I’ve been pretty vocal about episodes of How I Met Your Mother sucking in the past, but one thing I’ve never accused it of is stealing. Whether or not I enjoy an episode, I’ll admit that they are pretty original. Tonight, though, they blatantly stole right from the pages of Friends.
Remember the episode when Chandler tried to quit smoking? Yeah, they stole from that too, but that’s not even the episode I’m talking about.When Rachel felt her boss was overlooking her and her career was faltering because she wasn’t in on the decisions made during smoke breaks, she became a smoker (“The One Where Rachel Smokes,” season 5, episode 18). That’s exactly what Marshall did tonight with his boss, who didn’t even know his name.
I could almost forgive the theft if it actually fit into the premise of the show, but they’ve never shown anyone smoking regularly or even hinted that it may be a problem for any of the gang. It just seems like they pulled this one from their behinds, or the annals of Friends at least.
That said, there were a few funny moments:
In fact, I think I’m going to like Ron as a recurring cast member, because most of his stuff tonight was pretty funny. Maybe, after all of these seasons of really only having Ted’s mother-of-the-moment as recurring characters, it’s time to introduce some fresh blood. And fresh blood that does the news in his tighty-whities and has flaming booze in his coffee cup is a good start.
One not-funny thing I need to mention, not because I want to bash the show some more tonight, but because it is so atypical of Bays and Thomas, is that Lily’s smoker’s voice went on far too long for me. Usually, they know exactly how far to take a joke before it gets old, but they are starting to lose it. First with the “son of a beech” and now with the voice. I sure hope they find the sweet spot again soon.
Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on Dec 14, 2009 @ 21:01 EST5EDT
Since the show is from the perspective of Ted telling a story to his kids, I could see where he would leave the smoking bit out all this time.
I agree with you on the smoker voice though. By the end of the episode it had gone on too long.
worst HIMYM episode ever for me. I was just watching earlier seasons again and S1 and S2 really are soo much better that it doesn’t even seem like the same show anymore.
*POST AUTHOR*
I know, right? I said to Keith last night that I wasn’t even sure I wanted to watch anymore. The brilliance is there in a few episodes, whereas there used to just be a few stinkers. It’s tough hanging on for the few great episodes. I don’t think it’s very funny anymore either.
Seconded. The first two seasons were fairly perfect, and caused me to evangelize the show to others. As it became more absurd, my interest waned, and I stopped watching entirely before this season began.
There are simply so many good comedies on all the networks this season that it’s easy to find a replacement that one would enjoy more.
Hated the episode it was unnecessary. Pointless and then Ted’s voiceover at the end for when they all smoked their “last cigarette” it was like WHO CARES?
Sadly although I do love HIMYM but this isn’t the first time
Barney marrying Lily and Marshall – Joey marrying Monica and Chandler
Ted becomes a professor – Ross became a professor
HIYM isn’t a laugh out loud funny as Friends. When I think about the funny friends moments those are original jokes HIYM not so much. When Ross says to Joey “For the love of God take it off.” because he was wearing the big hand(S10). Just the way the characters of Friends said things was funny, but HIYM just makes you chuckle not laugh.