Review: 'How I Met Your Mother' - 'Twelve Horny Women': Lily coming!
Joe Manganianello shows off the goods to best Marshall in court
Joe Manganiello was back on last night's "How I Met Your Mother."
A quick review of last night's "How I Met Your Mother" coming up just as soon as I'm arrested for ZWI...
So remember all those positive feelings I was having after last week's episode? "Twelve Horny Women" didn't erase them, but it sure didn't continue them, either. After an anomalous clever outing a week ago, we're back to goofiness for the sake of goofiness, and in an episode that didn't even bother really following up on the previous one. What was the point of Brad's undercover stunt at Marshall's firm if his plan all along was to Magic Mike his way into the lustful hearts of the all-female jury? That whole story wound up not mattering at all, nor do we find out how Marshall's boss — who threatened to fire him over allowing it to happen, remember, if he didn't get a big win in the case — reacted to Marshall winning the verdict and yet getting a tiny reward courtesy of the judge.
And yet watching Joe Manganiello shake his thing was probably still preferable to the B-story about the gang trying to prove their bonafides in teenage badassery. This was a clear case of all four being unreliable narrators going in, which gives the writers license to be sillier, but even factoring that in, this was too much. (The low moment was the four of them trying to pull a "Scared Straight" on the actual delinquent on the courthouse bench.) We're long past the point on this show or any other where a "Wire" reference is inherently funny, even if it's Goth Lily as Omar. And the Robin Sparkles gag mainly made me wonder why Robin and/or the writers didn't reach back a little further into her past, since the Robin who was raised as a boy by her father was probably much more likely to have been the troublemaker. (I know that the whole point is that all four were making it up, but it also felt like an excuse to shoehorn in a popular alt-version of the character.)
Oh, well. At least this was a "we'll get to that later" that we got to the very next week. (Speaking of the future, how does Marshall's desire to become a judge at an age not too far advanced from now track with what Future Ted has said about how Marshall and Garrison Cootes would go on to save the world?)
What did everybody else think?
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November 27, 2012 at 9:56AM EST Reply to CommentI spent a good portion of the episode wondering what else I could be doing around the house, yet hoping that the payoff was good enough, thereby keeping me glued to the couch.
When it was all said and done, I think this was the episode where I firmly committed to not watching if they continue next season. They aren't even pretending to try and make it interesting anymore.
Brubarian I feel ya, man. At least with The Office, I KNOW it's over, so I'm just seeing it through to the end. This season of HIMYM is even worse, and we can only hope it's the last one, because good lord, I'm not enjoying watching it. This one was so bad that I watched it at 3x speed. Ugh...
November 27, 2012 at 3:07PM ESTfion
November 27, 2012 at 9:59AM EST Reply to CommentTV courtroom scenes are regularly pretty bad, but this was particularly ridiculous. If the only joke was "women are silly and let their opinion be decided by a pretty guy," did it really have to take place in court? That whole story did nothing, while conveniently ignoring the fact that the oh-so-hideous Jason Segel occasionally stars in romantic comedies.
At this point, I feel like I'm just hate-watching these last few episodes, hoping for this to finally be over.
Dan
November 27, 2012 at 10:05AM EST Reply to CommentWhen I was a kid, I loved cinnamon rolls. My favorite part was the very middle. The problem was I didn't have a huge appetite. I'd slowly eat the outer rings, but by the time I got to the middle, I wasn't hungry anymore. As HIMYM keeps adding "outer rings", they are getting to a dangerous point where there loyal long time audience just isn't hungry anymore for the payoff.
Pomo59 Nice analogy. We have been eating the outer rings for a very, very, very long time!
November 27, 2012 at 12:16PM ESTJeff My wife calls those bites in the middle, or anywhere the ingredients are packed together, "pocket bites."
November 27, 2012 at 12:30PM ESTVincenzo There is no middle.
December 1, 2012 at 2:28AM ESTBill
November 27, 2012 at 10:19AM EST Reply to CommentIt was terrible. The show, nowadays, is terrible, and they need to end it. Oh my God, they NEED TO END IT.
MK
November 27, 2012 at 10:31AM EST Reply to CommentAs bad as HIMYM has gotten over the years, it's still as good as or better than most of the comedy sitcoms on network TV. For that reason alone I'll stick with the show.
Mike That really depends on which comedies you're comparing it to. I would say it is not as good as Parks & Rec, Community, Go On, Happy Endings, Subrgatory, New Girl, The Mindy Project, Modern Family.
November 27, 2012 at 10:36AM ESTIf you're saying it's better or as good as, say 2 Broke Girls or Up All Night, that I'd agree with. But then again, I stopped watching both of those long ago because they got bad, too.
Brian This was the exact argument I was making last season. But I really don't think it applies anymore. I think this was one of the worst episodes that they have ever done. When Brad played his "movie" for the audience of him at the lake, I turned to my wife and said, "I think this is the low point for the entire series."
November 27, 2012 at 4:16PM ESTTL I have at agree with Mike. The number of shows that are better than HIMYM vastly outweighs the number that it's superior to.
