Spoilers for the latest episode of "How I Met Your Mother" coming up just as soon as I wave some kids through the waterslide...Those bastards. Those magnificent, clever bastards. Those prestidigitating, misdirecting, clever SOBs.
They knew we'd all be focusing on the sequel to "Let's Go to the Mall" -- and, therefore, the half-sequel to the series' all-time high point, "Slap Bet" -- and they suspected they couldn't live up to expectations. And so just at that moment when everybody in the audience would be saying, "You know, that wasn't as good as the first Robin Sparkles video," they had Robin and Barney make out -- resolving a bit of Unresolved Sexual Tension that's been lingering since way back in season one's "Zip, Zip, Zip." (That's the one where Robin and Barney have a bro's night out of cigars and Laser Tag, and when Barney tries to put the moves on Robin, only to be told she still has feelings for Ted.) If one of the chief rules of spin is to create a new story to take people's minds off the one you don't want them discussing, then Bays and Thomas and company did one hell of a job spinning here.
Now, I should say that "Sandcastles in the Sand" the episode was quite good. Not "Slap Bet" good, but very little in the series comes close to that level. The idea of Revertigo, and seeing it in practice with both Robin (pathetic lovestruck girl with thick Canadian accent) and Lily (homegurrrlll!!), were vintage "HIMYM" (as was the fast-forwarding through all the Canadian insults) and I thought James Van Der Beek was quite good and self-deprecating as Simon. He may have sounded Irish half the time, but he threw himself into the part in a way that went beyond the hair and makeup choices. When he was re-enacting his life-saving gig at the water park with Ted, I didn't for a second see Dawson Leery.
It was really only "Sandcastles in the Sand" the video that was a disappointment. Because Bays and Thomas are part-time musicians, their past song parodies have been wonderful: "The Slapsgiving Song" (with a pained Barney doing the "whoa-oh-oh"s), "Ted Mosby Is a Jerk" and, especially, the original "Let's Go to the Mall," which was hilarious as both song ("I'll rock your body till Canada Day!") and video (the robot!). "Sandcastles in the Sand" was... okay. It totally worked as the sort of overwrought ballad the likes of Tiffany and Debbie Gibson tried in a bid for artistic credibility. It just wasn't very funny, and the cameos by Alan Thicke and Tiffany herself weren't enough to save it.But then, just as I was trying to convince myself that I knew the sequel wouldn't be as good as the original and therefore shouldn't act disappointed, Future Ted kept talking about how Barney and Robin kept watching the video, and Barney and Robin kept moving closer together on the couch, and then they totally made out, and all was right with the world.
In a lot of cases, when a veteran show paired off its two remaining single characters, it would smack of creative desperation, but "HIMYM" has been building to this for a while -- from the bro's night out in season one all the way through the two of them sharing cigars and ice cream last week(*) -- and it makes sense for the characters. They're both control freaks about their living spaces, both commitment-phobic to the extreme, enjoy a good smoke and a good firearm, and they both dig the company of Ted Evelyn Mosby. Add to that the great chemistry between Neil Patrick Harris and Cobie Smulders, and I see this as a terrific coupling, the sort that's going to be completely different from Ted and Robin, or Marshall and Lily, or Ted and The Mother (Stella?), because I expect Robin and Barney will attempt to keep this on a superficial level. That, or I expect them to try and, to their shock and dismay, realize they have something resembling real feelings for each other. Either way, awesome.
((*) Said cigar/ice cream scene had a number of "HIMYM" fans believing that Barney and Robin were already together, in secret, and that we would find out about it at a later date, ala Ted and Robin breaking up several episodes before the other characters, and the audience, found out about it. Guess not.)
What did everybody else think? Does the prospect of Robin and Barney sucking face make up for the shortcomings of the second Robin Sparkles video? Or am I being too tough on our resident Canadian teen pop sensation?
It was a wonderful moment that made up for the disappointing music video, and I applaud the producers/writers for building to this so skillfully. Picture perfect execution!
ReplyDeleteSQUEEEEEE
ReplyDeleteI don't like barney and robin together at all. Ruined an otherwise good episode and I think just killed my interest in the series in general.
