Season 7, Episode 13: Tailgate
By Jordan
Welcome back everyone, and happy 2012! It’s going to be nothing but awesomeness, alright, because we are going to prove those silly Mayans wrong, won’t we? Let us have faith in hope and optimism, not silly folks who used to rip out hearts to make sure the sun came up every day (right, Mel Gibson?).
Let’s dive in!
What Was Good
- Jason carried this one to the brink, baby. He knows exactly how to play this kind of sadness with humor. Witness his performance last year during his father’s funeral.
- I’m glad we finally get to see where Jason got his love of Nessie and all things supernatural and weird; Papa. The Apple doesn’t fall far from the eccentric lovable goof!
- Puzzles was a nice nod to Cheers. Where having a place to go where everybody knows your name isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.
- The return of the crazy bartender, sans toupee, Doug!!!
- I initially didn’t like the fact that the three brothers would fight over having alone time with Dad, then I shook the cobwebs and realized that a) they were building to something great and b) this is true to their characters. They still haven’t gotten over their father’s passing. What a touching way to show it. Indeed, one thing siblings must learn to do in order to get over their rivalry is to share their parents equally (common love of a sports team can do the trick, albeit temporarily). Just pray it happens before Mom and Dad are gone.
- Indeed, once brothers bickering, always. Ask my bro and me (what up Scott?)
- Loved the turn-around with Lily and Marshall mutually accepting their beliefs and non-beliefs. Did not see it coming that her father would come back to her, and it made sense. The guy can’t help who he is (damn board games) but is sincerely trying to be a better father to Lilly. And Marshall continues to show her that he is the man for her. What a guy. Love ‘em.
What Was Bad
- The cloud of Kevin was finally realized by having actual Kevin there, and all I could think was, “Dude, the guy in the suit banged your girlfriend. Nevermind that you haven’t even hit it yet, but still! Barney, you bone his girlfriend AND make him carry kegs up four flights of stairs AND shoot down his Puzzles idea? You suck. Kevin saying, “That’s my girl”??? Nope, buddy, she ain’t. Kevin is a good guy and I hate seeing him treated like a chump.
- Sandy Rivers, once funny, now to me is nothing but a cartoon character that you would never bump into in public. Drinking on camera? He’s FIRED in real life, period. Ticker below him be damned, funny as it was.
- “Enigmas of the Mystical” – eh. Like the idea, but the title of that book was so decided in the writers room by committee when they couldn’t come up with anything better.
- Very obvious from the get-go that Robin was going to end up on air. No suspense, really.
Favorite Moments
- The reveal of what Marshall is really doing there at the grave site. Go Viks!
- “Even scarier without the toupee” Indeed, fellas, if you are losing your hair, just shave it and get used to it. The line of ladies to your bedroom will remind you later that you did the right thing.
- “Why are the hats all wet???” So much funnier by not revealing the reason.
- “Tina quit…” while holding a bag of frozen peas on his cheek. That’s how Sandy rides!
- “I’m gonna read it to baby Eriksen at night-night!”
- “I wouldn’t use the M word…only they can call themselves that.”
- “Faith is what gives life shape and meaning” the very theme of the show in general. Many people, Marshall especially, need to believe in something bigger, something mystical. What HIMYM teaches us is that all you need to do is believe in yourself, and find someone who does as well.
- “A bar…where we get chicks drunk…and bang them!”
- I love douchey-intellectual Ted. Never gets old for me. Him referring to Manhattan as Gotham nailed it.
- “Has the book changed…or have I?” No seriously that’s a good quote! Maybe I’m a little Ted myself
Feel the same way about Dracula. - The Puzzles song. True to character and funny as hell.
- The montage of raising the drink prices had me on the floor. A very funny way to show that unless you know how economics works, you will fail trying to start a business.
- “There is a pretty good chance I don’t exist…HOW DARE YOU?” LOVE IT
Random Thoughts/Questions
- Was this the first time (during the “Robin I’m no therapist” speech from Kevin) that we’ve gotten a reverse angle of the living room? Sweet!