November 27, 2012 at 7:26PM ESTSophieB210 I don't believe that's true, and even if it were it's irrelevant. If this were the first episode of HIMYM I'd ever seen it would have been the last.
November 27, 2012 at 7:39PM ESTSlushy Raising Hope, Ben and Kate, 30 Rock, Archer, Bob's Burgers, and I'll even add The Big Bang Theory to that list.
November 27, 2012 at 9:42PM ESTrcade I'm having trouble thinking of current comedies that HIMYM is better than, aside from 2 Broke Girls and Whitney.
November 28, 2012 at 12:30PM ESTTony M
November 27, 2012 at 10:32AM EST Reply to CommentReally? I thought it was the funniest episode of the year by far. Alan, I think you've gotten to the point where you look for reasons not to like the show.
sepinwall Please go read the review of last week's episode that I linked to at the top of this one. My opinion is my opinion. There are no ulterior motives. You liked the episode? Swell. I did not.
November 27, 2012 at 11:25AM ESTMike J
November 27, 2012 at 10:33AM EST Reply to CommentI dunno, I thought the Wire reference was pretty funny actually. The rest of the episode was silly though. I agree with Brian above that if it's announced they are continuing with the show past this year, I'm done. I'm only going to finish this season if it's the final season and we finally meet the damned mother already.
Rachel we are going to meet the mother this season at the wedding but if you don't like the programme any more why are you still watching?
November 27, 2012 at 6:50PM ESTMIKE J @Rachel: I don't believe they've confirmed that the wedding would even happen this year, just "somewhere down the road". With how slow they are at pairing Robin and Barney up, I don't even know how it could realistically even happen this year. But, regardless, I'm still watching because I like to finish shows that I start and I can force myself to sit through another half season of what this show has become if it results in the years in the making payoff of meeting the mother. 1 and a half years of this show though? I'm not sure I can take it, which judging by the comments on here seems to be the majority opinion.
November 27, 2012 at 7:06PM ESTRachel ok maybe i got the season wrong ,just because a few people on here don't like the season so far there are still fans that enjoy the show
November 27, 2012 at 7:26PM ESTCarla
November 27, 2012 at 10:41AM EST Reply to CommentI felt neutral about this episode, although I agree with you, Alan- the courtroom scenes pretty much erased any of the stakes from the previous episode.
My biggest issue though- for a show that so prides itself so heavily on continuity, to have Scooter say that his name was Jeff when when we know from season 2 that his name is Bill was an epic fail. Not only was it a substantial part of "Something Borrowed" but that episode featured multiple characters (including Brad!) calling him Bill! These errors drive me crazy on any show, but on this one, it is inexcusable!
Penelope
November 27, 2012 at 10:52AM EST Reply to CommentLook, I'm going to be shallow here, I basically only watched this episode because of Joe Manganiello and the hopes he'd take his shirt off. Does that make me a cliched sitcom female juror? Frankly, the show has disappointed me so regularly over the past few years and treats me like it doesn't particularly respect me as a viewer anyway, so I'll be cliche and enjoy a ridiculous shirtless montage.
We have now passed the point where any of the actors can conceivably play younger versions of themselves; Goth Lily looked considerably older than Actual Lily.
Shannon I thought the same thing about Goth Lily. It's just mean to make these actors try to pose as teens; they look utterly ridiculous.
November 27, 2012 at 5:18PM ESTJoe_D
November 27, 2012 at 11:05AM EST Reply to CommentWorth watching for fat Mr. Belding alone...
MK HA! I thought that was him! Wow he hasn't aged well...
November 27, 2012 at 11:12AM ESTscreech Please come back, Mr. Belding. Together we can rule Bayside again...ZOIKS!!!
November 27, 2012 at 2:09PM ESTJoyeful I'm glad I wasn't the only one excited about that LOL
November 28, 2012 at 12:35PM ESTDan
November 27, 2012 at 11:56AM EST Reply to CommentI mostly disagree with you Alan. I think I laughed harder at this episode then anyother this season. I'll admit it was silly, but I think many of the jokes worked. My biggest issue was suspending my knowledge of the rules of evidence and professional conduct for what was going on in the courtroom.
Brian What are you talking about? That video Brad made of himself at the lake was totally admissible.
November 27, 2012 at 4:19PM ESTCol Bat Guano Wait, the violations of courtroom etiquette was what bothered you the most? I have no words.
November 28, 2012 at 12:27AM ESTBrian Not courtroom etiquete, out and out violations of the Rules of Law.
November 28, 2012 at 1:01PM ESTmrbilliam
November 27, 2012 at 12:32PM EST Reply to CommentI wish they wouldn't do such broad humor. It's also weird to have such broad humor in the same episode as a Wire reference.
toonsterwu
November 27, 2012 at 1:10PM EST Reply to CommentI absolutely disliked the B story. That was just horrible. I actually changed the channel when they were going through the B-story. Although I have to admit, the end gag with everyone running because adult Lily was coming got a chuckle out of me.
