Season 5, Episode 21: Twin Beds Discussion

By JD

Was going to watch the episode tonight so I figured why not write a quick recap? Warning: first impressions below. Oh, don’t let this stop you from submitting your own recaps. There was a lot of great response to the lovely Victoria’s write-up last week, everyone seemed to especially like a woman’s perspective (here here!)

What I Liked

I might move in if a dude made his and hers (in our case his and his) nachos. Lock that shit down Robin. Speaking of Robin, she has been looking particularly beautiful lately. Also speaking of Robin, it’s past due for her to have something real to work with but I’d wager this episode makes up for some lost time. Gone is the lonely slut we had started to think was permanent. It’s Robin’s turn to find real love, even if it has its own costs.

It makes sense that Robin wouldn’t tell Don about Barney. He’s a kind of embarrassing mark on one’s track record. Plus, that was a generally dark time for the characters, the show, the fans, it’s best if we all try to forget it. It is kind of weird that Robin is still friends with the group after having dated Barney and Ted isn’t it? Does stuff like this really happen? I can’t think of anyone I know who’s close with their ex, let alone two of them. Tell me your sordid tales of love and sustained friendship!

Don thinking Ted was gay got a good laugh. Come to think of it, so did Olyphant thinking Herbie from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was gay in episode #4 of Justified which I also watched tonight. Am I regressing to a point where I love a gay joke? Who am I kidding, I never didn’t. Now why did you guys want a feminine perspective again?

LAME don’t need twin beds, they just need a bigger bed than that double or queen they’re rocking. I have a much smaller NY apartment then they do and I still rock a king size. Come on Marshall, pony up the dough for an adult sized bed. Don knows how to treat a lady right.

The Letter: Reason Why You Broke Up With Your Ex. And with that another element of pop culture is born out of HIMYM. They’re like a machine, those guys. I like this concept and have done a version of it a few times. It’s easy to remember the good stuff, and important too I think (I’d rather have primarily fond memories than awful ones) but there is always that urge to slip back into something comfortable and it’s important to remember that things end for a reason. Homework assignment: write me 250 words describing a time you did—or didn’t—get back with an ex and how the decision turned out. Go!

Don’s apartment is nice.

It’s not that Ted has a “for my biographer” box, that’s a given. It’s that it’s already labeled and where he keeps important memories so that if some tragedy befalls him, his biographer might find it. Meaning, he thinks his life is already note-worthy enough to be written about. I love Ted.

What I Didn’t Like

Some of the gay-joke stuff was genius (lady fingers and Darjeeling) and some was easy (Appletini). I wish it was all clever.

Speaking of easy jokes, the problems LAME have in bed is well-trodden territory. Scratch that, the first ones were. The second were quality: “it’s like spooning with the Hindu deity Ganesh”

Favorite Moments

  • There are a lot of fish in that room LAME had
  • Hey Ted, your calligraphy teacher called and…
  • Did the Jets get new costumes?
  • We’ve still got homemade lady-fingers and piping hot darjeeling! Classy Ted, way to buck the trend in food.
  • Carl! He’s back! Fantastic. That’s the happiest I’ve been all season.
  • When Don comes to apologize I hope it’s for that outfit he’s wearing. Apparently they were out of leather jackets that fit him.
  • There’s something adorable about Barney’s adolescent fascination with boobs.
  • Did we just revolutionize modern marriage? Damn straight!
  • “I bet you didn’t have another bed just for sex” “No, no, but she did, at her personal trainer’s house” <– Why am I finding this kind of thing so funny?
  • We’re out of milk, but thanks for the reminder, Robin. That was a good call back.
  • Aww, look at that, Ted just got nostalgic for season one and wished for those times to be back. Just like all of us do.
  • If Lily doesn’t want to get divorced she should stop dressing for bed like she’s on an 8th grade school trip. Could the woman wear more layers to bed?
  • Teddy Bear is more than a little disturbing. Was this their pillow talk? Barn door is open? Really?

Closing

Going into the episode I was convinced that Ted and Barney fighting over getting Robin back would be contrived, forced, and stupid. Then I watched drunk Ted and Barney argue and I was proven wrong the way this show manages to do when it’s on point. Funny, sure, but also honest and revealing for both characters. Ted lamented the loss of eternal love, Barney can’t get over any fruit he’s not allowed to taste (or retaste). But for both, the pain is equally as great. I think Ted and Barney represent the duality of the modern man. Desire and a child-like desire for sexual gratification alongside a romantic who just wants someone to take away all the former desires. It’s deep stuff guys, and easy to identify with. Also, where murder comes from.

Well look at that, a great episode. Just when I thought they didn’t have it in them. Well done.

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In Episode Discussion, Season 5, Show Analysis | Monday, May 3rd, 2010 04:39 pm GMT -4 | By JD
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75 Comments to “Season 5, Episode 21: Twin Beds Discussion”

  1. redviper |  Monday, May 3rd, 2010 08:02 pm GMT -4

    Yeah last few weeks have been really lame. Rules of engagement is a hell of a lot funnier these days.

    And does this mean its the end of RoBarn? (BRo?). That sucks.

