This is one of those half-and-half episodes, with one story being pretty great and the other being pretty middling. But in this instance, the one story is fun and entertaining enough that it lifts all boats.
I'm referring to the A-story with Marshall and Robin finding refuge in the Little Minnesota bar. It speaks to a certain homesickness among New York City transplants, even those that love the city, in a way that feels very well-observed. And the show has a great deal of fun capturing all things Minnesota and showing Robin slowly but surely usurping the bar. Despite all that silliness, the moment with Marshall and Robin on the steps, with Marshall explaining that even though Robin doesn't have a job or a boyfriend keeping her in New York this holiday season, she has the gang, who all love her, is a superb one. The entire story does what HIMYM does best -- go whole hog on irreverent fun but find the human touch at the end of it.
The Ted-Barney-Lily-Sister story is less successful. By all accounts, Ted's sister really is immature. Ted points out that she shoplifted eight months ago. And Barney's also proved untrustworthy at not sleeping with people close to Ted -- case in point Robin. And yet apparently the lesson is that Ted should trust them more? And they prove their maturity by tricking him into behaving the way he has every reasonable expectation for them to be behave? And he's the one who learns the lesson? It seems pretty backwards to me, but there's at least a few laughs with Barney's "Weird Al of Christmas songs about banging my sister" routine and Lily's heretofore unknown inability to keep a secret.
Marshall is such a good friend. I completely forgot that he and Robin had a tender moment.
Shout by EssenSlugVIP 2BlockedParentSpoilers2023-10-11T15:01:09Z
This episode annoys me so much, Ted was right, Heather is irresponsible, as proven by her stunt. And it makes no sense for Ted to reflect on his lack of trust in Heather and change his mind.