ReplyDelete"Sandcastles In The Sand" was just great in that was a successful parody of a really crappy song that didn't even have the sublimely bad cheesiness of "Let's Go To The Mall." It was a bad as that Kate Bush video of "Wuthering Heights" where she's dancing.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for a Barney & Robin match, and they played it beautifully. That scene in the bar with her crying was NPH's moment--you could see the kind and sweet Barney seep through. Emmy time!
it was awesome! You kinda saw it coming, you kinda wish it happened and at the same time you thought it was impossible.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I have to say: I liked the video. It was not as awesome as "Mall" but come on. Building Sandcastles in the Sand? A globe on a beach? It was the best one and a half weeks of my life? Who am I? That's at least smile worthy and is a perfect copy of the voice of a 16yearold pop "star"
But the next episodes going to be curical whether or not BaRob - or RoBar? - was shark jumping or awesome.
The TiVo synopsis strongly hinted at the ending, so when they went back to watch the video, I was expecting the synopsis to be trumped up, and nothing would happen. I was surprised to be proven wrong.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'm happy with this development. Barney and Robin do work well together (note how Robin nearly melted to Barney's charms in "The Bracket"), but I can't imagine things turning out well, which means inevitable conflict and breakup, and possible melodrama.
Whether Barney and Robin get in a relationship or not I can't see the situation getting overly dramatic so I think it should play out entertainingly.
ReplyDeleteI also loved the fact that Robin used the Foreskins' Murder Train for an animal shelter montage. Considering what happens to the dogs that don't get adopted it was unsettlingly fitting.
Has there been any confirmation that the show is going to come back yet? If not then perhaps this is Carter/Bays setting up the eventual tidy conclusion of the pairing off of Marshall/Lilly, Robin/Barney and then Ted/Stella. I actually enjoyed the video and while its not "Let's go to the Mall", HIMYM still is for me at least the funniest show on CBS and a close third to the Office and 30 Rock in terms of current television comedy.
ReplyDeleteI *thought* they'd blown a joke by letting so much hype get out there about the video, and pre-releasing it. So when they go to Robin's apartment it's clear they're going to *not* hook up, but watch the video instead and there's no surprise, no joke. Then they pull the double-switch at the end. Frakin' genius.
ReplyDeleteOf the smaller bits, I especially loved Ted's last Canadian insult - "I'm oot" - and Ted not getting the name of the band being about four guys who played shirtless.
As for Forehead's Canadian accent...it was leaps and bounds better than his Texas accent in Varsity Blues and as bad as his accent was, he nailed that character. Pitch perfect performance.
I thought the accent stuff with Lilly's character was cringe-worthy bad. I was almost embarrassed to be watching it.
ReplyDeleteBut that was a solid pump fake by HIMYM on the Barney-Robin stuff. My radar was up for that, so when she asked him home, I was one of the many who I'm sure bit immediately. Then I let my guard down when it was just the video ... and then the payoff. Well played.
I the Murder Train puppies, and I actually really liked the video...it had me at Vanderbeek on the beach in a leather jacket...and Robin's hair was spot-on. Besides, I thought the whole point was that it was the awful, failed follow-up that showed what a loser Robin was.
ReplyDeleteI think the Robin/Barney pairing will set up some great scenes when the rest find out, especially Ted. And this is the kind of thing HIMYM does twenty times better than Friends ever did.
AWE.SOME.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping Barney and Robin would not become involved, as I think it is bound to compromise Barney's amorality in his pursuit of the next woman, or make Robin a willing accomplice, which reduces the shock value of hearing about Barney's latest exploit. I guess we'll have to wait and see what comes out of it.
ReplyDeleteI thought the video was perfect. Robin Sparkles was a one-hit wonder so "Sandcastles in the Sand" was supposed to be cheesy and awful (not catchy and fun like "Let's Go to the Mall").
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this episode was FANTASTIC. It might be in my top five in the series. I thought everyone was really on top of their game, and the Robin/Barney kiss was hot. Cobie and NPH have really great chemistry.
(Oops, the above anon is me.)
ReplyDeleteNo, nonononononononono No.
