Obviously, I haven't updated this in many months. I had hoped that I would return, but a few weeks ago, I helped start a new blog with a friend. I am going to repost the Dexter Reviews on that page, and continue the rewatch there. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the How I Met Your Mother content, but I did finish Season 2 on here, so that's something. Perhaps I'll return to it as well at some later date.
For now though if you're interested in reading my articles it will be at:
http://fivedrinksin.blogspot.com/search/label/Episode%20Review
Thank you.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
HIMYM Episode Reviews: Season 2 Episode 22: Something Blue
Summary
Following their wedding, Marshall and Lily try to get some food, but they are unable to get anything except the strawberries that come in their champagne. Lily gets drunk, and the two leave in their limo driven by Ranjit. They stop at a fast food restaurant for burgers, and when Lily throws up, the guy at the register calls Lily Marshall's wife for the first time.
Meanwhile Ted and Robin tell Barney the story of their one year anniversary. They went to the restaurant where Ted stole the Blue French Horn. A glass of champagne with an engagement ring is sent to their table by mistake, and Robin reacts poorly. This causes the two of them to argue over where their relationship is heading. They are also aprehended by the the restaurant owners, and have to return the Blue French Horn. The two sleep together after deciding they want to move to Argentina and have children. They then remember how their plan to move in together failed, and realize they don't really want the same things. They break up.
In the present Ted and Barney get back together as Bros.
Notes
This is the Season 2 Finale, and like the Season 1 Finale it has both a break up, and a new relationship. In this case, Ted and Robin break up, while Ted and Barney begin their new bro-relationship. This breakup actually happened two during the episode Showdown, but we are only informed of the backstory of the marinara sauce on their clothes now. This episode also mentions that Robin would eventually live in Morocco, Greace, Russia, and even spend a short time in Tokyo. This short time is seen in Season 4 Episode 5: Shelter Island.
Review
A heart wrenching episode. Its in this episode, when they finally realize that they can't be together that I'm actually most supportive of the Ted/Robin relationship. But the breakup made sense, the two wanted different things. And I like that it didn't involve some sort of horrible fight that would end their friendship. I also love seeing Drunk Lily. She's always funny. Most importantly, I love that Barney and Ted are back together. And the cliffhanger after legend wait for it....
Ranking
9.5 out of 10
...is awesome
Following their wedding, Marshall and Lily try to get some food, but they are unable to get anything except the strawberries that come in their champagne. Lily gets drunk, and the two leave in their limo driven by Ranjit. They stop at a fast food restaurant for burgers, and when Lily throws up, the guy at the register calls Lily Marshall's wife for the first time.
Meanwhile Ted and Robin tell Barney the story of their one year anniversary. They went to the restaurant where Ted stole the Blue French Horn. A glass of champagne with an engagement ring is sent to their table by mistake, and Robin reacts poorly. This causes the two of them to argue over where their relationship is heading. They are also aprehended by the the restaurant owners, and have to return the Blue French Horn. The two sleep together after deciding they want to move to Argentina and have children. They then remember how their plan to move in together failed, and realize they don't really want the same things. They break up.
In the present Ted and Barney get back together as Bros.
Notes
This is the Season 2 Finale, and like the Season 1 Finale it has both a break up, and a new relationship. In this case, Ted and Robin break up, while Ted and Barney begin their new bro-relationship. This breakup actually happened two during the episode Showdown, but we are only informed of the backstory of the marinara sauce on their clothes now. This episode also mentions that Robin would eventually live in Morocco, Greace, Russia, and even spend a short time in Tokyo. This short time is seen in Season 4 Episode 5: Shelter Island.
Review
A heart wrenching episode. Its in this episode, when they finally realize that they can't be together that I'm actually most supportive of the Ted/Robin relationship. But the breakup made sense, the two wanted different things. And I like that it didn't involve some sort of horrible fight that would end their friendship. I also love seeing Drunk Lily. She's always funny. Most importantly, I love that Barney and Ted are back together. And the cliffhanger after legend wait for it....
