Why I Never Reviewed the Season 9 Finale.

Follow @SlapBetBlog

 "It was at times a long, difficult road. But I'm glad it was long and difficult,"-Ted 

Well, if we're being completely honest...it had a little bit to do with the fact that I really did not want to just rant endlessly. I mean, let's be real, for a longtime viewer of the show, that finale was like a slap in the face.

This blog really does not get much traffic anymore, so I'm not going to try really hard to keep this massively organized in any way.

I've run a few websites since this one, but I honestly haven't found another topic that I'm as obsessive and passionate about as I was HIMYM. I know that sounds insanely corny, but the show actually meant a lot to me. This blog actually got pretty popular and remains something that I am proud of. Even outside of here, there was a community that I was a part of that really loved the show and everything about it.

To be honest, I still love it, even if I feel like the finale kind of ruined absolutely everything.

I've been rewatching HIMYM lately, and it's the first time I've so much as watched an episode since I saw the finale.

I hate to admit this but...I almost understand it now. I mean, I understand that CB&CT were dropping hints that things might not go exactly as the die-hard Barney/Robin people thought. However, I wished they had remained consistent. Even as they were dropping hints that Barney/Robin might not be endgame, they also constantly shut the door on any Ted/Robin possibilities. I mean, obviously they were going for the surprise factor, but it read as sloppy.

I really doubt I can say anything that has not already been said. Barney's character development was trashed, the mother was horrendously disrespected as a character, Robin was deemed nothing without Ted, and Lily was essentially just a baby machine after everything.It was uncomfortable to sit through, and more than that...it lacked any sense of emotion or meaning, which is so rare for HIMYM.

There are so many episodes that I have rewatched and just cried because they really hit home. Some examples include "Legendaddy," "Tick, Tick, Tick," "Symphony of Illumination," "The Final Page Part 2," "Disaster Averted,"....the list goes on. The show had a really great way of showcasing the importance of friendship, romance, heartbreak, etc...and none of it showed in the finale or really even the entirety of the last season (save for everyone's favorite, insanely heartbreaking episode "How Your Mother Met Me.").

The fact that they could chalk the mother's death up to being essentially meaningless really proved how devastating the finale was as a whole.

As a young, impressionable person who truly cared about this show, it left me feeling empty, confused, and not really in the mood to write anything about it.

I also saw the finale a few days after it aired, and did not really feel like adding to the aura of bitterness surrounding everyone that watched it before me.

However, HIMYM is still my favorite show ever. It still dulls my mind when I'm upset, and reignites emotions with powerful episodes that I wish the series finale had embodied.

Season 9, Episode 21: "Gary Blauman"

Follow @SlapBetBlog

Hey guys sorry for being on a bit of a hiatus for the 1 millionth time. I'm hoping that it won't happen again for the remainder of the season. I know, a whole two episodes. Anyway I really enjoyed this episode. It's all getting extremely surreal. I mean, tonight we saw Ted and the mother's first kiss. I think that's pretty amazing.

I hate to be the a****** who catches the show on continuity, but according to the episode "The Chain of Screaming", Gary Blauman was supposed to be dead.... If you recall, he was the guy who peed on the conference table. Either way it was interesting to see him along with all the other characters that were shown. I especially appreciated seeing Zoey, the Blitz, and hey, we learned Blah Blah's name! All of the the million faces were awesome to see!

They are starting to show that Barney and Robin are basically just like any other couple that is about to get married. They're both freaking out a little, which I assume will only get worse in the coming episodes. Can't wait for that!

The storyline with Ted and the mother here was excellent. Seeing their first date was certainly not something that I expected the writers to be able to show us. Plus we saw that so much other stuff between them. Their interactions are amazing. I am so happy with how this was written and executed.

Greatest Moments:
- people hating/loving Gary Blauman
- Ted and the Mother's first kiss
- Billy Zapka (?? Spelling) is a poet
-  all of the re-returns with characters we haven't seen in a while!

Season 9, Episode 18: "Rally"

Follow @SlapBetBlog

"I love you guys"-Barney

Only six more to go! That's so freaking crazy. Never did I think that at some point there would only be six new how i met your mother episodes left and that after that I will never see a new one for the entirety of my existence. Like...what??? Anyway, this episode was so funny I just...I loved it. And I loved the flash-forwards and callbacks, it was awesome. 