ReplyDelete'Zip Zip Zip' is not only one of my favorite season 1 episodes, but probably one of my favorite HIMYM episodes and I would have been fine with Bays and Thomas instead showing Barney's failed attempts to sleep with Robin scattered throughout the series. Similar to how it was done in 'Zip Zip Zip' it could have become a running theme.
But the second it was Barney that showed up in the bar and Pam Fryman went to that close up 2 shot we all knew they were going to hook up, and I couldn't help yelling "NO." I love them together as friends, simply due to the great comedic timing that NPH's and Smoulders have, but I just worry this opens up a lot of conventional plot lines that regardless of how innovative Bays and Thomas try to be regarding them, they're still going to come off as hackneyed and too sitcomey.
I also loved the fact that Robin used the Foreskins' Murder Train for an animal shelter montage. Considering what happens to the dogs that don't get adopted it was unsettlingly fitting.
ReplyDeleteThat had me LMAO.
Yep, they fooled me good because I thought Barney and Robin were already doin' the nasty. I love this show. Please please please let it come back, Les.
I disagree. They've been able to make interesting stories out of both Robin-Ted and Lily-Marshall that never felt hackneyed, so why should we assume the same of Robin-Barney? I'm somewhat interested in what they'll do with the relationship between two cynics.
ReplyDeleteOn a separate note, while I agree that Sandcastles wasn't as catchy or fun as Let's Go to the Mall, that wasn't my main issue. If you think about the Slap Bet episode, as they were watching Robin Sparkles a lot else was going on. Robin and Ted were settling their secrets-sharing fight, and Lily, Marshall, and Barney were settling the slap bet. So while the music video was central and hysterical, it's not all the characters were talking about. Whereas for tonight's episode, while the video was playing the only thing going on was that with each cut they were sitting closer together. Aside from that, it was just Barney pointing out funny aspects of the video. I think it might've worked better if they had combined to some extent Barney's telling Robin she's great with them watching the video, and then them making out.
Whereas for tonight's episode, while the video was playing the only thing going on was that with each cut they were sitting closer together. Aside from that, it was just Barney pointing out funny aspects of the video. I think it might've worked better if they had combined to some extent Barney's telling Robin she's great with them watching the video, and then them making out.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more - I actually felt that the scene was killed more by not allowing the video to speak for itself. The robot callback was funny, but not when it's Barney and Robin so blatantly pointing it out - I would have rather not have them namedrop Thicke/Tiffany in the same way. It was like Barney was summarizing as opposed to responding, and the result was a lacklustre video.
Like others, I am tenuously excited to see where this is going but remain concerned as to its future destination.
IMHO, HIMYM has, finally, nearly elevated itself out of tier-2 sitcom, to tier-1 (along with Seinfeld and Arrested Development). Not that they have done it in a single episode, or even a good string of episodes, but across many seasons that intertwine plots, in-jokes and great character development. With this episode, it is definitely putting itself against 30 Rock and the Office and showing how advanced it is in terms of both plotting (of which it has already demonstrated sublime skill) and characters (which it is finally not just rivaling, but crushing Friends and surpassing the Office).
ReplyDeleteI'm also wondering if the producers are setting up for a possible end. All the main characters are hooked up except Ted who's with Sarah Chalke, who really is the best mother candidate the series has had. It makes me a little nervous because a network would be more likely to cancel a struggling show if they feel they have an ending that the fans wouldn't hate. Any word when CBS announces next season's schedule?
ReplyDeletePuppy montage with Murder Train on in the background was my favourite and only laugh out loud moment.
ReplyDeleteDawson's hoser accent was pretty Irish. He should have watched more of the McKenzie Bros skits on SCTV to get that down. And who knew that the Fivehead could become a Sixhead.
Not sure what I think of Barney and Robin, and will give them the benefit of the doubt. I think it may be a fling at first, and then Barney will go back to his ways, with a return to the "relationship" for the final episode of the show.
On its own I thought "Sandcastles in the Sand" was perfect -- an ultra-cheesy 80s breakup ballad that gets it impact more from the cringe factor than from the utter hilarity of "Let's Go To The Mall." But I agree with those who've said that having Barney point out all the in-jokes made it less funny.