Ranking
9.5 out of 10
...is awesome
Season Comparison: Season 1 vs. Season 2: "Come On!" vs. "Something Blue"
These two episodes both have that same bittersweet feeling that leaves everyone wanting more. I've said previously that I think the first four seasons of HIMYM keep getting better and better, but I'm not sure the same thing can be said for the season finales. I loved Something Blue. Even though I'm not a Ted/Robin fan, I've shed tears for them. Its heartbreaking to see two such awesome characters break up, even though I know its right. Most of the time I would go with the sad episode over the happy episode, because I kind of prefer tragedy or bittersweet endings to mere happy endings. But I still prefer the awesome way Ted and Robin got together. Ted making it rain is so iconic to the whole show. His romantic optimism is what makes me love him as a character. And the Marshall/Lily breakup provided that bittersweet feeling that I love so much. The Season 1 finale was a perfect episode of television, and it simply can't be beat. And it also gets a bonus point.
Winner: Season 1 Episode 22: Come On!
Scoreboard
Season 1: 11
Season 2: 13
Saturday, November 20, 2010
HIMYM Episode Review: Season 2 Episode 21: Something Borrowed
Summary
Its finally the day of the big wedding, and everything goes horribly wrong. Marshall's hair ends up getting frosted, and he attempts to fix it by shaving his head. He leaves to get some air where he runs into Lily who is smoking, because nothing is the way she wanted and her ex-boyfriend Scooter has come to the wedding to ruin it. Ted finally suggests the two get married outside, with Barney officiating. Lily gets a hat for Marshall to wear, and a guy plays an acoustic guitar.
Notes
We get the story behind Marshall wearing a hat, ascene we saw earlier in the Showdown episode. This episode also seems to rip off Friends by having Barney officiate the wedding, just like Joey did, but I guess we have to forgive it from stealing from one of the other great sitcoms.
Review
Very funny. I love how the wedding falls apart, only to become the small intimate ceremony Lily and Marshall always wanted. I really don't have much to say about this episode. It was nice to see these two finally tie the knot. We've been waiting for this episode since the pilot. At the same time it kind of ends the dramatic tension of whether these two actually will end up together. Still it was delightful to see, and wonderful to see Barney get all choked up about it.
Ranking
9 out of 10.
Its finally the day of the big wedding, and everything goes horribly wrong. Marshall's hair ends up getting frosted, and he attempts to fix it by shaving his head. He leaves to get some air where he runs into Lily who is smoking, because nothing is the way she wanted and her ex-boyfriend Scooter has come to the wedding to ruin it. Ted finally suggests the two get married outside, with Barney officiating. Lily gets a hat for Marshall to wear, and a guy plays an acoustic guitar.
Notes
We get the story behind Marshall wearing a hat, ascene we saw earlier in the Showdown episode. This episode also seems to rip off Friends by having Barney officiate the wedding, just like Joey did, but I guess we have to forgive it from stealing from one of the other great sitcoms.
Review
Very funny. I love how the wedding falls apart, only to become the small intimate ceremony Lily and Marshall always wanted. I really don't have much to say about this episode. It was nice to see these two finally tie the knot. We've been waiting for this episode since the pilot. At the same time it kind of ends the dramatic tension of whether these two actually will end up together. Still it was delightful to see, and wonderful to see Barney get all choked up about it.
Ranking
9 out of 10.
Season Comparison: Season 1 vs. Season 2: "Milk" vs. "Something Borrowed"
Well, I enjoyed Milk. This judgement is not meant to disparage Milk. But come on. Something Borrowed has Lily and Marshall finally get married. Too big an event, and it was done too well for me to not give it the win.
Winner: Season 2 Episode 21
Scoreboard
Season 1: 9
Season 2: 13
Friday, November 19, 2010
HIMYM Episode Reviews: Season 2 Episode 20: Showdown
Summary
The gang makes fun of the Marshall and Lily for being co-dependant, so the two decide to spend a week sleeping apart. Ted tries to work on a Best Man speech, but Marshall rejects all his ideas for not being appropriate. Meanwhile Lily has lost weight, and is too skinny for her wedding dress. Robin tries to get her to eat and put back on the weight
Ted ends up finding the perfect topic for his Best Man speech when he finds out that Marshall has been sneaking out to see Lily, and the two ate enough so she gained the weight.