- I guess the writers didn’t have an alternate version planned. I suppose they figure that the majority of fans won’t get the fact that the Vikings got spanked by the Bears for real. Sorry, Vikings fans (Go Eagles). That touchdown the bros celebrated over? Twas the only one in the game, in the first quarter. Sorry boys.
- Without hitting Wikipedia (no cheating) anyone know the significance of the name on the apron?
- I wonder if that’s Allison Hannigan’s real baby belly?
- Kevin is either a) gay or b) banging someone else on the side. Just my humble opinion. Ladies, forgive m…no don’t. I speak for all guys with an active libido.
- Lilly and Robin both have so-called, “Daddy-Issues”. Yet both turned out differently in life. Thoughts?
- Why does New Years Day have to be our fresh start? Why can’t we decide whenever the heck we want when are fresh starts are?
- Did I miss something, now that they are in the burbs, what happened to LAME’s apartment in Dowistrepia?
- And I seem to remember WAY back in Season 1, the tallest brother had a wife too. Now he’s living at home unemployed with Mom?
Closing Thoughts
“Hey Marvin, can you pass me a burger?”
Raise your hand if you have lost a parent just a little too soon. Yup, me too. Part of growing up is losing your parents, and a big part of moving past that is seeing your deceased loved one within yourself. Marshall is one step closer to becoming a proper Dad himself and this was a very moving way to show it. Remind me to bring a glass of Chardonnay to Old St. Paul’s in Baltimore. Ma, I know you’re getting blitzed in heaven and loving every minute of it.
Indeed, private moments are overrated (with all except the woman/man you love, of course!). We are never meant to spend our lives alone. We need friends, family, loved ones, dogs and cats to get us through the roller coaster. Be grateful for every moment you have with someone, you never know when it will be your last. The more, the merrier, amen.
See y’all next week!
And don’t forget to check out the “Sensitive Nice Guy” Show this Thursday night on iTunes and Stitcher!
And…if you have read this far…check out the Puzzles Bar Website!!! GOD I LOVE THE FOURTH WALL BREAKING OF THIS SHOW!
AND….be sure to “like”our official Facebook page!!!
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37 Comments to “Season 7, Episode 13: Tailgate”
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TheSoxPride | Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 03:27 am GMT -4
I really loved this episode. A, B, and C stories were solid and of respective levels of importance. I love the trend of other characters narrating.
About the Dowisitrepla thing, remember a couple of episodes back Marshall and Lily were given the house, and as they were trying to make a decision (or should I say wait for a sign) their upstairs neighbor commented on how he would love to make his apartment a duplex.
I liked the “ENYGMA” “GORILLA” “ENIGMA” “GORILLA” back and forth, and in general the hyperbole of the strange, but rather unlikely mythical beings and events.
I’m still waiting on Ted to confront Barney, or at least ask him about the time he saw him at the apartment waiting for Robin, could it be that, as baked as he was, didnt remember a thing?
It seems as the Ted portion of the story has been put on hold, while the LAME, Barney, and Robin stories are on overdrive. Really looking forward to see what the upcoming episodes have in store for us!
lime | Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 04:17 am GMT -4
Fran Tarkenton is a Vikings football legend. It’s also brought up in “Little Minnesota” as well. When she is pushed to name the kicker in the NFC championship game says says it’s Rashad Tarkenton. And then all the Minnesotans turn on her.
Loved all of the Marshall stuff with his brothers and their dad. My sisters and I feel the same way about our mom (three years last November, and I miss her every day).
I actually kind of love the ridiculousness of Sandy Rivers. I’m probably in the minority though.
Colin | Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 04:47 am GMT -4
For all the hate Kevin has gotten from fans, I gotta say he came off as a really nice guy. He was supportive of Robin in the beginning, but he really took it home when he found Sandy in the bathroom, but instead encouraged Robin to take over the show. And I agree with Jordan on Barney being a total douche to Kevin, although it shouldn’t be too surprising considering the resentment towards him right now.
