It’s here, it’s finally here!! How I Met Your Mother season premiere, woohoo! We left off with the jaw dropper that Barney is getting married in the future, before Ted! Also Marshall and Lily just found out they are having a baby!! The opening starts with Ted and Barney where we left off. Barney is nervous about his wedding, and they relived Punchy’s wedding. This is where much of the episode takes place.

I can’t believe M&L thought they could keep their pregnancy a secret. With the amount they drink? I love the plan of Marshall drinking for two at the wedding. I’m totally stealing that when the Hubs and I have a little one. Plus it made great drunken Marshall. And Lily’s slip ups-”now that I’m pregnant in my mind uterus.” Bawhahahaa! Marshall ends up getting hammered, and all through the episode you think he’s going to mess up the wedding by accidentally breaking the cake, or hitting the bride. Instead he accidentally outs her pregnancy when he’s pointing to Lily and saying this beautiful woman is pregnant. Whoops!

I knew Robin still had feelings for Barney, but I was surprised she let Lily know in the first episode. I love their dance scene together. That must have been so fun to shoot. Love Robin’s new trimmer figure but I’m not liking the hair that much. She manages to pull it off though. But back to Barney and Robin: those two have great chemistry. Get back together already! But of course just as she about tell Barney how she feels, Nora calls him back. So she tells him how she feels so that he can repeat it to Nora. It was a heartbreaking moment. Almost as heartbreaking as Ted telling Robin that he’s lost his belief in fate and love. Marshall and Lily announcing that they’re pregnant renews his faith.

Of course the writers bounce us back to Barney’s wedding for more teasers and it’s pure torture. We see that Barney isn’t sure if he chose the right girl. Will it be Nora or Robin? My hope is Robin, but we’ll see.

In the second half hour, Ted has two dates after a bit of a dry spell. He then realizes he gets invited to an Architect’s Ball, and has to choose between the two girls.

Marshall gets a call from his dream job, and pending a background check and google search they said he’s hired. Unfortunately Marshall discovers he has some pretty embarrassing videos floating around in cyberspace. When he goes to beg his old college buddy to take the video down, he winds up getting trashed again and makes another video. Luckily his new boss has a great sense of humor and hires him anyways.

Meanwhile, Barney is screwing things up with his second chance with Nora. She makes him come clean about his lying. But she also makes him list all the ways he’s lied to get laid, and ends up leaving disgusted. He vows he’ll stay in the diner until she agrees to go on a second date with him. Towards the end of the episode, Barney wakes up in the diner booth with Nora gazing down at him. Awww!

Back to Ted’s story. He can’t choose which girl to take to the ball, so he takes Robin as his date. While he’s there, he sees Victoria! Remember her avid fans? Season 1? She was so adorable, the baker! They had the perfect night, and then she went off to Germany and they couldn’t survive the distance. The end of the episode shows the two of them locking eyes. ACKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK! Sooooo exciting!

As usual, I’m equally happy and frustrated with this episode. All of the cliff hangers, none of the answers, but it was oh so good.

All I can say is that this episode was an equal mix of awesome and torture. I predicted the end, that Barney would be the one getting married, and Ted is the best man. I also predicted that Lily was pregnant, to which I got teary eyed. I’m so happy that’s where the storyline went! Especially after the heartfelt speech Marshal gives about how life has been so terrible this past year.

So now that it’s been revealed that Barney is getting married, I wonder what the writers will do next season. Will he marry Nora or Robin? I have to say I would probably be happier with either, but Robin makes the most sense. There are also some theories that Nora is the mother, and that Ted meets her at Barney’s wedding. I find this one  a little far fetched since I would definitely think that her taking courses at the college would have come up with Barney. But she is Robin’s friend so it would make sense that she would be at the wedding. But why wouldn’t Ted meet her prior to that?

I am so relieved that Ted didn’t end up back with Zoey. Bleck! She was just plain terrible and I’m glad that Robin and Barney stopped it. I can’t wait until next season, and it’s going to be absolute torture to wait until fall for the next season.

I had high hopes for this new romantic comedy sitcom starring Sarah Chalke and Jason Biggs. They’re both seasoned comedic pros, so this seemed like a win win for a sitcom. The first episode started out pretty cute, with Kate (Chalke) and Ben (Biggs) have a meet cute on the top of a skyscraper where he’s left his phone. They fall for each other and their best friends hate/like each other. You’d think this would have the makings of a great new show.