Joe Manganiello was good. The A story, not so much, but at least it led to something, which was Marshall wanting to be a judge. That said, I agreed with Alan's points. What was the plan? What was the firm's reaction? I guess they could get to the reaction later, but that looks like it's it for Brad.
All in all, a disappointing show, other than ... the "other" story, which was sorting through the Barney and Robin mess. That was interesting, and touching, without it being overwhelming, which was the right touch after the awkward moment.
Matt
November 27, 2012 at 1:29PM EST Reply to CommentAll the tension of Marshall potentially losing his job was taken away by the courtroom antics. I know they were there for the sake of making it funny, but the show tries to be a tad realistic. That case would have been overturned on appeal in a heart beat. As a law student I sat there calling out objections to pretty much every sentence spoken in the courtroom, as well as wondering why Marshall did such a poor job on voire dire. Maybe law school has ruined me, or maybe Bays and Thomas don't care any more.
SCT "As a law student I sat there calling out objections to pretty much every sentence spoken in the courtroom, as well as wondering why Marshall did such a poor job on voire dire."
November 27, 2012 at 5:20PM ESTMatt, you're the worst.
SCT "As a law student I sat there calling out objections to pretty much every sentence spoken in the courtroom, as well as wondering why Marshall did such a poor job on voire dire."
November 27, 2012 at 5:20PM ESTMatt, you're the worst.
CM Yeah, I'm a lawyer too but the lack of legal realism in the courtroom wasn't what bothered me... it was the fact that Brad's contact dermatitis was exclusively on his chest, even though the video showed his whole body (including face and hands) emerging from underwater. (And yeah, the all-female jury that became incapable of reason when faced with an attractive man and a duckling.)
November 30, 2012 at 3:49PM ESTYo,yo,yo
November 27, 2012 at 1:33PM EST Reply to CommentHow are the writers going to have Marshall pursue a judgeship when the whole point of this two-part episode was that Marshall's "stamp of approval" makes his judgment suspect?
Ed G. I'm guessing that Marshall will get that judgeship and he'll preside over whichever wedding ceremony will happen at the end. (Robin/Barney and/or Ted/Mrs. Douchebag)
November 27, 2012 at 6:28PM ESTDezbot Thanks for the spoiler, Rachel.
November 28, 2012 at 12:01PM ESTMark
November 27, 2012 at 1:38PM EST Reply to CommentI'm not even sure why you still review this.
Slushy I've watched maybe half an episode this season, but I still read Alan's reviews every week in case something positive happens, so I am glad he still reviews it. Although so far sounds like nothing positive has happened, save for last week's episode, which maaaaaybe I'll get around to watching.
November 27, 2012 at 9:44PM ESTDr. Dunkenstein
November 27, 2012 at 2:36PM EST Reply to CommentYou know what was great? When those kids reacted to Lily the way they did, referencing Omar from The Wire.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go write an episode of Family Guy.
albatross
November 27, 2012 at 2:36PM EST Reply to CommentI haven't been watching regularly this season, but tuned in because there was nothing else on. I turned it off after Joe Manganiello showed his video. Absolutely ridiculous, and not in a good way. You have to be willing to suspend belief to some extant when comedy gets this broad, but this was ridiculous- and not funny. I didn't laugh once, not even a little.
Heisenberg
November 27, 2012 at 2:51PM EST Reply to CommentIt was atrocious.
Alex
November 27, 2012 at 4:54PM EST Reply to CommentHIMYM is still better then most sit-coms but it's way past it's prime. The problem is that it's best years (1-3 & maybe 4) was when the show was on the verge of being cancelled every year. Like Big Bang Theory it didn't get popular till a few years into its run. Now that it's a huge hit they want to keep it going to maximize profits but there's no material left to work with.
CB
November 27, 2012 at 5:10PM EST Reply to CommentI absolutely loved the courtroom artist's renderings of Brad and Marshall! That was my first laugh-out-loud moment of "HIMYM" this season. I do see what everyone is saying about the episode being too broad, but at least some of the jokes were actually funny (albeit at the expense of any sort of believability).
SophieB210
November 27, 2012 at 7:37PM EST Reply to CommentThis episode was the worst. I've seen better stuff on Two and a half Men.
emma
November 28, 2012 at 12:27AM EST Reply to CommentHorrible. The entire courtroom story was so- for lack of a better word- stupid.
And isn't Marshall a little young to be asking for a judgeship?
geoffgreene
November 28, 2012 at 11:06AM EST Reply to CommentThis episode exemplifies what Alan has been hitting on all season. The HIMYM writers undercut any emotional stakes they set out by adding in goofy humor. Marshall might get fired if he loses this case? Completely cheapened by Joe Manganiello flirting with judge/jury in some of the worst CGI home video I've ever seen.
Gues
November 30, 2012 at 10:12AM EST Reply to CommentCould this episode be more sexist? Twelve women are swooned by the lawyer and can't intelligently serve on a jury?