As for Robin, at first i was worried they wouldn’t follow up on the previous, heartbreaking episode. But while they didn’t exactly focus on it, they definitely referenced it in the end and made sure to emphasize things were finally looking up for her.
Good to see Lily’s stomach finally growing. Now maybe we’ll finally learn why Ted wore the dress.
And one more thing. Do none of the characters have daddy issues? Sure, Marshall didn’t, but his dad passed away. We know Robin, Lily and Barney all have issues, and Ted’s dad is just crazy after the divorce these days.
Wei-Wei | Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 06:07 am GMT -4
Oh god HIMYM is making me super sentimental. I cried at the last scene… not ashamed.
sbiriguda | Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 09:25 am GMT -4
I mostly enjoyed this episode even though Sandy Rivers is getting a bit boring (but he did have a few nice lines this time).
Hey, is it just me or lately they have been splitting the group a lot? This time Robin didn’t have a single scene with the other regulars. Same for Marshall (except for the Lily bit).
Why on earth did not spend new year’s eve together??
Is this to prove that they are slowly and inevitably drifting apart or (less poetically) might this be due to Cobin and Jason’s other committments outside of HIMYM and conflicting schedules???
Craig | Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 09:38 am GMT -4
“Did I miss something, now that they are in the burbs, what happened to LAME’s apartment in Dowistrepia?”
When they were deciding whether to move out to the burbs or not, they asked for a sign and immediately a man knocked on their door and asked them if the for sale sign was for their unit because he wanted to buy the one next to his and make it bigger and he was going to pay a lot of money for it.
HK | Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 02:11 pm GMT -4
I was hoping we’d see closure with Lily and Marshal’s old apartment. A few episodes back one of their neighbors was interested in buying it and it looks like that went through? It would have been nice to see them wrap that up.
Another great episode. The only thing that bugs me is Kevin. How is Barney able to be around him after what happened with Robin? I think Kevin has a secret and hopefully it comes out soon…
For all the daddy-issues that come up, what about Mom issues? I find it interesting that we’ve never met Robin’s Mom. She only comes up when Robin mentions how she’s been sick or talks too much on the phone. I can’t help but think she may play an important role later on.
Honka Honka | Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 02:23 pm GMT -4
@HK I believe that the next episode is when LAME “officially” move out to the suburbs. I could be wrong on that, but I believe that is what I read.
HK | Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 05:57 pm GMT -4
You’re right! It looks like that’s the next new HIMYM which isn’t for two weeks. Damn!
Matthew | Thursday, January 5th, 2012 12:50 am GMT -4
What! 2 weeks? That is a long time away!
Jess | Thursday, January 5th, 2012 12:52 am GMT -4
I HATE HATE HATE the LAME move to the ‘burbs storyline. I really thought that they’d be a great example of raising cool city kids. Instead, they’re showing the rest of America that you have to move to the ‘burbs when you have kids. Boo. I really don’t think that Lily would have given in that easily.
Ranelle | Thursday, January 5th, 2012 02:38 am GMT -4
I completely agree, Jess. I HATE that LAME isn’t in NYC anymore
bons | Thursday, January 5th, 2012 03:31 am GMT -4
why was robin drinking in her opening scene? isn’t she pregnant?!?!
Matthew | Thursday, January 5th, 2012 04:23 am GMT -4
Bons: No she is not. That was what the previous episode was about.
In regards to the LAME storyline of moving to the suburbs, I see this as natural progression for both characters.. maybe more Marshall. It was always going to happen. While it makes it harder to put the group all together, I think its nice that the characters arnt stuck in some timeloop with everything just resets.
Solo4114 | Thursday, January 5th, 2012 01:11 pm GMT -4
I thought this was a generally good episode but lacked a bit.
The Puzzles thing, I thought, slowed down the action, but I guess they needed SOMETHING to do with Ted and Barney (and Kevin).
