This episode is really tough to rate. There are several things I dislike about it. Mostly the Marshall and Lily part. It's okay if two out of five main characters get a filler storyline once in a while. But this one is not only dismissed and never mentioned again in future episodes, it is also borderline disturbing. Marshall and Lily are assigned the role of the perfect couple in this series. Why on earth would the creators make them get separate beds? Besides, there is an odd one-off characterization of Ted that seems out of place in the context of the whole series. Yes, he may be a little pretentious at times. But suddenly he fulfills every gay stereotype in the book? Since when does he drink Appletinis? Or complement the Jets on their "costumes"? Ted Mosby is not J.D. from Scrubs. Ted Mosby drinks beer in bars in which Marshall would opt for a fruity cocktail with a swirly straw, and we know for a fact that he's passionate about the Super Bowl and college basketball. And not because of the costumes.
Then again, I really like the Don storyline as it moves the plot forward and brings up an important issue. Ted is not over Robin. This has been hinted at very subtly, but now the cards are on the table. It seems natural and realistic to me. More realistic than him not being remotely bothered by Robin dating Barney at the time. Ted dated Roin for a year and she's been a big part of his life ever since even after they broke up. It looks as if Ted did just a really good job not admitting his feelings for Robin lately, probably not even to himself.
As Robin gets serious with other people (first Barney, now Don), it is time to remember why she and Ted broke up in the first place. And this is actually done great in this episode. First with the letter, then with the blue french horn, the leitmotif of Ted and Robin's relationship. The ending is simply excellent.
So it's difficult to draw a conclusion to this uneven episode. There are flaws as well as great parts. But most importantly, there is a new dynamic to the Ted-Robin-Barney triangle, which will certainly affect the course of the series.
Then again, I really like the Don storyline as it moves the plot forward and brings up an important issue. Ted is not over Robin. This has been hinted at very subtly, but now the cards are on the table. It seems natural and realistic to me. More realistic than him not being remotely bothered by Robin dating Barney at the time. Ted dated Roin for a year and she's been a big part of his life ever since even after they broke up. It looks as if Ted did just a really good job not admitting his feelings for Robin lately, probably not even to himself.
As Robin gets serious with other people (first Barney, now Don), it is time to remember why she and Ted broke up in the first place. And this is actually done great in this episode. First with the letter, then with the blue french horn, the leitmotif of Ted and Robin's relationship. The ending is simply excellent.
So it's difficult to draw a conclusion to this uneven episode. There are flaws as well as great parts. But most importantly, there is a new dynamic to the Ted-Robin-Barney triangle, which will certainly affect the course of the series.
