CBS

There are people out there who often claim that How I Met Your Mother isn’t that great and the show is past its prime.  To those people I suggest watching this episode. The Ducky Tie was HIMYM working on all levels. All the characters were utilized well, the story had both heart and Barney doing something incredible (using both meanings of that word: hard-to-believe and awesome.)

Of all the HIMYM characters, the most divisive is always Ted. Some people hate him.  I find his search endearing and a crucial element of the show.  So, when Victoria popped up last week, I couldn’t wait for what would happen next.  Victoria has always been one of the best connections Ted has had on the show.  Their first meeting was so brilliantly romantic and yet believable that it was hard not to feel like their paths were meant to cross again.  Josh Radner and Ashley Williams’ chemistry is obvious and works both in the serious and comedic moments.  Their Klause alliteration was adorable and sweet.  The best thing I can say is that their scenes together make you forget about any inconsistencies and hope that she’s the titular mother.  And though Victoria should be engaged by now, I have a hunch that won’t last and we will see her again this season.  There’s no way Williams is brought back for such a short return.  Not when that relationship is still waiting to be explored on-screen.

While Robin is the only one really listening to Ted’s Victoria story, Barney, Marshall, and Lily are involved in one of the better bets so far.  It’s not a slap bet, though somewhat surprisingly the stakes were even higher.  Barney’s years long quest to see Lily’s boobs finally ended with disappointment and excitement.  Barney was the one disappointed as losing his Hibachi grilling skills bet and missing out on Marshall-approved second base.  Instead, Barney now has to wear the Ducky Tie for one year.  These guys play for keeps.  I can only imagine the rest of this year with Barney wearing the same tie in every episode.  It also adds some fogginess to the timing of the sweeping declaration drunken casino night Barney and Marshall attend at some point.

Aside from Barney’s hashtag jokes (see below,) the elaborate concept concocted by Barney was brilliantly intricate.  From training Marshall to think of Hibachi grilling every time he coughed to actually learning the cooking skills in a six-month course, and getting Marshall to think it was all his idea; you have to give the writers’ credit for creating the elaborate plan.  It’s a great feat to pull of such absurdity without it feeling over-the-top.

And then there’s Victoria’s astute observation that Robin still hangs out with two of her more serious ex-boyfriends on a daily basis.  There’s no indication she has any feelings toward Ted, but she clearly still likes Barney.  We’ll see something happen there soon for sure.

This episode is the one that hold you over when some episodes aren’t as fulfilling.  Let’s hope there are a lot more like it this year.

Barney’s List of Awesome Hashtags:

ROUND 1
#burn
#ducktieslams
#stinsonrocks

ROUND 2
#burn
#yourtieisstillridiculous
#refill

 

Spoonfuls (Thoughts in Smaller Portions):

1. Ted’s had a lot of girlfriends

For a hopeless romantic there sure were a lot of girls that were easy to name off (Stella, Zoe, Karen, The Girl Who Beat Ted Up, The Girl Who Ruined The Picture With Slash, & The Girl Who Made You Get The Dragon Tattoo)

2. Barney’s Rendition of ‘Go Down Moses’ (aka. Let My People Go)

Only Barney can turn a civil rights song into “Let Your Boobies Show” and get away with it.

Who else thinks Victoria will be back? Or is it Robin who’s returning as a love interest for Ted?