Benefits (12 Jan. 2009)

Ted and Robin discover that sex with each other solve their fights as roommates, which makes Barney very jealous and angry. Meanwhile, Marshall reveals that he's too embarrassed to use the office bathroom.

Director:

Pamela Fryman

Writers:

Carter Bays (creator), Craig Thomas (creator),

Stars:

Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Josh Radnor	...	Ted Mosby
Jason Segel	...	Marshall Eriksen
Cobie Smulders	...	Robin Scherbatsky
Neil Patrick Harris	...	Barney Stinson
Alyson Hannigan	...	Lily Aldrin
Heidi Montag	...	Herself
Spencer Pratt	...	Himself
Kim Kardashian	...	Herself
Kendra Wilkinson	...	Herself
Bryan Callen	...	Bilson
Kevin Kirkpatrick	...	Donald
Ambrit Millhouse	...	Jill
Jason Rogel	...	Clerk
Jack J. Bennett	...	Craig Gerard
Greg Collins	...	Matt Zinman

Storyline

Ted and Robin's new stint as just being roommates isn't going very well. They're constantly fighting, something they didn't do while they were dating and almost seemingly like roommates. They come to the conclusion that it was because they were sleeping with each other when they were dating. So they decide to be just roommates but have sex to circumvent the fights whenever they are about to have a fight. There is no emotional involvement, just sex. It seems to be working. Although they decide not to tell anyone of their roommates with benefits status, the rest of the gang find out. Lily believes that nothing good can come of their arrangement, as someone always gets hurt in the end. Although Lily can see it, the one who seems to be getting hurt by their arrangement is Barney, who still has unresolved feelings for Robin. Meanwhile, Marshall feels totally uncomfortable "reading a magazine" at work, and will do his "magazine reading" anywhere but the office, even once renting a motel ...

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 January 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, Bays Thomas Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The two "eighth floor" construction workers are named Craig Gerard and Matt Zinman. In reality, Craig Gerard is the name of the script coordinator and Matthew Zinman is the name of one of the assistants to the producers for the show.

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Goofs

When Marshall is taking the magazine titled "Them Weekly" to the bathroom, the magazine is labeled the same issue number and date all 3 times, even though it has different people on the cover and a different main headline. All 3 times the magazine issue and date says: "ISSUE 735: DEC 15 2008". Also, the headlines down the right side of the cover are the same.

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Quotes

Ted Mosby: [Seeing Robin eat cereal] That looks good. I'll have some of that.
Robin Scherbatsky: Sorry. No milk.
Ted Mosby: But I just saw a carton of milk in the fridge yesterday.
Robin Scherbatsky: It's empty.
Ted Mosby: Then throw it away.
Robin Scherbatsky: Can't. Trashcan's full.
Ted Mosby: So empty the trash.
Robin Scherbatsky: I would, but I'm eating cereal.

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Connections

References Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

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Soundtracks

"No More Wishing"
Written & performed by Hayley Taylor

User Reviews

One Of This Season's Funniest

Ted and Robin discover that sex with each other solve their fights as roommates, which makes Barney very jealous and angry. Meanwhile, Marshall reveals that he's too embarrassed to use the office bathroom. I Love This Episode. The World Peace Thing That Barney Came Up With For World Peace Was Unbelievable & When I First Saw It I Was In Shock & The Second Time I Laughed Like $h!t. I Loved The Episode It Also Would Be Weird If Anyone Was In Lily's Kindergarten Class While Barney Had Feely The Care Share Bear (DON'T ASK). I Also Like How Close Barney Was To Letting Out That He Loved Robin That Relationship Even Though Now Its Ended May Have A Future Unlike Ted & Robin The Reason That I Say That Is "Uncle Barney" "Aunt Robin" It Could Still Happen...I Would Love To See It Become An On Again Off Again Relationship. My Favourite Part Of The Episode Is When They First Became A "Strictly Sexual" Couple & The Make A Deal & Marshall Just Says "Deal" It Would Be Incredibly Awkward.