ReplyDeleteThat said -- well played with the ending, HIMYM! Like Chris, I bit immediately when Robin asked Barney home, let my guard down when the video started playing (and felt kind of dumb for biting), and then was blown away by the final shot. I can't wait to find out where this is going.
CBS, please don't cancel our show!
When this show first came out, I put it in the "catch it when I can" category... but lately as we're seeing all of the payoffs of these great long storylines and the comedy has become legen-dary, it's now definitely "must see." I think I'm enjoying it just as much as 30 Rock and the Office, and now I'm going back and rewatching the earlier seasons. I really hope the show gets renewed so we can all keep playing along!
ReplyDeleteAnd I *love* Barney and Robin. i hope there's a lot of awkwardness and attempts to out-casual each other to come.
Meh. The Revertigo bits seemed more sitcommy than usual for this show of shows; it reminded me of the older episodes of Friends where we flashback to the main characters' high school years. Not much new.
ReplyDeleteThe consequence of returning to the Robin Sparkles well was evident here: what was originally a funny joke which left us wanting more is now played out. I think it would have been more amusing had Robin encountered a former fan or something to that effect than an old boyfriend. The series has already visited the issue of significant other who all know is lame but the character pursuing them. If the Robin Sparkles return was a smokescreen existing merely to lessen the foreseeability of a Robin/Barney romance, then it was a bit too much. I'm with those who believe that there should be no compulsion on network comedies to pair two characters simply because they are members of the opposite sex and have some level of chemistry. It's truly okay for women and men to be friends, especially on television. Now Barney will either remain the jerk that he is and hurt Robin (which will be less funny considering the consequence) or lose his edge as he realizes that he, too, wants romance. Blergh.
Insanely good! I was at the edge of my seat, back and forth with whether Barney and Robin would go for it or not. Best episode short of Slap Bet, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how the B-Ro-mance plays out!
Legen
ReplyDelete(wait for it!)
When Robin invited Barney over to her place, I wasn't at all tricked into thinking that she initially wanted the hookup, which I'm hearing from a lot of people. I figured it was to watch the tape. But then they brought out the brilliant fakeout. Incredible.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how much romance will water down Barney's character. They played well off of each other as cynical teammates, almost as a bromance, but I saw Chandler get completely castrated by a relationship. I'm hoping Carter and Bays earn all the praise they get by avoiding that very outcome.
DARY!
ReplyDeleteAs others have said, great head fake -- never saw it coming.
Squeeeee indeed! I watched the episode late last night (blessed TiVo) and couldn't contain my squeals of joy during the final moments.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little worried about where the writers will take the Barney-Robin plot line, but have faith it will be true to both characters.
CBS, please renew this show!!!
Great Ep. Black Lily was cringey, no doubt. But I cringe whenever white people try to act like that. It's stupid and dumb. that beings said, did we all forget that Robin is ALWAYS referred by FutureTed as "Aunt Robin?" We know Barney is an uncle to his nephew but I think that when the show ends, especially if it doesn't get a 4th season, the reason why she is an aunt is because she is married to "Uncle Barney."
ReplyDeleteLOVED IT. I absolutely fell for the fakeout (hooking up) and you could have picked my jaw up on the floor when the last scene came up. WOW!
ReplyDeleteI'm all for the BRomance - and why do people think that it's BARNEY who will hurt ROBIN? I think it's much more likely that ROBIN will hurt BARNEY. She's pretty cold (as has been played out in every season) and I can easily see her "using" Barney but not becoming that emotionally invested. And because of that Barney will fall HARD for Robin - she's a bit like the female Barney, only with no scrapbook. And if she's unattainable, Barney will want her even more. Looking forward to how Bays et. al. continue this awesome development.
They should have called this episode "The MacGuffin", because that's what the video turned out to be.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant.
I won't be surprised if by the time 2030 really does roll around, there are courses about this show. (Probably even long before then!)
I feel like I watched a different episode than all of you. I thought it was -- line for line -- one of the least funny episodes of the entire series. The wife and I adore this series, and we watched it all the way through with barely a chuckle. The only thing I thought was really funny was the Canadian euphemisms for sex ("did he take your Maple Leaf") and Lily and Marshall acting like Robin's parents.
