6.5/10. Ah, the tender bonds of reality, slowly but surely being cut by HIMYM as it withers into sitcom old age. Now we have Superman-inspired floating Jor-El heads and ho-disposing beds and all of Barney's other ridiculous devices. These were always a part of the show, but in the past, they were mostly used for a quick gag rather than as the basis for one big cartoony story. The emotional crux of the episode is Barney telling Robin that he's willing to give up the apartment and Robin, in true HIMYM fashion, recanting and seeing the endearing qualities of all his creepy tech, and it feels really tacked on to an otherwise zany plot. Also, Robin loving Barney by fiat rather than through any comprehensible human emotional state continues unabated. Again, why would the Robin we know find this sweet rather than horrible other than because the season-long plot line requires her to?
The B-story with Marshal, Lily, and Ted is a little more successful as an airy farce. Marshal feeling neglected because of Lily's new art-finding job gives them both some amusing notes to play, and the whole playacting at Robin and Barney's open house lends to some ridiculously but cute enough bits. On top of that, the Downton Abbey gags are pretty unadventurous, but still pretty funny, so it gets by.
Overall a wacky, somewhat weak episode that gets by with a few broad laughs and the charm of the B-story.
Shout by dgwVIP 9BlockedParent2022-05-06T13:05:10Z
On the strength of its comedy, this episode should earn at least a solid 9/10, but WOW is Robin x Barney a nonsensical pairing. They've done nothing to make it more believable. In fact, the last few episodes have made it less so.