  2. Arxel |  Monday, May 3rd, 2010 09:04 pm GMT -4

    What is the closing song..? :)

  3. darkspark |  Monday, May 3rd, 2010 10:23 pm GMT -4

    I actually thought tonights episode was as funny or more than the previous couple of episodes… The ending kinda bummed me out though.

  4. Gisella |  Monday, May 3rd, 2010 10:53 pm GMT -4

    I laughed a lot.. especially seeing Barney and Ted..and obviously the references of old episodes.. I just feel sorry for RoBarn.. I’m huge fan of them

  5. FrankQB |  Monday, May 3rd, 2010 10:54 pm GMT -4

    Wow, great episode all around. This is a return to form, IMO. I saw glimpses of the Season 1 greatness (let’s face it, the quest for Robin made the show’s story progress).

    The b-story with Marshall and Lily was kind of lame but grew on me when JS said “You knew what this was”. That line was perfect.

    Loved the letters to future selves, the milk metaphor, Gay Ted, Don seeming like a real stand up guy, and a story instantly familiar to 20-somethings everywhere: Friends growing apart.

    Best show of the season for me.

  6. ev.mosby |  Monday, May 3rd, 2010 10:57 pm GMT -4

    When I read JD’s comment about it being mediocre, I wasn’t really looking forward to watching the show. But it turned out to be really fun to watch! How awesome was Marshall’s comforter and I absolutely loved seeing Ted and Barney together. “It’s just two men talking, it’s just two men talking.” Lol!

    But the ending was pretty sad. Although I understand that’s what usually happens when you try to grow up. But isn’t it odd how Robin was so ready to move in with Don but totally freaked out about commitment when she was with Ted? It seems a little unfair. Don isn’t thaaatt special.

  7. Blue French Horn |  Monday, May 3rd, 2010 11:21 pm GMT -4

    And now we have a totally new “mother” theory:

    Ted realizes he is, in fact gay. Rachel Bilson’s roommate is everything he described her to be– beautiful, awesome, fun– and also… an egg donor!

    Anyway, this episode was MUCH better than the past two. I wasn’t crazy about the whole Ted & Barney thinking they were in love with Robin thing, but the episode was well-written and it was about time for Robin to move out.

  8. Grady |  Monday, May 3rd, 2010 11:25 pm GMT -4

    I really loved this episode! And honestly, I’ve loved the last third of this season. It’s been such a return to Season 1′s mixture of comedy, with a hopeless romanticism. I’ve loved Ted’s passionate monologues, his buying of his dream house, and his struggles to grow up. I think the Twin Bed storyline was funny (though perhaps unresolved), and Marshall And Lily continue to make me smile. I even like Don as a character, and it will be interesting to see how Ted’s roommate situation works out, considering that set has been such an integral part of the show. Could Barney end up moving in with him? Or could Marshall And Lily decide they’re done with DoWiSewTrePla? I’m excited to find out. Without the constant raunch of seasons 3-4, I’ve really enjoyed the more heartfelt storylines of Season 5, now that Ted is more stable. I’m feeling pumped for Season 6 – Maybe Victoria will return?! (I always keep hoping…)

  9. MKS |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 12:51 am GMT -4

    I thought it was much better than recent episodes, and reminded me of why I love HIMYM so much.

    And to your question, Justin – it’s definitely possible for people to remain good friends with numerous exes in the same crowd. Part of why I love HIMYM is because the characters are so relatable and somewhat similar to one of my crowds of close friends. In fact, my best friend is my equivalent of Ted, and he remains good friends with several of his exes, who are both in the crowd as well.

  10. Brody |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 01:30 am GMT -4

    tonights episode was a lot of fun for me. i find myself always enjoying most the episodes that move at a quick pace, darting from present to flashback to side story to present constantly moving and rotating the story gears. it’s a flow that really works for the show, and masks the lamer jokes by quickly moving on to something else. i think that’s why i havent disliked this season as much as everyone else. the show moves on to something funnier too quick for me to care about a bad line or two

  11. Nathan |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 02:07 am GMT -4

    Hey Just wanted to let you know:

    The song at the end of the episode was:

    “Hook, Line and Sinker” by Jon Brion

    Last night’s episode wasn’t the funniest this season has had to offer, but overall it showed natural characteral development, something missing lately. There were a handful of episodes earlier this season where the writers were pushing for Don’s character to be funny (no pants…really?), but being the straight man dealing with Ted and Barney suits Don so much better. Anyways, just my thoughts, hope you guys enjoyed the episode as much as I did. Enjoy the song too!

  12. Kirk |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 02:22 am GMT -4

    I enjoyed the show.

    I particularly liked the realism of Ted and Robin, and how Robin was ready for a “real thing”, and Ted had been ready for her to be ready since he met her. The pain that Ted felt was very real, and it makes complete sense when it comes how relationships work in life, there is always one person that still thinks the other is the one…

    On the flip side, I could not be more annoyed with Barney. His character is WAY too over the top. I really can’t stand his character anymore, they need to tone him back A LOT. He has become this self parody of the character that stole the show in the first 2 seasons.

    LAME was good, I’m just waiting for them to try and get pregnant, like most of us.

    I really started to like Don this episode, and I really think that him and Robin go great together.

