Season 5, Episode 5: Duel Citizenship Preview
- Trying to recapture the glory days of their wild bachelorhood, Ted proposes that he and Marshall take a road trip to their favorite Chicago pizza parlor, but his trip down memory lane hits a huge snag when Lily tags along.
- Barney’s needling Robin to become a U.S. citizen, but she can’t seem to overcome her innate Canadian-ness…
Discuss!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!In Episode Discussion, Season 5 @ 19/10/2009 | By JD
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Little Barney | October 19, 2009 @ 7:59 pm
I thinking ted is the new barney now, enjoying every single moment of bachelorhood.
Spencer | October 19, 2009 @ 8:04 pm
Watching now. Ted & Marshall are talking about the old trips they took in the Fiero, and they said they drank Tantrum on their drives.
What happened to “NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE FIERO!”?
2k08 | October 19, 2009 @ 8:10 pm
also..a little upset to see marshall putting on the winter clothes like the rest of the gang…thought he and robin could both handle the winters.
Geri | October 19, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
KUDOS to the set designers for getting Tim Hortons dead on! Legen-wait for it eh-dary!
JT | October 19, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
I really enjoyed this episode. I think that Marshall and Lily’s craziness as a couple in the last episode was finally realized by Ted, as shown through his imagined “MarshPad” morph.
Some of my favorites:
- Ditto on the exactness (and hilarity) of Tim Horton’s! That was epic!
- Also, 316 Kinzie Street is a real address in Chicago, but there’s simply apartments at that intersection… makes me wonder why they picked it! There’s a ton of those hole in the wall places in Chi-Town!
- And not to mention, I liked the caffeinated drink reference “TANTRUM!” For some odd reason, I think they were referring to the Jolt Cola craze! The whole tearing up pillows and phonebooks was great!
- Oh, and Ted, awesome key throw to Marshall at the Pizza Place.
- The plot with Barney and Robin would have been stale but all the Canadian references were just over the top!
kt | October 19, 2009 @ 8:57 pm
does anyone know where to find the coat robin was wearing this episode? greyish-off white color with black buttons and ruffles in the back?
Leigh | October 19, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
Okay, now I am POSITIVE that at least one of the writers is Canadian. That Tim Hortons set was exact, right down to the planters surrounding the tables. I can’t believe how amazing that entire scene was. Pure genius. PURE GENIUS. And…there are several Tim Hortons right around the corner from the Hockey Hall of Fame. LOVE IT.
RyanP | October 20, 2009 @ 1:15 am
Great episode! Loved all the Canadian jokes from Barney, but was also disappointed that they forgot about no food or drink in the Fiero. I feel like that was a pretty big rule that they shouldn’t have skipped over. Tantrum was amusing, but it was by no means legendary. Good episode, but I still do not think this season is living up to last season’s brilliance of memorable episode after episode.
Elyse | October 20, 2009 @ 1:38 am
excellent episode. i continue to HATE lily this season. omg, she’s so obnoxious and has been a damper on EVERY episode this season. god, what an annoying wet blanket who, as I’ve said before, is now merely a caricature of her former self. gross, i wish marshall’s fantasies were true and she’d die or something…
theaxe67 | October 20, 2009 @ 2:06 am
As a Canadian, loved this episode. Even the price of the coffee in Tim Hortons was correct, although you don’t order “coffee”, you state how many cream and sugars you’d like. Loved how they brought back 500 Miles, did they have any zitchdog?
katie90 | October 20, 2009 @ 2:21 am
no, zitchdog was missing as was the no food or drink rule, i was kind of sad about that too. if one of the writers or actors actually paid as much attention to the show as we do (and watched out for continuity) they’d be muuch better (same goes for marshall suddenly wearing winter clothes). agree that lily’s getting more and more annoying (the peeing..the b&b thing..the audio book. lily used to be one of them, like in the college scenes with the “sandwiches” or..bascially..all the time! she used to be as awesome as ted and marshall, marshall never would’ve married THAT lily) and caricature-esque. but at least they partly brought marshall back in this ep!!
btw, what is it about 3 out of 5 episodes this season starting with the letter “d”? i know, doesn’t mean anything but i think it’s weird.
overall, i’d say better than the last two stinkers (liked robin’s subtitles, for example) but all in all somewhat boring. i soo hope they bring back all the awesomeness soon
TheMix | October 20, 2009 @ 2:33 am
I’m going to keep this as short as possible.
The episode was ok, not great.
I didn’t give two craps about the rules, as the writers have been pretty good so far in terms of storyline consistency, but when you get to the 5th season, it can get tough. So I don’t think people should be harping on that as much.
It was a funny episode, but I think what should be focused on is the dynamic between Ted, Marshall, and Lily.
I realize it’s something some of the viewers haven’t gone through, but as a person that has experienced this kind of a thing that relationship is a very personal thing. When friends get married, no matter how long they were together before the marriage, things change. It’s a very harsh thing to go through as a friend, and I think the writers did a wonderful job of displaying not only how tough it can be on the person in Ted’s situation, but also the resolution and middle ground that can be found between the two guy/girl friends. There’s this sort of immense connection and joyous reaction to a marriage by the couple that’s gotten married within the first couple years and sometimes it even comes at a delayed pace, which is the case with Lily and Marshall. Ted’s just now having to deal with it, and I’m glad this episode really finally addressed the situation.
On a side note, I get as much into the rather non-significant details of episodes as the next crazy fan, but what’s with people not seeing the underlying motives behind the episodes this season and the last half of last season? It’s kind of depressing. The show, unlike a lot of other shows at this juncture in the shows’ run is still very interesting concerning the interplay with the characters and also their psychology and not many people seem to be focusing on that. They just want consistency, which seems kind of ridiculous to me….but hey, what do I know.
