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« How I Met Your Mother
Episode Recap: "The Chain of Screaming"
Tonight on How I Met Your Mother: Marshall’s screaming boss, Lily’s crazed hormones and Ted’s desire to keep his car clean! Three very hot button issues in most people’s lives (what? I’m right and you know it. Especially if you have ever been the only one of your friends to have a car!). Most importantly, this week’s episode gives us a ton of group interaction and individual idiosyncrasies which are two of the best things about this show. Well, I think so at least.
Marshall appeals to the gang for help dealing with his boss, “Artillery Arthur” who screamed at him over his failure to complete a report on time. The best part of the report is that the rest of the group gets him to refer to it as “The Ninja Report” which, I must agree, is the coolest report name ever. Seriously, I wonder if I can implement that into my daily work activities. Anyway, Arthur’s verbal barrage leads to…Marshall crying. Which, in turn, leads to the group both mocking him and trying to help him out because, well, that’s what friends do. Each person tells Marshall what he should do in turn, beginning with Robin. Robin, who, in her daydream, enters Arthur’s office in Marshall’s suit and wielding a gun. And, right in that moment I remembered why I love Robin. Hello, Robin, who is not bumbling and boring! Ted’s idea is for Marshall to go up to Arthur and give a “Lincoln-esque” speech about human rights. Even in Ted’s daydream he fails in his attempt. Oh, Ted, how you do try.
Barney then introduces the main theme of the episode – the Chain of Screaming. Barney says that approaching your boss is the wrong way to go. Instead, he says, you just pass the screaming along so that the chain continues and you still get to feel better. This idea seems pretty unhealthy to me, of course, but we are talking about Barney. Barney who, it turns out, works for a company full of men who consider North Korea to be a friend (are we surprised?). Also unsurprisingly, Marshall ignores Barney and turns to Lily the kindergarten teacher for help. And, unsurprisingly, Lily’s advice is to approach Arthur as you would approach a five year old.
Sadly, we never get to see this interaction, because Barney gets to Marshall by convincing Marshall to yell at Barney (participating in the Chain of Screaming, clearly) and Marshall realizes that if he stays at his firm he is going to end up just like Barney and quits his job. It would have been more meaningful for me, I think, but I was too busy giggling over Marshall screaming at Barney about how Bob Barker was not Barney’s father.
So, we end up in Ted’s car with Ted trying to calm down a terrified, newly unemployed Marshall. Over the course of the scene, we keep adding characters (each with something potentially harmful to Ted’s new car, which is freaking him out as he tries to help Marshall) and, finally, Lily shows up both ruining Ted’s mission to keep his car pristine and forcing Marshall to tell Lily about his job. This, of course culminates in them having sex in the back seat and Ted selling his car so that Marshall and Lily can afford to pay their mortgage. Lily, I’m sure, is just glad she finally got the sex she had been desperate for all episode!
Overall, a pretty good episode, I thought. Not as good as last week’s, but satisfying. NEXT week, however is going to be one of those fabulous, legendary episodes that you will be quoting at your friends for weeks to come. I can feel it in my bones. It’s called “Sandcastles in the Sand” you guys. Robin Sparkles! Man, I can’t wait!
Two quotes of the night this time – Barney saying, “It’s like Christmas bonuses or sexual harassment…it’s just good business!” and Lily saying, “I’m going to drive her like a pack of sled dogs” while explaining her idea of how Marshall should respectfully ask his boss for respect. Ted gets runner up for his teasing Robin about how gun violence might solve everything in Canada.
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Apr 14, 2008 11:06 PM
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I actually kinda loved this episode, I thought it was full of laugs and all the stuff we love from HIMYM (especially Barney's repeated attempts to find a name for his metaphor "The circle... chain.. it's a... pyramid! Yeah, the pyramid of screaming!", and Lily saying "Are you hitting that?" to Ted)
The most stunning thing to me though was about Stella. Did I miss an episode? When we left them, at the end of their five minute date, didn't they decide to put their relationship on hold, or something? Did they add that little notice about them dating when they found out that Sarah Chalke would be available for more episodes this season?
Not that I'm complaining, no one would be happier than me if Stella became a regular and/or she's the mother. I frickin' loved her character! Screw Alicia Silverstone, Sarah Chalke nailed it, as Barney would say.
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Apr 15, 2008 3:24 AM
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I'm also curious as to when Stella became Ted's girlfriend. I watch every episode and they were going their separate ways as far as I can remember. I hope Stella is back also. She was awesome. Good episode tonight.
