How I Met Your Mother
"Platonish" Review
Although the episode began with a short continuation of Robins despair over her mother not attending the wedding, Last nights HIMYM ended up a different affair with a full on flashback, six months before the wedding. At this point in time Ted's feelings for Robin were still uncertain and Barney was let loose with a full on girl grabbing spree after his failure to woo Robin for keeps.
The theme of this episode really began with Barney explaining to Ted and Lily that (apart from Marshall and Robin) no relationship can simply be platonic, there will always remain a sense of sexual tension.
Teds outright assurance to the gang that Barney's theory was incorrect and that he is simply friends with Robin was ultimately transparent, one which the group could all see.
This arc was great as we got to witness the more serious side of Mr Mosby, constantly questioning the "what ifs" and his overall hesitancy towards making the leap to go after her. It is a very relatable situation for the audience I'm sure.
The idea that Marshall was purely pushing Ted to make the move purely due to the bet he made with Lily did make his inclusion seem a little insincere, but this was swiftly overridden, he clearly cares about Ted and his constant assessment of the situation highlighted this.
Admittedly the whole basketball game setting for Ted and Marshall's interactions felt a little bit random. It could have easily been done at MacLarens or even the apartment, but I suppose it was ample ground for some play on words of which the two hounded down at the coach and referee.
Additionally the truth about Teds future decision to move to Chicago was somewhat unraveled. Bryan Cranston returned as Hammond Druthers, headhunting for Ted to join the architecture firm he works for in Chicago.
The guest appearance was short and simple, with Druthers behaviour remaining to be same old egotistical self, grappling firmly his Pete Rose signed baseball.
Considering the hype of Cranston making a return appearance, particularly after his critically acclaimed participation in Breaking Bad, it was a little bit of a shame that there wasn't more of a fleshed out story. Surprisingly though this tiny element strongly emphasised how much in dire straits Ted must be about his feelings towards Robin, to he point of wanting to flee and work for Druthers, who he publicly despised.
As for the remaining trio, we were left with an equally strong premise which started off a little silly which developed into a more powerful plot.
Barney's "Challenge Accepted" was put to the test with the girls dishing out various challenges for him.
The garbage bag/ not allowed to use the letter "E" challenge was the best of the three. It was literally lough out loud funny when Barney would accidentally pronounce the "E", get frustrated and leave the girls he was hitting on.
As for the remaining two, the Ryan Gosling play was fairly funny, particularly with Barneys quick psychoanalysis of the girl, but the introductory Dolphin was rather unbelievable and very much over the top.
As for the remaining two, the Ryan Gosling play was fairly funny, particularly with Barneys quick psychoanalysis of the girl, but the introductory Dolphin was rather unbelievable and very much over the top.
But it was the fourth and final challenge that proved to be the best aspect of the show. It was great to see Barney meet the mother in that awkward situation, with her extracting the truth behind Barney's crazy antics and thus revealing the origin story of The Playbook's "The Robin".
Overall Platonish has been the most entertaining episode of season 9 to date. The blend of serious drama with comedy, which for once in a long time running was actually laugh out loud funny, worked extremely well.
Even though the plots were technically divided, they tied really well into one another. But the final moments fast forwarding in time back to Farhampton, revealing Teds look of distress that he decided to sit back rather than go for the win like Barney was the icing on the cake.
Yes some of you fans might feel that it's covering old ground yet again, but still there is no denying that there was a strong overall story.
Will more conflict between Ted and Barney return? We'll have to wait and see. Fingers crossed it does.
Overall Platonish has been the most entertaining episode of season 9 to date. The blend of serious drama with comedy, which for once in a long time running was actually laugh out loud funny, worked extremely well.
Even though the plots were technically divided, they tied really well into one another. But the final moments fast forwarding in time back to Farhampton, revealing Teds look of distress that he decided to sit back rather than go for the win like Barney was the icing on the cake.
Yes some of you fans might feel that it's covering old ground yet again, but still there is no denying that there was a strong overall story.
Will more conflict between Ted and Barney return? We'll have to wait and see. Fingers crossed it does.
8.7/10
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