Season 5, Episode 1 Premiere: Definitions Preview
So it’s finally here, the season five premiere. I thought this day would never come. Here I am stuck late at work. That means I might watch it live, but it means I probably won’t post about it till tomorrow. Regular readers know I always give you a place to discuss the episode in real time before I post my recap however. A preview of what we’ll see tonight:
- When the gang finds out that Barney and Robin are hesitant to define their relationship, Lily forces them to confront their biggest fear…becoming boyfriend/girlfriend. It seems Barney isn’t too keen on changing any of his vices despite being with Robin.
- Meanwhile, Ted is anxious about teaching his first lecture at Columbia and decides to release his inner douche much to the chagrin of his students
- Joe Manganiello returns as Brad
- We meet the mother
OK, I was just kidding with the last one. Just making sure you guys are paying attention.
I promise I’ll get the recap up ASAP but do leave comments here if you’ve watched and are dying to discuss. Remember, tonight’s episode is at 8p, not 8:30 like last year.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!In Casting/Gueststars, Season 5 @ 21/09/2009 | By JD
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little barney | September 21, 2009 @ 10:57 pm
its gonna be legen-wait-for-it-dary !!!!!!!!
TheMix | September 21, 2009 @ 11:49 pm
Tis a sad time to come to the realization that you digital antenna works even poorer than your former antenna.
Ace | September 22, 2009 @ 12:32 am
Phenomenal episode! This season is off to a great start =D
Smokin Turkeys | September 22, 2009 @ 12:35 am
So the mother was in the Econ class right? Nice out by the writers. Great episode.
Sara | September 22, 2009 @ 12:39 am
If the mom is still in undergrad, then she's a good 10 years younger than Ted (unless she went back to school later in life). Yikes! Although this could open up a lot of age-difference jokes from the gang.
James | September 22, 2009 @ 12:40 am
anybody notice the girl walking out of the bar in the very last scene. looked like the girl in the club from an early season when ted was holding the yellow umbrella. coincidence? Why else would that have had her in that scene.
Jess | September 22, 2009 @ 12:41 am
Let me start by expressing how different I felt after this premier than at 9:30 PM last Thursday. While a previously character oriented and witty show like The Office appears to be going downhill, the minute I heard NPH say "She's awe-prettydarnmuch," I knew I wouldn't have to worry about HIMYM.
This show just continues to get stronger, in it's story, character development, and humour. This episode was tight and well written, it teased enough about the mother without being annoying, and it 100% lived up to my expectations.
Here are some points I had:
- I love that Ted has taken the place at the end of the table. For so long, Barney was stuck out of the booth, and now Ted can focus on moving on and not having to be part of a couple within the core group.
- I have been a big RoBarn supporter, so when I found out before Barney wasn't just going to change and be a "boyfriend," I was worried it would take three more seasons and be a total Luke/ Loralei type of "will they/ won't they" thing. But, the writers did exactly right for the characters; put them in a relationship without them even knowing it.
- I worry about what they are going to do with LAME. What do you guys think? Kids on the way? Though I loved the "Didn't I meet you on a yacht?" comment.
One different thing I noticed right away was a sort of directorial change in the show. HIMYM has never been a show that uses long shots that approach slowly, or framed the last three characters like that. It was very FRIENDS looking, to me.
Anyway, that's all I got.
clay | September 22, 2009 @ 1:00 am
what was the song playing during the econ class scenes?
Mike H. | September 22, 2009 @ 1:11 am
The Indiana Jones incorporation was great. It's so true–all new male teachers want to be Indy. Spot on job there, and really with the whole episode. I loved it.
I would also like to know the song, thanks.
Another Sarah | September 22, 2009 @ 1:15 am
"Oxford Comma" by Vampire Weekend.
clay | September 22, 2009 @ 1:19 am
Thanks!
BGeo | September 22, 2009 @ 1:40 am
Great first episode. I'll wait until JD posts the episode discussion but i was really impressed
Ray T. | September 22, 2009 @ 1:47 am
What song is playing when Robin and Barney hold hands at the end of the episode?
Chowey | September 22, 2009 @ 2:03 am
AWESOME EPISODE. laughed my ass off. And also, i think barney's 'oooooooorr', is quick becoming a new catchphrase.