The LAME story was terrific, as was the main Marshall story. Excellent stuff there.
The Robin thing, though, that threw me.
Ok, first, Kevin’s back? I mean I know we never really “officially” got rid of him, but…she’s still with him after all the pregnancy stuff and the fact that they STILL hadn’t slept together? Or did they? I couldn’t really tell what was up there. Kevin’s thing about making a sex tape was funny, but also came across as lame — especially if he hasn’t slept with Robin. Seriously, dude, give it up.
I thought, while watching the episode, that it seemed like the writers had written this episode way in advance, and without regard to what had come before it. After all, Kevin was there, Robin seemed mostly fine rather than deeply depressed, and the tone of it all seemed to ignore what had come before. The only acknowledgment we got of the previous episode was that Robin had had to “change her expectations” (or something along those lines) as part of the whole “My year has been bad, so let’s welcome the new year in” thing.
To me, that just says that the episode was written out of order, and they later adjusted the script to reference things obliquely rather than to come out and deal with what had happened. I expect another episode or two down the road, we’ll get the real fallout from Robin’s revelation, and perhaps Barney’s reaction thereto.
I’m also baffled at how they’re gonna get rid of Kevin at this point. It’s clear they want to keep using him, but it’s also clear that they’re using him as an “outsider” to the group. So, not sure what’ll happen there.
Finally, I really hope that they GET BACK TO TED, DAMMIT. I mean, I appreciate the stories that build things for everyone else in the gang…but wasn’t this, at one point waaaaaaay far in the past, Ted’s story? Ted’s character is still funny and entertaining, but it feels like they’re treading water with him or only giving him the occasional throwaway episode like Slutty Pumpkin or the one with the “deep Googling” gag. Nothing meaningful has happened to him in ages. This is not to say that the other episodes aren’t good and important. As I said, I love watching the development of these characters, but what the hell does this stuff have to do with Ted meeting the Mother? Let’s get back to that, and FAST. We’re now halfway through the season and we’ve spent only a handful of episodes dealing with TED’S journey. It’s time to start tying together the threads of the season in terms of how the developments in the rest of the gang’s lives affect Ted.
apsutter | Thursday, January 5th, 2012 07:33 pm GMT -4
For all you guys concerned about them not showing what happened with Lily and Marshall’s apartment, I read on TV Guide that the January 16th episode is going to be about them finally moving and the gang saying goodbye to their lives together in Manhattan. It’ll probably be another tear-jerker….damn you HIMYM, keep making me sad!
Honka Honka | Friday, January 6th, 2012 01:12 am GMT -4
5 Pictures from the next HIMYM episode, “46 Minutes”.
http://www.spoilersguide.com/how-i-met-your-mother/season-7-episode-15-46-minutes-photos/?pid=10167
Don’t worry, they are just pictures, no spoilers!
Stu | Friday, January 6th, 2012 06:04 am GMT -4
i remember the tallest brother also having a baby who was like 3 months old but already huge, like a one year old…
also in the first seasons, lily was just as into Nessie & stuff (remember cockamouse?!) than Marhall is. sure it’s sort of Lily kind of thing to do, to pretend she believes all that stuff, just cause Marshall does, but still it felt weird for me that Lily was suddenly against rasing their kid a believer…
Jeff Wilkins | Friday, January 6th, 2012 04:39 pm GMT -4
Some one may have already posted this, but I am too lazy to review everyone’s thoughts
I think the apartment in NYC was purchased by the upstairs neighbor who wanted to expand. At least that is what they led you to believe in that episode where Lilly and Marshall are looking for signs to move to the “country.”
Bill Street | Monday, January 9th, 2012 12:13 am GMT -4
To the poster above, I think you’re right about how odd that Robin and for the most part Jason didn’t interact with the other regulars. Like you said, both Cobie and Jason especially have been busy with big screen work lately, so that is probably the reason their roles were written apart from the others.