    Overall, there was little progression, but that is better than no progression at all. Barney has jumped the shark as a character or as I will now call it Joey’d(think Friends and how Joey’s character was just a shell of what made him lovable during the final seasons of Friends). With 3 episodes left this season, I expect them to really plant the seeds for next season.

    I believe that season 6 should be the last and let the writers just bang out a Season 1 like season, with every episode leading to the big finale, and allowing the show to go out while it still has some life in the ratings…

  13. Colin |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 04:14 am GMT -4

    Okay, I just have one question: Where the hell did Ted get the Blue French Horn? They returned it at the end of Season 2. Are we to believe that he just went back and somehow got another one? If that’s the case, the ending isn’t as meaningful as it could have been if Robin was leaving behind the original horn.

    Overall, it was a good episode. And I wouldn’t mind if this led to a plot involving Ted pursuing Robin. Sure, we have Barney, but his motivations to get back with Robin were one dimensional. With Ted, it almost seemed like he legit wants her back.

    As for Marshall and Lily, they had a decent B-plot. That is all.

  14. NCUK |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 05:06 am GMT -4

    @Colin it could have been the original french horn? i mean they did take it back.

    @Kirk i agree with you about barney, but not in this episode i thought that he played it well.

    Robin better not leave the group! I mean, i know she won’t but i’m still like 2% scared that she won’t be around as much or at all.

    I actually laughed out loud at this episode but I still think Of course was the best episode of the season…so far.

    Good to see LAME getting more time again. Give them a baby damnit!

  15. NCUK |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 05:07 am GMT -4

    (he could have just stolen it again.)

  16. Rainy |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 09:48 am GMT -4

    I was waiting for this episode like forever & it really didn’t disappoint me. At first, I thought it’s a funny episode & cute. I also thought that both Ted & Barney would finally overcome their feelings. Well, it’s turn out to be the opposite. I can’t really say whether it’s a bad or good thing cause it’s sad that we won’t see Robin in the group (for a while). And even though things between her and Barney didn’t work out well, I still wish that Barney would finally find someone! :)

  17. Mantot |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 10:47 am GMT -4

    This episodes have the same ingredient found on season 1 and 2…a touching moment that is actually grounded on reality.I am hoping the writer will take a good look at what makes HIMYM works best..a story about a hopeless romantic who is looking for his life partner.

    The last few episodes,even seasons past have been based on “unrealistic” potrayal of human behaviour.

    “Twin Beds” do have those element inside it (Barney’s action for most of the scenes on the episode) but the feelings between Ted and Robin felt real,realistic,true to life.Classic!Hope that the series keep this up!I just hope that they don’t just create a side-story in the episodes just for the sake of having a secondary storyline in it.LAME storyline is weak and doesn’t bring anything at all except that it just serves the purpose of making Don looks better in Robin’s eyes (the King size bed for Robin if she’s move in with him)

    Why did Lily getting scared of getting a divorce suddenly just because they are taking the same route that Don have been through before?That just doesn’t make sense at all.

    Remember the first time Ted saw Victoria and the way Victoria smiles back at Ted?Or the talk between Barney and Ted at the end of “Something Blue”?Those are the moment that will make HIMYM a classic or not.Please,just stop with the over acting unrealistic human behavior and keep it simple and real.Like normal human’s do.The series has been in downfall since the “Stella’s storyline” even though I felt that the “2 minutes date” are one of the best thing in HIMYM (for now)

    And please,bring Victoria back.
    She needs a proper closure.

  18. Scoundrel |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 11:23 am GMT -4

    I recall ted saying about his bar fight that it was the only fight he was in, but in this episode we see that he also fought barney.

  19. Pedro |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 11:49 am GMT -4

    I loved this episode – it had heart. I was happy to see that Marshall and Lilly got some more air-time. I refuse to call them LAME.

    Although I agree that some people stay friends with their ex’s, often times it ends up being a bad idea. If you’re currently friends with your ex, and thinks its okay, well that’s fine for now. But eventually it seems that one person will rediscover their feelings for the other person OR a future boyfriend/girlfriend will NOT be okay with it. There are always exceptions, but this seems to be the general trend.

    Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think Barney and Robin made a good couple. They were, however, really good bros. Robin was an excellent wing-woman.

    I think this episode was important because maybe what’s been holding Ted back is having Robin around the apartment. It’s hard to get over a serious ex if you’re around them all the time. Plus, there is the “back-up” factor. If Ted views Robin as a back-up wife, then he’ll never be motivated to really put himself out there.

    I also agree that Victoria deserves a real closure episode. Ted broke up with Victoria more easily because of the pressure of wanting Robin. It’s also easier to break up with someone over the phone. Ted needs to face her in person.

  20. Lima |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 12:18 pm GMT -4

    I think I have to speak up for the RoBarn peeps here. I think they made an awesome couple, but were written horribly! Like some people said throughout the threads, if they were written like they had been in Murtaugh, it would have been more satisfying. Writers dropped the ball on that one, so I think that needs to be redeemed and rectified. I still hold out hope they end up together, especially since you never see them in the 2030 flash forward scenes. Perhaps they’re off together being awesome.

