How I Met Your Mother: The Possimpible
By fred | February 3, 2009
(S04E14) Last episode wasn’t really all that great, and led to some discussion about the continuity of things. For some time now the writers have more than clearly indicated that Barney, the one and only Barney Stinson, was indeed in love. With Robin. This is, in itself, a major development and of course we’re all curious to see where this is going, how it’s going to evolve (or not?), but they even pushed it further.
They did by getting someone else in the know: Ted. And that’s what was so troubling last time, that Ted, the hopeless romantic Ted of all people wouldn’t even acknowledge that he knew this about Barney, and try to do something about it. Both he and Barney behaved pretty much as if it never happened, and that left many of us perplexed.
This week, well this week it was pretty much the same really. Oh yes, sure, Barney was still in love, but somehow Ted knows, and doesn’t care – at all. It seems odd, but I guess that’s how it will be until for some reason writers decide that Ted can’t take it anymore and needs to do or say something…
In the mean time, we got the cheap, predictable and unfunny jokes of seeing Barney getting on his knee when he thinks marrying Robin could help her stay in the country, only to back off when apparently Marshall concludes that it wouldn’t go down fast enough to save her from being sent back to the freezing Hell of Canada. I’m sure it was meant as an acknowledgment of the situation Barney finds himself in, but it really didn’t work for me.
Not just because we’re still supposed to think Marshall doesn’t know – I mean I know he & Lilly share about everything, but haven’t things so far been done as if that was the one secret she kept from her husband ? – but also because it was just a cheap joke that, to me, didn’t fit right at all. Barney would either try to be honest to Robin and tell her how he feels, for real, or he would make a “joke” out of it, propose in a very unserious manner like it didn’t mean anything, but the weird combo of both taking it seriously regarding his feelings (something he’s known for… not) while using it as nothing but an excuse so she can stay here… nope, didn’t work.
Other than that this was a pretty good episode, even though I’m not sure why Robin would get such a letter sent to her workplace (especially if that letter is about how she lost and so needs a new job!), or why she need a job “in her field” ?? What ? Is she not allowed to change her mind or go in another direction with her life ?
Anyways, still some great stuff were there, the main obviously being Barney’s video resume. God that guy’s awesome, so be sure to check his blog for the accompanying letter he sends alongside his video résumé. I have to say, I’m almost disappointed we didn’t get to see the one he actually did for Robin. I don’t know, maybe it was because writers thought it’d be better to let us imagine what it could be, or maybe it’s because he never finished it and/or got her the job a completely different way, who knows. (Besides, I’m sure I’m more curious to see the other footage he has of her…)
As for the others in the group, all the jokes at Marshall’s expense were really good, and I just wish we got to see him actually dance. “I dance more than you know.” Just awesome. And so while Alyson Hannigan’s pregnancy won’t be written into the show, they still managed to find a way to make it work. Makes you wonder what they’ll come up with for Robin/Cobie Smulders’ pregnancy.
Quick note: Lilly didn’t take anything out of her résumé, quite the contrary, but while Ted did, I’m not sure he did take out the right thing. I mean, he didn’t had there “I was Dr. X” but how he was program director, supervising and managing a staff of 44 people. And really, that was probably better than what he left on there, about his experience as a lifeguard managing a staff of four, and none of those relate even a little to being an architect anyways.
Last thing before I let you comment the episode and share your favorite quotes, if you want to know more about Dr. X (but why would you??) check out this website!
Posted in Reviews
Shows: How I Met Your Mother
Actually, a work visa does require that the person remain in the field. Otherwise, they will get deported.