8x24 Something New

7.6/10. Again, let's take this story-by-story. Once again, Barney's story is the fluffiest, though at least Robin's along for the ride this time. I like the two of them committing various capers together better than I like the two of them trying to seem like a real couple. Their using the various powers of mischief they possess to mess with a couple who stole a table at their favorite restaurant (Casey Wilson of SNL fame and Key of Key & Peele fame) is a nice comic setup. It doesn't exactly make them good people (though Robin using Ted's accidental proposal trick to break them up was a nice touch), but it makes them evenly matched and helps sell a relationship between the two of them that needs all the help it can get.

Marshall's (and to a lesser extent, Lily's) storyline with Judy Erickson is interesting. Marshall is offered a judgeship that would conflict with Lily and him and Marvin moving to Rome, and Judy's not exactly discouraging it. Most of the story is just hijinx in Minnesota with Judy trying to stay with Marvin, but the actual moral dilemma part has some zip to it that (mildest of mild spoilers) will be explored in the next season.

But the meat of the episode is the Ted and Lily story, and that's the most mixed of them. On the one hand, I like the idea that Ted is moving away. On the other, I'm not crazy about his reasons. There's something to the idea that Marshall and Lily are moving, Robin and Barney are starting a new life together, and suddenly he's the odd man out. It makes sense as a time for him to get a fresh start. But the idea that he couldn't stand to be with Robin when he wants to marry her and she's marrying his best friend still tries my patience. And the retcon that Robin went through the same thing when Ted was marrying Stella feels way to contrived and convenient. I've written way more in depth about how frustrating it is that HIMYM hangs so much of the show in these last three seasons on Robin, Barney, and Ted having feelings for one another, but whatever, it is what it is.

And hey! We actually get to see The Mother's face! It adds nothing to our understanding of who she is as a person or a character, but she has a face! That's something!

Overall, it's really only the final montage, which has interesting closeups of everyone contemplating their futures, that signifies this is the finale. Otherwise, it's mostly the usual HIMYM bits. I'm not complaining about that. It's nice to see everyone just sort of being themselves, even if it includes a big, overwrought storyline about Ted moving to Chicago.