Episode 3 - Sweet Taste of Liberty
25 March 2012
Synopsis: Barney insists that Ted come with him on a night of adventure. First stop, the airport where they hop on a flight to Philadelphia to follow two women. Marshall tires of his law studies, gets in his car and drives to Philadelphia. Lily and Robin are getting to know one another at MacLaren’s. Lily gets frustrated at all the guys hitting on Robin. So she takes off her engagement ring. When Marshall hears about it he drives home out of jealousy. Meanwhile Barney and Ted are arrested for leaving their bags on the carousel at JFK. They are released and end up licking the liberty bell.
The Good: A really enjoyable episode which achieves so many things. We get to know Marshall, Lily and Barney a lot better and the way the three stories link together keeps your attention. There are also plenty of laughs which is of course vital.
Barney is turning into quite the excellent sit com character. Rather than the generic party guy, he has real established method behind his particular madness. He clearly believes in seizing the day and will talk up what he is doing and what he has done regardless of how fun it actually was. It’s plausible and he plays it beautifully, constantly hassling Ted with his relentless enthusiasm and trying to convert him to his way of thinking.
His idea to hit on women at the airport is fun and out of the ordinary. The montage of security footage showing him trying this tactic many times (including climbing out of his luggage) was pretty funny. In the end Barney justifies his friendship with Ted by giving him a memorable experience despite all the problems they encounter. Licking the Liberty Bell is a clever idea. It’s both unusual enough and safe enough to be a plausible “legendary” experience.
Marshall too comes into better focus here. His singing-what-he-is-doing seemed natural and not forced, credit to the actor. But it was a very useful shorthand to get us into his state of mind. He is studying for his law degree and engaged to be married. It makes sense that he would be jealous of his friends having a great time without him. And equally understandable that he would be jealous of Lily flirting with other guys.
Finally Lily too is realising how her life will change as a married woman. Being overshadowed by Robin was played a little obviously but they kept it funny enough. As Lily got excited about free drinks, Carl tells her “For you its six dollars.” She reveals her deep love for Marshall by breaking immediately (and admitting her status) when a guy comes to talk to her.
The Bad: To reach the baggage carousel at the airport don’t you need to be coming off a flight? Marshall must be one fast driver if he made it back to the bar so quickly having been half way to Philadelphia.
Comic Highlight: We cut back to Ted and Barney’s interrogation. They are leaning forward with their heads on the table and their arms behind their backs. Ted (irritated) says to Barney “You had to play the race card.”
How I rate your episode: A really enjoyable tale which helps viewers get to know Ted’s supporting cast in a very entertaining way.
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