Jenn- GCWOK Approved | Monday, January 9th, 2012 01:25 pm GMT -4
GUYS! GUYS! I am watching Season 1 Episode 10 The Pinneaple Incident and when Ted gets wasted and gets out of bed and goes back into the bar, he yells, “I’M BACK, BABYDOLL!!” Oh, no! Haha!
Also I sincerely hope in the HIMYM finale, they have some kind of flashback for Barney or Marshall and show Ted in the background aquiring the pinneapple. That would be awesome.
Jenn- GCWOK Approved | Monday, January 9th, 2012 01:31 pm GMT -4
He just yelled it again, Babydoll.
Lima | Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 07:03 pm GMT -4
This was the WORST. EPISODE. EVER.
It was soooo awkward. The jokes were not funny and they were all misplaced. The pacing was weird. It felt like they decided to put new writers on the show for an entire week. Am I the only one who felt that way?
Also, random, but I just met Josh Radnor at the bank today. Yes, I squealed like a fangirl.
dolf | Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 12:40 am GMT -4
@TheSoxPride
Ted has obviously not forgotten that he saw Barney and the flowers. Have you forgotten who it is that is telling the story we see?
@whom it may concern
is it only me or was the thing in Enigmas of the Mysteries with two identical sandwiches in different parts of the country a reference to Stephen King’s Dolores Claiborne and Gerald’s Game. (For those who aren’t King aficionados, both books are about a woman killing her husband, two independent killings, and the stories are independent, apart from that the stories are linked by a solar eclipse that in some obscure, only hinted, way is central to both incidents, and in Gerald’s Game there is an oblique reference to something (i.e. the Dolores Claiborne incident) occurring simultaneously.) I immediately associated to King’s stories, but I can’t for my life figure out if it was just my personal cognition or if the sandwich line actually was written was written with that in mind.
TheSoxPride | Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 05:01 am GMT -4
@dolf
Although unlikely, Ted might have forgotten about it but years later, as he knew the real story behind it, realized and interpreted what he had seen accurately. He was pretty baked so I doubt he would be able to tell what barney was doing when he was sitting in the wrong booth without realizing it just minutes earlier.
Still I am disappointed that Barney and Ted havent talked about this yet
Honka Honka | Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 12:47 pm GMT -4
I’m disappointed in the lack of comments on this post! 25?? (now 26 with this one)
I have some SPOILERS for episode 15 (title: The Drunk Train), which starts off February sweeps. Check out the link below if you want to!
http://barneyrobin.livejournal.com/727031.html
dolf | Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 01:33 pm GMT -4
@Soxpride
I would say it is highly unlikely. I can’t think of any case where something forgotten, especially when forgotten in the haze of drugs, becomes remembered later. Things might be forgotten momentarily and later surface, but that is what I can see more a matter of other things making demands on ones attention. And Teddy seeing Barney is with the flowers is a highly significant one which hardly would be forgotten when fresh.
What might occur in a situation like that, is that a person, due to intoxication or drugs, forgets the thin but then get to know about it from another source. But in this case, there is no other source that could enlighten Ted in the matter, is there?
What might have occurred though, is simply that Ted forgot to tell the children about confronting Barney about it, because he got side tracked, or that he simply has postponed telling it and it will come up. And … then there’s also the alternative that he decided, for one reason or another, to keep the moment a secret, albeit in that case it’s a bit strange that he doesn’t mention that decision to the kids. And why did he in that case bring it up at all?
Honka Honka | Thursday, January 12th, 2012 12:10 am GMT -4
Neil Patrick Harris wins People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy Actor and How I Met Your Mother wins People’s Choice Award for Favorite Network Comedy!
Bear | Thursday, January 12th, 2012 12:46 pm GMT -4
@ Honka Honka
Yeah! awesome that Neil and HIMYM won !
Dandy Andy Pandy | Thursday, January 12th, 2012 06:01 pm GMT -4
I reckon this episode sucked compared to all the others…to me this just doesn’t fit in with the last few episodes. There has been a lot of pain and hurt that NEEDS to be confronted, not just swept under the rug!
