Well, Ted, you were right: things have been weird.
Large numbers of How I Met Your Mother fans have expressed their disappointment with this season thus far. I've been on the same side of the fence a few times, but felt very much alone in my praise of last week's episode. So when it came to "Splitsville," I found myself in unfamiliar territory.
Have my eyes been closed to what this sitcom has really become? Was I oblivious like Robin, who didn't notice how dumb Nick was because she was blinded by his abs? Maybe I've just stuck with this show because it's comfortable, familiar and we've been together for so long it seems silly to break up.
After a lot of pondering, I am confident that the answer to all these questions is a resounding "oh, Hell no!" H.E. double hockey sticks to the N.O.
Marshall and Lily were going through a very real issue among married couples, but it brought out the best in both of them. I love when Marshall steaks out a la "Beercules" - and when Lily's hormones rage she is a sight to behold.
Marshall's speech where he tried to defend Nick to the gang topped an unusually short list of notable How I Met Your Mother quotes from the night, but the delivery was just hilarious. Marshall also nailed it with his intensity toward the Little Ivies Professionals Over 30 Who Work In Midtown League comments. Did you catch the glass of raw eggs he made for himself at one point, something he clearly learned from Rocky Balboa?
Nick's lack of mental aptitude certainly wasn't a surprise to any of us, but I still found the examples of his stupidity - such as the crossword puzzle scene and the gypsy conversation - to be quite funny. Any guy though who would prefer to eat dessert out of a bowl instead of off Robin really is a level of dumb all unto himself. Nick couldn't pour piss out of a boot with the directions written on the heel, but if he came with a mute button I guess I could see the appeal that Robin did. (BTW, loved her in Canucks tee and shorts)
Ted captaining his own basketball team seemed a bit redundant, but I did like how he came to the rescue in the end for Lily and Marshall. Everyone noticed something was wrong, but Ted pressed the issue and got them to open up with the truth. The sentimental moment was kept light and funny, with references like Marshall doing one-arm pushups while dipping his genitals into ice water in college.
Barney coming to Robin's aid was no shocker, but you had to love the added twist of him first threatening her with the Robin and Patrice's BFF Fun Day, forgetting to then turn off the Evite and the resulting photo montage of the two besties on their day out.
We all knew he wasn't faking that affection for Robin, but I loved how they almost kissed. That should be a legendary moment, so I like that they are building up to it.
Was it a great episode? No. Was it average in comedy and entertainment? No. It was just a touch more I thought, hence my 3.5 stars. What did you all think?