Meanwhile Barney goes on the Price is Right, and tells the gang that he believes that Bob Barker is his father. He goes on and wins a ton of prizes for Marshall and Lily, but he ends up not telling Bob that he thinks they're related.
Notes
This begins the short Final Phase of Season 2. Ted and Robin break up in this episode, although we don't see it. Instead we simply see them enter the apartment covered in marinara sauce. They decide to hold out on talking about their breakup until after Marshall and Lily get married. We're also introduced to Barney's suspiscion that Bob Barker is his father, although its clear at the end of the episode that he secretly knows the truth. This humorous plot will open up to a much larger plot of Barney finding out who his real father is much later in the series. Finally we get a flashforward into the wedding from the next episode, showing that Marshall will be wearing a hat during the wedding for a reason that will be explained later.
Review
A very gimicky episode, with Barney going on the Price is Right. Yet they tied the gimmick in with an important aspect to Barney's character, the fact that he doesn't know who his real father is. I also like that Ted and Robin are secretly broken up, although obviously I didn't know they were at this point the first time I watched the episode. Lily having to eat is kind of funny, and I find it adorable to see how codependent Marshall and Lily are on each other. They're such a cute couple. Also, its hilarious to me that Barney gave most of his prizes to Lily and Marshall. He really is a good friend, at least at times, and its wonderful to see him doing something nice for a change.
Ranking
8.5 out of 10.
The gang makes fun of the Marshall and Lily for being co-dependant, so the two decide to spend a week sleeping apart. Ted tries to work on a Best Man speech, but Marshall rejects all his ideas for not being appropriate. Meanwhile Lily has lost weight, and is too skinny for her wedding dress. Robin tries to get her to eat and put back on the weight
Ted ends up finding the perfect topic for his Best Man speech when he finds out that Marshall has been sneaking out to see Lily, and the two ate enough so she gained the weight.
Meanwhile Barney goes on the Price is Right, and tells the gang that he believes that Bob Barker is his father. He goes on and wins a ton of prizes for Marshall and Lily, but he ends up not telling Bob that he thinks they're related.
Notes
This begins the short Final Phase of Season 2. Ted and Robin break up in this episode, although we don't see it. Instead we simply see them enter the apartment covered in marinara sauce. They decide to hold out on talking about their breakup until after Marshall and Lily get married. We're also introduced to Barney's suspiscion that Bob Barker is his father, although its clear at the end of the episode that he secretly knows the truth. This humorous plot will open up to a much larger plot of Barney finding out who his real father is much later in the series. Finally we get a flashforward into the wedding from the next episode, showing that Marshall will be wearing a hat during the wedding for a reason that will be explained later.
Review
A very gimicky episode, with Barney going on the Price is Right. Yet they tied the gimmick in with an important aspect to Barney's character, the fact that he doesn't know who his real father is. I also like that Ted and Robin are secretly broken up, although obviously I didn't know they were at this point the first time I watched the episode. Lily having to eat is kind of funny, and I find it adorable to see how codependent Marshall and Lily are on each other. They're such a cute couple. Also, its hilarious to me that Barney gave most of his prizes to Lily and Marshall. He really is a good friend, at least at times, and its wonderful to see him doing something nice for a change.
Ranking
8.5 out of 10.
Season Comparison: Season 1 vs. Season 2: "Mary the Paralegal" vs. "Showdown"
How to judge this one? I'm writing this quite some time after my initial experience of watching these episodes, so its hard to really quantitavely judge the level of enjoyment I got out of these two episodes. I do remember thinking that Barney's believe that Bob Barker was his father was pretty funny, and Ted's possible Best Man speeches always make laugh. However, Mary the Paralegal had the first ever telepathic conversation on the show. And it had Ted telling a paralegal that she was a hooker. And it had Alexis Denisof. And it had Buffy references. Yeah, it had a lot of stuff. I think that quantity alone means I have to go with Mary. Barney would definitely agree! Haha, that's a reference to a future episode. I don't really know why I'm making it here.