Ok, that wasn’t short at all.
Just a thought,
Jason
Chad Hart | October 20, 2009 @ 3:17 am
Very underwhelming.
Posters above had noted several… problems.
Lilly is Debby Downer now. No fun, totally oblivious that she’s sucking the life out of Ted / Marshall, or whoever else she gets in contact with. Although it seems like now Ted is noticing how lame Marshall and Lilly have become (the “we” ). I think we’re supposed to be annoyed by how annoying they are. But damn. It’s hard. To. Watch. It’s not even charming now.
No food or drinks. Yes, a ‘continuity problem’ — but not just a small detail, they spent an entire episode about it. They callback to the broken tape deck and the song on repeat. But they drop the ball with the jerky and the cola. They could still have made it work if older Ted added an exception to the V/O to make the joke idea work. There’s a ‘no food’ rule in my car, too, but I’m sure there’s been exceptions.
Or maybe the No Food Rule post-dated the Pizza Road Trip? I don’t remember enough of the episode, but I do know there wasn’t supposed to be food in the Pontiac!
There was intensity and crazyness surrounding Marshall’s Pontiac and the myth that surrounded it…hence the episode, and probably the inspirtation for this story idea (road trip bonding in the Pontiac), so it’s silly that they only went halfway with it.
Marshall himself is turning into Segals annoying version of ‘Freak’ Nick, when Nick was mopey, clingy, and basically a pushover. This is the Jason you love to hate. That’s not who Marshall is supposed to be.
Ted needs to out and out say Marshall and Lilly are annoying, because they are. And if they’re not supposed to be annoying, the show runners are really screwing up this season FAST.
A good half of the material in this episode was like nails on a chalkboard, and the Barney-Robin story was so predictable. They gave it away in the title. “Oh, she’s going to get dual citizenship” and THAT was the big conclusion for them? I think it would have been more surprising if Barney had gone CRAZY over Tim Horton’s and not just say the coffee was good… then they could have ended the episode with Barney and Robin going to Chicago, and T-M/L going to Tim Hortons.
Or something. I’m no writer, but nothing in this epsiode was particulalry surprising, or cathartic.
I think the cola reference would better be tied to Surge, not Jolt. Surge was also marketed with a high caf. content, and it was yellow/green – like the packaging they made up for the show.
CP | October 20, 2009 @ 3:28 am
Am I the only one who feels that there is no spark between Barney and Robin? They’ll probably have to break up and get back together again if this show is going to drag on a few more seasons. And if eventually they’ll be together they’ll have to develop some chemistry to make it believeable. Right now there is no romance between them. It’s more a comic relief when it comes to these two, and that’s not how love works in real life or on TV.
And is there going to be any real progress in the title mystery this season? Isn’t the mother in Ted’s class at Columbia? If Ted is going to just be a happy single bachelor this season, it’s going to be BORING.
I feel that this show is going away from its main theme (Ted finding the mother). To drag the show along, they have to use the Barney/Robin story to fill the gap and their story is just not that interesting right now.
sydb | October 20, 2009 @ 3:29 am
i thought this episode was great fun. its okay too if its just silly good fun. i had many favourite moments…
- ted getting super excited with shrimp fried rice
- TANTRUM!!!
- “WE no longer have a hemorroid problem”.
- “So you guys wanna talk about Bitches? I’m just kidding, they are called women.”
- Goodbye Sparky
- “not only are you wrong, but you are beligerently sticking to your guns, and insulting me in the process, Robin Scherbatsky, you are an american!”
- “im gonna be an american yall”, “maybe i’ll rob a liquor store, maybe i wont, my choice”.
- I would walk 500 miles!
- “you went canadian” “how canadian?” “this canadian!”
- “i dont want this anymore!” “dude, dont look at it, its a rookie mistake”.
- ted throwing the keys on the floor
- ted and marshall getting emotional with goodbye sparky on the ride back to the hotel
i love ted this season, he’s funny and relaxed, good acting on josh’s part.
and also, i think THIS is how they should handle Barney and Robin, them having fun and acting crazy together, they dont need to be super intense about their relationship, it wasnt working, specially for Robin’s character… i love Robin and Barney, and wanted to see them together, but the way they made it happen, instead of empowering them and making them more funny and fun, made them somehow nullify each other, which was strange. but tonight it worked, let them be crazy and fun, like they’ve always been and not some ordinary couple.
John | October 20, 2009 @ 3:43 am
Love to hear more stories about Sparky
Kenny Rogers narrating – too funny
Mire | October 20, 2009 @ 4:35 am
I feel like the writers have changed or that they are now just pandering to a new audience of boring main stream robots. This season has lost all the charm of the past seasons… less flashbacks, tie-ins and consistency and way less awesomeness. Meanwhile they are wasting away what could have been an interesting relationship between Robin and Barney. This season the two characters with the most spunk are being forced to have a safe, boring, no-chemistry relationship when they could be bagging chicks together (you know you’ve fantasized Robin as his new best wing man – she should have been written a touch more bi in earlier episodes tho) or at the very least they should be leading a non-conventional relationship and have spicy dates in strange outfits in weird parts of town and have truly odd Barney Robin ADVENTURES!!!… Something… God… Anything!!! would be better then this Kelloggs crap they are now serving us, especially since they teased us with so many good seasons of steak and Martinis.
So I agree with sydb on the Robin and Barney topic and really hope the writers don’t keep ruining this show. It has so much potential and fuck I’m already hooked, it would feel so wrong to have to walk away from complete boredom due to bad writing. With a cast that talented it would simply be a waste.