So, I really liked the fact that there wasn't really a sub-plot here, it was more just everyone working toward helping Barney. That was cute. I loved the Lily/Robin moments, especially at the end when--shocker--Robin is real bicurious one (that's actually more common then you might think *wink wink*). The Ted/Bacon thing was amazing. It kind of depicted the state of my life (IE: "I've found my true love and her name is BACON!"). 

The flash-forwards were great. The ones with Ted/Mother were totally adorable. The Barney/Robin one was so stereotypically them and I really liked that. I think that the Barney/Robin dynamic really is my favorite thing on the show, especially when they don't make it too corny. They balance each other out so well. The Lily/Marshall/Marvin thing was cute and funny. And DAMN Marvin got hot...

All in all, this episode was just great. I really found an appreciation for everything they did with it, and I liked that it was just kind of funny and cute because I'm sure we've got some real angst coming up here soon. 

Greatest Moments:

-"Your shoes don't match your belt!"

-"Bloody mary...more like bloody scary!!"

- the 'Barney never takes a bad photo' callback and the sad test run...

- Brad!

- TANTRUM

- Fake history lessons w/Barney

- Quote of the episode: "Dude you're a grown man, why are you throwin' a tantrum??"

- the jackhammer and siren museum oh my god

- Weekend at Barney's

- I also thought you all should know that there's an upcoming episode called "Gary Blauman" and if you don't know what that means let me refresh your memory.... it was the year 2009. Ted and Stella were still together, and Marshall's cruel boss "Artillery Arthur" was screaming at people at Marshall's firm, which led Barney to explain the name of the episode, "The Chain of Screaming." Everyone was giving Marshall advice about how to handle his boss, and Ted suggested he simply quit and storm out. Marshall told him that nobody does that but Barney retorted with "Gary Blauman did it..." and thus began his telling of the tale of Gary Blauman, a man who told off Bilson at the morning meeting and then attempted to pee on the conference table because he made a pile of money on the IPO via his cousin's website. But then the website tanked, and Gary became a janitor at an old folks home and moved into an apartment above a bowling alley. Then he died.... So yeah...that's the callback we'll be dealing with in this upcoming episode and I'm excited to see it! 

I love you all dearly, and I shall see your faces again next Monday!!

Season 9, Episode 17: "Sunrise"

Follow @SlapBetBlog

Another great episode!  I loved all the callbacks and such, as well as that lovely moment at the end. It's so surreal to see moments that were mentioned in the very first episode of the show actually happening!  It's awesome though, I love that they're resolving things like that.

So, I REALLY wish we could be done with all the Ted/Robin crap. I honestly thought it was finally over last season but apparently not. I don't know guys, I just feel like they have exhausted this plotline.  I suppose it was necessary to get closure,  but we all know that won't actually happen until Ted meets the mother.  At this point it's not worth bothering with trying to get Ted the hell over Robin.  The fact that Jeannette tossed the locket worked in the flashback because it showed Ted that no matter how much you fight for something,  it will slip away if it's not meant to be.

Barney was the comic relief, but it also went to show that he is ready to be married. He basically mentored some other guys to take his place and it was funny,  yet also meaningful.

I think we all knew that Marhsall and Lily would not actually end up moving to Italy. It was so well done though; the way it was presented. Showing 2006 Lily and finally getting some real closure about Marshall's feelings regarding the San Fransisco thing.


GREATEST MOMENTS:
-Stella and star wars callbacks
-Barney teaching people how to live
-Ted girlfriend memories
-Barney's stripper problems
-How many myspace friends do I have now??
-Tim Gunn as Barney's tailor!
-Barney is Jesus
-Bro hell
-Hammond Druthers and the penis buildings
-Teacup pigs=lady magnets

Season 9, Episode 16: "How Your Mother Met Me"

Follow @SlapBetBlog

"I guess this is it.  For real this time."-the Mother

Wow. That was really surreal to watch. I honestly did not ever think the show would get to this point but...here we are.

Since none of the regular characters were really present,  I'll just discuss a lot with the Mother. You know, I really thought we might learn her name tonight but I guess not. It was for sure a plot twist that her boyfriend died on her birthday...aka the day Ted met Robin...aka the first ever episode of himym.  It definitely made everyone stop questioning why that was when the story started. I also loved how we saw all this stuff we already knew happened throughout the years, but we got more. It was great. And wow, the end with her singing and playing ukulele was so sweet and wonderful. All of it was great.