Emily | September 22, 2009 @ 2:47 am
DOORF FIVE
Zac | September 22, 2009 @ 3:04 am
Both of those songs were the same Vampire Weekend song
TooMuchFreeTime | September 22, 2009 @ 3:50 am
Such a strong start to the season! I had forgotten how after HIMYM episodes I feel like bursting with happiness. It's like seeing an old friend. Good luck coming up with a "The Bad" for this episode J.D.
sluttypumpkin | September 22, 2009 @ 4:40 am
That episode was AWEEESOMMMEEE!!!! I loved what they did to throw off Ted's first day (nice going T-Dog)! Every second of Barney & Robin was perfect!!! The whip gag was brilliant…. but was anyone else wondering what the hell happened to Kara (Brad's girlfriend)?? Thats driving me nuts.
Jenn | September 22, 2009 @ 5:02 am
Loved it.
Jenn | September 22, 2009 @ 5:03 am
Also I keep hearing in my head from last season, "and it's a good thing I did. Because as you know, your mother was in that class." Yes, yes, it's such a good thing he was there so she could see him make a total fool of himself…..
KJO | September 22, 2009 @ 5:22 am
First off, loved the episode and also noticed that Ted is now sitting in the chair at the end of the booth instead of Barney. That in itself kind of feels like the ushering in of a new chapter of the ongoing story.
Just wondering how this flub up by Ted is going to factor into the meeting of the mother. "Weren't u that douche that was in the wrong classroom first day of econ 305" doesn't really seem like a great ice breaker to me, lol.
sydb | September 22, 2009 @ 5:28 am
loved it! oh how i missed this show. i think the barman & robin tone was perfect. both actors were great, they were able to express emotion without getting out of character. they are funny together, i think this will work.
best line was "didnt we meet on a yatch?" classic marshall.
ted was also great in schizophrenic mode, SILENCE! hahahha.
Spence! | September 22, 2009 @ 6:31 am
I, too, also bust up laughing when Ted yelled "SILENCE!!".
No one was even making a sound…
lachlan | September 22, 2009 @ 10:54 am
Totally loved it.
Thomas | September 22, 2009 @ 11:25 am
Great opener to the season! T-Dog's first day (back) at college was hilarious!
jen209 | September 22, 2009 @ 12:57 pm
I loved the episode – doesn't it feel like your friends are back? As per usual, I was watching at the gym, and I can't imagine how silly I look, bursting out laughing, or clapping, or saying "awww" and sighing – when no one else can hear the TV show.
BSMOOTH | September 22, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
Solid episode… here's some of my favorite moments
-Right as Brad is leaving the booth, a smiling Marshall raises his arm to say goodbye but Brad is already gone. Looks like Marshall still has a slight man crush on his former brunch bro.
-The music for when Barney and Robin were in the bedroom proclaiming their feelings for each other I believe was the same song they played when Barney was going to tell Ted that he was in love with Robin but ended up running into Robin instead and having to tell her that he loves tacos. That was a great scene last season, and I'm glad they pulled that same song for this moment this season.
-Everything about Ted's teaching segment was hilarious… "Who invited their dad?" and "SILENCE!!!" stand out as the top moments. I love how the writers let us in on the joke before Ted finds out, allowing the viewer to really enjoy Ted burying himself up there.
Can't wait for next week. My friends are indeed back…
-M
BSMOOTH | September 22, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
Solid episode… here's some of my favorite moments
-Right as Brad is leaving the booth, a smiling Marshall raises his arm to say goodbye but Brad is already gone. Looks like Marshall still has a slight man crush on his former brunch bro.
-The music for when Barney and Robin were in the bedroom proclaiming their feelings for each other I believe was the same song they played when Barney was going to tell Ted that he was in love with Robin but ended up running into Robin instead and having to tell her that he loves tacos. That was a great scene last season, and I'm glad they pulled that same song for this moment this season.
-Everything about Ted's teaching segment was hilarious… "Who invited their dad?" and "SILENCE!!!" stand out as the top moments. I love how the writers let us in on the joke before Ted finds out, allowing the viewer to really enjoy Ted burying himself up there.
Can't wait for next week. My friends are indeed back…
-Mike
danield6 | September 22, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
LOL @ Marshall being jealous of tuxedo night! Hahaha!
It was an aweeesome episode! Uhhhh! I have fallen in love with the show. ♥ ♥ ♥
Courtney | September 22, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
I love Barnman and Robin.
The Comedian | September 22, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Interesting Closed Caption dialog difference.
During the quiet while Barney and Robin walk away from the stoop, there is no voice over narration.
But the closed captioning says (I’m paraphrasing from memory”), “And that, kids, is the story of how Uncle Barney and Aunt Robin became boyfriend and girlfriend.”
So, if you’re deaf, you left the episode with a different take.
And if you can hear, but your wife makes you watch everything with the captions turned on, then you don’t know which to believe.
robarn | September 22, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
I love Barney and Robin together and yet I still feel somewhat badly for Ted. His reaction to them being together was fully awkward and just like his seat at the bar table, he's now kind of out of the loop.
