'How I Met Your Mother': Ted and Robin become friends... with benefits
If I knew the woman who came up with the concept of "friends with benefits," I'd give her a big hug... if I were her friend I'd do something more. Over on How I Met Your Mother tonight Ted learned all about being "friends with benefits." After his experience, he might feel a tad differently than I do.
Ted's roommate relationship with Robin wasn't going terribly well at the start of the evening. The two were fighting like cats and dogs over the most ridiculous things -- taking out the garbage, putting on a new roll out toilet paper, that sort of nonsense. Robin came up with the reason for their fights, which was something they never experienced when they were dating -- they weren't sleeping together anymore. There was, they half-jokingly figured, just one way to solve the problem. They never actually used the term "friends with benefits," but they definitely started benefiting from one another.
It was actually sort of Barney's idea -- he had this notion about how international conflicts basically boil down to sexual tension ("Mrs. Gorbachev, take down those pants."), Robin and Ted just put the concept into play. When Barney found out about it later (more on how in a minute), he was completely unamused. After all, as all good HIMYM fans know, Barney has a thing for Robin (neither here nor there, but I think we all do).
The idea of Robin sleeping with Ted caused Barney to smash televisions... literally. You see, there were these televisions in the alley behind the bar and every time he heard about Ted and Robin, he'd go out there and smash a TV. He even went to a store to buy new TVs to smash once the ones in the alley ran out (hopefully they were those old junkie analog sets that are going to stop working in about a month). Poor Barney, he would have had a lot easier time of it if Marshall hadn't walked in on the afterglow of Ted and Robin's first copulation this evening.
Why was Marshall there? He needed to "read a magazine," by which he meant sit in the bathroom, read a magazine, and... you know. As Marshall wisely pointed out, you just can't do that sort of thing at work. You go into the bathroom with a magazine at work and everyone knows what you're doing. They all look at you a little funny, and if perchance it's a little odorous, they'll look at you a lot funny after.
By the end of the episode, Marshall had conquered his work "read a magazine" fears, only to learn that Barney had a private commode that Marshall could have used at any point. While it was a very funny plotline, if I delve into it too deeply I'll either end up writing way too much or not focusing on Robin as much as she deserves. So, let me just say that while I'm happy that Marshall conquered his fear, I do think taking a cup of coffee into the bathroom was going a little too far and that if it were I (and it has been in the past), I'd forget the magazine, whip out a smartphone, and do some reading in that way (even if it hurts the magazine industry).
So, back to our main plot. Naturally, Ted and Robin's relationship progressed a little more than either of the two would have liked. The night after they had sex three times because Robin left the pizza box out, they kissed. They did it reflexively. They didn't mean to, but it happened and threw both into a tizzy. Separately they both realized (Ted with the help of Barney) that the friends with benefits thing had to end.
In a quick, completely non-touching (physically anyway) moment, Ted and Robin opted to end all benefits. But, if Seinfeld taught me anything, it's never bet against the backslide. One empty carton of milk later, the two were in the sack.
Eventually, Barney couldn't take it anymore, he went to Ted's, took out the trash, bought them more stamps than anyone could ever need, got them a new dishwasher, and filled the fridge with milk. It took Ted all of two seconds to figure out that Barney was in love with Robin, and being a great guy and a good friend, Ted ended his Robin days for good (for now).
Barney tried to tell Robin all about his feelings (he was inspired by Marshall's deciding he really could "read a magazine" at work). He really did try, he actually said "I love you" to her, but she figured that he was saying what he imagined Ted was thinking. And, right after that, before he could really figure out a way to explain it, she pulled the old "I'm not going to be dating friends anymore, it just messes everything up" bit. D'oh.
Odds and ends:
- Our quote of the evening goes to my good friend Ted Mosby, who said this line upon meeting Barney in the bar -- "Sorry I'm late, I was just jamming on Scherbatsky. She used up all my stamps so, long story short, the postman rang twice." I had no idea "jamming" could mean that. New innuendo here I come!
- What do you think -- Robin said that she's done with having romantic relationships with friends, but is she really? Should Barney abandon all his hopes and dreams? Yes, I understand that those two questions aren't the same, but I'm asking both anyway.
The TV and Film Guy's Reviews - benefitting everyone.
I really enjoyed this episode.
I am still a Barin, a Robney, or however you want to mix it, fan. I think that's an intriguing couple, and since it's been long clear that Robin isn't Mommy dearest, I really wouldn't mind it. It's given surprising depth to the Barney character, depth that makes him awesome in a different way.