So writers,
Jonathan Groff (3 episodes, 2007-2009)
Joe Kelly (3 episodes, 2008-2009)
Stephen Lloyd (5 episodes, 2006-2009)
Greg Malins (4 episodes, 2006-2009)
Matt Kuhn (4 episodes, 2007-2009)
Carter Bays (78 episodes, 2005-2009)
Craig Thomas (78 episodes, 2005-2009)
Chris Harris (10 episodes, 2005-2009)
Kourtney Kang (8 episodes, 2005-2009)
Jamie Rhonheimer (6 episodes, 2006-2009)
I’m not sure which one of you is to blame for this season’s shite. But whoever you are, you have it in you to produce better work! You owe it to the creator, to your actors and your fans to keep producing a rarity within the sitcom world – a smart AND funny comedy that speaks to the x generation now gone 30 somethings. Don’t be a sell out WRITE GOOD SHIT! This is about NY – and in NY there are endless places to find inspiration. Get some! Bring the spark back!!!!!
One last thing…
(I thought the 100 miles song was stuck in the cd player during college so how could they have used to listen to Van Halen – like was mentioned tonight)??? I could have that a little fuzzy tho maybe someone has a more accurate memory on that detail…???
Jazzer | October 20, 2009 @ 5:40 am
In my honest opinion… A very, very bad episode. So many things gone wrong, and in comparisson to the last weeks ep, this was weeeeak. Very weak. Basicaly, I laughed maybe, one, twice?
Hope next ep is better.
High Hoper | October 20, 2009 @ 7:15 am
Worst of this season so far, but i give it a 5/10.
Lily is annoying, for God’s sake. So lame.
I laughed 4 or 5 times. Didn’t find the Canada jokes as funny as other times.
But, 5 episodes so far this season. I wonder: Where is this going? Seriously, answer it.
Ayah | October 20, 2009 @ 9:31 am
Where is this going? I think that RoBarn will last 1 season (as Ted & Robin). There already was a sign last week with barney (the “what have i done” at the end of the episode). The same sort of “sign” happend in season 2 in the episode when Ted’s parents got a divorce and they describe themselves as too different to get along just like Ted&Robin. It’s that kind of situation: you know it’s going to fail somehow… just enjoy the story as it is for now
I agree with you guys on the decadence of LaMe, as you noticed I am in a rewatch mood this week, so the S.01 & 02 Marshall and Lilly were very much awesome. Now they maybe are not that fun, but well… you can’t have the same characters over and over, they have to evolve! Remember how the future Lame are!
Overall it was a OK episode. A very american one so I didn’t catch all the references since I’m from Europe… (you know, across the Atlantic, next to Canada according to Barney)
One last comment: in defense of the no food or drink rule: maybe they were so psyched on TANTRUM that Marshall forgot this rule, that’s my take on the subject
FrankQB | October 20, 2009 @ 9:43 am
Dear Americans,
Just a word of advice. The coffee that Barney raves about in this episode is really just kind of okay. It’s cheap and quick. It’s just a very popular Canadian coffee shop that’s EVERYWHERE.
Sincerely,
Canada
Starney Binson | October 20, 2009 @ 10:13 am
Horrible episode,
I can’t believe I missed part of the Broncos-Chargers game for this nonsense.
Lily is annoying, Marshall, who was the only funny part of this season, is boring, Ted is trying to fill the void left by Barney (admirable effort, but Ted, you’re no Barney Stinson), Robin is still blah, and now Barney is domesticated, still kinda funny, but too held down.
Steps to quickly fix the show:
1) Break up Barney and Robin
Jazzer | October 20, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Wow… So I’m not the only one who tinks like that? Awesome.
David | October 20, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
Boring episode, it reminded me the worst of season 3, that’s all I can say.
sydb | October 20, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
im actually impressed at the number of people who disliked the episode, i thought it was the funniest so far…
Jenn | October 20, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
Wow, what’s everyone’s deal?! Give them a break, the episode was funny! So they changed the no food or drink the the fiero thing. We got to see Marshall rip a phone book in half! Just enjoy it instead of picking it apart when there’s really nothing you can do about it anyway.
Also I ditto TheMix. It’s really cool how they can talk about these things that actually do happen in real life, and have a plot that actually goes somewhere, while still being really funny. It bothers me in some other shows that the characters all stay flat and the same season after season. I’d much rather see a story unfold, which is the essence of the plot! It’s the whole point, so I’m GLAD that it’s not exactly like season 1 or 2.
vahid | October 20, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
the magic is gone,
the 5th episode was the worst of all in the fifth season.
the first episode was quite good, and it went down after that, the stories dont have anything to do with the main story, its just losing up.
its not funny and original anymore,
Jazzer | October 20, 2009 @ 3:12 pm
Oh come on, the whole Season 5 is genial, completely genial. It’s just this ep sucks, that’s all. It funny only to Canadians, full stop.
There were no special jokes, no jokes that made the show what it is, I don’t give a damn about the Fiero rule, so it’s broken, it was a FIERO rule, the fiero they knew and loved is gone.
I’m pissed since the ep isn’t funny, at all. You can laugh aprox… 6 times, and not real laughs, where your stomach hurts, just a grinny, weak, laugh. Maybe just a smile, depends on the viewer. I know never eps will be better then this one, but this is just… Meh.
TheMix | October 20, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
Good Lord, you people are whiny.
It certainly wasn’t a great episode, but there have been plenty of past episodes that were just ok, or even bad.
Some of you are acting like this is the Apocalypse….jesus, give ‘em a break. We’re only 5 episodes into the season.
“the 5th episode was the worst of all in the fifth season.”
Really? Seriously?