    Ok, and don’t get mad at me when I say this but, Ted and Robin aren’t going to happen! I’m surprised at everyone who’s still pining to see those two together. That storyline is over. Done. Finished. The fact that the writers even brought it back up is just kind of weird to me. I thought we were done with that after Benefits.

    I thought last night’s episode was fun and hilarious. I think sometimes we start to analyze so much that we forget to enjoy ourselves. Stop overthinking it, yes? :)

    PS, we never actually saw them return the french horn did we? they decided to break up, but I think they went straight to Ted’s apt? Idk. Continuity meh.

  21. Rainy |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 12:40 pm GMT -4

    I couldn’t agree more with Lima! Yes, deeply I still hope for the RoBarn. We should blame the writer for making them a bad couple. Actually, they have a good chemistry. And the thing between just finished not long ago so it’s easy for them to reunite. And the way Barney react tonight was hilarious but that doesn’t mean he didn’t care or love Robin. It’s just Barney! While for Ted and Robin, I think they were meant to be friends! I really love when they support each other and share their moments, but it’s over. There’s no way Robin can be the mother cause she’s living with Ted, not with the college girl & Ted life-long search for the mother needs more than just a dead end(ing).

  22. NCUK |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 01:45 pm GMT -4

    @Scoundrel he also fought with a goat but didn’t mention that at that time. maybe he meant “outside fights” – ones that weren’t with one of the group…or animals.

  23. Danail |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 02:12 pm GMT -4

    Don? Don is someting real? Ted and Barny is not? Bad Don-idiot is real? Sorry, i’m just dont like Don character and actors how played Don – Benjamin Koldyke.

  24. JT |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 02:41 pm GMT -4

    I think it’s good to finally have a good developing conflict after a sense of “stability” on HIMYM… Is it just me or is Ted’s shirt when he wrote the letter about Natalie in 2005 the same one from the Season 1 episode “Return of The Shirt?” Excellent detail there!

  25. Little Barney |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 02:56 pm GMT -4

    I agree with Mantot.
    btw with the Victoria issue, I was hoping that she would appear in the previous episode at Ted’s mothers wedding. I thought she should make an appearance in some episodes seen as she wouldn’t be cool with Ted hanging out with Robim.

    I think Josh Radnor(Ted) and NPH(Barney) aren’t acting very well these few seasons. Watch an episode from season 1 and then watch an episode from season 5. Ted was an interesting character, now his facial expressions annoy me, he is trying way too hard. Same thing with Barney, he acts like a pathetic child sometimes, when he is passionate about something he is funny the way he is, take ‘Game Night’ for example. His performance is way better.
    Barney annoyed me this episode. We all love Barney because he is a awesome funny guy, not a little child.
    We all love barney because is a confident funny guy

  26. jons |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 03:58 pm GMT -4

    great episode..this is the way it has to be..even if i was for ted/robin for long, long time..and for barney/robin for not even a second, i still remember the end of the playbook phrase: “and that was the day she met don”…from that moment on i knew it was leading to this, it was inevitable..anyway looking forward to the end of the lasts ep of this season, a hope that season 6 is the last

  27. Toby |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 05:16 pm GMT -4

    I don’t really know what to say. As people know I am a big supporter of Robn/Barney and I don’t like at all how this episode portrayed them. It feels like the writers consistently screw up when ti comes to their relationship. I am hoping that this turns into a JD/Elliot ending where they get together at the way end of the show.

    It happens to be that I didn’t really enjoy the episode that much for other reasons. It had some funny moments, but overall I found it lacking. I am sure that Don and Robin don’t end up together for ever, but it is nice character development that she is able to move forward in a relationship in a way she couldn’t do with Ted or Barney for that manner.

  28. Your Pen is Is enormous! |  Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 09:17 pm GMT -4

    @ JT

    I noticed the same thing about the Shirt! I was getting stoked reading through all these posts to be the one to point it out, but alas, I was scooped. I think that is the perfect “in your face” reference for anyone that has been complaining about Marshal’s hair in the time jumps. “The shirt’s” call back was the quintissential call out to us fanatics.

    Also really starting to love the little “Ted”isms:
    Right? Right?
    ~Little side mutterings ex: “still not gay”….well can’t think of more right now, will get back to you….

    And just me, but walking into the empty room, did that give you the same vibe as ted getting into the cab in “nothing good happens after 2am???

    show’s back on the right track, just as I’ve been saying all along.

  29. FrankQB |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 12:38 am GMT -4

    @Scoundrel @NCUK Ted is not a reliable narrator. They purposefully cemented that fact a few weeks ago in the episode with the monkey. Obviously, he’s either been in more fights than he’s telling his kids, or he’s telling his kids that he’s been in more fights than he actually has.

    Also: @Mantot – couldn’t agree more about basing the show’s themes in realistic human behaviour. Real emotional drama between established friends. Much of this season’s problems have stemmed from weak emotional attachments to transitory guest stars.

  30. Linka |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 02:27 am GMT -4

    Only got through half the above comments, but did anyone notice:

    When both Barney and Ted phoned Robin, she prioritized talking to Ted to see if he was OK…

    Just an observation. I know she’s not the mother.