T.I.P. | September 22, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
GOOD ENOUGH!!! (whip!)
Josh08 | September 22, 2009 @ 6:15 pm
Bit disappointed with it…. It felt as I was watching FRIENDS again
6264 | September 22, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
The video sequence with Barney punching Brad was similar to Ted being punched by that guy in No Tomorrow. It was great as it showed yet again, a lot of running jokes and continuity with the show. Great start, okay, awesome
BenNED | September 22, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
Loved it, especialy the whip part NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!
The song is : Vampire Weekend – Oxford Comma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_i1xk07o4g
elyse | September 22, 2009 @ 7:26 pm
thought it was hilarious except lily wasn't funny at all. seriously, the meddling lily can be funny but this was just excessive and just a caricature of her character.
stu | September 22, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
i think, from now on i'm gonna spell the word professor proffessor, just because.
Guest | September 22, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
Does anyone think that the writers are being unfair to the Barney character they've created? Barney doesn't fall for girls. Period. I just don't get why they're making him date Robin. Didn't like that. The Barney/Robin dating storyline may be jumping the shark…
Stem | September 22, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
Barney dating Robin isn't jumping the shark, it's character development. I'm not sure you quite get what 'jumping the shark' means. If Barney continued his streak of hitting on women the character would either dry up or become painful comic relief. Plus, it's been established in Barneys background that he is capable of romance/love etc. Infact it was the failing of that romance that turned him into suit wearing awesome Barney.
Great episode, loved it!
sydb | September 22, 2009 @ 9:36 pm
yeah right, because being single till you're 40 is the best thing that can happen to you. why would he want to be with an attractive, funny lady who wants to have sex with him all the time?
i think it can work, he was still very funny and very barney in last nights episode. we just dont have the bimbos anymore.
cobie and neil have great chemistry and i thought they were great last night, the scene at the stadium and the exploding high fives are proof of that.
Josh | September 22, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
I've been clamoring for the Barney & Robin relationship spin-off for years now ("Friends" missed the opportunity with Chandler and Monica raising their kids in the suburbs – how much better would it be seeing Barnman & Robin trying to parent living, breathing human beings? Greatest.) so last night's awesome ep gave me a taste of what will probably never come true.
And I love seeing Ted in a new professional arena.
Both story lines give the show fresh legs so as the actors are hitting their prime as the characters, we're getting to see them in new and realistic life situations.
Good stuff. Great way to kick off the season
Ayah | September 23, 2009 @ 12:15 am
Fun episode, glad they're back!
No more baby bump hiding (but Alyson and Cobie's breasts were Huuuuuge… didn't you notice? I'm a girl but it still was striking to me!)
I'm a bit afraid for the "lonely Ted" part since now it will be 2+2+1 (who will be Ted's wingman???)… But I actually laughed more in the Ted scenes than in the rest of the epiode (P.R.O.F___?)
And we can still see wingman-outrageous Barney in flashback scenes (as the tuxedo night one)… sooo for now RoBarn is not that bad for the comic effect…
I'm totally sure Lilly has something to do with Mashall's Bro + hockey tickets comeback…
Jenn | September 23, 2009 @ 2:28 am
I'm not sure why people are so upset that Barney is hooking up with Robin. Yes, he's a manslut, but he's still human! He's not a robot! He can feel love, and boy is he fighting it- hard. This seems MORE realistic to me than if he never ever had real feelings for anyone. Who goes through their entire life like that? And I'm glad they're mixing up the plot a bit because I would be sad if it were like The Office- such a wonderful show that passed its prime and isn't really going anywhere. This keeps things fresh.
Jenn | September 23, 2009 @ 2:28 am
I'm not sure why people are so upset that Barney is hooking up with Robin. Yes, he's a manslut, but he's still human! He's not a robot! He can feel love, and boy is he fighting it- hard. This seems MORE realistic to me than if he never ever had real feelings for anyone. Who goes through their entire life like that? And I'm glad they're mixing up the plot a bit because I would be sad if it were like The Office- such a wonderful show that passed its prime and isn't really going anywhere. This keeps things fresh.
blarg | September 23, 2009 @ 3:35 am
flooglehorn
loved the episode.
This is my indoor woo « This Modern Love | September 22, 2009 @ 11:43 pm
[...] but not the best example of why I love this show so much. The Barney/Robin fans all seem pretty happy, reading through the comments I get the vibe that these scenes have been long awaited since the [...]
Charlie | October 5, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
Contact me asap please!