ReplyDeleteHere is my question: Obviously a huge part of what makes Barney awesome is that he's a cad, a bed-hopping lothario. Does hooking him up, or pairing him off with Robin kind of rob him of his funniest character trait? Is Robin just going to laugh it off if Barney snogs a barista or Britney Spears the Bi-Polar receptionist?
Unless the series really is ending, I thought it was kind of a weak play. I don't mind Robin and Barney ending up together, I just think it's way to soon for it to happen. Maybe they both pretend like it was nothing, and suddenly they're the pair everyone yearns to see end up together over the next few seasons, but it just felt like a weak play to me. I know they've been hinting at it since season 1, but I STILL thought it was too early to go there. The surprise of seeing them get together was nothing like the surprise I got when Chandler popped up from underneath Monica's sheets in London.
I'm with Jaynee. Robin is way more likely to hurt Barney and plus it's the funnier route, otherwise Barney just becomes a jerk and much less sympathetic. Barney's appeal is that despite his man whoreness, there is a nice guy underneath, otherwise, why would the gang be friends with him.
ReplyDeleteI'd be curious to see the flash-forward ending in the episode where Barney's brother gets married. We already knew Ted didn't have a wedding ring on, but I'd love to see what Barney and Robin are doing in that scene...
ReplyDeleteMy other thought, which I forgot in my original comment, was that I laughed at JVDB's awful accent because I figured it was just one more "Man what a poser" aspects of his character. After all - who was the greatest band to come out of the 1980s (um..1990s)? Irish band U2! I could TOTALLY see the JVDB character trying to emulate being Irish/Canadian to garner a bigger audience. So I didn't mind the Irish accent at all.
We already knew Ted didn't have a wedding ring on, but I'd love to see what Barney and Robin are doing in that scene...
ReplyDeleteRobin dances with Ted. It's the first hint that Ted and Robin are going to be broken up by the following season (when the wedding took place), because they stay to dance with their Single Stamina, while the couple (Marshall and Lily) go home to sleep.
kvv, I'd be worried if I thought Robin and Barney were headed for traditional coupledom. That would be inconsistent with both characters, especially Barney. My guess is they'll agree it was a one-night thing, tell no one, and cope with the ensuing awkwardness in hilarious ways. :-)
ReplyDeleteActually, I wouldn't be surprised if next week's episode contains absolutely no reference to Barney and Robin's hookup, other than the two of them acting differently around each other. HIMYM might keep us hanging until the entire audience is screaming "But what happened to Barney and Robin?!?" and only then reveal the fallout in flashback.
I do not think Ted is going to take this well.
ReplyDeleteBeyond that, I'm reserving judgement until I see how it plays out. I had always thought, as jcpbmg said above, that it would be funny if Barney occasionally tried to sleep with Robin and failed.
Sandcastles: no. But, Alan - I thought Jason Segel wrote the Slapsgiving song? And Carter and Bays wrote this one, and the other Robin Sparkles tune?
I loved the Canadian jokes (being Canadian myself). And I loved Michelle knowing the word for re-vertigo and being aware of her own re-vertigo. On a totally superficial note, I really liked Robin's top in the second half of the ep and kind of want it for myself. You know how some shows have links on their sites naming the music they played that ep? I wish they had that for clothes.
Simon was Mr. Tenn Winnipeg. Huh. Best song ever about Winnipeg? "I hate Winnipeg" by the Weakerthans. Check it out.
I'm with Lindy. I suspect this will be more of a one-night stand, everyone wakes up in total horror the next morning sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I don't think things would go badly if they somehow have a weird relationship for awhile either. We know it doesn't last, though (between the wedding stamina and the fact that we know that Robin goes on to live in every single country in the world), and that would not be a surprise anyway. But it'll be entertaining for awhile, and that's what really matters.
This is my favorite episode, and there's no slapping involved. Screw the Britney hype, the Beek in that role cracked me the hell up, especially with the waterslide life-saving. The video was amusingly cheesy, as intended, and who wouldn't want to sit there on the couch making commentary about it?
Legen- wait for it....
One thing which no one else has commented on: the hilarity of Ted's expressions during the Lily-being-Robin's-Mom. At first he was just staring, but as it went on, he completely adopted the little-brother expressions that made the "NOT NOW, TED!" work. In a week where he didn't have all that much to do, it was a really good moment.