  31. Sleeks |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 02:36 am GMT -4

    In response to some of the previous posts, Barney and Robin don’t make a good couple because Barney still hasn’t gone through an important change. We’ve seen everyone on the show go through different stages, while Barney seems to come right back to the same stage in his life. Until Barney can somehow overcome that, he just won’t be a good fit for Robin. He constantly avoids serious issues until he’s cornered. While we’ve learned a lot about Barney over the seasons, I have a feeling there are a lot of hidden things we’ll learn about him next season. Even though Barney and Robin’s relationship was written poorly, we also can’t get too wrapped up in projecting what we want their relationship to be. After all, in my opinion, a tv show stops being fun when the writers listen too much to the viewers. We have to let them explore, be creative, and sometimes mess up.

  32. Buxton |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 03:07 am GMT -4

    Am I the one that believes Don and Robin can go all the way? I reckon that they’re perfect for each other. I mean she moved in with Don within a few months but she couldn’t move in with Ted after dating him for almost a year.

    BUT if Robin and Don do get together forever, you’ve heard it first from me.

  33. Colin |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 04:18 am GMT -4

    Buxton,

    Robin moving in with Don was the entire point of Ted falling for her again. When they dated, she wasn’t ready to move in with Ted and, therefore, wasn’t exactly his perfect girl. But she’s since evolved and is now open to a more solid relationship, which is what Ted wanted. Only, she’s doing it with someone else. It’s not necessarily Don being better than Ted; it’s that Robin has changed.

  34. Fabio |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 07:55 am GMT -4

    you guys remember the episode robin meets don for the first time… at the very end of it… and the narrator says: “and thats how robin met Don”…. why didn’t he say uncle Don… or smtg like that… hahahaha just wondering

  35. PaKo89 |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 08:08 am GMT -4

    Funny episode, why does nobody mention that Ted wears the exact same shirt as in The Return of the Shirt and was all bruised up? awesome continuity.
    But that both Ted and Barney are still in love with Robin is a bit forced and came out of nowhere.
    Also I dont hope that Robin will be gone from the group. As I still dont see her and Don together.

  36. Zidge Dog |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 08:59 am GMT -4

    I worried when I saw this epsidoe would have Ted and Barney wanting Robin back, as I didn’t want Ted and Robin’s history to be tarnished by some of the writing that’s happened this season. Having them be drunk made it work, although Ted’s romantic stories usually involve more gravity and build-up from Future Ted. I hope next week we get to see some confrontation from Ted about Robin just moving out. Don’t get me wrong, I do think they should be done, but Robin’s speech during “Shelter Island” made me think there still needed to be more closure between them. Last season’s “relapses” didn’t get all the closure they needed either.

    I hated Barney eating all the wasabi to show off. It was beyond lame. NPH’s physical comedy is great usually, but that set-up was ridiculous and totally ham. The only part about that I liked was that he soiled himself out both sides.

    I liked LAME’s sub-plot – it was funny and a new twist on married life. Lily’s excitement over the “dirty, dirty sex bed” and the bean bag for birthdays was classic Lily. I hope Don and Robin can be their couple friends while Robin moves away from Ted and Barney.

    “We’re just two guys talking.”

    The box for the biographer was nicely done.

    Is it me, or does the laugh track get worse every episode?

  37. Zidge Dog |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 09:08 am GMT -4

    Two episdoes this season have mentioned Natalie, by the way. There have been a lot of callbacks to first season lately. It’s nice to see the shirt and the blue french horn again. Now bring us Victoria.

    I’m not a huge Laura Prepon fan at all, but I think the growing Karen mythos is hilarious.

  38. Danail |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 01:25 pm GMT -4

    Dear Future Danail,

    If you ever wonder why you stopped watching american tv shows, remember all Season 5 of HIMYM. Just watching someting beter, like “Allo, Allo”.

  39. Tony |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 01:27 pm GMT -4

    There is something that I just cannot put my finger on that I am not liking about this show lately. I agree this past episode felt more like a season 1 or 2 episode, but it was still missing at some points. I’ll try to describe a few below.

    Ted and Barney are complete characters of themselves it feels like. Ted doesn’t even feel like he has a storyline anymore. He’s just wacky Ted, creating Super dates or randomly having gay tendancies. In previous episodes, he’s shown a liking for sports (going to Yankees/Indians game in S2, the Super Bowl episode, NCAA bracket episode), and now he’s commenting on the Jets’ new “costumes”? I want REAL Ted back, the one that wore his heart on his sleeve, the one that was always looking for love. I realize there are 4 other characters that need developing, but Ted is the main character, and theres been little progress in his life this year.

    With regards to Barney, I’m not as upset about it, but he is getting weird. He used to be a smooth, sophisticated ladies man, who acted part too cool for school and part dork (laser tag, storm trooper). His old storylines were fun and not too out of character (like always trying to make Ted his wingman and then doing stuff like stealing Teds moving van when he won’t). Now he’s overly emotional, puts himself out there, acts rather girly. Remember when Lily came back from SF and she tried to stay at Barney’s mysterious place that no one had been to, and he acted so disturbed by her attempt to stay with him. That’s classic Barney. He’s mysterious and while he’s ecsentic while going after ladies, there was a real mystery about him because of his inability to open up completely. Now he opens up way too much. Again, I realize his character would be really stale if he had no development as a character from Season 1, but I think they went overboard with him.

