How I Met Your Mother: Happily Ever After

(S04E06) This was an odd episode. Sure, it gave us some closure on the Stella storyline and also gave us a lot of insight on why Robin acts like an alpha male even as she rocks the hell out of a cocktail dress. There were some genuinely funny moments. But, oddly enough, all of it was wrapped in a sitcommy device that just didn't seem to justify the flashback-fest we got. Maybe spending half an episode under a restaurant table just doesn't foster the funny. Or maybe it's because I've seen the gag a hundred times before. Either way, it killed whatever comedic and emotional momentum this episode was trying to build towards yet another reset in Ted's love life.

In an article in USA Today, the cast and crew discussed the "when are we going to meet the mother already?" issue. Bays and Thomas have always maintained that we'll be introduced to the mother at some point, but what we don't know is if that's going to be the last episode or she becomes part of the Scooby gang along the way. Either way, they all said that the story of these twenty-somethings living in New York should be enough to carry us through the mystery. I just wonder at times if Ted's pursuit chokes the life out of the show and the great chemistry among the five leads.

This episode was a good example. We knew that Ted's denial over Stella leaving him at the altar would boil over in one form or another; his way was to avoid her at all costs and push down the pain like a good Ohioan should. But when the whole gang ducked under the table to avoid her at that tapas place, I just hoped they wouldn't be down there very long. But the longer they were down there, the less I liked it... I mean, wouldn't Stella have seen the be-suited pant legs of Barney sticking out from under the table? Wouldn't anyone notice the waiter ducking under the table to deliver Ted's almonds? It just seems too odd to be believable.

Anyway, now we're back at square one with Ted's search. And it just feels like it's getting in the way. I want to know more about Lily and Marshall's apartment, Barney's love for Robin and more about his awesomeness, and now I want to know more about Robin and her father. Ted's story is the most boring out of all of them, and I think we need a break from it for awhile.

Of all the stories of people the gang wanted to avoid, the most touching and funny was obviously that of Robin and her father. It all makes sense now: Robin had a wealthy, domineering father who wanted a boy, who just happened to look and sound like Victor on The Young and the Restless. Good casting move with Eric Braeden... they even used soapy music and overacting in the scene where he discovers -- gasp! -- R.J. is a girl... who like boys. I hope we see them reunite sometime down the line.

More fun stuff:

• Funny little things for Barney this week: his conjugal visits, his continual railing against marriage, his journey under the table next to the gang's. But the Best Barneyismthis week is subtle: The "that's hot" he gives Robin after her hockey kiss story, while everyone else is saying "that's sad."
• The cab portion of the episode was better, especially Marhshall's rage leading to Ted's genuine anger about the dumping. I'd have rather seen Ted assert himself with Stella rather than see him see her happy family and just "let it go." For once I want to see him show real anger and emotion; he's usually more peeved than angry, and it gets annoying.
• Lily was a goth in 9th grade! And a cruel one at that; just ask Gasser... I mean Michael.
• Did Marshall talk about someone he wanted to avoid? I didn't notice one from him.
• Robin's Canadianisms continue to tickle me. The Blue Line-Red Line analogy was good: "'In the crease' speaks for itself." Oh, I also liked when she said her relationship "went north" after the kissing incident.
• What cab has a window crank these days?