5.5/10. Pretty weak. You can definitely feel the comedy getting dumber in this one. The storytelling dichotomy of characters arguing over the right way to do something and then realizing that both of them has a point is getting a little tired, even if the show tries to subvert it a bit here. It's odd that being supportive means not being upfront about your own wants or needs according to this episode, but whatever, I guess I can accept some simplified sitcom relationship platitudes. The problem is that this show used to be above that, or at least used to add more of a twist to them. Lily confessing that being supportive with all that's happened, from Marshall's job, to his dad, to their starting a family, was a solid moment, but the rest of the episode largely devolved into sitcom cliches.
The same goes to Barney's whole abandonment issues-turned-exploding meatball sub bit. There's the hint of a good swerve there, and a touch of the old HIMYM meme-ing with "Graduation Goggles," but the execution is pretty uninspired. It was nice to get a good moment with Robin and Barney, but you got the sense a lot of this episode was stretching for time. Cracks in the foundation are starting to show, especially in terms of the humor, which is a shame coming right on the heels of a pretty great episode.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2016-06-22T01:55:50Z
5.5/10. Pretty weak. You can definitely feel the comedy getting dumber in this one. The storytelling dichotomy of characters arguing over the right way to do something and then realizing that both of them has a point is getting a little tired, even if the show tries to subvert it a bit here. It's odd that being supportive means not being upfront about your own wants or needs according to this episode, but whatever, I guess I can accept some simplified sitcom relationship platitudes. The problem is that this show used to be above that, or at least used to add more of a twist to them. Lily confessing that being supportive with all that's happened, from Marshall's job, to his dad, to their starting a family, was a solid moment, but the rest of the episode largely devolved into sitcom cliches.
The same goes to Barney's whole abandonment issues-turned-exploding meatball sub bit. There's the hint of a good swerve there, and a touch of the old HIMYM meme-ing with "Graduation Goggles," but the execution is pretty uninspired. It was nice to get a good moment with Robin and Barney, but you got the sense a lot of this episode was stretching for time. Cracks in the foundation are starting to show, especially in terms of the humor, which is a shame coming right on the heels of a pretty great episode.