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Episode Recap: "Everything Must Go"
I don’t know if the fact that Ted’s red cowboy boots were my favorite part of tonight’s episode means I liked the episode or I didn’t. Honestly, I think the things I like and the things I disliked about balanced each other out this week. We got to poke some fun at Ted – fun. We had to deal with Britney – not fun. Lily’s art soothes dogs – humorous. Marshall’s ever-growing need for a haircut – not humorous and honestly just distracting!
We did find out who the mystery woman warning girls about Barney was, of course, so that was a nice conclusion to the story. Too bad it had to be Abby. We didn’t even get the slight humor of her being a dorky receptionist. Nope, just Britney and her weird line delivery. I am really sorry for those of you that liked her in this role, I really am, but I just don’t see the appeal. If she said “awesome” one more time I was going to cry. She had one good line (“I don’t want to steal any attention from America!”) and even that was more good writing than actual acting ability. Plus, okay, maybe it was just me, but during the scene where she and Barney were dressed alike all I could think was that they looked related. It was very disconcerting. All I really have to say about the “Barney and Abby try to make Ted jealous” plot is this:
Dearest Barnacle,
Sending Annoying Abby over to bother Ted in the middle of the night is not winning you and points.
Kisses,
Justine
Let’s move right along to Lily and Marshall, shall we? Lily and Marshall realized they were in more money trouble than they previously thought (what with needing to fix the crooked floors in that apartment they bought – remember that?) and Marshall wanted Lily to sell her expensive clothes to make some money. To which I said, directly into my television, “Do it!” Look, I love Lily, but man do I hate her wardrobe most days. I also think Marshall should try to sell his hair. Right, letting it go now. Anyway, Lily sadly didn’t want to sell her clothes and decided to sell her art instead. Marshall lacked faith in the ability for her paintings to sell. Her paintings didn’t sell (she ended up on a sidewalk alongside a “tube sox” selling heroin addict) until she met a GCWOK (Gay Couple Without Kids, for those not in the know) who took her painting off her hands…for the frame. Guilty for not having believed in his now-distraught wife, Marshall goes off to find the painting for Lily and discovers her ability to calm canines through art. So, in the end, they got their money selling Lily’s pictures to veterinarians and she got to keep her clothes. Well, most of them, as Robin bought some things (and there was your “insert Robin here” moment of the night).
That is really all I have, honestly. It could have been better and it could have been a lot worse (more Abby, for example). In my (very humble) opinion, it’s time to reunite Ted and Barney, writers. This show thrives on the group aspect of the five characters we love. Reunion time! Please?
And, finally, quotes and/or enjoyable moments:
• “Sound like that b*tch had it coming.” – Ted on a little girl who only draws rainbows
• “Girl, you can not pull off a tall kitchen!” – Lily talking about the woman on iforcemywifetoweartrashbags.com (or something to that effect; I didn’t catch the full address).
• “No Country for Straight Men” – the best cowboy-with-red-boots movie ever.
• “I got a two syllable damn!” – Lily on why she didn’t want to give up a dress.
Also, if you didn’t catch it at the end of the show, lilyandmarshallselltheirstuff.com is a real site for a real charity so if you are interested in bidding on some cool things from the show for a good cause you should head on over!
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May 12, 2008 11:23 PM
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Sorry ... I just don't get the Britney appeal. I like her songs (well, some of them) just fine, but she really can't act. Whatever marginal appeal she held in the first casting "coup" is now gone. Please stop now.
And this episode was boring. We need our group back together. Please?
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May 13, 2008 12:51 AM
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It was beyond painful to watch Britney ruin one of my favorite shows. Her fakey voice was grating my nerves.. these rating stunts with her need to end. I hope this is the last we see of Abby.
All in all, kind of a weak episode. Ted's boots were funny, but the rest of the laughs were few and far between. Bring back the HIMYM that we all loved.. we need the bros reunited!
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May 13, 2008 12:55 AM
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I can't get the website to work =-(
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May 13, 2008 12:56 AM
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You know, I actually didn't mind Britney in the first episode she was in. Her part wasn't so complicated, she was a little loony, and even a little funny in her last line to Barney. But tonight's episode, it was painful to watch her.
I did love Ted's cowboy boots.
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May 13, 2008 1:09 AM
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Dearest Justine,
Perhaps when you write statement like "...I am really sorry for those of you that liked her in this role, I really am..." you might want to phrase in such a way that you don't come across like a condescending shrew.
Kisses
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May 13, 2008 2:08 AM
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Wow. That sucked. That really, really sucked.
They were on a roll. Talk about going to the well once too often with the guest star.
