How I Met the Best Burger in New York

You know how people tell you to not go to the grocery store or watch the Food Network when you’re hungry? Even if you just ate big bowl of dumplings and are completely full (case in point: me!), you will still crave a gigantic, juicy, mouth-water burger by the end of this episode. I can’t wait to go to work just so I can get a burger. Like Marshall, I really just need a good reason to put on some pants. Now I know what my goal is for Tuesday. Pants, work, burger.

Marshall is still down in the dumps due to unemployment. His pre-interview daily affirmations only get sadder over time. I love that Marshall still does affirmations. We first witnessed this in the “The Lucky Penny” when Marshall was training to run the NYC marathon. At least this time he wasn’t rubbing his nipples with petroleum jelly. And he was able to walk away from the mirror without having to go to the hospital.

Robin is dying of hunger at McLaren’s while the rest of the gang enjoy their burgers.  But one bit in and Marshall is reminded of his quest. For eight years he has been on the lookout for the restaurant where he ate his first New York burger. In his travels, nothing has come close to that one delicious burger at this small little place he stumbled on when he first opened himself up to New York City. While I never did well with symbolism in literature classes, this burger is more than just a burger. It is Marshall’s lighthouse showcasing there is much more beyond the darkness of his uncertainty towards his future. It is his small beacon of light that illuminates possibilities.

Was that heavy enough for you? Count on Carter and Craig to bring out the show’s big gun, Mr. Neil Patrick Harris to lighten the mood. There were three things in this episode that illustrate his many talents:

– Comic timing. I think this line has been cattle-prodded into my brain. It is one of the crudest and most hilarious lines I have ever heard. “I love this burger so much, I want to sew my ass shut”. Read that line and not laugh. You can’t. Impossible. And let me say “Bravo” to the entire cast for having at least one useful take because I know I would have never survived hearing that over and over again. [GMMR: watch this back again and see just how close NPH comes to breaking on his scenes…classic!]

– Impressions. While many say that it is one of the most sincere forms of flattery, I think only done by a true professional can impressions work. NPH is one of the best out there, especially his “Regis”. He has a Relly to prove it! Listen closely when Regis manhandles Barney in the gym scene. You’ll miss it if you aren’t paying attention. He also pulled out Carnac, an old Johnny Carson character. Two for the price of one!

– Singing voice. Few of us have seen him on Broadway but many of us adored him in “Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog”. During one of his many product placements for Goliath National Bank, he sang one of the bank’s jingles.

If you have an actor like Neil Patrick Harris, you have to use him to his full capacity [GMMR: That’s what she said…sorry, I couldn’t resist]. HIMYM has surely done that in just the first two episodes this season.

There was no real character development or any big push in the storyline in this episode except Marshall finally landed a job. He will now be working at Goliath National Bank, where Barney will also be working; just Marshall doesn’t have access to that floor. This isn’t the first time Marshall and Barney have worked for the same company. Will Barney’s new office have a wall large enough to hang all his inspirational posters? Can Marshall continue to put off his lifetime goal of saving the environment?

Just a few of the things I noticed in this episode (please share yours):

• The swords from “The Duel” were hanging when Ted and Marshall first moved into the apartment eight years ago

• Barney doesn’t like Chinese (nor Indian and Mexican) yet I clearly remember him eating and enjoying Shanghai Dumplings at Lily’s apartment, which makes the best.

• The tiniest little burger joint tucked between a taxidermist and a triple-X bookstore (name two places where things get stuffed).

• Regis will work on ANY game show. Case in point: Million Dollar Heads or Tails. [GMMR: Regis will work on ANY show. Period. Case in Point: Ugly Betty last week and tonight’s episode of HIMYM.  I love Regis & Kelly but Reege should stick to the mornings.]

• The Underpants Radius: as self-esteem gets smaller, the underpants radius gets bigger. This sounds like one of the theories discussed on Big Bang Theory yet dumbed down for viewers like me. And I find the theory ingenious.

Anyone else craving a burger?  Too early?  Ok how about we just talk about last night’s episode then.  Your turn. [GMMR: And can we please talk about Marshall’s hair?  Does Jason Segel think that’s a good look?]

–posted by Jen

GMMR’s resident HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER connoisseur Jen doesn’t need caffeine because her TV viewing schedule keeps her up all night. She does her best to preserve the employment of all the shop girls and guys in her hometown of Boston, MA by visiting frequently and opening her wallet. When she’s not daydreaming about her next vacation, you can easily find her stalking any person carrying a yellow umbrella.