Winner: Season 1 Episode 20: Marry the Paralegal
Scoreboard
Season 1: 9
Season 2: 12
Thursday, November 18, 2010
HIMYM Episode Reviews: Season 2 Episode 19: Bachelor Party
Summary
The gang prepares for Marshall's bachelor party and Lily's wedding shower. Although Ted has planned a fun night for the bachelor party, Barney hijacks the event by hiring a stripper, and then getting them kicked out of their hotel.
Robin meanwhile gives Lily a gag gift, of a dildo. However, Lily's party guests are older women and children, so it ends up being really awkward, although everyone ends up laughing.
Marshall considers de-inviting Barney to the wedding, when Lily reveals that Barney was actually the one who bought her a plane ticket to return to New York, and that he had been stealing women from Marshall so the two would end up getting back together. Marshall decides to make Barney his co-Best Man with Ted.
Notes
Barney going to San Francisco must have taken place during the first episode of the season. He also references stealing girls from Marshall, which he did in the second episode of the season. Brad and Stewart also show up in this episode, as Marshall's other male friends. In this episode, Barney is also made co-best man with Ted. A lot of people compare HIMYM to Friends, and I feel like the whole Ted vs. Barney for best man plot is kind of a ripoff of the way Friends handled it.
Review
A funny episode showing the two sides of the pre-Wedding celebration. I like that Marshall parties with friends, while Lily parties with old women family members mostly. The dildo joke was pretty funny, although quite a bit more risque then usual. HIMYM definitely has a dirty side to it. I think my favorite part of the episode actually was Lily revealing that Barney went to San Francisco and buying her a ticket back home. Barney's character is kind of always in danger of becoming unlikeable, and I feel its gestures like this that prevent Barney from seeming completely irredeemable.
Ranking
8 out of 10
Season Comparison: Season 1 vs. Season 2: "Best Prom Ever" vs. "Bachelor Party"
I'm not really sure about this one. I don't think there's nescessarily a right answer. Both episodes were good, although not incredible. I think Best Prom Ever was interesting because it really examine Lily and her feeling insecure about getting married. Here, the focus is actually on Barney. The Gang asks a question, that anyone hanging out with Barney will often ask themselves. Why am I friends with this guy? The writers do a good job of showing why The Gang asks this question, Barney does some awful things. But what's even better is that they always make sure that The Gang is able to answer the question. Barney is their friend, and although he is insecure and puts up a front of pure evil, deep down he has a good heart.
Winner: Season 2 Episode 19: Bachelor Party
Scoreboard
Season 1: 8
Season 2: 12
The gang prepares for Marshall's bachelor party and Lily's wedding shower. Although Ted has planned a fun night for the bachelor party, Barney hijacks the event by hiring a stripper, and then getting them kicked out of their hotel.
Robin meanwhile gives Lily a gag gift, of a dildo. However, Lily's party guests are older women and children, so it ends up being really awkward, although everyone ends up laughing.
Marshall considers de-inviting Barney to the wedding, when Lily reveals that Barney was actually the one who bought her a plane ticket to return to New York, and that he had been stealing women from Marshall so the two would end up getting back together. Marshall decides to make Barney his co-Best Man with Ted.
Notes
Barney going to San Francisco must have taken place during the first episode of the season. He also references stealing girls from Marshall, which he did in the second episode of the season. Brad and Stewart also show up in this episode, as Marshall's other male friends. In this episode, Barney is also made co-best man with Ted. A lot of people compare HIMYM to Friends, and I feel like the whole Ted vs. Barney for best man plot is kind of a ripoff of the way Friends handled it.
