8.2/10. So this has most of the things I hated from "The Final Page": implausibility issues, people lying to those they claim to love, and characters intentionally making each other miserable. So why do I like this so much better?
There's a few reasons. The firs and easiest is that his is supposed to be for laughs, rather than the flashpoint for people deciding to get married. Setting up this elaborate scheme to give Barney the best night of his life by giving him the worst night of his life in order to prank him is a surprisingly fun premise. This isn't an attempt to trick Barney into marrying anyone or the thing that convinces him someone is right for him; it's just a wild and wacky lark, which makes it easier to swallow.
(It's also just one night of terror for him, not days and episodes of it.)
Also, it flows the right direction. I like that Robin is the architect of this because it's one of the few things in the past few seasons that have shown that she actually "gets" Barney. It makes way more sense that Barney would be impressed and enthused at an elaborate scheme to fool him than that Robin would be convinced to marry him by his pulling a similar trick.
And last, but certainly not least, it's damn funny in the process. Bringing back Quinn was a nice choice, and the idea of her putting on a show for everyone but Barney was amusing. (I have to admit, I'm still a little Team Quinnson). Pairing up Robin with Barney's Mom and showing them talking about sex was broad but enjoyable awkward humor. Ted and Marshall arguing over who should be the hostage and other details of the plan was cute. And bringing in Ralph Maccio, who, to Barney's chagrin, is a lot like him despite his hatred, and then revealing that the clown was the "true" Karate Kid the whole time was a neat little reveal.
Overall, this was a fun lark that, in contrast to "The Robin," new how to play its scheming for fun rather than for drama.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2016-09-01T18:13:44Z
8.2/10. So this has most of the things I hated from "The Final Page": implausibility issues, people lying to those they claim to love, and characters intentionally making each other miserable. So why do I like this so much better?
There's a few reasons. The firs and easiest is that his is supposed to be for laughs, rather than the flashpoint for people deciding to get married. Setting up this elaborate scheme to give Barney the best night of his life by giving him the worst night of his life in order to prank him is a surprisingly fun premise. This isn't an attempt to trick Barney into marrying anyone or the thing that convinces him someone is right for him; it's just a wild and wacky lark, which makes it easier to swallow.
(It's also just one night of terror for him, not days and episodes of it.)
Also, it flows the right direction. I like that Robin is the architect of this because it's one of the few things in the past few seasons that have shown that she actually "gets" Barney. It makes way more sense that Barney would be impressed and enthused at an elaborate scheme to fool him than that Robin would be convinced to marry him by his pulling a similar trick.
And last, but certainly not least, it's damn funny in the process. Bringing back Quinn was a nice choice, and the idea of her putting on a show for everyone but Barney was amusing. (I have to admit, I'm still a little Team Quinnson). Pairing up Robin with Barney's Mom and showing them talking about sex was broad but enjoyable awkward humor. Ted and Marshall arguing over who should be the hostage and other details of the plan was cute. And bringing in Ralph Maccio, who, to Barney's chagrin, is a lot like him despite his hatred, and then revealing that the clown was the "true" Karate Kid the whole time was a neat little reveal.
Overall, this was a fun lark that, in contrast to "The Robin," new how to play its scheming for fun rather than for drama.