How I Met Your Mother: Double Date

Last night's How I Met Your Mother was all too telling for the main characters, as Ted found himself on a blind-date with the same woman with whom he had had a blind date seven years earlier, while Barney discovered that Robin isn't necessarily the "cool girlfriend" he thought she would be.

The premise of the show was slightly unoriginal, as we have seen Ted return to dating a former love in other instances during the program, though the ultimate discoveries and the message behind the premise were somewhat more rewarding. Ted and his date retrace the steps of their last date, in order to appreciate the mistakes which led to the non-being of their relationship and their continued singlehood into their late 20s. I have, to use one of Ted's favourite words, an ineffable appreciation of the writers' decision to have the two realize, at the end of their date, that they could change things about themselves to be the ideal candidate for a lover, but that they would rather find the person who would not just tolerate but embrace their odd quirks. Too often we hear unmerited cliches which aim to have us conform, such as "the cat lover will end up alone", and I am glad that the episode champions genuineness over the unreasonable pressure to get hitched and settle down.

Elsewhere, Barney mocks Marshall for his reluctance to visit a strip club and to fantasize about other women due to his relationship with Lily. What he and Marshall discover is that Robin is against such things, while Lily actually approves of Marshall's activities, especially because the main stripper at the club looks identical to Lily (and is, in fact, played by the same actress, Alyson Hannigan). Barney continues to ignore Robin's protestations that she does not find his wanton ways to be acceptable any longer, and the episode actually ends with Barney abstaining from addressing the issue, leaving it unresolved. It appears then, that the future for Barney and Robin may be problematic, as their new label as a couple has brought with it some unforeseen expectations concerning values and conduct.

Stay tuned for next week when Ted instructs Barney in "Robin 101".

Tags: How I Met Your Mother, Double Date, stripper, Lily, blind date, sitcom

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Original Comments Posted (5)

Ariana says...

On the other hand, no matter how endearing one might find those quirks at the beginning of a relationship, eventually they begin to grate on you. I was a bit turned off by the romanticized notion Ted and Jen seemed to share.

Sep 30, 2009 1:01am

shanehallam13 says...

For me, that's still not a reason to compromise your personality. I'd rather see someone alone and completely themselves than in a counterfeit relationship.

Sep 30, 2009 1:32am

Ariana says...

True enough. I just think there is middle ground.

Sep 30, 2009 3:21am

skalobster11 says...

I was very surprised by Robin being against it...but that actually makes me like her more...she is less predictable now.

Oct 3, 2009 9:35pm

shanehallam13 says...

I agree that it makes her less predictable, but I was looking forward to Barney and Robin having the kind of fun, open relationship that would allow them to obnoxiously take on every depraved aspect of the world.

Oct 3, 2009 10:11pm

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