HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER: Barney Stinson – That Guy’s Awesome

It’s been four months since Robin left her job at Metro News 1 and the station finally sent along the fan mail she has been receiving. As the gang is sifting through Robin’s mail (“I am way past my dating prisoners phase. It’s like, ‘hello, I’m not 19 anymore’), Barney finds a letter from the US Department of Immigration. Inside an ominous decree: find work in the next seven days or be deported!

I’m not sure who was more devastated by the news, Robin or Barney.  The gang immediately went into “help” mode trying to find a work around to keep Robin here. Perhaps she could work at Lily’s school (can you imagine how fun it would be to see Robin with all those kids?)  Unfortunately Marshall found stipulations in the letter that said that Robin had to find a job in her field. Marshall suggested that she marry an American citizen, but then realized that wouldn’t work as it wouldn’t process fast enough.  Of course the gang failed to notice Barney immediately dropping to one knee, ready to go against his very nature to propose to Robin. Aw.  And thus there is truth to the title of this week’s episode – Barney Stinson in awesome.

Determined to stay in the US of A, Robin went on every audition she could.  On one audition she lets her would be competitors psych her out for not having a killer sign-off phrase.  Robin ruined an otherwise great audition by trying to force some pretty horrible sign-offs . It reminded me of the excruciatingly painful goodbye Ted wrote for her when she left Metro News 1. I’m surprised she didn’t pull a page from Ron Burgundy and tell New York City to “Stay classy”.

When Ted suggest that maybe the problem is with Robin’s resume reel, they all watch as Robin’s early days as a reporter in Canada are horribly revisited.  Robin insists that she keep the early footage on there because you never know what is going to be important to a potential employer.

It turns out that they all pad their resume a bit.

Ted still lists his stint as Dr. X, his mysteriously (and lame) alter ego from his college radio show. Dude, you graduated over 10 years ago, you should not (ot, ot, ot, ot) use that as a selling point, especially if it isn’t anywhere near your vocation in life.

Marshall still includes his accomplishment a slam dunk champion on his resume.  This leads to a funny subplot which reveals that Marshall is a closeted happy dancer, and the injury, which was thought to be from basketball is really “dancer’s hip”. Ain’t no shame in busting a move, Marshall! Any time I get to see Jason Segel dance I’m a happy-camper. Whether it’s in the first season episode “Okay Awesome” or even the finale of “Freaks and Geeks”, Segel dancing makes me smile. Maybe we’ll see more of Marshall dancing in the future.

Lily is also hiding a useless ability on her resume – her aptitude for eating tons of hot dogs. Yes, Lily is a champion hot dog eater.  This “skill” was one of the best visual gags of the episode as it allowed us to see Alyson Hannigan’s baby bump in its full glory. Awesome.

And then of course there is Barney’s resume. It’s quintessential Barney. Over the top graphics, music and even a theme song (which is awesome…no listen, it’s really awesome…that’s all it says). (Barney resume and song can be found at http://www.barneysvideoresume.com).

Barney insists that he can get Robin a job if she lets him make a video resume for her.  Feeling desperate, Robin agrees.  But when she realizes how ridiculous Barney’s antics are she walks away.  (It’s important to note that Robin is now the second member of the gang to have seen the inside of Barney’s apartment.)

Facing deportation, Robin resorts to auditioning for the part of lottery girl – a job the gang had previously mocked.  But even that doesn’t go well.  Is all hope lost?

As Lily, Marshall, Ted and Robin come to terms with the fact that Robin is leaving them, in comes Barney who once again saves the day.  It seems Barney went ahead and finished Robin’s video resume resulting in numerous job offers.  In the end, without even having to audition, Barney got Robin a job hosting a new morning show on Channel 12.  What he wouldn’t do for that girl!  Again – Barney Stinson is awesome! Robin thinks so too and they share a tender hug.

The episode ends with a flashback to Ted’s Dr. X gig.  The costume he was wearing was ridiculous – a cross between the online cartoon character Strongbad, and Venom from Spiderman. And of course I can’t look at college Ted and that horrible hair without laughing hysterically.

This episode was pretty great. I wouldn’t rate it as high as any episodes containing Slap Bet but the sheer giddiness I got from the Robarn hug definitely allows me to give this episode some kudos. And how about all the many different ways they tried to hide (or not hide) Aly and Cobie’s burgeoning baby bumps? Was this a good enough episode for the Robarn storyline or do you need more action to be totally satisfied? When will Ted realize that he was not cool in college at all?

Jen is our resident HIMYM aficionado. Her favorite ways of procrastination include scouring shopping deals for things she does not need, travel ideas she probably can’t afford and reading any and all TV-related material online.