    I don’t know why I’m so negative about the show, I still enjoy it. And I feel like people always complain about every show not being as good as when they became attached to it, but I just haven’t felt the same about these newer episodes. I think the worst episode I’ve ever seen of this show was the one before this past one where Ted buys the house. I just didn’t find anything about that episode funny, and it was just completely out of line for all of their characters.

    Anyways, this is all just my opinion, so don’t let it stop you from enjoying the show if you don’t agree. I’d love to hear comments from other people who agree and disagree.

  40. Mantot |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 03:56 pm GMT -4

    Wholeheartedly agree with Tony!

    I am just hoping that for this season we could have a proper season finale.
    “Miracles” is too messy and rush while “The Leap” doesn’t have a proper season finale feels in it.”Something Borrowed/Something Blue” is still the best of the bunch.

    If “Twin Beds” is a start of the beginning of the climax for the season,hopefully the finale will get a proper storyline,with a 2 episodes a la season 2 finale.A tear jerking,heartwarming touch to the heart that have been lacking for the past 2 seasons.HIMYM should be sweet.

    Still praying for Victoria to re-emerge somewhere along later and please..no more Britney Spears or anything related to Abbey,the receptionist.

  41. katie90 |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 05:13 pm GMT -4

    missed your reviews!! you just have a genuinely funny way of putting things and i love reading your thoughts about an episode.

    i loved the episode (in a desperate season 5 way). definitely better than both home wreckers and zoo or false and it had a lot of great moments (ted doing the teddy bear roar? awesome!). there were many laughs for me (marshall’s and lily’s bed stuff did NOT contribute to those in any way, shape or form) and i have to say: i’m buying the whole robin/don thing. i know, i know, they’re going to break them up at some point and probably get her back with barney (though the episode again proved to me that those two could not be worse suited for one another) but i really like the idea of her being happy with a guy, even if it means moving out of the apartment. i thought those two were good together

  42. katie90 |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 05:17 pm GMT -4

    oh and @ zidge dog: it’s not you. seriously, i swear that luagh track is getting more obnoxious every episode. though i think it’s partly because the jokes used to be funnier and you just didn’t notice it so much then. nowadays, most of the time i hear the laugh track and go “seriously? they wanted laughs out of THAT one?!”

  43. Jazzer |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 07:21 pm GMT -4

    New ep? Finally.

    Edit: Finished Downloading. =] Gonna watch. Thoughts on later.

  44. Jazzer |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 07:53 pm GMT -4

    I just love how this show is like a puzzle. So many facts, stories, ad everything just succesfully mixed up, to make one awesome show. This episode, was phenomenal. In my opinion.

    It was just plain fun. Extremelly well written, filled with plots and ideas that are important for the show and the future story, and just some awesome acting. Robin and Don are made for each other, Ted and Barney were amazing in the episode, and so was Lily and Marshall.

    NPH and Josh were amazing while “drunk”. So far, that they’ve might have even been drunk. Love the emotions the portray while arguing, and the old-school Barney jokes. ["Oh yeah, that was after." xD] I’m not pleased with Robin moving out, but that is some real action this show needed. No more filler episodes.

    It’s 3AM in my time zone, which is kinda late. Too lazy to keep on writing. Love the path the show is finally taking, and while there were some downfalls in Season 5, I’m liking how it’s all going together.

  45. Jenn- GCWOK Approved |  Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 09:18 pm GMT -4

    I liked this episode. It was fun.
    You cannot convince me, however, that this Don is the same one who wore his underwear with a suit top to work. It is not the same person.

  46. Alvaro |  Thursday, May 6th, 2010 03:54 am GMT -4

    I really missed a more ‘emotional’ episode. I mean, it’s great the fanny stuff on this season (and the last two ones) but… I liked more the way the show mix jokes with a romantic way of relationship and friendship of the very beginning of the show.

    This episode was for me like a turn back to the main story, the emotional story of Ted (and his friends).
    I’m agree with JD about the gay-jokes. Some were funny (like the way Ted says the meal to Robin and Don, haha), but there’s some forced and low-quality. Marshall’s joke about Indian God is totally forced. The writters don’t make it.

    Anyway, I’ve very surprised of seen that, but I supposed when a season is comming to the end, the plot has to come to a solid “finale”.

    Best regards from Spain!

    PD: Sorry for English mistakes :-S

  47. PaKo89 |  Thursday, May 6th, 2010 12:08 pm GMT -4

    Look at these ratings:

    Girls vs Suits: 9.82 mill.
    Jenkins: 10.52 mill.
    Hooked: 10.48 mill.
    Of Course: 10.32 mill.
    Say Cheese: 8.67 mill.
    Zoo or False: 6.88 mill.
    Home Wreckers: 7.71 mill.
    Twin Beds: 7.37 mill.

    This not looking good, though it’s kinda funny that the episode directed by NPH is the most watched.