Ted was also pretty great. That last scene was just killer, man. It showed how broken Ted and the mother both are. Just...damn. This whole episode was just fabulous.

Greatest Moments!
-The naked man!
-Cindy!
-Cindy and the mother kissed!
-Evil friend-stealing guy!
-the yellow umbrella
-the st pattys day party
-wow so many callbacks!

Such a great episode. I'm so very excited for the rest of the show. See ya'll next Monday!

Season 9, Episode 14: "Slappointment in Slapmarra"

Follow @SlapBetBlog

                                                                "One more."-Marshall
Hey guys! Sorry for the ridiculously prolonged hiatus! Hopefully it won't happen again this season! Anyway, this episode was so fabulous i. So many ways. I loved it, even though the end was honestly bittersweet.

 Marshall's training story was really funny. I also loved how Barney congratulated him on all the technical bs at the end. All of it was really cute. A+ for this episode. 

They really love to remind us how close we are to the end. With the whole "one more" thing and reminding us that the slap,bet was seven years ago...wow. It's so crazy that this show is ending soon, I honestly can't believe it.

GREATEST MOMENTS:
-you know what tie goes with that suit? The tie on a hefty bag.
-i need a way to slap my friend REALLY HARD right in his stupid face
-the slap of a thousand million exploding suns
-carl the bartender!!
-was that nora????
-think of it as a high five... for your stupid face
-"i backpacked there in college"
-"why cleavland?" "it's the city equivalent of being slapped in the face."
-The intense slap music
-The slap song!!!!!!

Season 9, Episode 12: "The Rehearsal Dinner"

Follow @SlapBetBlog

"And best of all...you,"-Barney

Hey guys! I'm so sorry for my huge absence! My whole life has been school and 8-hour shifts at work lately and I was missing episodes every week. But luckily, I'm caught up now and I actually got to see this episode on time tonight!

Alright, so the comic relief of Lily being able to keep secrets was funny, and I liked how it tied into all the other plot points. It was about time that everyone found out about Marshall's judgeship and that they added that drama in with the rest of the characters. And that they discussed Ted's moving to Chicago idea again. I would actually like it if they addressed these things even further, which I'm sure they will in the upcoming episodes. 

Ted was sort of background noise in this episode, but I didn't mind much. I know we'll be getting lots more of him this season. 

Robin and Barney were completely adorable here. I loved the fact that even though Brney is totally crazy, he can use that craziness to come up with great things like they showed here. It's really fabulous character development, in my opinion. We went from Barney using his weirdness to pick up girls, to using it all for one girl. A+ to the writers for that one. 

Greatest Moments;

-The Canadian jokes

-The people in the background during the canadian jokes

-Ted's piano/figure skating classes

-laser tag rehearsal dinner

-robin's dress looked amazing

-i cannot wait to see this ring bear...er

Season 9, Episode 7: "No Questions Asked"

Follow @SlapBetBlog

"You know, I bet even lone wolves can learn to work together"-Barney

I'm baaaack! Sorry that I missed you guys last week, I had three papers to write in one night and I just didn't have time to write a review. Anyway, I liked this episode because of the flashbacks and because it had some nice moments. It was good.

I've always liked how the show displayed Marshall and Lily as a couple. They've always been good with the idea of them truly loving each other while also having issues just like everyone else. I think that this will be another thing like that, just longer. I'm curious as to where they're going to take this who "Rome vs New York" thing.
Barney and Robin have had these really similar moments all season. I hope they give us something more soon. I'm actually starting to miss all the drama.
Ted was pretty useless here but since we're going to see the mother again next week I'm assuming we'll get more from him.
Greatest Moments
-The flashbacks
-Barney rooting foe the bad guys
-All of the 'no questions asked' moments
-Marshall and his ghost thing
-the cheap ghost video

Season 9, Episode 5: "The Poker Game"

Follow @SlapBetBlog

Hello everyone! Sorry I couldn't find a quote, usually they're in the tumblr tag (whoops, just gave away my secret!) but unfortunately there wasn't much deep or meaningful with this episode. Honestly though, I don't mind all that much. It's a comedy, so episodes like this are bound to happen. I'm actually not that bothered by it. 

