Season 5, Episode 3: Robin 101 Discussion
“I’ve seen Barney work very hard to get women, I’ve seen him work very hard to get rid of women. I’ve never seen him work so hard to keep one around.” Ted wasn’t just comforting Robin with this observation, Barney confirmed it: he’s in it to win it.
Here we have another very heartfelt episode. Between this and Double Date I feel like I’m in season one again. I’m curious what all the old-time season one lovers think about these last two. High Hoper, where are you?
What Was Good
Ted and Barney were on fire in their scenes. It was great to watch Ted geek out as an instructor and Barney blow him off. It’s unmistakable that Ted really does know Robin and silly as the premise was, Barney’s best hope to be a good boyfriend is probably to learn from Prof Mosby.
As far as B plots go, Marshall didn’t have much to work with. I loved his bit though. For one, the magic disappearing street corner “donations” are a real thing. Much like in World’s Greatest Burger the writers proved they lived her for a long time. Amusing as I find these gags I wonder if they don’t have the same effect on people who haven’t lived here. One thing everyone can sympathize with is how broad a definition college guys have for what constitutes “furniture”. I’ve had my share of jury-rigged side tables but a huge barrel is pushing it. Much like Barney sells his adolescent-like short attention span, Marshall really sells his childlike sense of wonderment.
What Was Bad
Robin’s reaction was more believable this week. I didn’t take the same issue with her as I did last week. Her behavior here was in character. The scenes of conflict and resolution, however, were the weakest in the episode. The Asian student auditing the class felt a little broad in its comic relief for the tension of Robin being upset with Ted and Barney and the following resolution felt too buttoned up too quickly. Minor gripes though as the episode was enjoyable overall.
Favorite Moments
- I love Ted rainmaning “bowl” over and over. It’s like a weird acting exercise to be funny repeating just one word
- Barney sleep crawls-out-the-window!
- Wanting-to-break-into-briefcase Robin reminds me of beat-her-up-and-steal-her-purse Robin
- “Friend, confidant, occasion guest star in some confusing dreams which remind me a woman’s sexuality is a moving target”
- Barrel resin. Marshall is adorable. Although it doesn’t make sense why Marshall would bring the barrel all the way upstairs. Also where the basement storage would be if the ground floor of the building is a bar.
- “Did you two ladies lose some weight?” Nice nod there
- “I’m tweeting about you” Must be in reference to Barney’s twitter account http://twitter.com/Broslife
- They said I A-D-something
- “Oh god, silly penguins acting all fancy”
- “Butterscotch is to Canadian women what chocolate is to American women”
- Nice Dead Poets Society reference
- It was nice to hear Ted say he wants Barney and Robin to work because he cares about them both so much
- “Big boobs, small boobs, medium boobs, some boobs that were big but in a bad way.”
Closing
I like how heartfelt the plot lines have been this season. I hope this keeps up. We had a couple years of a thicker coat of sitcom lacquer and it’s nice to see the show return to its sensitive roots while maintaining a non-serialized plot progression.
The Barney-with-Robin stuff doesn’t bother me at all. I think it works. It’s a little weird to see them together but it’s a lot more organic and authentic than some of the forced hookups on other sitcoms.
I want to know what happens if you cry in front of Robin four times…
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Cyrus | October 6, 2009 @ 11:32 pm
Barney with robin is taking the show to a dead end. Barney is the life of the show, and being with robin is clipping his wings…
Starney Binson | October 6, 2009 @ 11:44 pm
This is the same stuff they did on Friends, when they had Joey date Rachel. Just as Joey was not meant to be domesticated, neither is Barney Stinson, especially not with a cast member.
Hopefully, this relationship nonsense stops and he goes back to being an awesome womanizer. Otherwise, they’re taking away the best part of the show.
BGeo | October 6, 2009 @ 11:49 pm
I liked this episode. It was funny and heart felt, but I also felt that Marshall’s barrel side story was pretty kinda on the weak side (although it brought forth the kind of guy who would have a barrel night stand: a bearded guy without a moustache). I’m getting excited for the 100th episode! How good will that be?!?
Hopefully the writers have something big for all the characters soon.
Joben | October 7, 2009 @ 12:00 am
Who runs the “Barney” twitter acct.?
Emily | October 7, 2009 @ 12:23 am
Im more curious as to HOW the writers would go about when Barney & Robin break up …
Emily | October 7, 2009 @ 1:23 am
i hope barney and robin stay together they make a good couple but i think barney’s part before was good but got old after awhile. At least they have something new for barney. Plz dont break up barney and robin but the writers should of stayed robin and braney stuff longer blew the suspense.