But the second episode was a bit of a romantic comedy appetite suppressant for me. Kate and Ben have zero chemistry, and yet we’re supposed to believe that these two are soul mates that are madly in love, hence the name “Mad Love”. The two that actually do have chemistry are the best friends who loathe each other. The problem there though is their one line zingers and the horribleness of canned laughter which leaves everything feeling way too forced.

There have been other shows that started off slowly but are now awesome, like Community. So I haven’t given up on this one yet. I love Sarah Chalke and I’d really like to see her in another successful sitcom, like Scrubs was. Here’s hoping!

Well, it finally happened. Ted and Zoey got together. I knew it would happen, but I worried it would be in the worst way, where Ted has an affair with Zoey and becomes the bad guy. If that happened I would have been so angry with the writers but instead it’s revealed that Zoey and the Captain are going through a divorce.

I have mixed feelings about it and I’m a little bit frustrated because we know Zoey is not the mother. But at the same time, this whole season has felt like things are finally starting to move forward for the show. The last couple of seasons felt a bit stagnant, and now we’re seeing a lot of character growth. We haven’t seen much out of Ted though, and maybe this new soon to be failed relationship will showcase some of his own personal growth. I loved Barney’s little break down and his big alligator tears. He reminds me of a little boy sometimes and it’s adorable.

Speaking of little kids, I love Marshall’s arguments with his mom and brother. “Get off the phone!” I used to have those when I was a kid and whenever I go home I always feel like I’m a teenager again, no matter how old I get. He’s completely reverted to his childhood. Unfortunately he’s bored as hell, without his xbox slim he’s forced to play Clue by himself. That cracked me up. Then later when he uses the Clue characters to represent Ted and Zoey’s complicated relationship is hilarious. “But Zoey is married to Colonel Mustard, I mean The Captain.” I love how Marshall’s brother and mom get involved in the story and add even more comic relief to an already funny episode.

I wish there had been a little bit more Lily and I even missed Robin (notably my least favorite character) but they’ll have more face time in upcoming episodes, especially when Lily gets pregnant. Katy Perry wasn’t nearly as annoying as I thought she’d be, and I loved the “Oh honey” bit about how naive she was. Once again HIMYM did not disappoint!

Last night’s episode of How I Met Your Mother showcased what this show is best at: blending deep feelings and laughter seamlessly. In this week’s episode the gang is in Minnesota for Marshall’s dad’s funeral.

The guys have decided they are going to do everything they can to get Marshall to laugh, while Robin plans to be the “vice girl” packing everything and anything Marshall may need to get through the day. I didn’t laugh much at Ted and Barney’s antics, but it was almost as if the writers knew it wasn’t funny and were showcasing how awkward it can be as friends trying to cheer up someone who is grieving.

Meanwhile Lily has decided to be there for Marshall’s mom, despite how much her mother in law dislikes her. Robin’s bag of goodies makes her into the funeral dealer which brought a few laughs. Lily’s interaction with her mother in law had a real ring of truth to it. Sometimes when a person is going through a hard time, they need a scapegoat. I love that she recognizes what Lily is doing and thanks her for it. That was a sweet moment for the two of them.

Marshall’s breakdown was the best part of this episode, and this quote had me sniffling:

[Marshall's incensed because the gang is insistent about not listening to his father's last words if he doesn't feel like it.]
Marshall: You guys don’t get it, okay? None of you do. My dad was my hero. He is my teacher…and he was my best friend. He was always there for me, and now he’s gone. What am I left with? [shows phone with vague voicemail; looks to sky] Thanks a lot, God. Thank you, you took my father! The greatest man I have ever known, and you whipped him off this earth way too young! [to Lily] And he’ll never get to meet our kids, Lily. But we got this voicemail, [to God] Thanks for the voicemail, it’s such agreat comfort, so whenever I feel lonely, and sad or maybe like I feel I’ve been cheated, at least I have the sound of his pocket to console me.
Lily: Marshall…
Marshall: I was just fair. An entire human life, and it just ends for no reason, and what are we left with? [phone cracks in]
Marvin Eriksen: Marshall? Looks like I’ve been calling you for the last five minutes. How’s my pocket sound? Sorry about that, buddy. Anyway, your mom and I had such a great time seeing you. I love you.

