and the search continues

Last week, Season 6 of How I Met Your Mother premiered, and I couldn't be happier as a viewer. If you recall from my most current Glee post, I mentioned that season premieres are supposed to remind us of why we watch these shows in the first place. And in this writer's opinion, the Season 6 opener of How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM, to its fans) did just that.

The show opened with a flash forward. It's obvious that it is someone's wedding day. With Marshall approaching Ted, who looks like he's a bundle of nerves, we assume Ted is the one who's tying the knot. But before anything too revealing comes up, we're immediately taken back to present day New York City, to the gang's bar, MacLaren's, where Ted's grading papers , and Bareny's in constant complaint mode about the sad end of "the season of exposed skin." Yes, summer's gone, and fall has arrived. And Barney is lamenting the loss of the beautiful sight of ladies in sundresses. And I have to (kind of) agree with him on this one. Believe you me, Barney, it's just as tragic for the ladies as it is for the men. As a young woman living in New York, I very much look forward to the summer, where aside from a few days of sticky humidity and random rain storms, it is the perfect weather for a sundress. No need for a cardigan or a light jacket. The sundress, and a simple pair of flats or sandals, are all a lady needs to go for a stroll outside, whether it be day or night. Alas, as we approach October, I find it sad to say that summer is no longer here. But buck up! Fall is upon us! Scarves, tights, wool hats, oh my! And, Barney, doesn't this work out in your favor as well? Just think: when you do bring a lady back to your sky-rise apartment, you'll have more layers to take off, which would only make the situation even more exciting, yes?

So, Barney and Ted are sitting together in their booth, when the inevitable happens: a beautiful girl. And just when Ted and Barney are about to fight over who has "dibs," in walks another beautiful girl: Robin. Fine, technically, at that moment, she didn't look too beautiful. Robin is still getting over Don--her co-anchor/boyfriend who left her to pursue a better career-opportunity (which Robin had actually been offered first, but declined so she could be with Don). Thanks to another flashback, we learned that Robin, well, basically let herself go. So, in she walks, clad in sweatpants, toting a burger and fries, with hair amess (and unwashed.) She literally looks dirty, and Barney is apparently turned off ("derection"). But Robin also makes it clear to them that the girl they're fighting over, isn't even available. She's reading a book because she's waiting for someone.

And the person the girl is waiting for does arrive. Rachel Bilson, who guest-starred last season as a girl Ted (briefly) dated. What was so special about Rachel Bilson last season is that by the looks of her apartment, her roommate (who we have not yet seen) looks like the perfect match for Ted. And at one point, we learn from Bob Saget's older-Ted narration, that Ted does indeed end up marrying the girl. So of course, Ted, seeing this girl interacting with Rachel Bilson's character, wonders if this is her roommate. Having only seen her ankle as she quickly ran into the bathroom while he was at their apartment, he only has so much to go on. But nevermind all that nonsense, Rachel's character, Cindy, has something she wants to say to Ted. It actually turns out OK. Their break up was simply due to the fact that Ted wasn't what Cindy was looking for. In fact, what she was looking for, was the girl at the bar, and this is confirmed when the two kiss (cue Barney's head exploding). This instance also confirms the fact that the "mother" of the title of this show, has yet to be seen.

Now, what I haven't touched upon is what's going on with Marshall and Lily. We know the perfect couple is trying for a baby, but in this episode, issues occur when we learn that Marshall's basically told everyone (specifically his dad) that the two of them are in the process of making babies. And while I did enjoy the cutaway shot of Marshall being cheered on by his coworkers as he leaves the office to go impregnate Lily, I had to side with her on this one. What they're doing is very private, especially because it may not turn out the way everyone wants it to. But of course, in proper HIMYM fashion, the two have a beautiful heart-to-heart on the stoop of their apartment building. Up until this moment, they had basically been in a fight, but after 5 seasons of this show, we know that the two of them would never stay that way for long. Lily, with good reason, was afraid that she'd fail Marshall. But Marshall assured her that something like that would never happen. And I have to confess, at that moment, tears began accumulating in my eyeballs.

I know this post has already gone on too long for a show that spends only 22 minutes (at most) on the air each week, but I just have a few more things to say. This show is often not given a chance by viewers. I know people who after watching 2 or 3 episodes, will still say that the show is not all it's cracked up to be. I of course, am open to those opinions, but while I'm here, let me humbly give you mine. How I Met Your Mother is the only show I watch today, that still uses a laugh track. And those kinds of shows seem to be a minority today. Yet, this show, every season, has high ratings. And yes, I think it's a funny show, and the laugh track isn't even necessary, but it has more going for it than jokes. I think this show has a lot of heart. And I'm not just talking about the story. I'm talking about the writing that goes into it, and its actors, who highlight it so well. This show so beautifully constructed. It immediately takes us to a plot where there is always going to be suspense, and it handles it so well. You'd think that Ted would have found his wife by now. But I sometimes find myself not even thinking about that, because there are so many other things going on with these characters, and they all feel so real. Instead of blatantly putting the obvious thing out there, the writers give us everyday storylines, and sprinkle in the hints we crave to the number one question on everyone's minds. That way, we're still kept in suspense, but (at least for me) the hints come about unexpectedly and just act as added bonuses to an already great episode.

This season premiere had everything I wanted as a fan: Barney's blunt jokes, Marshall's and Lily's loving and strong relationship, Robin's effortless ability to put Barney in his place, and Ted's constant search for the one. And what about that wedding at the beginning of the episode? Was it Ted's? In fact, Ted was the best man, nervous about the traditional speech. Which only led this fan to believe it was Barney's wedding...to Robin. I'd go on, but I think I'll keep my thoughts on those two for another post.