Review
A funny episode showing the two sides of the pre-Wedding celebration. I like that Marshall parties with friends, while Lily parties with old women family members mostly. The dildo joke was pretty funny, although quite a bit more risque then usual. HIMYM definitely has a dirty side to it. I think my favorite part of the episode actually was Lily revealing that Barney went to San Francisco and buying her a ticket back home. Barney's character is kind of always in danger of becoming unlikeable, and I feel its gestures like this that prevent Barney from seeming completely irredeemable.
Ranking
8 out of 10
Season Comparison: Season 1 vs. Season 2: "Best Prom Ever" vs. "Bachelor Party"
I'm not really sure about this one. I don't think there's nescessarily a right answer. Both episodes were good, although not incredible. I think Best Prom Ever was interesting because it really examine Lily and her feeling insecure about getting married. Here, the focus is actually on Barney. The Gang asks a question, that anyone hanging out with Barney will often ask themselves. Why am I friends with this guy? The writers do a good job of showing why The Gang asks this question, Barney does some awful things. But what's even better is that they always make sure that The Gang is able to answer the question. Barney is their friend, and although he is insecure and puts up a front of pure evil, deep down he has a good heart.
Winner: Season 2 Episode 19: Bachelor Party
Scoreboard
Season 1: 8
Season 2: 12
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
HIMYM Episode Reviews: Season 2 Episode 18: Moving Day
Summary
Ted prepares to move into Robin's apartment, while Barney tries to stop them from advancing their relationship. In the end Barney simply steals a moving truck with all of Ted's stuff. Ted attempts to move his one remaining box into Robin's apartment, but this does not go over well, and when Barney calls to get Ted to come hang out with him in exchange for his truck, Ted eagerly goes to meet him, while Robin enjoys her seemingly last day alone in the apartment.
Ted has fun with Barney, but when Barney points out that Ted isn't ready to move in with Robin, he angrily leaves. He gets back to the apartment, but Robin is clearly uncomfortable with Ted living in her apartment. Ted however realizes that Barney has hid the truck behind the bar, as a place to take women to after picking them up.
Ted gets his truck back, but decides not to move in with Robin. He returns to Lily and Marshall who have had trouble living alone without Ted, and eagerly accept him back.
Notes
Apparently Barney can drive now, as he drives away Ted's truck, to at least the back of the bar. We also get the beginning of the end for Phase two, as Ted and Robin's relationship is unable to progress any further. Barney continues to show how uncomfortable he is with Ted seemingly abandoning him. He acts out and tries to win Ted back, and while this attempt is unsuccesful here, it will set up the season finale when they "Get together" as bros.
Review
I enjoy this episode. Everyone tries to move forward, except for Barney who tries to hold everyone together with him. It's a lot like Intervention, in Season 4. Interestingly this episode ends with Barney basically winning, as none of the characters are able to progress. I like the way that Ted and Robin's relationship ends by simply running out of places to go. They remain together here, but they won't be able to progress with their relationship, and that will spell its inevitable doom. As for Marshall and Lily, their inability to live without Ted is something they will need to get over. I actually feel like the writers were kind of setting up a plot with that, but they never return to the issue. When Marshall and Lily do move out, they seem to have no problems. I'm really spoiling stuff here, but that's what I feel like this episode was, a look to things to come. Of course it was funny, and Barney is loveable as always as he attempts to hold his friends in place with him.
Ranking
8 out of 10.
Season Comparison: Season 1 vs. Season 2: "Nothing Good Happens after 2 Am" vs. "Moving Day"
Again, I think the writers like to line up similar episodes from different seasons at the same time. Here we have Moving Day which is about Ted and Robin unable to advance their relationship. What happened in Nothing Good Happens after 2 Am? Ted and Robin were unable to advance their relationship. The reasons though are very different. In Season One, Ted made a mistake that caused the relationship to stall. Here, there isn't really a mistake made, the two just aren't meant to be with each other. I'd probably go with Nothing Good Happens, if I was judging purely on the Ted/Robin stories, but it's close. I look to the other characters for help, and find that the answer becomes obvious. Barney, Lily, and Marshall all have clear objective in Moving Day. Barney in particular is really funny, and pretty much tips the scales on his own.
