CBS
(Season 4, Episode 7)
OK, so remember the last episode, when Ted was mourning Stella, and the brilliant piece of writing that was that script? Yeah, this week … not so much.
Sure, it had its moments, but “Not a Father’s Day” is the type of episode that made me complain that How I Met Your Mother was just becoming a plain ol’ sitcom. There wasn’t a whole lot of special in this episode; instead, it really was just a situational comedy, presenting the typical problems in the typical ways. It didn’t have the depth HIMYM is capable of, but it did provide some laughs, so after the jump, let’s discuss the good things about the episode.
The Cheerleader Effect
Not only was this hysterical at the beginning of the episode, providing two of the funniest quotes of the episode, from Barney of course:
But this whole “effect” came full circle at the end of the episode when the gimmick was repeated on the Not a Father’s Day bros. This was the best example of the writing I have grown to love in HIMYM; I would have just liked to see more of it in this episode.
Ted and Robin
The whole exchange between Ted and Robin, already dad and baby hater, respectively, was quick and funny. My favorite quote? Robin to Ted: “Anytime you even hear the word ‘kids’ you get two little lactation stains on your shirt.” And what is going to happen when they move in together?
Lily as a Baby
I see what the writers were doing here, really I do, and I chuckled a bit, but I felt like it could have been so much funnier. Yeah, drunk Lily was like a baby, with her bottle, crying, barfing and falling asleep in the car. What was this lacking, though? Something.
A few other one-liners, but not the depth and the tight writing that we can see in HIMYM. OK, I was disappointed in this episode, but the bottom line is that I still laughed and once again, Neil Patrick Harris stole the show.
Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on Nov 10, 2008 @ 21:27 EST5EDT
wow… I completely disagree. I thought last week was pedestrian. I mean, I don’t think tonight was the Pineapple Incident or anything, but Barney in the church was funny enough to cover all the average baby stuff (though baby Lily at the office was ok).
What was up with Marshall’s hair?
Did it feel like Lily and Marshall moved out quick? Did I miss an episode?
On another note, I’m really glad you guys changed your mind and are reviewing this show!
Don’t forget about https://www.notafathersday.com
I love that they make the websites real, add to the hilarious.
And in response to dorv, I agree this week while not one of the greatest episodes was well done and above the average sitcom. Also they really did skim over the marshall lilly move out. I feel like that could have been a hilarious episode.
No, my point was that I liked this week, and didn’t like last week.
Dude… Allyson Hannigan is pregnant. You totally missed that…
*POST AUTHOR*
Didn’t miss it … wrote about it over at TV Squad back on October 23: https://www.tvsquad.com/2008/10/23/lily-and-marshall-are-pregnant/.
I just didn’t think it was relevant to this episode, so I didn’t mention it. Now, if there is an episode where Lily really does wind up pregnant, then there you go.
To me this episode was one of HIMYM more subtle forms of story. Focus not on Lily/Marshall or even Barney and his NFD celebrations.
Look at Robin. She is becoming more and more like Barney every day. This is important.
I’m going to have to go back and watch it tonight.
But, on quick thought, they both fell for the sock.
I have a feeling, though, that Robin’s move in with Ted is going to rekindle some stuff for a while.
I hope not. Those two should never be together. But Barney and Robin? count me in. I even look forward to when Barney meets Robins dad.
*POST AUTHOR*
Really good point, akbar. I was thinking that at one point and should have mentioned it in the review. It was even cute that they both said they didn’t want babies, but then they both were suckers for the sock.
that’s what I have always come to see in HIMYM episodes. These guys are always so on the ball about things that when a lackluster episode comes across, one needs just look deeper for something that is important.
Oh, and “drunk” Lily came off just a little like “Flirting with Tara” Willow.
I’m just saying.