  48. Teddy Bear |  Thursday, May 6th, 2010 02:53 pm GMT -4

    Two Things:1: Do the end mean that we´re not going to see Robin in the next few episodes?
    2: The Appletini reminded me of scrubs

  49. Jenn- GCWOK Approved |  Thursday, May 6th, 2010 05:22 pm GMT -4

    My comment disappeared!
    I just said that I enjoyed this episode. It was fun. But you cannot convince me that this mature Don is the same Don who only wore underwear as pants to work. Not buyin’ it.

  50. Jazzer |  Thursday, May 6th, 2010 06:55 pm GMT -4

    Just a short memo, next week’s episode will probably suck, then the last two will be triumphant. The last two are directed by Bays & Thomas, so, that’s like a Seal of Quality these days.

    The last ep is Dopplegangers. It will be like Christmas.

  51. jons |  Friday, May 7th, 2010 05:50 am GMT -4

    ..funny, the last episode (the 24th of the 5 season) is gonna be on the air may 24…coincidence?

  52. BGeo |  Friday, May 7th, 2010 01:04 pm GMT -4

    Really enjoyed this weeks episode. It had season one written all over it. Funny, emotional, heart felt… the list goes on.

    I have seen girls date a bunch of close guy friends, and remain friends after (in violation of Bro Code 83, but I digress), and IMO it shouldn’t be considered.

    JD nailed it on the head. HIMYM has a lot of similar qualities as Seinfeld, in bringing everyday problems and situations into the limelight for a much needed examination. I think that writing a letter to yourself totally works.

    Brian

  53. flemer |  Friday, May 7th, 2010 03:07 pm GMT -4

    I remember the episode 5×11 in which narrator says about Don and Robin “They were dating within two months”.

  54. BSMOOTH |  Friday, May 7th, 2010 05:50 pm GMT -4

    Don’t worry about the ratings, look on Wiki to see how they’ve performed every year. This time of year, ratings are much lower because of daylight savings time. The show is still doing amazingly well, especially since being moved to the lowest viewed half hour of the night, 8PM.

  55. katie90 |  Friday, May 7th, 2010 06:16 pm GMT -4

    jons: um..yeah. yause that’s the week a lot of finales are airing and it’s himym day ;)

    jenn: oh my god, i totally forgot about that! i was wondering why it surprised me so much that i liked don in this episode. i was like.. “wait – there was SOMETHING weird about that dude” and i’d totally forgotten about the stupid underpants thing! ugh. now i don’t like him anymore :P

  56. katie90 |  Friday, May 7th, 2010 06:54 pm GMT -4

    random fun fact: did you guys know that ted’s worst movie ever, manos hands of fate, is the seventh worst-rated on imdb? :D

  57. Feras |  Friday, May 7th, 2010 09:25 pm GMT -4

    @ katie90 hahahaha omg!!! i’ve just saw it yesterday on imdb and then i watched some scenes on the youtube..what a coincidence!! ..that movie is a total disaster..Ted is right about that :D

  58. donof |  Friday, May 7th, 2010 10:47 pm GMT -4

    @redviper I can honestly say that the best episode of Rules of Engagement can’t compare to the worst episode of HIMYM. I can’t believe you can possibly think that.

  59. katie90 |  Saturday, May 8th, 2010 04:37 am GMT -4

    can anyone plesase explain to me what it is about victoria that makes you miss her? she was, like, most stereotypes we europeans have about you americans wrapped into one. she was so f’in sweet all the time, it annoyed the hell out of me and led me to believe she was just being fake. totally sided with robin on this one.

    so, what is it that makes soo many people on here and all over the internet want her back?

    btw, JD: your site seems to be getting rather international. it’s crazy how almost everybody on here (including myself) isn’t even american. just goes to show that if you counted (not 100% legal, cough, cough) downloads of the show in other countries, the ratings would skyrocket

  60. Fabio |  Saturday, May 8th, 2010 06:28 am GMT -4

    I’m with you on this one katie90!!!!!

  61. KB |  Sunday, May 9th, 2010 11:39 am GMT -4

    100% true, I’m from India :P

    And I agree with someone’s comment about Barney. I don’t remember who it was and I’m too lazy to go see but I think they hit the nail on the head. Barney used to be this guy who was awesome and badass most of the time and sometimes we would see his dorky/insecure side and enjoy it, because it was a rare occurrence. This season feels like every episode you see a chink in his armour, and it feels like soon the chink is going to explode and he’ll become Ted. Not that I don’t love Ted, but I love Barney and NPH for the difference.

    Even Marshall isn’t as awesome this season :(

  62. KB |  Sunday, May 9th, 2010 11:41 am GMT -4

    Also. I did not like Victoria and I do not want to see her back. It has puzzled me too consistently why so many people appear to adore her.

  63. snoopy123 |  Sunday, May 9th, 2010 11:42 am GMT -4

    I think i know who Ted’s wife is. In season 3 episode 12, Ted states that his wife was at the nightclub that very night. He later bumps into a woman and subsequently apologised for his carelessness. As he is doing this, she checks him out and then says “Don’t worry”. When Ted meets up with Barney a few seconds later and discusses their good fortune, he doesn’t reference the girl who just checked him out. As Chekhov famously said “If you hang a gun on the wall in act 1, you can bet it will be fired in act 2.”. My bet is that when all is revealed there will be a flashback to Ted’s encounter with the mysterious girl.

