How I Met Your Mother first premiered in 2005 and it ran for nine years before wrapping up where it started - with Ted bringing the blue french horn to Robin. The final episode received mixed reviews, but this monumental sitcom is a pleasure to re-watch nonetheless.
The pilot sets up the stage: Ted essentially sees himself as a third wheel: he lives with Marshall who is in a serious relationship with Lily. A hopeless romantic, Ted wants nothing more than to get married and have children. Then there is Barney, the happily single womanizer no one in the group takes seriously. Watching it the second time around, you might notice some things that weren't as obvious the first time around.
10 Ted's Kids Talk Back To Him
Ted begins the story of how he met his children's mother in 2030 and goes all the way back to when he was in his late twenties, living in NYC and just starting his architecture career. The kids talk back to him, asking him if it will take long. By the episode's ending, he explains how he met their aunt Robin, much to their dismay.
His kids are not to keen on listening to him ranting about love, the same way many fans quickly became frustrated with Ted. He is a sort of an emotional vampire: sharing his fantasies with everyone who is willing to lend him an ear. He might think he is being a good dad, but he is actually just being self-centered.
9 It Explains How Barney Met Ted
Barney met Ted during his goatee faze while they stood next to each other at the urinals, which is something that is actually revealed already in the pilot. Barney approaches Ted while he's sitting at a table with a girl, telling him that he will help him change his life while, naturally, ordering him to suit up. Later on, the story of how the two had met is revisited and elaborated upon.
It's pretty obvious from the pilot that the group is not a big fan of Barney's. So how exactly did the charismatic womanizer manage to become such an important part of the group?
8 Ted Isn't Actually Happy For Marshall
The first dialogue on How I Met Your Mother happens between Marshall and Ted. Marshall was planning to propose to Lily that night and he thanked Ted for helping him set everything up. Curiously enough, Ted said that Marshall was "screwing up" by asking Lily to marry him, which makes no sense since all that he wants for himself is to get married and have children ASAP.
Even on the night of the proposal, Ted wouldn't let Marshall have the spotlight. Instead, he goes on about how frustrated he is about being single. One of the saddest things about Marshall is that he always listens to Ted's complaining - even on a night that is supposed to be all about him and Lily.
7 It's Barney Who Introduces Robin To Ted
After Robin and Ted exchange a longing gaze across a crowded bar, it's Barney who taps Robin on the shoulder and says the ultimate wing man sentence: "Have you met Ted?"
Because of his goofy behavior and silly catch phrases, Barney is often seriously underrated. Ted never thanked him for making the first move on Robin for him. If it wasn't for Barney, who knows? Would Ted even approach Robin or would he chicken out? If he did, he would probably have botched it right away. Who would have thought that the trio would have a serious love triangle going on in the future!
6 Lily Belittles Marshall And Ted
Lily is by no means a saint. She has done several things that would never fly today and it all dates back to the pilot. She called Marshall a pansy and belittled Ted for not kissing Robin when she gave him 'the signal'. Watching the show for the first time, these remarks slide by unnoticed. On the second watch, they foreshadow the fact that Lily can be pretty abusive and manipulative at times.
It's as if Lily doesn't take Marshall seriously, while he would do anything for her. She often makes fun of him in the later episodes and even considers herself as the settler in the whole settler vs. reacher debate. That's so unfair to Marshall: he is a way better partner than she is.
5 Ranjit And Carl Are Introduced
A special appeal of How I Met Your Mother lies in the show's capacity to keep around several minor and generally unimportant characters. The first such character is Ranjit, a taxi driver from Bangladesh who later on becomes a limo chauffeur. In the pilot episode, he even hangs out with the gang in MacLaren's, drinking champagne.
Carl is the owner of MacLaren's pub and he often gives the group free drinks. He appeared in 21 episodes altogether and has often set some pretty funny scenarios in motion. One of the most memorable ones was letting Ted and Barney run the bar for a night.
4 The Olive Theory
Believe it or not, the adorable olive theory is introduced in the pilot already. The theory states that in a well-balanced relationship, one person loves olives while the other one doesn't. To Ted's delight, Robin doesn't like olives. He explains the theory on the first date and stares longingly at Robin in the process.
Marshall comes clean to Lily about actually liking olives. He kept that from her for years, uncertain how she would react. Naturally, it's not a big deal and Lily kisses him on the spot. The two were established as relationship goals in the pilot. It's also been revealed that Marshall was a virgin prior to meeting Lily.
3 Ted Is Never As Annoying As He Is In The Pilot
In the pilot, Ted comes across as a complete lunatic. He asks Robin out and they have a great time, but somehow, Ted isn't satisfied. He steals the infamous blue french horn, shows up at her place wearing a suit and blurts out that he loves her.
The way he talks about the idea of marriage is also creepy. He is so desperate to have a wife and children that he only projects his desires in his romantic interests rather than being present in the moment. Robin is essentially just an object for Ted and it's a miracle that she doesn't see through him right away. He calls her "Future Mrs. Ted Mosby" after talking to her for a minute. Once they get to know each other better, it's pretty obvious there are several reasons why they definitely shouldn't be dating.
2 Several Running Gags Are Established
Some of the show's best running gags were set up in the pilot episode, especially the ones including Barney. From the beginning, Barney was obsessed with the notion of being Ted's best friend, wearing suits at all times, and playing laser tag. He also comes up with several puns, such as "This just in," as the gang drops Ted off at Robin's place.
The pilot already insinuates what Barney's worst traits are, but revealing the best comes later on in the show.
1 Barney Kissed Marshall
When the crew discusses Robin's supposed green light signal for Ted to kiss her, Barney disagrees that such a signal even exists. Instead, he argues that he should have just gone for it.
He demonstrates how easy it is by kissing Marshall who instantly reassures Lily that he didn't ask for it - just another instance of the fear Marshall actually lives in.
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October 25, 2020 at 05:30AM