Winner: Season 2 Episode 18: Moving Day
Scoreboard
Season 1: 8
Season 2: 11
Ted prepares to move into Robin's apartment, while Barney tries to stop them from advancing their relationship. In the end Barney simply steals a moving truck with all of Ted's stuff. Ted attempts to move his one remaining box into Robin's apartment, but this does not go over well, and when Barney calls to get Ted to come hang out with him in exchange for his truck, Ted eagerly goes to meet him, while Robin enjoys her seemingly last day alone in the apartment.
Ted has fun with Barney, but when Barney points out that Ted isn't ready to move in with Robin, he angrily leaves. He gets back to the apartment, but Robin is clearly uncomfortable with Ted living in her apartment. Ted however realizes that Barney has hid the truck behind the bar, as a place to take women to after picking them up.
Ted gets his truck back, but decides not to move in with Robin. He returns to Lily and Marshall who have had trouble living alone without Ted, and eagerly accept him back.
Notes
Apparently Barney can drive now, as he drives away Ted's truck, to at least the back of the bar. We also get the beginning of the end for Phase two, as Ted and Robin's relationship is unable to progress any further. Barney continues to show how uncomfortable he is with Ted seemingly abandoning him. He acts out and tries to win Ted back, and while this attempt is unsuccesful here, it will set up the season finale when they "Get together" as bros.
Review
I enjoy this episode. Everyone tries to move forward, except for Barney who tries to hold everyone together with him. It's a lot like Intervention, in Season 4. Interestingly this episode ends with Barney basically winning, as none of the characters are able to progress. I like the way that Ted and Robin's relationship ends by simply running out of places to go. They remain together here, but they won't be able to progress with their relationship, and that will spell its inevitable doom. As for Marshall and Lily, their inability to live without Ted is something they will need to get over. I actually feel like the writers were kind of setting up a plot with that, but they never return to the issue. When Marshall and Lily do move out, they seem to have no problems. I'm really spoiling stuff here, but that's what I feel like this episode was, a look to things to come. Of course it was funny, and Barney is loveable as always as he attempts to hold his friends in place with him.
Ranking
8 out of 10.
Season Comparison: Season 1 vs. Season 2: "Nothing Good Happens after 2 Am" vs. "Moving Day"
Again, I think the writers like to line up similar episodes from different seasons at the same time. Here we have Moving Day which is about Ted and Robin unable to advance their relationship. What happened in Nothing Good Happens after 2 Am? Ted and Robin were unable to advance their relationship. The reasons though are very different. In Season One, Ted made a mistake that caused the relationship to stall. Here, there isn't really a mistake made, the two just aren't meant to be with each other. I'd probably go with Nothing Good Happens, if I was judging purely on the Ted/Robin stories, but it's close. I look to the other characters for help, and find that the answer becomes obvious. Barney, Lily, and Marshall all have clear objective in Moving Day. Barney in particular is really funny, and pretty much tips the scales on his own.
Winner: Season 2 Episode 18: Moving Day
Scoreboard
Season 1: 8
Season 2: 11
Monday, November 15, 2010
HIMYM Episode Reviews: Season 2 Episode 17: Arrivederci, Fiero
Summary
On the way to putting 200,000 miles on his Fiero, Marshall's car breaks down. He takes it to the shop to be fixed while everyone retells their favorite stories about the old car. Ted and Marshall became best friends during the 100 K Fiasco, of Fieroasco, where they got snowed in together. Lily and Robin became best friends, when they spilled food in Marshall's car and made it look like a hobo threw up in it. Barney sort of learned to drive in the Fiero.
In the end, Marshall realizes he has to scrap the Fiero, even though it was all he was holding on to as he begins to sell out.
Notes
This is the end of the Fiero in official chronology, however it will appear in flashbacks. We see how Ted and Marshall became best friends, and what solidified Lily and Robin's friendship. We also find out Barney doesn't know how to drive. However, either he later learns how, or this is retconned by the next episode.
