How I Met Your Mother: We're Not From Here

ORIGINAL EPISODES, MONDAYS @ 8PM ON CBS

Robin is back! But not after some convincing by alter-Robin, Robin's dream manifestation of her vacation self from Argentina; and maybe also from the bongo playing out-of-towners that Gael invited over, "how you say? indefinitely?" This was the second episode of the new third season and sadly it was a little less than stellar. It was reminiscent of the first half of season one (which was decent) rather than season two (where HIMYM established itself as a solid comedy). While still enjoyable this wasn't one of HIMYM's best episodes.

My biggest problem after the first two episodes this season is with Marshall. I don't know if it was a collaborative effort between the writers and Jason Segal (Marshall) or if it was one of them but whoever decided that Marshall should be a complete and utter nancy boy this season made the wrong call. Marshall was always a bit sappy but it's really been taken to a whole new level this season and NOT a good one. His character is lovable and brilliantly funny. Part of what makes him so great is that he has a soft side while having a harder, law school student mentality. This new persona though is effecting that perception and making him significantly less enjoyable to watch. If my opinion means anything I hope the writers can take this into account and bring back the Marshall we know and love.

Tonight was about Robin's journey to figure out who she wants to be, free-spirited vacation Robin or back-at-home wants sleep and a pee-free kitchen sink Robin. Thankfully, as a result of her voyage of self discovery, we had the chance to see a bit of her trip to Argentina. It was great and very funny. It was a good call to get rid of the beaded hair, not a good look for her. As Robin tried to embrace the post-breakup, vacation Robin she realized that she's no longer that person; she likes to be clean and chill when she's at home. Personally I think her relationship with Ted had a lot to do with her changed attitude but in a very good way. She never knew what she wanted and never stayed anywhere long enough to figure it out. So she didn't have relationships and never connected with anyone because she always had one foot out the door. Now she has a better idea about what she wants for her life and Ted being a part of her life is the reason. I think she realized this also and in the words of Barney, "welcome back Scherbotsky."

While Robin learned more about herself, Barney had the genius idea to pretend to be tourists (Barney was Ignacious Peabody Nobel from East-Westerton Missoura and Ted was well, Ted) visiting New York so they can pick up girls easier. Well alright, it wasn't genius but it worked; sort of. They picked up girls, just not New York girls. They turned out to be from New Jersey and as Ted, and any other true New Yorker will tell you, New Jersey is NOT ALMOST New York. It never is and never will be. Unfortunately, the girls were not only from New Jersey but they got Barney and Ted mugged in the Bronx late at night. All in all, this plan did not work out well but it was hilarious watching Ted's rant about New Jersey. I felt like it was me saying it; almost every New Yorker is born with a gene to hate to New Jersey.

Barney's idea for a "Best If Banged By" sticker was great! He never fails to come up with new catchphrases every week.

Meanwhile, Lily and Marshall spent the episode putting together their death packets. Essentially these are packets newlyweds are encouraged to put together with their important financial and personal information in case they suddenly and unexpectedly die. For Marshall, the most important piece of the packet was the letter to Lily he had to write. Yet again wussy Marshall came out. Not fun and not cool man. This led to Lily and Marshall's first fight as a married couple when Marshall read Lily's letter, which was significantly less romantic and extensive than Marshall's (she told him to cancel her magazine subscriptions). In the end she wrote a new letter but 22 years later Marshall broke his promise and read it even though she hadn't died. Turns out she knew he would and just wrote BUSTED on a piece of paper. Mildly funny.

Decent episode. Still love the show. Nuff Said.