Just a thought,
Jason
R2 Sweet Tooth | October 20, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
What is this talk about “no food in the fiero”? The fiero was scrapped in the end of the episode if you recall it…Great episode anyway, pure comedy.
Leigh | October 20, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
FrankQB – Tim Hortons is delicious, and a Canadian institution. Love it or leave.
Jenn | October 20, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
R2- Someday I will explain to you what a flashback is.
Till then-
Jenn
Tash | October 20, 2009 @ 7:54 pm
FrankQB, agree with you completely. Though it’s hard to argue with true Timmys fans…The ones that like their coffee from there wont get it anywhere else! (though I have to say I am a huge fan of the iced cap with a shot of vanilla
)
Really loved that they had everything SO perfect from Tim Hortons. Not only were the uniforms exact, but the fake plants were right on! I would know, I washed the tables around them!
I don’t know why everyone’s complaining so much about the episode. Maybe you did have to be Canadian to really enjoy it? Because I thought it was pretty much perfect! But one episode full of Canadian goodness should be ok…I know there are tons of fans here that loved it!
Oh, and Lily is getting kinda on my nerves now. That’s the only thing I really didn’t enjoy about the episode though!
BGeo | October 20, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
Once again “The Mix” and I are in complete agreement.
It was an okay episode (if I wan’t Canadian my opinion would probably be different.) Sure the characters have changed, and sure some parts of the series haven’t matched the continuity of previous seasons, but what is this show really about? Ted telling his children the story of how he met their mother. If you look back on your life, have your friends changed at all? Has your best friend become a different man after he got married? Will your “awesome” friend always want to hit on barely 21 year olds, or will he want to settle down too? Also how accurate is would our memories be twenty five years in the future?
This show is a reflection of real life people, and just like real life you’ve had some patches in your life that are special, or aren’t where you want to be. This show is in a difficult stage right now, as they need to take the story line somewhere, and they have to experiment as to where they want to take it. It will get better.
We are only 5 episodes into a season, and one maybe two episodes have been sub par.
On that note “duel citizenship” did have some funny moments, however I have to give kudos to the re-creation of the Tim Hortons, which was spot on.
TheSteelBlade | October 20, 2009 @ 11:09 pm
I liked it for the most part. I REALLY wish the scenes in the Fierro were accompanied by an odometer reading though, would have made them much more awesome in my opinion.
Also loved the Timmies, I wonder if they built it as a set or used a real one (probably in the northern states since I know there’s a couple across the border in Ohio and New England area.
Eric | October 21, 2009 @ 7:20 am
I just love Ted’s over-the-top-high-pitch ‘Thank YOU!!!’
Fabio | October 21, 2009 @ 9:02 am
Awesome episode…. barney just cracks me up. And Robin waking up in Toronto is just priceless hahahaha…
The tim hortons part was awesome. I wonder if it really was a tim hortons or not.
Barney playing with the 5-dollar-canadian-bill cracked me up hahahahaha… he’s still as awesome as ever!
portnoy | October 21, 2009 @ 10:17 am
@kt | October 19, 2009 @ 8:57 pm
the trench it is definitely a Burberry Prorsum… I think you will find it on online store… furthermore also ties Barney wore are from Burberry’s, I’m flattered I’ve got one of those too!!!
very nice episode btw… not the better, nor the worst…
R2 Sweet Tooth | October 21, 2009 @ 10:37 am
Jenn, please explain.
Zitchdawg | October 21, 2009 @ 12:41 pm
NO FOOD OR DRINK IN THE FIERO! They could have explained that TANTRUM was the only exception to that rule, but they had to add beef jerky to the mix….
I thought this episode was way too silly. It was like a traditional sitcom, which isn’t a bad thing, it’s just not HIMYM at its best. For an episode of a standard sitcom it was pretty funny, but I have higher standards for the show. I’ll still watch and enjoy it, but I think the first and second episodes raised my hopes a little bit.
tnaiva | October 21, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
and Robin’s waking up in a Canadian hotel was so lame, how could she get on a plane and get to Toronto this drunk? and Barney finds him so quick that they can catch the exam in NY the next day? omg, please concentrate, writers.
Rachel | October 21, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
The food/drink rule doesn’t exist because it’s a new car, the Fiero was destroyed in season 2 (Arrividerci, Fiero). New car=no necessity for the no food or drink rule.
R2 Sweet Tooth | October 21, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
Rachel, that’s what I said, but Jenn critisised it by refering to “flashback”? And answer to tnaiva: As long as it’s funny, I don’t really care if it’s unrealistic. But of course, I can partially agree with you, I also like drama and romances as we saw in season 1. But since season 4 this is more like a comedy show more than focusing on the actual story of how Ted met his wife.
SabreGirl | October 21, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
@Rachel and R2 – no one is talking about no food or drink in the new car…the problem that everyone seems to have is that the rule existed for the Fiero – and the college road trips WERE in the Fiero (long before the Fiero died in Arivaderci Fiero) – so R2, whenever they showed Ted and Marshall singing 500 miles and how much fun those roadtrips were, they *were* flashbacks.
Personally, I fall into the camp of too much Tantrum = forget the rules! ; )
Cw | October 21, 2009 @ 3:47 pm
well, if you think about the no food rule, maybe being high on tanturm made marshall forget about it… i mean come on! the guy ripped the phonebook!
but yea, didn’t enjoy this episode so much.
Chad Hart | October 21, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
Frankly, I’m surprised that fans of this show wouldn’t understand what a flashback is or notice a flashback in the show when they see it. I’m not sure how the show would made sense to you. It’s non-linear and full of flashbacks and fantasy sequences.