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Apr 15, 2008 9:47 AM
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Ok, glad I wasn't the only one who thought that Stella and Ted went their separate ways. Maybe it's one of those things they will pick up in a future episode. Like when Ted and Robin came in with spaghetti sauce on their shirts and it was several episodes later we found out about the breakup. Maybe it will also tie in with Ted buying a car out of the blue. Completely not like him.
Ok, one little ticky thing. If Marshall just quit his job and Ted loaned him money to pay his mortgage, why are he and Lily still looking at carpet samples???
I know the apartment is a running joke, but I wish they would just sell it and do some other story for them.
Otherwise, happy with the episode. Lily needing the sugar was hilarious. Loved everyone's reaction to her Marshall confronting Arthur speech.
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Apr 15, 2008 9:57 AM
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So, am I the only one that found Lily's little "turned on" part in the bar way awkward and creepy? I just felt it was one of those things they tried to make funny but it ended up just being weird...maybe it's just me. Or maybe it's just that I (please don't kill me!!!) am not a huge fan of Lily's...I think it may be the way she talks (her expressions her voice inflections, etc.), but I'm honestly not sure. I just wish they would give more to Robin and less to Marshall and Lily, for once.
And I agree...the whole apartment thing is a bit ridiculous - they clearly cannot afford it, they could barely afford it WITH Marshall's great job.
So, HIMYM writers...please give more lines to Robin and Barney and less to the "same s***, different day" Marshall and Lily, and for the love of Pete, can we FIND the mother already?
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Apr 15, 2008 10:17 AM
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The first thing I noticed was the part that mentioned that ted and stella were dating...believe me, I'm ecstatic! I love sarah chaulke playing the stella character...her and ted are awesome together. I guess they're just taunting us to let us know that stella will be in more episodes at some point. but if they're "dating," there would need to be a reason why she's never around. I know she's busy w/ work and her daughter, but they need to mention that again. I feel like if they wanted her to come back, they would have re-introduced her then, but who knows?
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Apr 15, 2008 10:42 AM
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this was a really good episode. the whole thing was hilarious. and yes they ended the last one with ted and stella dating. she doesnt have alot of time but they are dating.
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Apr 15, 2008 11:38 AM
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I liked this episode a lot as well. I love Marshall so whenever he's the focus, I love it. I was thinking the same thing as Ted when Robin came into the car, can that ice cream cone get any bigger?
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Apr 15, 2008 12:42 PM
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I don't think stella is the mother because in the opening when "adult Ted" is talking to his kids telling them a story he says, "so I'm dating Stella". I think that he would have said "That is when I started to date your mom". Do you all agree???
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Apr 15, 2008 12:49 PM
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Hands down, funniest line came at the end, when Ted was screaming at everyone about his car.
Barney "Ted, screaming never served a purpose!"
ROFLMAO!!!
Love me some Barney.
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Apr 15, 2008 1:49 PM
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I have to say that I saw it coming that Marshall was going to cry in reaction to being screamed at - it looked as though he was going to yell back for a quick moment but then something in his expression or demeanor changed and there he was - blubbering!
My favorite scene was Robin dressed in the man's suite and tie brandishing the gun in "her"/Marshall's boss's face. That was too funny!
Next week it will be fun to see Tiffany and "Robin Sparkles" together!
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Apr 15, 2008 2:42 PM
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Not as good as BBT this week, but better than before the strike.
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Apr 15, 2008 2:44 PM
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I'm not going to kill you, Jenn1985, but I started watching this show because of Alyson Hannigan, whom I loved as Willow in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I just wish she'd go back to her natural red hair (and I wish they'd bring her husband Alexis Denisov back to guest again as Sandy Rivers!).
I didn't really enjoy this episode all that much except for the four friends dressed as Marshall and dealing with Atomic Art. I also found Lily's optimism at the end gratuitous. Doesn't she know about the mortgage crisis and the number of people whose homes are being foreclosed on? He really needed that job (although as the best friend of a young attorney, I know that she had no life until she left the firm & went to work for the government!)
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Apr 15, 2008 3:16 PM
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Most importantly, this week’s episode gives us a ton of group interaction and individual idiosyncrasies which are two of the best things about this show. Well, I think so at least.
I agree. I also agree that keeping the new car clean is definitely a hot button issue.
