All throughout my time watching HIMYM, I always wondered how Robin fit into things. After all, since the first two seasons were about Ted being in love with Robin, she has to play some important role in the titular mystery for the story to start there, right? When Barney was revealed as the groom at the wedding in which Ted met the mother, I began assuming that Robin would be the bride. That, in my mind, would justify the two seasons (Though those were great seasons) where she was the focus of Ted's romantic life. And while that still could happen (and is still what I'm hoping for), No Pressure justifies those two seasons by revealing that Ted still loves Robin on some level and will never be able to settle down, as long as the possibility exists that they could get together one day. Great stuff, but before we talk about it further, let's talk about:
What Happened, Yo!:
-Future Ted tells his kids about the first time he told the mother he loved her, and mentions the last time he told a woman he loved her, it was Robin. We then go back to the cliffhanger from last week. After telling Robin he loves her and reminding her it's been five years since they broke up (after asking themselves where they saw each other in five years and having extremely different answers), Ted suggests that they should try again, but quickly brushes it off and leaves before she can reply. Ted decides to take back what he said when Robin kisses him. They decide to figure out what they should do now, but have no time because Robin has to go to Russia for a week.
-Ted tells Marshall and Lily what's going on and Lily seems to be against Ted getting back together with Robin. At the same time Barney (Who spent the night at Marshall and Lily's after the last episode and who was rummaging around looking for a sex tape) discovers Marshall and Lily have several ongoing bets, including Lily betting that Ted and Robin wouldn't end up together. Lily tries to sabotage Ted until Ted finds out what's going on. Lily points out that Ted hasn't settled down with Robin during the five years since they've been together and that there must be a reason. Ted concludes that Robin loves Barney, but when he tells Barney, Barney tells him everything that happened between him and Robin last fall and says he's over Robin. He also tells Ted he won't mind if Ted and Robin date.
-Meanwhile, Barney learns one of the bets is that Barney will never watch Lily and Marshall's sex tape, so he tracks it down and prepares to watch on Ted's VCR. Marshall tries to discourage Barney from watching it, but Lily tries to encourage him, and Barney gets so confused, he breaks the VCR and doesn't watch the tape.
-Robin returns and Ted takes her to dinner at the restaurant with the blue horn, but they realize that they're not going to get back together. Ted dissolves the agreement that they'll get married if they're both single at 40 because he can't move on if there is still a chance. Ted says he's fine, but Marshall tells Robin that Ted is probably hurting and that she has to move out. Robin agrees and moves out. Marshall still won't concede to Lily that Ted and Robin won't end up together. Future Ted tells his kids that in a way he was happy because a world of possibility has opened up to him. We then see Ted walk alone in a stream of yellow umbrellas.
I Liked This: Wow. No Pressure was probably my favorite episode of season 7 so far, being as emotionally effective as Symphony of Illumination, but also really funny. Marshall and Lily having made long-term bets on their friends is one of those funny ideas, that also fits with what we know about those characters. The flashback to Lily trying to collect on the bet that Ted and Robin don't end up together during the various stages of Ted's engagement to Stella was one of the best jokes of the episode. In fact, I appreciated all the nods and references to previous episodes, from Ted finally finding out about Barney and Robin's fall hook-up to the return of the blue horn (which now is chained up in another one of the episode's best jokes). It helped reinforce that this is an important episode for the show going forward, and the ending with Robin moving out and Ted walking into a sea of possibility (represented by a stream of people with yellow umbrellas) was top notch. It should be interesting to see how this new development affects the show going forward. Finally, I also liked the revelation of the Marshall/Lily sex tape and how their desire to win the bet about whether or not Barney watches it led to the destruction of Ted's VCR (I also own a VCR by the way.). Funny stuff. Funny stuff. However, something tells me we haven't seen the last of that sex tape.
But...: Marshall still not conceding the bet better not be the show hinting that they'll try something like this again down the road.
The Bottom Line: No Pressure was a fantastic episode of How I Met Your Mother, which finally closes the book on Ted and Robin in an effective way, while still managing to be very funny.
Grade: 95% (Almost Perfect)
Memorable Moments
-The movie playing at the theatre where Ted tells the mother he loves her is The Wedding Bride III.
-Ted: "I go camping in secret!"
-Lily tries to get Ted to make a big romantic gesture for Robin (She wants to scare her off) so Ted comes up with ideas. "So I just walk up to her in Red Square with a dozen roses. Or float down to her in my hot air balloon with TEN dozen roses."
-Bets made include Barney Dies By Murder, Robin Will Never Return Lily's Hairdryer, Ted Will Go Bald, and If Ted Goes Bald, He'll Totally Pull It Off.
-Just when I had forgotten that Conan O'Brien was supposed to show up as an extra at some point, he showed up last night and even though he didn't say or do anything besides turn his head, I found his cameo funny.
-Ted: "Barney, you've really grown up, you know that?" Barney: "Thanks, now lets watch our two best friends have sex on tape!"
-Lily and Marshall try to convince Barney to watch/not watch the sex tape. Lily: "I slap my own ass." Marshall: "I slap MY own ass!"
-Ted: "Barney, that was my VCR." Barney: "Ted, it was a VCR."
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