Cool | October 7, 2009 @ 3:29 am
Ted and Barney ’s reaction when they find out robin is the actually in the classroom was awesome!
sagarsaple | October 7, 2009 @ 5:43 am
i loved the ted and barney bit alot…..and yea even im a little ticked off about the fact that barney stinson is monogomous (damn!). but chill out guys im pretty sure the writers wont keep the barney robin thing goin on forever.
my prediction : they break up cuz robin moves way to greece or italy or somewhere to follow her career, and barney will be back to his womanizing ways
*finger crossed*
Thomas | October 7, 2009 @ 6:39 am
Funnier than last week’s episode I thought. Ted and Barney’s stuff in the classroom was great and Dead Poet’s Society reference made me crack up. I don’t really mind the Barney/Robin relationship. People change in their lives and I don’t think you can have characters stay exactly the same forever. Yeah Barney being single has been hilarious but there is only so much you can probably do with that. This way they are giving a different spin on it. I don’t think it’ll work as a long term thing but for now its fine. Fact is Barney is still Barney, just in different circumstances.
High Hoper | October 7, 2009 @ 7:10 am
hi JD!
It’s awesome that you remember me,man. I owe you one, dude! I have a lot of work at college.
I have not watched this last episode still, but i want to say that i watched the first two and i love’em. I finally watched the Ted i like, that was surprisingly better than the same ted of the final couple of episodes of season 4. I gotta say that the people that wanted like me a ‘comeback to season 1 feeling’ are very happy.i know that there will be himym fans that want himym to evolution, and i think that the series are doing it now in a phenomenal way. I cannot wait for watchin’ this one!
By the way, thanks again for remembering me. Keep it up, you’re doing an awesome work with this. Never get tired of sayin’ it
Fabio | October 7, 2009 @ 7:49 am
I’m also not very fond of this robarn thing. I like seeing barney as the boyfriend type, but i don’t think that is good for the show. However, I do think it’ll be interesting to see how things wind up with them. I don’t believe they’ll be together for the rest of the show, as barney single-life style is – to me – one of the things that made the show what it is now…the writers are awesome and i’m sure they’ll come up with something awesome as usual.
Josh88 | October 7, 2009 @ 8:02 am
Bring back Barney!!
Katie | October 7, 2009 @ 8:39 am
So the Dead Poet Society reference just put a smile on my face.
Otherwise I absolutely adored this episode. The repetitive bowl sequence was just hilarious. But I think it’s cute to see just how well Ted knows Robin.
rob | October 7, 2009 @ 8:51 am
this show sucks now. it will never be like first or second season.. it has all these ridiculous plots that make it way too cartoonish
and the whole barney robin thing is way too cheesy and predictable
also.. jason segel overacts so much lately, he should stop yelling his lines.. every week i keep hoping it will be awesome again, but it disappoints
eliza | October 7, 2009 @ 10:37 am
I love the look that Barney and Ted give one another when Robin comes in and asks what they are talking about. “Fantasy Football”. They were so awesome in this episode they even think of the same go-to subject.
jen209 | October 7, 2009 @ 10:59 am
I loved the Dead Poet’s Society reference – not because I love that movie, but because every early-30’s guy I know LOVES that movie. At that point in the episode, Ted and Barney sounded exactly my brother, who memorized the whole Oh Captain, My Captain poem when he was in high school.
The best thing about this show is how I relate to something in every episode.
saya | October 7, 2009 @ 11:32 am
I liked this episode– because it reminded me of the good bits of season 1 and kept up with the pacing and funny asides of the last 2 seasons. as much as i love womanizer Barney, I think they have been doing a great job rounding out his character over the years, and I can see the RoBarn happening believably.
I wish they would give Jason something better to work with– I think if I was given the same b-plot semi-crap, I would be yelling my lines too.
My favorite part of the episode was Ted’s reaction when Robin appears in the classroom:
“Yes, Robin?”
“Eeps!”
With the shoulders and the arms, and the eye poppin’– perfect cartoon moment.
apsutter | October 7, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
I love lily and robin!! “Hopefully, they wont be allergic to barrel resin too…. Be cool baby, damn!” They are so cute but I want some more marshall story lines!
Andre | October 7, 2009 @ 1:14 pm
people, i don’t think you got the moral of that episode when barney has the old man make-up and tries to get it with the ladies. people change, they mature, and i don’t think barney and robin are going to break up, like forever. it makes perfect sense that they stay together, when people get to their 30’s, couples are only friends with couples, i’ve noticed this. so it woulnd’t make sense marshal and lily, ted and the mother, and then two singles.
anyway, awesome episode. the best from this season. last week, barney and robin’s relationship was kinda rushed, but this week, they really showed it developing and it was good.