Robin, who, in her daydream, enters Arthur’s office in Marshall’s suit and wielding a gun. And, right in that moment I remembered why I love Robin. Hello, Robin, who is not bumbling and boring!
I love her too. I found Ted’s comment about gun violence being how you solve problems in Canada funny. There are quite a few states in the Union it might work in too! In fact I find it funny that the Canadian is the one with a gun fetish, since the general perception is that Canada is more liberal than the US(higher taxes, government healthcare system). She along with Barney seem the least liberal of the bunch.
This idea seems pretty unhealthy to me, of course, but we are talking about Barney.
While it is definitely unhealthy. It is the way it works in many offices of the corporate world and in other places around the globe. People taking out frustration on those “lower on the totem pole”.
Lily saying "Are you hitting that?"
That was a great line. But more importantly you bring up something left out of the recap. Ted is dating Stella! We were led to believe 2 weeks ago that it was on hold. But it looks like they have forged ahead with her as the new girlfriend!
The most stunning thing to me though was about Stella. Did I miss an episode? When we left them, at the end of their five minute date, didn't they decide to put their relationship on hold, or something? Did they add that little notice about them dating when they found out that Sarah Chalke would be available for more episodes this season?
Okay, so I should have read the rest of your post! That was how I saw the end of the 5 minute date too. I guess they added it when she became available. Pretty sweet!
I frickin' loved her character! Screw Alicia Silverstone, Sarah Chalke nailed it, as Barney would say.
I agree that she seems great for Ted, but they seem to have painted themselves into a corner with 8 year old daughter.
I'm also curious as to when Stella became Ted's girlfriend. I watch every episode and they were going their separate ways as far as I can remember.
I’m guessing that they changed tact when Chalke became available for more episodes. Ted said to call if she ever decided she wasn’t too busy. She said she would. I assume they’ll just say that she decided to call and make time to date.
Ok, one little ticky thing. If Marshall just quit his job and Ted loaned him money to pay his mortgage, why are he and Lily still looking at carpet samples???
Many purchases include renovations in the purchase, especially NY apartments. In addition they are having structural work done to fix the lean. It is possible that work would make it necessary to replace the carpet, tile, etc.
So, am I the only one that found Lily's little "turned on" part in the bar way awkward and creepy? I just felt it was one of those things they tried to make funny but it ended up just being weird...maybe it's just me.
It was funny. Now it may have been awkward(I wouldn’t say creepy), but it was supposed to be. That was part of the humor. The others being uncomfortable is what makes it funny. But I also like the character/actress, so…
and yes they ended the last one with ted and stella dating. she doesnt have alot of time but they are dating.
The exact exchange was:
-Ted: Look I would love to have a second date. I would. But I understand that you really don’t have the time right now, but if you ever do will you give me a call?
-Stella: Yes.
-Ted: Okay.
Clearly the implication was that they were not going to date right now, but the possibility for the future was left open.
I don't think stella is the mother because in the opening when "adult Ted" is talking to his kids telling them a story he says, "so I'm dating Stella". I think that he would have said "That is when I started to date your mom". Do you all agree???
That’s a good point.
Hands down, funniest line came at the end, when Ted was screaming at everyone about his car.
Barney "Ted, screaming never served a purpose!"
ROFLMAO!!!
Love me some Barney.
It was great, but I though it was “Ted, screaming never solved anything.”
My favorite scene was Robin dressed in the man's suite and tie brandishing the gun in "her"/Marshall's boss's face. That was too funny!
Robin is awesome. I like how she finished it with, “Then why are you still in my office?”
Next week it will be fun to see Tiffany and "Robin Sparkles" together!
Okay how did I miss that we were getting more Robin Sparkles this week?! And it involves Tiffany! Awesome! Is there more information available somewhere?
I also found Lily's optimism at the end gratuitous. Doesn't she know about the mortgage crisis and the number of people whose homes are being foreclosed on? He really needed that job
It’s not like she said that they wouldn’t lose the apartment. She said it didn’t matter to her. The apartment and the money weren’t what her dream life with Marshall is about. Being with him is what is important to her, and him not being miserable in his job is also important to her. That doesn’t seem like gratuitous optimism to me.
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Apr 15, 2008 5:28 PM
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It was great, but I though it was “Ted, screaming never solved anything.”
Not that it matters, but since you are so thorough, he says: "screaming never solves anything"
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Apr 15, 2008 7:53 PM
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