with him he said he had just one pillow, so that the girls would know that they aren't welcomed to stay.
westfall | Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 11:26 am GMT -4
Come on, the guy is wearing a "night shirt". I don't think he's following standart Barney protocole.
Maria | Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 01:11 pm GMT -4
But Lily was there and Barney changed the apartment a lot, though he changed it back. However it isn't said that he just didn't get rid of the other pillow.
JustinDickinson | Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 04:15 pm GMT -4
But he did still have the twin size blanket.
Sent from my iPhone
Wilfredo Gearn | Sunday, July 4th, 2010 04:02 pm GMT -4
Very interesting blog post thanks for writing it I just added your blog to my favorites and will be back
By the way this is a little off subject but I really like your blogs layout.
black bear | Monday, January 31st, 2011 12:55 am GMT -4
were can i buy one of the Suit PJS