And it’s a LITTLE telling that the best thing anyone has to say about this episode is how they nailed Tim Hortons. Set design, really? That made this enjoyable? I know getting a shoutout is fun, but it’s not like they did anything compelling or insteresting while at Tim Hortons or Canada.
I think I can smell fear from the fanbase.
R2 Sweet Tooth | October 21, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
Ah thanks for that Sabregirl, I had only seen the episode once , so I didn’t remember them eating in the flashback, but I noticed it now the second time I saw it.
Major Buzzkill | October 21, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
I get that there’s a flashback, and yeah, I think they forgot about no food in the Fiero. However, I think it’s a reasonable assumption that when they’re buzzed on Tantrum, they’re not really concerned about rules or anything :p
I thought this episode was okay. Not my favorite by any means this season, and I am a little disappointed in Lily. But there were some nice things. While I wish they’d give Barney and Robin a chance for actual romantic tension (which they’re good at), I still think as a pairing they play off each other well.
Do have to say that I really liked this cold open. Worth it just for Ted coming in chanting, “Shrimp fried rice! Shrimp fried rice! Shrimp fried rice… totally.”
Kind of so-so, but honestly, when I look at *any* season, there might be one episode in the first 6 that I really like. I think they save their best material and plotlines for a bit later. Part of the deal is they actually *change* characters along the way and between seasons, which is good. But it might take them a few episodes to get down.
Toby | October 21, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
I found most of the episode to be kind of dumb, but there have been a bunch of episodes in the first 4 seasons I didn’t love either. I do agree that Marshal and Lily are getting dorkier by the week, and it is a little frusterating. However I think this show is a lot stronger than most shows on tv this season, so I don’t mind cutting the writers a little slack.
I was so happy with the Robin/Barney aspect of it. I think they are their best when they are just having fun together. I loved how he was making fun of her at the bar, and than put his arm around her two seconds later.
Leigh | October 21, 2009 @ 8:17 pm
The fans that are so excited about the Tim Hortons set design are excited because the writers KNOW Canada….it’s not ‘telling’ that the set was the best part. It just goes to show the lengths the show will go to. They could have staged it in an anonymous coffee shop, but they went the extra mile to have everything Timmy Ho’s!
ev. mosby | October 21, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
Okay, I’m not from Canada or the US so I couldn’t care less about Tim Horton’s because it still looked like a set to me. Am getting more and more frustrated with Lily because I find her annoying, and she’s no longer the cool, manipulative horny girl we used to know and love. If the writers are establishing certain characteristics for each role in the earlier parts of the season for something big later on, that something big better be soon, cos some of us viewers are getting cranky.
But since I wanted to end this on a good note, the best parts of this episode IMO were shrimp fried rice (Ted coming into the bar, looking around for a second before not missing a beat and chanting away was sooo adorable), how Queen (Elizabeth) the Second IS Elton John, Ted and Marshall’s grins when they agreed to listen to the audio book again, and Barney’s speech at the coffee place. Attention Canada!
Jazzer | October 22, 2009 @ 4:26 am
I don’t understand why people make such a big deal since the ”Tim Hortons” set. So what? That doesn’t make the episode better. It’s like this ep was Canada-Only.
Starney Binson | October 22, 2009 @ 10:46 am
Hey buddy, why do you delete my comments here? I merely pointed out that this episode sucked.
Clearly, you must agree, given how you have yet to write a review for it.
Starney Binson | October 22, 2009 @ 10:51 am
“I’d much rather see a story unfold, which is the essence of the plot! It’s the whole point, so I’m GLAD that it’s not exactly like season 1 or 2.”
Yes, you’re right. I’m glad how much the story has been unfolding this season, given how much time and effort has been dedicated to Ted meeting the mother.
Oh wait, what’s that? They haven’t spent a minute on that? Oh, okay.
“Personally, I fall into the camp of too much Tantrum = forget the rules! ; )”
I 100% agree — if only the lazy writers had spent ten seconds of screentime to mention that. I could be as simple as Barney interrupting the flashback with “Wait, you always said no food in the Fiero” and Ted responding… “Yeah… Tantrum changes everything” and then continuing.
Rachael | October 22, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Maybe it’s because I had a friend move to Chicago from Canada to be with her BF, but I loved this episode! Especially Barney raving about the Timmy’s coffee since the BF admitted that Tim Horton’s is better than Dunkin’ Donuts.
I have a feeling they’re steering Lily’s character into being a mom. It’s really only a matter of time before Marshall and Lilly actually start trying to have kids, and that will definitely change the dynamic of the group more than their getting married did. That being said, I hope the annoyingness stops soon.
I think people need to calm down a little bit…when you have 20 odd episodes a season and you’re in your 5th season not everyone is going to be absolutely stellar. I still think they’re fairly fresh with their ideas and for the most part, have at least one particularly funny and memorable moment from each episode.
sydb | October 22, 2009 @ 12:33 pm
YOU suck, starney binson.
hehe, sorry i couldnt help myself. i dont mind people not liking the episode, but i hate “your mother” fans, it seems as if everything on the show so far has to do with ted meeting the mother, when it hasnt. season one and two were about ted in love with ROBIN! why werent you whining about the mother then?
what do you expect from the show? ooh look, ted found a toenail clipping from the mother, she must be somewhere near him!
if you only care about the mother, maybe you should wait until the end of the show to watch it again, because thats when we’ll probably meet her.
Jenn | October 22, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
R2SweetTooth- Oh, I get what you were thinking now. Nice response, too!
That made me me laugh.
Actual Sized Barney | October 22, 2009 @ 3:11 pm
People are nuts on this board.
I picked up on the no food or drink in the fiero rule, but it didn’t ruin the ep for me.