Honka Honka | Saturday, January 14th, 2012 01:08 pm GMT -4
Preview and Sneak Peek for Episode 14: 46 Minutes
http://barneyrobin.livejournal.com/729997.html#cutid1
Honka Honka | Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 12:19 am GMT -4
I think the latest episode is another indicator that we will start to see Ted, Barney and Robin figure out that it is weird for all three of them to hang out. Now it’s just Ted, Barney, their ex-gf and her current bf…that is weird and awkward for sure!
Funny episode overall though!
Olive Theory | Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 12:55 pm GMT -4
I laughed out loud a lot on this episode. It is weird that they are growing apart a little sad, but that’s how life goes. I’m not as close to my closest friends as I was at one time.
Jordan | Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 08:54 pm GMT -4
Review is done, undergoing quality check. Should be up soon.
Sabrina | Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 06:39 am GMT -4
Thank you! Finally someone else who thinks as I do about New Year’s Day. I don’t get all the fuss about a new year starting with a “fresh new start” – like you said, why can’t you decide for yourself when you wanna change??
Jamie | Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 11:48 am GMT -4
Ok, first I saw many people addressed the apartment issue, that it had been purchased. I would think, given the gravity of that “mistake” (as Ted references it as one of the stupidest things Marshall ever said, …), that it was a good thing for them. Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if they still find a way to live back in the city somewhat as well. I also dislike that they have moved, as Yes, I agree, I wouldn’t think Lily would leave NYC that easily.
Second, to EVERYONE complaining about the Lack of TED in the story
HIMYM, like many shows, does a great job of focusing on characters separate stories, much like we all have in our own lives, and how they interrelate to the group to tie things together. Yes, Ted is telling the story, but several references show us that what happens with Barney, and Most Likely Robin, is essential to the story of How Ted Meets the Mother. For example,
Starting from the VERY 1st episode: That, kids, is the true story of How I met your Aunt Robin… etc, etc,… “its all important, a part of the story, but its a long story…”
As in: If i hadn’t met your aunt Robin, if she hadn’t broken my heart, causing me to be a jerk at the club on St. Patty’s Day – going back for my phone and finding the Yellow umbrella, which I later left at your mother’s apart accidentally returning it to her….
If she hadn’t somehow tamed Barney, they never would have gotten married (or perhaps he wouldn’t have been able to marry Nora, for those believers) and I wouldn’t have met your mother at Barney’s wedding….
*TED HAS said he met the mother at the wedding pictured in the beginning and end of Season 6 – Barney’s wedding!
Thus, the Barney (and Robin story) is most likely exactly how we are getting to the Pivotal Meeting Point. THIS IS THE ENTIRE REASON THE SHOW STARTED SO MANY YEARS AGO WHEN HE MET ROBIN! ITS ESSENTIAL TO THE MEETING POINT!
Additionally, they have shown Ted dealing with all the ghosts of his past, the hangups that could keep him from moving on :
* His mommy /divorce, can love last?issues with wedding to Clint
* His perfect memory and hope for the slutty pumpkin
* His guilt over cheating on the woman who gave him the perfect love and relationship, Victoria
* Watching the perfect girl-next-door maggie go to her true love
@TheSoxPride and @dolf * His quiet support (he KNOWS Barney doesn’t like to talk about his feelings) of his friend, Barney, being forever changed by the initial woman he loved, Robin, and his acceptance that they will only ever be good friends
So maybe he’s not about to get engaged to the next girl who removes a butterfly tattoo off of his back to move forward, but he is gradually releasing emotional hangups that could prevent true happiness in the background, even by somewhat letting go of LAME
Thanks for reading my thoughts!
Sam | Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 04:19 pm GMT -4
The book series Enigmas of the Mystical that Marshall plans to read to his child is a parody of the Time-Life Books Mysteries of the Unknown series, with similar TV commercials and title fonts.
Copied from Wikipedia.