ReplyDeleteBarney/Robin has been building for a while, but I honestly didn't think it would be revealed until the second-to-last episode. I agree Ted's going to have problems with it - perhaps these problem will drive Stella away?
Of course, that rather depends on Stella being there. I assume she'll be in time for Ted's 30th birthday party?
Alan,
ReplyDeleteCould have sworn Barney's brother's wedding flash-forward was in season 2, meaning we should be seeing the episode in the next month or two, no? And, if memory serves, Barney makes out with his brother's high school girlfriend at the wedding, and does the "pointing to his eyes, then the babies'" with his new nephew. I like to think Robin would be cool with that, though...
Also, Ted has a 30th birthday coming up that promises to end with a Goat in the bathroom...
Jennifer, go ahead.
Ok, I'm going to clear up what I believe to be a giant misconception among HIMYM fans.
ReplyDeleteJames' wedding will not be shown as a stand alone episode in season 3 and it is assumed by the writers to have already occurred at this point.
The Single Stamina episode (where the flash forward to James' wedding occurred) aired in late November 2006. The flash forward was said to occur "1 year later" which would place James' wedding around late November or early December 2007. This means it already occurred in terms of the show. Also, this would allow Robin and Ted to be friends because it happened after Slapsgiving.
The whole point of the wedding was to show Barney being okay with James' marriage and Ted & Robin's relationship ambiguously to hint at their breakup. I don't think the writers have any reason to show the wedding again.
Sorry to hijack this post because I loved last night's episode but I read this all over the place and it has consistently bothered me.
As for the goat in the bathroom, that is something I hope we get to see this season since continuity suggests that Ted's 30th should be this season (assuming each season is a year of Ted's life).
ReplyDeleteMatt,
ReplyDeleteWith the strike-affected season, and the show's non-linear storytelling, there is no reason to assume that the wedding hasn't taken place. Keep in mind, the Platinum Rule episode occurred before we had met Stella, and besides that, "One Year Later" doesn't mean EXACTLY one year later.
But the biggest reason I don't think they will skip over James' wedding is because there is far too much comedic potential in Barney, as Best Man, planning a gay bachelor party. Frankly, the writers would be stupid not to write that episode.
Matt said...
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm going to clear up what I believe to be a giant misconception among HIMYM fans.
James' wedding will not be shown as a stand alone episode in season 3 and it is assumed by the writers to have already occurred at this point.
I wholeheartedly concur with this.
CBS, listen up. Do NOT cancel this show.
Speaking of the 30th birthday party, my DVR says that May 5th episode title is 'The Goat'...
ReplyDeleteI actually thought the video was hilarious. It reminded me of being a teenager in the late 80's (early 90's in Canada) and how, as I girl, I could sit and watch these sappy love-struck videos for HOURS. Only when watching them now, years later, do they seem so cheesy that you're left wondering what was wrong with your head at the time. It is the same with Robin and her video.
ReplyDeleteAnd I didn't mind Barney pointing out people and The Robot in the video, because that's what you would do if you were sitting there watching it with a friend. You'd be commenting and laughing, not sitting there in silence.
And I LOVE that the writers finally went there, in terms of the BR-omance. I can't wait to see the fallout.
I LOVED the Robin/Barney (RobNey? BarIn [sounds like Barren]?) Pairing!
ReplyDeletePersonally I've been waiting for this for some time and as they kept watching the video I knew it was coming, and couldn't wait. (although I thought it was coming as soon as Future Ted said "Until there was just Robin")
Personally I hope the duo stay together, and like you said it would be nice to see them try to keep it superficial and falling for each other.
Loved Van Der Beek even if his accent was a little off. But agree Thicke and Tiffany were wasted.
I can't believe no one has mentioned my favorite part of the video -- the close-up of Robin's mouth whispering, "I'm on the Pill." That took it from ho-hum to pretty damn funny for me.
ReplyDeleteFavorite line from Barney: "If you edited that, you've got a tampon commercial there."
ReplyDeletep.s. Anyone know how many episodes left this season?
