"How I Met Your Mother Season 5" Continued Excellence

 

    Yes, I know I swear I wrote the review to season four of this show like less than four days ago, so yes I am going to (in vain) try and slow down my consumption of this show just a bit before I end up watching everything before this month even ends. Even still, I did finish this show, and out of fear that I'll end up halfway through season six of this show before this review is even written, here it is. I wouldn't say it's the sharpest season, but I'd say it certainly explores some decent storylines, and at the very least tries out new things which is admirable to me.

    Of course, as a Barney lover it is impossible for me to talk about this season without mentioning the dreaded, and weird Barney x Robin relationship. I'm very glad the show basically threw it out after six episodes, I mean a part of me knew that was bound to happen, but another part of me never really saw or understood it. Robin is consistently disgusted by Barney's sexual escapades, but he does fulfill her need for something casual. Even still, for the brief period of time that they were together it wasn't as if they felt like a good couple I wanted to keep around. They were certainly no Lily and Marshall in my eyes. Probably the best part about it was the Robin 101 episode, because I thought it was pretty funny to watch Ted teach a class and help Barney learn more about Robin. Which by the way I think it was pretty adorable that Barney was trying to learn more about her I think Robin was in the wrong in that episode.

    Which brings me to another change coming into this season which was Ted's profession. The reason I say this is because honestly after the first couple of episodes you couldn't notice it, like at all. It was certainly interesting to see Ted in a teaching setting, though honestly I would never as a professor date a student it's simply too weird even ignoring the ethical concerns/implications. I mean you'll hear him talk about his job but I guess it's just sort of just faded into the background faster than I thought it would. I mean they made such a big deal of him becoming a professor you'd think there'd be more ramifications. He ended up talking about Stella more than anything, which honestly the less I hear about her the better. It just makes me groan.

    Speaking of things that make me groan, oh brother can we stop this fake over, not over, love triangle stuff with Barney, Ted and Robin. It didn't work with Barney and Robin so adding Ted to the mix didn't improve anything and honestly it was pathetic seeing them try with it. Also on a side note this fake out where Robin thinks about moving away for a bit is so played out why did they seriously try doing it again? Speaking of Robin she's actually grown on me quite a bit, and not just because she's Canadian, but because I'm starting to enjoy her character. Though, I will say this about her, she could do better than Don. Not only does Don feel significantly older than her, but the fact that he was a complete slob that never wore pants to someone who was "inspired" by Robin is so dumb I never supported that relationship in the slightest. It was embarrassing on all fronts.

     So did I actually enjoy this season? I mean obviously it's my comfort show right now. I don't think any of the scenarios this sitcom played through were boring or tired or anything. I thought episodes like Dual Citizenship, The Sexless Innkeeper, The Playbook, and more were all great episodes. I mean seriously why would I be chewing through this show like a paper shredder if I didn't enjoy it? I mean I do have a lot of free time at my job too but that's besides the point. I'm still invested in seeing this journey end, even if it supposedly is in a terrible car crash.

Final Score: 80/100

    On a side note what's up with the extra musical numbers this season? Like the first Barney one was bizarre to me, and then the Ted one threw me off even further. I'm not saying that I hated them, I thought the singing was better than I expected? Even still, it's like they had surplus budget and didn't know what to spend it on so they spent it on Jennifer Lopez and Barney doing this whole elaborate musical number on how much he loves suits. I mean at this point I assume the show was printing out money like crazy. On a side note there's like 4 seasons left how long are they going to tease the introduction of the mother? This yellow umbrella nonsense is really starting to blue ball me hard.