I've got to say, I enjoyed this episode - strong first showing to the second half of the season.
I feel like the main plotline was actually best served as propping up the other subplots - Ted and Robin hooking up wasn't all that amazing a story to me, but its effects on Barney, and his and Ted's subsequent responses, were. Also, though I never literally carried a magazine, I definitely sympathize with Marshall - the more privacy, the better. So I can understand the mental hurdle he had to deal with at work.
NPH is a great actor... hilarious opening monologue on SNL. Check it on hulu while you can.
Loved this episode!
The only person who didn't really have much of a story was Lily, although the share bear was pretty funny. You didn't even mention it! And what about the nod to the bracket where it hinted that Barney slept with Madeline Albright?
Marshall - why carry the magazine? Cover it with a file folder, something to not get those stares. An old coworker of mine used to put a post it note saying 'out of order' on the door of the bathroom when he went to read a magazine. Instant privacy. Oh and Marshall is totally responsible for not replacing the toilet paper roll, how come no one figured that out?
Barney made me swoon. Heartbreaking NPH! He is AMAZING! I loved Ted's great reaction, what a true friend. I love the way they are letting this play out. I can't wait to see how they clue Robin in on Barney's feelings. I'm sure it will be legen-dary.
Thank you, CN, for your comment on "the more privacy the better" (when it comes to bathroom time...you made me think of one of my biggest pet peeves, which, while though it truly has nothing to do with "HIMYM," I thought I'd share. In a public bathroom, with a whole aisle of stalls, VERY FEW THINGS bother me more than when someone has to use the stall directly next to mine when there are plenty of other free ones that are located as to give each of us our privacy...My issue is not being bashful in the bathroom or anything like that but come on! Leave some space!
There, I feel much better for having shared that....
And about "HIMYM" - good episode and good heart-tugging acting by NPH...loved when he blurted out his feelings for Robin and she totally misconstrued his meaning....and what a good supportive friend both Ted and Lily are being to Barney - lucky guy.
So if Lily knows about Barney's feelings, how long until Marshall is in on it and Robin is the only one who is clueless?
Meanwhile, I have to ***ume that the writers knew they were chanelling Seinfeld in this episode ("sex...to *save* the friendship"), just as I ***ume Ted's profession is a shout out to Goerge Costanza ("You know I always wanted to pretend to be an architect!"), but when and how are they going to admit to all the Seinfeld homages?
I've been anti-Robin & Barney since they first hooked up, mostly because I thought it would hurt Barney as a character.
Last night's episode has me warming up to the idea, but I don't think I'll ever be fully on board. The main reason I'm becoming OK with the idea is because NPH is making it work, and Barney's character now has more depth.
In the end, I can see Robin & Barney hooking up a few more times but I don't see them together for the long haul.
And you have to give Ted some credit for looking after Barney rather than himself.
Overall, a pretty good episode.
Couple of things:
1. I'd be suprised to see Robin and Barney completely together until closer to the end of the series then nearer because it would be a tough transition for his charachter and the show. He (and maybe Robin) are the devils on Ted's shoulder to Lily and Marshall's angels from the relationship standpoint which is what the show is about.
s - Great insight on Marshall not changing the TP roll, I did not catch that at all but it totally makes sense and wonder if it will come up later (was it tipped off in any way that I missed?).
Finally, having just seen the great Kevin Kline as Cyrano De Bergerac the week before on PBS, this episode definately had elements from that play, particularly Barney's attempt to confess his love being pre-empted by Robin's comment about hooking up with a friend. That was a touching scene.
Best episode ever! The look and nod shared between Ted and Barney at the end of the episode actually had me tearing up. There are alot of people who don't like the idea of Robin and Barney, but after that episode, there is no one that could think it is a bad idea! The whole thing was very well written and acted.
wow, it seems everyone had a different reaction to the ep than I did as I felt it was by far the worst ep the show has ever made.
To me every joke missed its mark and there was no purpose at all to the Marshall storyline. Lily was an afterthought in the ep except in the tease of the ep.
I've always been against Robin and Barney b/c it just feels like they (the producers) feel like they have to have people in the group together and since Robin isn't with Ted (in the end) she has to be with Barney.
What are they gonna do, since the actress who plays Robin is pregnant?
Barney the dad?
Wow, does that sound weird, yet cool.
I'm getting Bob Barker flashbacks!