Bruna | October 7, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
Really liked the robin slide show! Perfect!
But i think this great plot could have been more developed! I agree with JD. The conflict was solved too fast!
Hope you understand my english here.
Jazzer | October 7, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
The ep is epic, in every way possible. And stop being a s ses about the RoBard thing, it rocks.
On con though, what happenend to the things the show ot popular for? HIGH FIVE and LEGEN…Wait for it… DARY!!! LEGENDARY!! ?
Matthew Lenner | October 7, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
You cut off my favorite line in the “Whats good” section…
The full line is “They said I had A-D-Something, Lets have class outside!” the lets have class outside said for the third time…
I wonder if it is a toss off line, or he really does have ADHD…it would explain a lot…
2k08 | October 7, 2009 @ 8:04 pm
Loved the episode. I think that I, like many HIMYM fans, am at the point where I cannot say any episode is bad. While I would have liked to see more Marshall in this episode, I have still watched it three times and loved it every time. Funny to see Ted giving Barney advice, as Barney is supposed to teach Ted how to live (at least in his mind). Great episode, can’t wait for next week.
pulling socks | October 7, 2009 @ 8:26 pm
i was really upset that they explained the Dead Poets Society reference. I thought it was unnecessary to explain, and a huge compromise to their younger audience!
Kris | October 8, 2009 @ 12:55 am
Love the part where Barney was doing the “can we have class outside?”
and the “bermuda triangle” bit
and the thing with robin and the penguins!
teehee!
RoBarn actually works and its really a “leap” for the characters. \m/ himym writers you rock!
How I Met Your Mother Season 5 Episode 3 Review | blog.crasp.de | October 8, 2009 @ 2:57 am
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Ayah | October 8, 2009 @ 5:59 am
Like 2k08, I’m such a fan that i can’t say I really didn’t like one episode…
But there is disappointment, and I can’t quite put my finger on it!
I’m not against Barnman and Robin at all, but the way they get in a relationship is too fast I thought there would be more crazyness with them…
Also LaMe are getting quite boring too, I hope things will move because I love Jason and Alyson
I don’t see how it reminds you of season 1… but it’s maybe that I watched all the S.01&02 episodes at once so I didn’t analyse every single episode back then!
Maybe I should wait and watch all the s05 episode next year, but it would be too hard!
Lau | October 8, 2009 @ 9:13 am
Ok people…Just one thing to ask? Don’t you want people to evolve? Fingers crossed for Barney and Robin to break up? What the hell is that?? Barney is so adorable in this season! if he goes back into his womanizing crap, I’d be so disappointed. Characters need to grow, otherwise where’s the point?He’s still funny! He and Robin are just perfect for each other, since season 1.If you haven’t noticed, re-watch the show.I’m sorry I had to say something ’cause your comments pissed me off.It was a great episode and writers, don’t read these comments!
Erica | October 8, 2009 @ 10:46 am
Does anyone know anything about the silk kimono shirt Lily was wearing in the Robin 101 episode? It was white with red flowers… Thanks!
Toby | October 8, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
I agree. Barney’s womanizing is very one dimensional and truthfully has become old and this relationship is showing a lot of growth on his part. The writers and Neil are doing a great of keeping Barney well Barney.
I do wish there would be some more Robin/Barney fun that we all have grown to love, i.e. the laser tag
“They said I have A-D something……….. Can we have class outside!!!” “I am tweeting about you, you should be flattered!!! Classic Barney
Clyde | October 9, 2009 @ 1:41 pm
I disagree. Barney womanizing is what makes the show. I tuned into the show to hear about Ted meeting the mother of his children. I’ve watched for 5 seasons because of Barney. Thank you.
As for Barney’s character growth, it simply isn’t believeable that he would go from being a pimp to a completely monogomous devoted boyfriend at the flip of a switch. Yeah, they dragged out the possibility last season but I still don’t buy it. Maybe in another 5 years he’ll be ready to settle down but not now. Besides, this is a goddamn comedy; not a drama series! Barney & Robin, Robarn, Barbin or whatever you want to call them is not funny nor entertaining and frankly I’m bored.
Greg Pimentel | October 10, 2009 @ 9:50 pm
barney relationship = bad ratings
Greg Pimentel | October 10, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
putting barney in a relationship kills his image
Stephen Scott | November 20, 2009 @ 12:19 am
Just wanted to let you know, I had trouble with subscribing to your rss feed.