What are they doing to Barney? Last week was so fun. This week his story was so dumb.
"Pictures of Lily"? That plot (and it's outcome) were too cutesy for my tastes.
I won't even mention the lousy return of she-who-shall-not-be-named.
The gay guys were kind of funny. But really... there is no way they'd like those boots. Maybe WeHo gays are just more picky?
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May 13, 2008 2:37 AM
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Wow, what's with all the hating on Britney?? I thought she came off as an obsessive, naive, annoying blond ditz who-- oh, wait, that's exactly how the part was written. Yeah, I thought the storyline was weak, too, but in my opinion, that's not the actors' fault. And for the record, on the Richter scale of singing talent, I would only put Spears as a 5/10, so believe me, I'm no fan of hers in any way, shape, or form, but in my opinion she played the part as it was written, and did a creditable enough job at it.
As for the red cowboy boots, I have to echo the words "pull them off." As in "Ted, please-- pull them off... They look ridiculous."
Certainly not the best episode, and WAY down from last week, but if it got more eyes on the screen and hastens the renewal for next year, then that's a good thing. (Or as Ted might say, yippee-ki-yay.)
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May 13, 2008 5:38 AM
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I agree with everyone who thought this episode was a downer after such a great run. Britney was better as Abby in her first appearance, but I think ABBY was a better Abby in the first appearance. She was sweeter and goofier the first time around; I really giggled and felt for her every time she said something stupid to Ted and then chastised herself for it. I'm not sure how the writers and director took that and turned it into "Brainless, obsessed stalker" for tonight. The writing was just off for everyone. Poor Robin, all she got to do was say "It's still in the family!" a few times. The only time I laughed was when Ted calmly said, "Barney, I think she thinks you're serious," when Abby was calling her mom about the engagement.
I really, really hated that they made Lily out to be such a bad artist. Have they ever hinted at that before? We've seen her passion for it, what with the move to San Fran for it, and it seems like such a low blow to her character to have her be such a joke.
Oh well, every show has its highs and lows, and I'd much rather have watched this episode than most sitcoms on TV (in the same way Doublemeat Palace was the worst hour of Buffy ever, but I'd still watch that over most shows).
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May 13, 2008 8:25 AM
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Brittany was a waste of time, except I am not into mainstream gossip, is that girl pregnant again?? That blue sweater she wore matching Barney made her look about 3 months along!
PULL THEM OFF was all I said to Ted all night long, and yes, I talk to the TV!
Lily's paintings are horrid, but I am glad dogs like them!
Not the best epi, and I want a Barney Ted reunion next PLEASE!!!
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May 13, 2008 8:56 AM
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The Barney/Abby story completely flopped. This episode was not good. When red cowboy boots and hypnotized dogs are the funniest parts, you've got problems. (Oh and birds flying into windows is always a fun gag!) Hopefully, they will learn from this mistake and not repeat it.
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May 13, 2008 9:01 AM
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I liked the episode fine, although I thought Brittney was better in the last episode she did--in this one she fell flat a bit. I still like the character Abby--well, like is too strong a word, but intrigued--but now I just want to see less of her. I thought the Lily's paintings storyline was cute and funny, and after the paintings storyline from a season ago (she painted Barney nude, didn't she?) I assumed that she wasn't the world's best painter, so I was ready for this. I love that her paintings soothe dogs and so she can make a decent living selling her paintings to vets--that was brilliant!
Great writeup, Justine. I think the link to lilyandmarshallselltheirstuff.com isn't working right. In case you can't fix the hyperlink, try this one instead. The link goes to charityfolks.com, but it's not loading properly either.
Does anyone remember the full link for the other website (the iforcemywifetoweartrashbags one)? I'm wishing I wrote it down now!
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May 13, 2008 9:15 AM
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Normally I love HIMYM and I didn’t mind Britney last time. Probably because she had a bit part but last night was excruciating. I was actually cringing every time she had a line. And I’m a little angry that they made Abby Barney’s stalking critic. I just wanted it to be someone fabulous not forgettable annoying Abby.
In short this week’s episode was painful to watch. The only highlight I found was the whole Lily’s art calms dogs and that Marshall is irresistible to gay men. Everything else was agonizing. So hopefully they will resolve the Ted/Barney rift soon. And use Robin more, she is sorely missed.
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May 13, 2008 9:15 AM
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MAN !!! She stinks
please, please no more Britney
just the wonderful actors that made this show worth watching
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May 13, 2008 9:36 AM
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Britney was beyond horrible. She can't act and basically ruined last night's episode. Every time she opened her mouth i wanted to change the channel to american gladiators.
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May 13, 2008 9:40 AM
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