Granted there were some little extra jokes for us Canadians, but hey, throw us a bone every now and then.
The timmy’s was fairly accurate (granted at Timmy’s we have windows…) really wished Tim Hortons hadn’t ruined that Barney/Robin were gonna be @ Timmys on FB
Bays/Thomas told us there’s gonna be more standalone stories now that don’t progress the central plot… I’m ok with that… they’re nearing syndication, and you need stand-alone to sell a sitcom.
As for Leigh (post #7) saying that “Wow, that was accurate, there really are a few Timmys around the HHOF). It’s Canada, there’s a few Timmys in the vicinity of ANYWHERE!
westfall | October 22, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
Not the best but not the worse episode ever. The only gripe i have is that LAME is becoming annoying instead of awesome in their sweet way, as they were before. TANTRUM – the best gimick ever. ROFL.
Jenn | October 22, 2009 @ 9:09 pm
Uhh-oh…. I am sure I am a crazy fan…. today I was at the grocery store and had cheese on my shopping list. I bought Gouda. But only 2 different types of cheese bearing crackers.
Jazzer | October 23, 2009 @ 5:22 am
^ You missed the episode.
Thomas | October 23, 2009 @ 9:32 am
It wasn’t a great episode by any means but personally I don’t quite understand the level of criticism. I think if you watch any sitcom expecting hilarity every week you are going to be disappointed. I’ve enjoyed HIMYM so far this season, this one didn’t have me cracking up like it has at times on previous episodes but that didn’t make it suddenly unwatchable.
On a more positive note I liked the nods to and reminders of Marshall and Ted’s old college times spent in the Fiero. I’m also confident that the show will take a hint from its own storyline that the two of them have great chemistry together and maybe their friendship will be reinvigorated slightly. I think Marshall has spent a lot of time with Barney over the course of the past year or so, and of course with Lily. This is natural with him working with the former and being married to the latter. But I hope to see a bit more of him and Ted again.
Starney Binson | October 23, 2009 @ 11:37 am
sydb:
“if you only care about the mother, maybe you should wait until the end of the show to watch it again, because thats when we’ll probably meet her.”
Honestly, I really don’t care too much about the mother. I care more about the show being funny and Barney being awesome. Sadly, none of these have come to fruition this season. The only reason I brought up the fact that the story hasn’t progressed when it comes to Ted’s mother was in response to someone who said that these episodes have been about the main story progressing, when it clearly has not.
I love this show, but this season, in general, has just been bad. Sure, it’s has its moments, but overall, it just seems as if the writers have run out of creative steam.
Clyde | October 23, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
You’re all wrong. Episode 4 was easily the worst episode of the series, although this one comes to a close second. For all you people that are so desperate for Barney to be in a relationship “because it helps his character grow” did you ever think that they should probably weed him out of the dating game slowly instead of having him do a complete 180 because he lusts for Robin? That’s right, LUSTS for Robin! He’s not in love with her, he just wants to F U C K her and in order for him to do that he has to be in a “relationship” with her. Barney’s bout into monogamy is nothing like Ted’s where the latter is looking for “the one.” Barney is looking to F U C K Robin on a consistent basis and she will not allow that unless they are in a relationship.
Someone told me that I should hope that the writing gets better instead on hoping the series gets canned after this season. Episodes like this and the re-writing of characters that we loved (Barney, Lily) into characters we now despise gives me no hope the writing will improve. Hopefully Ted will meet the mother at the series finale in May and go on to live happily ever after.
How I Met Your Mother had a good run.
Jazzer | October 24, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
^Clyde:
My God you are an idiot… No offense intended, but seriously, you are an idiot. I will not respond, since anyone who will read your post, will have the same opinion.
Gisella | October 24, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
What happen with A.J?? I miss him..
I love the episode!
BGeo | October 24, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
Respect each other’s opinions here guys
The thing about himym is that each episode can be seen as the best episode and the worst episode by two different people
Ayah | October 24, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
“The thing about himym is that each episode can be seen as the best episode and the worst episode by two different people”
I totally agree with you BGeo!
So no “discussion” post for this episode (since the next one airs in 2 days)?
JD I hope you’re all right!
Toby | October 24, 2009 @ 8:04 pm
There isn’t a new episode this week. The next new episode ends in 9 days.
I personally think some of the Best Barney moments have had nothing to do with him actually being a womanizer, and he is funny anyway. NPH is a good enough charachter to pull off being funny in a relationship.
I do have mixed feelings about this BR relationship. I liked this past episode because Robin and Barney were just having fun together. Their relationship angst bugs me and it is way to early to be so dramatic.
The Tantrum stuff was hysterical
Clyde | October 25, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
I like the insult, then you say “no offense” but then you proceed to insult me again. You perfectly represented the pussification of America. You know I’m right that’s why you wont respond.
JD | October 25, 2009 @ 6:05 pm
And you, Clyde, perfectly represent the bullying of America with your claim that if they don’t respond they’re a coward. They more likely, as I had been doing, just don’t want to validate you with response. Which I’ll no longer do either. Play nice or the deleting will start.
Opinions are OK, harassment is not. I didn’t delete your original comment (though I wasn’t please about your outwitting of the profanity filter) because it was opinion, let’s keep it that way.
Will | October 26, 2009 @ 1:21 am
Is there really no episode airing this week?
I agree with those who have said it, this season just isnt as good as the previous 4. Whats happening writers!?
Jazzer | October 26, 2009 @ 5:31 am
No, Will, the season is awesome, the problem is it just started, and nobody knows what to expect, and the awesomeness of each ep is not the same.