  64. marggis |  Sunday, May 9th, 2010 05:18 pm GMT -4

    Katie90: Yeah, you’re right, I’m from Finland and I know a lot of people here addicted to the show. hey do air the show here too, but like at 2 pm or something…

    I loved this episode. Not as much as the third season episodes I’m watching again, but it was (as many have stated before me) true to the show, more than a few episodes we’ve seen before. I love drunk Ted.

  65. marggis |  Sunday, May 9th, 2010 06:14 pm GMT -4

    BTW is someone else waiting for Robin’s tv-show (?) to be found? (Was remainded by Sandcastles in the sand) I’d love to see it this season!

  66. PaKo89 |  Monday, May 10th, 2010 06:09 am GMT -4

    @marggis cant wait for that one, but its probably not coming this season, because Robin is gone from the group (atleast for a while, I think) and also the Wedding Bride and Dopplegangers are coming. So probably season 6. :(

  67. stefany |  Monday, May 10th, 2010 06:24 am GMT -4

    @Colin- I totally agree about the blue french horn, the whole time i was like- “wait a sec they returned that, where’d it come from!”

    i’m gonna go ahead and give this one another thumbs down. don’t get me wrong, there was some awesome stuff (how had they not done gay ted yet? genius! and barney and ted drunk is always great), but i’m sick of LAME and their lame ass b-stories (this bed thing could’ve been some real conflict- but by all means, throw that down the toilet too HIMYM).

    my main beef with this eps (and a couple moments in home wreckers) is this whole robin “getting serious” with Don. it took her ages to get serious with ted, now they’re just throwing away the don story in exposition? its sloppy and its getting un-watchable. i just don’t believe it for one second. when robin said “this thing with don is real”, they just lost me. terrible line.

    on the plus side they ended with some conflict that will hopefully affect the show overall- with robin saying she was taking a break from the group. is it bad that i was mostly happy because i hope that means we won’t have to see robin and don next week?

  68. stefany |  Monday, May 10th, 2010 06:30 am GMT -4

    P.S.- @katie90, you’re not alone. i’m american and i hated victoria. she was annoying and sappy (but perfect for ted because of it). i would like to see her come back just because it would be a great story and the show really needs that right now. plus i think if ted saw her again he would really wonder if her made the right choice given how his biological clock is about to explode.

  69. J.J. |  Monday, May 10th, 2010 05:00 pm GMT -4

    Was I the only one that LOL’d at the “figuratively/literally” call back?

  70. katie90 |  Monday, May 10th, 2010 05:28 pm GMT -4

    @marggis: YES, drunk ted is awesome. he’s one of the few people who can pull off acting drunk in a really funny (if not alway believable) way. keep thinking about drunk ted in the pineapple incident. “that’s hauntingly beautiful”. hahaha, he’s amazing!

    @stefany: nicely put about his biological clock. i guess i didn’t see it from that perspective. yes, it would be interesting to see ted react to victoria – one of very few women with whom there was a slight possibility of her actually being THE ONE. but when i think about her being so nice to robin when she was being a bitch .. it creeps me out. the girl was either being fake, freakishly nice or just plain stupid.

    @J.J.: no, you were not, haha

    ok. i’ll be the one to tell him/her –
    @snoopy123: that is one of the widespread online theories about the mom. however, most people think that girl was put in there by the writers deliberately to make people (like you ;) ) go “HA! i’m so clever! that has to be the mom!”. let’s just say be glad you posted that on here and not on the himym board on imdb where people get yelled at every day for posting that theory ;) (it’s in the FAQ over there, too)

  71. Cupcake |  Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 03:05 pm GMT -4

    I also didn’t appreciate the break in logic with the blue french horn. They returned it…that was the point.
    Also, where in the WORLD did Ted’s “not over Robin” slump come from? last episode he was buying a house and just waiting on Mrs. Moseby, and now he has a Robin relapse? it doesn’t work. It came out of nowhere.
    I like Don and Robin — they seem to be on a more equal playing field than Robin and Ted or Robin and Barney ever were. Don’s experienced a rough break-up and so has Robin, they are not naive about each other.

    I liked the LAME sub-plot for what it was (funny and relateable!) and what it was not: as in not some cheesy advice from a married couple for Ted.

  72. lillian |  Saturday, May 15th, 2010 03:32 am GMT -4

    hey can neone help me the song that is playin in the end of the episode…really wnt to knw…

  73. Luke |  Friday, June 25th, 2010 03:24 pm GMT -4

    Does anyone know what brand the shirt that Don was wearing in the bar when he first found out about Ted and Barney having dated Robin was? or the brand of any of Ted’s clothing?

  74. Insurance |  Sunday, July 25th, 2010 04:52 am GMT -4

    I really think that you have done a great job with this wordpress site it looks really good and you have a ton of great information as well, I know I found what I was looking for anyways. Just thought I would take the time to comment, again keep up the great work

  75. anna |  Saturday, February 5th, 2011 11:37 pm GMT -4

    ending song:
    Jon Brion – Hook, Line And Sinker

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