The end of the episode wraps up with Ted talking about last words and everyone calling their dads. Barney calls his mom and says he’s ready to meet his father. I’m really looking forward to who they’re going to pick to play Barney’s dad and see where the show takes that storyline.

The show really makes the viewer think about last words. What are the last ones you said to your loved ones? It makes you want to pick up the phone and call your folks. That’s what I love about this show. It always manages to hit home.

This episode left me sobbing, but it was so so so good. I have always been a huge HIMYM fan, and this show just cemented the fact that it is hands down one of the most well written shows on television. The character growth this season has been incredible and this episode was one of the most powerful of any show I’ve ever watched.

This episode surrounds Marshal and Lily and their quest to have a baby. The main plot of the episode is the two going to a fertility specialist (who just happens to be the real Barney doppleganger) and determining whether or not they have fertility issues. In true HIMYM fashion, there are funny jokes and silliness throughout the episode, like the subplot of Robin’s catastrophe of a work career. That subplot was so necessary because Marshal and Lily’s plotline was pretty serious.

All through the episode there was also a countdown, starting with the number 50. To be honest, I didn’t notice this at all, and only when it was pointed out by other HIMYM viewers in forums did I remember the numbers. I was much more focused on the plot. It turns out this countdown was actually a countdown to the bad news.

Anyone who watches the show knows that Marshal is incredibly close to his parents, especially his dad. At the beginning of the episode Marshal talks about how he always shares his good news with his dad, calling him for every victory, big or small. “I got into law school” or “I just bought a cool viking lamp!” He would probably even call him to ask what kind of Womens Hats to buy for Lily’s birthday.
Marshal talks about how a moment just doesn’t feel real until he can share it with his father. This is a key phrase that will come back to haunt us at the end of the episode.

The couple find out that Lily is quite fertile, so then Marshal fears he is the problem. Just when he’s going to get tested himself, his parents show up for a surprise visit. Lily makes Marshal have the heart to heart that he’s afraid to have with his dad, about how he is worried that they won’t be able to have children. His dad is completely supportive and encouraging and they have this really nice moment together. Flash forward to the end of the episode where Marshal is about to open champagne to celebrate the news that he is also fertile. Lily isn’t there, and the whole time I’m thinking, where is Lily, why isn’t she there? I get this horrible feeling that something is wrong.

Then Marshal decides to go outside and call his dad to share the news. He calls, and the phone rings and rings. Then my heart leaps into my throat when Lily pulls up and she’s crying. “Marshal, your dad had a heart attack…he didn’t make it.” I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. Then the camera points to Marshal and we can see him visibly break inside. “I’m not ready for this” he cries into Lily’s arms as the show ends. I couldn’t help but sob into hubs’ arms because that is exactly how I’d react if something happened to one of our parents. We’re reaching that point in life where it’s a reality that our parents will not live forever and something we will have to face one day.

It was definitely a depressing episode but it was also incredible. The level of depth of Marshal and Lily was just so amazing. This show draws me in and makes it feel like these are real friends, and a real couple going through all of these life changing moments. I am not looking forward to watching Marshal grieve but I am looking forward to how this will bring the group forward and encourage them to grow up even more than they already have this season.

Monday’s How I Met Your Mother was brilliant. I seriously love how this show tackles real issues and situations. Take Lily and Robin’s friendship. Lily and Marshal are trying to have a baby so Lily becomes obsessed with all things baby. I’ve experienced this first hand with friends. Women tend to become obsessed with planning their wedding and then with babies. Luckily I like the wedding planning stuff. But the baby thing? I love kids, but I definitely do not want to hear about your mucus plug over brunch like poor Robin dealt with from Lily. Even shopping all Lily could talk about were bob revolution duallie strollers and baby clothes.
Then the gang finds out that Robin’s old bff used to be her friend until she had a baby. Lily is broken hearted thinking Robin is going to dump her as her friend. They end up patching things up, after Marshal uses the voice of reason and tells Lily she’s being ridiculous. I love that-it’s just what a real couple would do.
Of course it wasn’t all seriousness. There was the hilarious “Kids Show” that Robin was on with her old BFF Glitter. The beaver song cracked me up so hard. Great job HIMYM, once again you nailed it!

