HIMYM Review: Season 1 Episode 2: Purple Giraffe

Summary
A week after his date with Robin, Ted has decided to move on and not call her. As soon as he's made this decision he runs into Robin having a drink with Lily and immediately changes his mind. Lily reveals that Robin told her in confidence that she was interested in Ted, but just wanted to keep things "casual." Ted decides to play along, and instead of asking her out, he invites her to a party he's "casually" decided to throw...just for her. Robin fails to show up, so Ted decides to turn the party into a "two-day-party" only for her to not show up again, and him to make it a "three day party". Meanwhile Marshall struggles to write a 25 page paper, while Lily insists on having sex with him constantly. Stress out Marshall yells at Ted during the third party, revealing what Ted's been doing to Robin who has finally shown up. Ted tries to backpedal by introducing Robin to another guy named Carlos, but eventually confesses that he threw the parties just for her. The two share a passionate kiss, but realize that a relationship won't work because Robin just wants it to be "casual" while Ted can never be casual.

Theories
Robin mentions that she will help Ted meet the right woman, which I suspect she ultimately will in one way or another.

Notes
A classic episode, and "casual" becomes one of my favorite words after this episode. It also shows that the first season has the major theme of Robin becoming one of the gang, which is espescially obvious in the early episodes of the season. The title Purple Giraffe also is a great metaphor, as in the episode Robin is covering a news story where a kid got stuck in a machine trying to get the toy. This is a theme of the series as Ted is tired of "playing the game" of meeting women and dating and just wants to get his prize (finding his soulmate) but he's going to face hardship along the way, espescially since he's going to be hung up on Robin for quite a while even though it's not meant to be.

Ranking
8.5 out of 10.

List of 10: 10 TV Romances I'm Rooting For

Because this episode had a romantic theme, I've decided this entrie's List of 10 will be Top 10 TV Romances I'm rooting for. To make this list the outcome of the romance must still be up in the air, and the show must be either ongoing or be Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

1. Barney and Robin from HIMYM. (Screw you Ted and Robin fans! Barney and Robin all the way!)
2. Andy and Nancy from Weeds.
3. Foreman and 13 from House.
4. Chase and 13 from House. (Yeah, I'm rooting for both sides.)
5. Jeff and Annie in Community. (Controversial?)
6. Spike and Buffy! (Old yes, but it was never decided, hopefully it will be in the comics.)
7. Erin and Andy from the Office.
8. Angela and Dwight from the Office.
9. Shawn and Juliet from Psych.
10. Oliver and Chloe from Smallville. (I feel like Clark and Lois is already decided which is why it's not on here.)