So, the Marshall/Lily/Ted wedding present story was actually alright as far as HIMYM comic relief goes. I thought it was cool that they got to take looks back at things from past seasons. I found it hilarious that Ted was still dressing like a hanging chad...except he was a thank you note. Plus the whole callback to the rooftop Halloween party was really cool. 

This whole Loretta vs Robin thing is kind of stupid. I hope it doesn't last very long honestly. I feel like the writers are just adding in pointless subplots until something real actually happens. 

Barney was pretty damn funny in this episode. I actually thought NPH did a great job with the honest to God ridiculous writing. 

  Greatest Moments

 -gazolloa's callback!
-James crapping all over marriage
-Barney's mom
-Lick it before you stick it
-Wrap it before you tap it
-Barney whole speech to his mom and brother about how much they suck. Honestly, I don't know why this was so damn funny but it was.

Season 9, Episode 4: "The Broken Code"

Follow @SlapBetBlog

 "I would love to, but it doesn't work that way! I'm a human being, I don't have an off-switch"-Ted

Less interesting episode tonight. Wasn't exactly good or bad, just normal, neutral himym. Some things I liked, some I didn't. For the most part I just think that we could have been given more than what we got. 

 So, Lily and Robin were obviously the comic relief, but it was honestly pretty decent. I thought it was actually a cool thing to establish. You know, that Robin can't make any female friends, and it was a nice callback to her being raised as a boy. I liked it.  Marshall was also comic relief, and it was handled well in my opinion. Not much else to say here, the real point of the episode lies more in the Ted/Barney segment.

So, Ted and his whole Robin thing didn't really annoy me as much as I thought it would. Usually it's really frustrating that they keep revisiting it but it was actually handled pretty well in this episode. I think that what the writers are setting up is that Ted will not be getting over Robin for real until he meets the mother. I don't know how I feel about that but it's an interesting take on this whole thing with Ted/Robin and Ted/Barney.
One more little thing: the lack of the mother since the first two episodes is really weird. I mean, I'm sure that we'll see her later on (obviously). But we've waited nine years I think we deserve more!

GREATEST MOMENTS:
-marshpillow
-fake history lessons
-the bro code book
"just be yourself, say something nice." "Which one, I can't do both."
-oh my god barney's tailor callback!

So thanks for reading! Follow me on twitter and all that!
I am so incredibly sorry that I haven't written anything on the first two episodes. Real life is such a bitch. I'm hoping to get around to it at some point. So sorry!

Season 9, Episode 3: "Last Time in New York"

Follow @SlapBetBlog

"Why not just say goodbye to the bad things?"-Lily

Nice episode tonight, it's definitely proving to us over and over that this is the last season. It's crazy, but it's also exciting and I can't wait for more.

So, Marshall was really just the funny part of this episode. It makes me wonder, though, how long is he gonna be on this roadtrip???

Robin and Barney were great, once again. I'm not entirely sure what I want from them on the show, but I almost wish they would do something different. In these episodes I feel like we've seen a lot of the same thing. I presume that they're giving us a little calm before the storm but I'm not sure. What do you guys think?

Now, Ted. I really can't tell if Ted is completely falling apart or sort of pulling it together. There has already been so much growth with Ted this season, and you can tell that we're heading toward me. I think now what we're seeing is how he goes from wanting to leave New York because he's afraid, to wanting to stay because it's who he is and where he belongs.

GREATEST MOMENTS:
-Callback to the swords! That was actually one of my fave episode.
-That montauge of Ted's life in New York
-WHAT HAPPENED ON THE CAROUSEL!?!?! ITS KILLING ME I HAVE TO KNOW!
-Barney and Robin needing one last bang was hilarious and awesome.
That's all from me! Thanks for reading you guys! Follow me on twitter and stuff! thanks :)
I'm going to get the reviews for the previous two episodes up tomorrow!

Season 9, Episode 1: "The Locket"

Follow @SlapBetBlog Hey everyone!
So, this review is not actually happening right now because I'm in a show with rehearsals that go till 10PM so I won't be able to do this right now.
I'm am SO sorry, and I promise that the latest this will be up is this Sunday evening, but hopefully I can do it before then. I am only just watching the episodes now.
Discuss in the comments! I shall return to you guys!