I love that Fall has brought about all of the new shows and new seasons of old favorites. I tuned into Mike & Molly to see if CBS has found another hit beside Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother. Mike is a seo tool of a cop who has let himself get drastically out of shape. He’s funny though and he pokes fun of his own weight. Molly, played by Melissa McCarthy who I loved in Samantha Who, is a teacher who is also trying to lose weight and pokes fun at herself. Mike and Molly meet in Overeaters Anonymous and they instantly connect. So far I like the two main characters but I can’t stand Molly’s “slim” sister. She’s not even super slim, she just has a lot of cleavage and sex appealish. She’s got a really annoying voice and doesn’t really mesh with the show. Hopefully they phase her out. I do like Mike’s wise cracking partner. “It’s like hugging a futon.”
I don’t see this being a favorite, but I can see myself watching it when I’m bored and there’s nothing else on. Maybe the second episode will get a little better.

This is the episode where Robin finally stops looking like a train wreck. I’m excited that the writers have finally acknowledged that her character was gross.  Well, they didn’t use those exact words but the storyline sheds some light on how Robin’s been doing the last few months. She’s been going through her mourning period over Barney, and dealing with the hurt of having to see her ex all the time, and hear him talk about his lady conquests.

Marshall realizes how much of a jerk he’s been by accidentally rubbing it in Robin’s face. HIMYM once again scores a big hit with the little ditty Marshall makes up called, “Bang Bang Bangity Bang”. Here’s a little clip. I warn you, it’s catchy and you’ll find yourself singing it around the house.

Barney realizes he’s been insensitive and he plans the “Superdate” he was supposed to go on for Robin and her new crush Don. And Robin gets her bangity bang on! I got back some of my affection for Robin because I really felt for her in this episode. Barney showed that he really is a good guy deep down. Oh, and Jennifer Lopez guest starred as a self help book writer, “Take a Look at Yourself You Dumb Slut” (possibly the greatest title, EVER), but I loved that she wasn’t over the top. Like a lot of the guest stars on HIMYM she blended in and didn’t take over the show. I love how when Robin is interviewing her, she talks about her next book coming out, about Outer banks foreclosures called, “Take a Look at Your Finances You Dumb Slut”. Hehehee.

It was a good episode, but I’m still ready for Ted to have a bigger storyline. He needs to jump start his dating again.

Oh.My.God. The cuteness of this episode was enough to cripple me. D and I have a thing about pigs. It’s this inside joke, and I will just say, it has to do with his (and my soon to be) last name. We always joke around about pigs. So this week’s episode of How I Met Your Mother quickly went down as my absolute favorite, at least my favorite storyline involving Barney.

The basic theme of the episode was how everyone at some point has either left someone on the hook, or been left on it. The hook meaning the person thinks eventually they’re going to have a change to date the other person, and they’re just hanging out on the hook waiting. I know I’ve personally done it and had it done to me. It sucks! You become this miserable little puppy following the other person around.

HIMYM does this great montage of Ted giving this girl foot rubs, feeding her chocolate cake, cuddling. Then it flashes to him and a girl he’s got on the hook, and she’s doing all of those things for him. It’s hilarious! So then Marshal points out to Lily how her ex Scooter is still on the hook, and how she has to tell him once and for all that he doesn’t have a chance with her.

That’s when Barney’s storyline comes in. He says that in order to entice a girl back to your place, you need bait. For Ted, it’s his antique art collection or borrowing a book. For Barney, he found the perfect bait-a teacup pig. I squealed along with Robin, Lily and Marshal as they all said, “You have a teacup pig ohmygosh a teacup pig!” I so want one. So freaking cuddly and adorable!! Ted borrows the teacup pig to try to bait Tiffany, played by Carrie Underwood. That whole storyline doesn’t really work out. It just shows Ted being a jerk to the girl he’s got on the hook, while Tiffany is a jerk to Ted, and then her boyfriend is a jerk to her. It’s a vicious jerk cycle.

My favorite part of the episode is when Marshal borrows the teacup pig, and uses it as practice for Lily to learn how to let Scooter off her hook once and for all. See, Scooter has these adorable puppy dog eyes and when she tries to tell let him off the hook, she can’t because he’s got that adorable sad face. He makes her look the little teacup pig in the eye and tell him off. I wish there were clips of that scene to share with you because it’s hysterical. The dramatic music as they zoom in on the cuteness that is the teacup pig. Lily crumbles and always ends with, “We can’t be together…right now.”

Have you ever hooked someone or been the hookee? How adorable are teacup pigs? Where can I get one???