Review
I love that this story is told through various flashbacks. I just love seeing past Marshall and Ted. And I love the song that plays throughout. I also like that Barney doesn't know how to drive, and I dislike the fact that they later retconned this. It was a nice little quirk that made sense. And it's always fun to see Barney fail. My favorite part of the whole episode was actually the Robin and Lily part, where they reference Pulp Fiction while cleaning up Marshall's car. Well crafted joke involving the chopsticks replacing the cuban cigars. Well done writers.
Ranking
9 out of 10.
Season Comparison: Season 1 vs. Season 2: "Life Among the Gorrillas" vs. "Arrivederci, Fiero"
Both Marshall episodes. Sometimes I wonder if the writers try to line up the seasons so that at the same number episode the same character is featured, or the same type of character arc is shown. Idle curiosity I guess. Season 1 and Season 2 both are pretty much equal at this point, because by this point Season 1 had found its stride. Life Among the Gorillas was pretty good, and set up a very nice two parter. Fiero on the otherhand breaks up what would seem like a natural two parter in Stuff and Moving Day. I feel like the writers like to throw sort of "filler" episodes in between the bigger arcs. Maybe just to take up time and fill out the season. And maybe to take the opportunity for humor when we're expecting drama. And maybe just to piss us off. However I'm anything but pissed. Fiero was a delightful episode. Kudos to a good Marshall episode, where Barney didn't steal the show. I feel like the writers sometimes rely on Barney too often. The other characters are just as funny when used properly.
Winner
Season 2 Episode 17: Arrivederci Fiero
Scoreboard
Season 1: 8
Season 2: 10
On the way to putting 200,000 miles on his Fiero, Marshall's car breaks down. He takes it to the shop to be fixed while everyone retells their favorite stories about the old car. Ted and Marshall became best friends during the 100 K Fiasco, of Fieroasco, where they got snowed in together. Lily and Robin became best friends, when they spilled food in Marshall's car and made it look like a hobo threw up in it. Barney sort of learned to drive in the Fiero.
In the end, Marshall realizes he has to scrap the Fiero, even though it was all he was holding on to as he begins to sell out.
Notes
This is the end of the Fiero in official chronology, however it will appear in flashbacks. We see how Ted and Marshall became best friends, and what solidified Lily and Robin's friendship. We also find out Barney doesn't know how to drive. However, either he later learns how, or this is retconned by the next episode.
Review
I love that this story is told through various flashbacks. I just love seeing past Marshall and Ted. And I love the song that plays throughout. I also like that Barney doesn't know how to drive, and I dislike the fact that they later retconned this. It was a nice little quirk that made sense. And it's always fun to see Barney fail. My favorite part of the whole episode was actually the Robin and Lily part, where they reference Pulp Fiction while cleaning up Marshall's car. Well crafted joke involving the chopsticks replacing the cuban cigars. Well done writers.
Ranking
9 out of 10.
Season Comparison: Season 1 vs. Season 2: "Life Among the Gorrillas" vs. "Arrivederci, Fiero"
Both Marshall episodes. Sometimes I wonder if the writers try to line up the seasons so that at the same number episode the same character is featured, or the same type of character arc is shown. Idle curiosity I guess. Season 1 and Season 2 both are pretty much equal at this point, because by this point Season 1 had found its stride. Life Among the Gorillas was pretty good, and set up a very nice two parter. Fiero on the otherhand breaks up what would seem like a natural two parter in Stuff and Moving Day. I feel like the writers like to throw sort of "filler" episodes in between the bigger arcs. Maybe just to take up time and fill out the season. And maybe to take the opportunity for humor when we're expecting drama. And maybe just to piss us off. However I'm anything but pissed. Fiero was a delightful episode. Kudos to a good Marshall episode, where Barney didn't steal the show. I feel like the writers sometimes rely on Barney too often. The other characters are just as funny when used properly.
Winner
Season 2 Episode 17: Arrivederci Fiero
Scoreboard
Season 1: 8
Season 2: 10
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