And why isn’t there a new episode thise week? We have to wait another 7 days…
Fabio | October 26, 2009 @ 6:35 am
still waiting for JD’s brilliant (as usual) insights on Duel Citizenship!!
Starney Binson | October 26, 2009 @ 11:05 am
I hope with the bye week in place, HIMYM writers come up with something good.
Clyde | October 26, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
I’m being critical of the show because I expect better and have seen better from it. Because I’m not kissing ass I’m being labeled as some sort of horrible person of this site judging from the comments from the webmaster and others. This is exactly what is wrong with this society. We have to be all PC and play nice because if we disagree everyone gets to pile on and attack the person that is saying not so nice things.
JD, I’m not harassing anyone. I’m simply responding with observational humor, which apparently isn’t funny to anyone. Look, all I’m saying is that the quality of the show that I fell in love with has gone down, and others agree with that statement but they aren’t expressing it with as much passion as I am. I am a passionate, passionate man and I’m not going to apologize for being so.
Do I not have the right to be upset that the quality of my show has down and call out the writers and shame them for putting out such an inferior product? Of course I do! I’m not apologizing for having an expectation and calling people out when they don’t meet that expectation. I’m not going to lie down and watch my show go down the drain without at least voicing my displeasure.
JD | October 26, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
Opinions are fine, just try to avoid calling people out or name calling. Also, the profanity filter is there for a reason, let’s not trick it, k?
TheMix | October 26, 2009 @ 5:27 pm
This guy Clyde is hilarious.
Sometimes I wonder if people realize that sites like this are run by their owners and that they have every right to do whatever the hell they want with them. J.D. has been more than tolerant and rather open about what should or should not be said on His site.
“i am a passionate, passionate man and i’m not going to apologize for being so.”
wow….no offense man, but get a grip. This is J.D.’s site. Not public run. If you don’t like the way he’s asking you to behave here, then go somewhere else. Start your own site.
Starney Binson | October 26, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
JD,
Why are you only going after Clyde and not Jazzer who attacked his OPINION in the first place?
High Hoper | October 26, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
Just for this time, I’m going with Clyde at 50%. Not on every word he says, but on the general idea he wants to say. I was also told not so many things about expressing my feeling that himym was getting really bad during season 4, and in that time, JD came to calm things down.
I really like JD. And this, above all, is his blog/forum/whatever, so he writes the rules. There are many times that my opinion was like most of the people here, and there were times when I said “this series going down definitely, it’s boring and lame” (remember the burger episode?). I honestly think that everyone has an opinion, but in some cases, you at least need to know how to apologize, even inside you have not changed your mind.
Also, Jazzer called Clyde ‘idiot’, without Clyde insulting him what so ever.
I understand everyone here. I was like Clyde at one time.
btw/ JD, haven’t you written your review ‘cos you knew there was no new episode tonight? And, what about your legendary season vs season? Damn, I’ll help if you need it.
JD | October 26, 2009 @ 5:55 pm
I might have called out Jazzer but frankly I agreed with him, Clyde sounded kind of like an idiot. I guess I’m opinionated too.
Again, my rules are not against opinion, be them popular or otherwise. I disagree consistently with High Hoper but look forward to his points and consider him a valued reader/commenter. I like him because he expresses his opinions but doesn’t attack or instigate.
Say what you think, just don’t stir up trouble. And know the difference between me disagreeing with you as another commenter and warning you to be cool as a site admin.
I’ll write last week’s recap this week seeing as there’s no new episode. I liked it quite a bit and will surely not be on the same side as many of you.
Starney Binson | October 26, 2009 @ 11:03 pm
“I might have called out Jazzer but frankly I agreed with him, Clyde sounded kind of like an idiot. I guess I’m opinionated too.”
Way to be a neutral mod.
But don’t let me tell you how to do your job.
JD | October 27, 2009 @ 12:05 am
I never claimed to be a neutral mod!
Jenn | October 27, 2009 @ 12:24 am
Jazzer, I didn’t miss the episode.
Clyde, thanks for making my eyes burn.
I think people are getting mean because they had no HIMYM this week. Let’s be nice to JD because I wouldn’t have time to run my own site! I like this one and he can do what he wants on it.
Hannah | October 27, 2009 @ 2:28 am
I agree with the no food or drink part and that they left it out. However, besides that i was disappointed they left out two other very important things.
#1 – Zitchdog. If they played this so much, AND brought it back into different episodes then how could they leave it out on an episode about road trips?
#2 – The nightgown. Why was marshall wearing a robe when they dedicated half of another episode to how he only wears nightgowns? Can you just picture Marshall wearing the nightgown in the pizza place instead? – way more funny!
Starney Binson | October 27, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
JD,
So instead of guidelines, the rules should really just read “WHATEVER THE HELL I FEEL LIKE. PS I WILL BAN YOU FOR DISAGREEING WITH ME”
Nallen | October 27, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
I have been reading this blog for a while now but this will be my first post.
I re watched the episode last night and agree that there should have been more consistency with regards to the rules of the car and the music played in the car. The fact that Lily is there and plays punch buggy is a great substitue car game. This also feeds into teds growing frustration with having Lily on the trip.
Overall an OK episode.
looking forward to the rest of the season.
Nussy | October 27, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
“Way to be a neutral mod.”
Whoa you’re telling me the internet is NOT a democracy?
When someone runs their own site they get free reign to run the site however they want.
High Hoper | October 27, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
So easy:
It’s JD who made this web. So he can do whatever he wants and say whatever he wants.
If you do not like it, there are tons of webs about How I Met Your Mother to discuss.
And I say this, because I have discussed many times with him about HIMYM things that I did not like and he did like, and viceversa. Not a problem yet.