ReplyDeleteI believe they are doing 20 episodes this season and Sandcastles was 16. So I think there are 4 episodes left. Anyone who knows better than I do, feel free to correct me.
ReplyDeleteNicole, I was with you on the Sixhead--as soon as JVDB walked into the bar I said out loud, "Man, he is WAAAY past Fivehead at this point."
ReplyDeleteAnd Jaynee, I agree with you 100% that Robin is far more likely to hurt Barney than vice versa. We've been shown countless examples of what a sensitive boy Barney was before he became his hardened modern-day self. You know that emo kid is still lurking deep deep under the surface. But we've never really Robin's softer side--apart from her willingness to act as JVDB's roadie, single-handed. She just strikes me as much colder than Barney.
I loved this episode. I also thought the Robin-Barney payoff was coming at the bar, and fell for the video pump fake. But what really made the ending for me--and I'm about to get wholly pompous and pretentious here, so I apologize in advance--was Saget's voice getting all serious when he said that they watched the video over and over again...until they didn't watch it any more. It reminded me of the wonderful moment in Dante's Inferno when Dante is told about the lovers Paolo and Francesca, who met one afternoon to read a book together, heads together, until "they read no more that day." Really lovely touch.
I LOVED this episode!! I think i laughed all the way through it. I had no previous viewings of JvdB so I had no preconceived ideas of him there. The video was supposed to be cheesy - which is what made it so funny. Revertigo - what an awesome word. Lily and her friend's was perfect - nothing squeemish for me there. A relationship between Barney and Robin would certainly be very interesting and I could see him getting hurt by her rather her by him totally.
ReplyDeleteRobin dances with Ted. It's the first hint that Ted and Robin are going to be broken up by the following season (when the wedding took place), because they stay to dance with their Single Stamina, while the couple (Marshall and Lily) go home to sleep.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification on that, Alan!
an LA - I too loved the "there's a tampon commercial" in there - that was the "rewind and watch again" line of the show.
I thought it was a fantastic episode. I enjoyed every minute of it from James VDB's hilarious guest role to that incredibly cheesy video (and I still get get Sandcastles in the sand out of my head) to the arm caressing by NPH (who was so hot in this episode) to the kiss.
ReplyDeleteI just applaud the showrunners so much for being so spectacular in seeing the overall picture, planting seeds and then putting it together in such an amazing way. I've already rewatched this show twice and bits and pieces of it several times.
I can't wait to see what they do next.
You know, I don't see how Robin and Barney hooking up means they are automatically "together" in the sense of a relationship. Neither of them are into commitment or gooey, sappy romance. Robin is stridently against marriage and children and one assumes from Barney's actions that he is too. I'd rather see them continue on, happily single, realizing they both got exactly what they wanted. Now, I can see Barney being riddled with guilt for sleeping with a) Ted's ex and b) a fellow bro, but I don't see him immediately falling for her to the point of giving up his womanizing ways. Nor do I see him being heartbroken should he suggest a Bros With Benefits arrangement, only to be rejected by Robin. Barney would definitely be hurt, but I don't think he'd show it. Ted, however, will be crushed.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was frakking genius -- the fakeout, that is. The episode as a whole was pretty entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI bet in the next episode, they don't refer to it. Maybe there will be a couple glances, but wouldn't that be funny, if they both act like nothing happened? It'd be true to form, especially for Barney.
Re this: a Bros With Benefits arrangement
I just love that phrase.
Anyhoo, I can't wait to see how Robin/Barney plays out.
How do you say, "Jumped the Shark" in Canadian?
ReplyDeleteNo one has posted since April, but I was perusing reviews of HIMYM today and have some thoughts on Sandcastles in the Sand that I wanted to share. When I first saw this episode and the video more specifically I was totally underwhelmed. I thought they took hilarious Robin Sparkles and tried to get a secnond joke out of it. Let's go to the mall was so unexpected and hilarious that anything that followed would be a letdown.
ReplyDeleteThis summer my friends and I watched both videos on their own and all of us like Sandcastles better and think it is funnier. Taken out of the context of the show the full video is hilarious (listing homework and acne as her problems, the tide washing over the words in the sand, etc.) I''d recommend anyone here take another look.
just my $0.02