Awesome McAwesome | October 28, 2009 @ 7:05 am
I realise that a lot of people don’t like this episode. I, personally, loved it. Ted kidnapping Marshall? Brilliant. And Barney’s scene in Tim Horton’s was just adorable.
But what made me d’awww the most was the fact that Barney FLEW OUT TO TORONTO to pick Robin up. He really cares. Awww. <3
And I love how everyone acts on Tantrum… and I kind of want to get some now. (Lily in particular is fantastic.)
Starney Binson | October 28, 2009 @ 9:39 am
Woah, guys, I was totally under the impression that he was at least pretending to be a fair person. Just wanted to make sure this is out in the clear. If Person B calls Person A an idiot, it’s okay because JD agrees, but if Person B argues back against Person A, it’s not okay, because JD thinks Person B is wrong.
Figures, just as the show is going downhill, so does the community.
Trevormac98 | October 28, 2009 @ 11:07 am
I like this website and I am missing the weekly review. I found this site last May and read everything. This is definitely the best web for HIMYM and my GF and I love the show and the site.
With that being said, I have no problems with JD blocking whoever on here. I have posted a few times and all have been said. A good rule to live by is if you wont say it in church or in front of your mom, dont say it.
herbert | October 31, 2009 @ 1:56 am
Well i thought the episode was the best so far, but seriously it needs to be picked up. Make Robin and Barney have thoughts about breaking up, but have it that they realised they can’t live without each other. Lilly agreed is pissing me off, she isn’t funny anymore… she isn’t like the mother of the group anymore. Marshall is slowly loosing his funniness about him, that I have grown to love. Ted OMFG DIE DIE, become funny let him go on dates, talk about his class! DO SOMETHING TO MAKE HIM FUNNY!
I think the writers need to keep up with what they have wrote, like we all the zitchdog and no food in the car stuff.
Seriously guys pick up it.
ashlee | November 1, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
Hey does anyone know what the episode tomorrow is about? I read the comments a while ago so I can’t remember if anyone talked about it.
herbert | November 1, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
it has to do with something about barney n robin having their first argument and the one after is going to be about how ted n marshall want robin n barney to break up because they are miserable together
Toby | November 1, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
Yeah……….. I am so not looking forward to that episode!
I agree with everyone who has been saying that Lily has changed this season. Even in the previews of this weeks episode she seems annoying. I mean Marshal and Lily were always dorks but in a fun way, but this season they have surpased fun dorks and moved into full blown crazy people!
Katie | November 2, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
One thing to bear in mind about Lily (and Marshall) getting annoying is that not only are we noticing it, but so are the characters in the show. Even Ted’s getting annoyed by their coupley-ness… demonstrated the most in duel citizenship, but hinted at in a few other episodes in season 5 (and the idea of marriage turning you into that has been pushed on average of once every thirteen minutes since the very beginning of the series)
As annoying as they are, the fact that the writers have got all the characters noticing leads me to think it could be intentional (and could even come into play in the show at some point)
Zach | November 2, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
JD-
What’s going on man? I know you got into with some commenters last week, but why haven’t you kept up the blog? Listen, just because some people disagree with you and make themselves known doesn’t mean you should quit. I love this blog, and I miss it. I know you say that the real strength comes from the commenters, but you’re wrong. It’s your recaps that make me think about the episodes and catch little jokes I would have missed out on by myself. I think this is the best show on television (aside from Texas Longhorns football), and it is in no way in danger of being cancelled. Say what you want man, it’s your effing website.
-Zach
Zach | November 2, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
Oh and btw, it seems all you RoBarn haters out there are being thrown a bone
http://www.tv.com/how-i-met-your-mother/the-playbook/episode/1305159/summary.html?tag=ep_guide;summary
Toby | November 2, 2009 @ 7:40 pm
No!!!! Don’t talk about it; it makes me too sad
Steve | November 2, 2009 @ 7:51 pm
Hamburger.
Katie | November 2, 2009 @ 11:05 pm
i have to say, tonight’s episode made me feel better about my upstairs neighbor…
Linka | November 3, 2009 @ 4:09 am
-loyal reader, loyal watcher, first time contributor-
Was rather saddened by all the above nastiness so just wanted to say:
Everyone agree to disagree, please
I was slightly irked by the continuity error with the Fiero rule also, but the explanation that was offered (re: Tantrum) works
Would be nice if they had mentioned it though, but oh well
And yes, Lily is getting very annoying, but then she was always annoying! Only now she has fewer redeeming moments of hilarity
I like that, depsite how annoying it may be, the show’s portrayal of Lily and Marshall lately is (sadly) realistic. Anyone who’s lost friends to the cult of marriage will understand
As for Robin and Barney… I am conflicted. I agree there’s little chemistry. But hey, isn’t this show based on Carter and Bays’ real lives? Hm…
I don’t think they will last though
And isn’t Ted secretly weirded out by their relationship? Either he’s matured a LOT and truly moved on, or… he’ll have a break down soon. I don’t think you can ever truly mov eon from something like that.
Well that was a slow reply, we’re way behind her ein Australia
I’m off to watch Ep 6 now! Thank you internet.
And keep up the good work JD! I love this site and have come to find reading your recaps to be a necessary part of the HIMYM process (speaking of, where’s the one for this episode?)
x
Barney Mosby | November 5, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
This episode is not of the same caliber as the other episodes of the past season have been. I also feel that the writers have screwed up the characters of barney and robin. Bringing them together at first seemed to be fun, but its ruining the show now. The intensity of the performances has also gone down except on the part of josh radnor. Lily’s character this season sucks. She was way better in the previous seasons, but her authority in decicing who shoul be dating whom is quite annoying. Hope the writers improve the flow of the story.