This is why we love How I Met Your Mother: We start with a silly premise, then hilarity ensues, but suddenly there's this emotional moment that hits right in "dem feels". The episode "Showdown" hits all of these points.
And there is a lot going on for a single episode: In the preparation for Lily and Marshall's wedding, everybody's got a job to do. There is Team Marshall, with Ted desperately trying to write a wedding toast for the groom that is fun but doesn't offend either Marshall or his older relatives. Ted also helps Marshall to record a nighty-night-tape for Lily. Then there's Team Lily, with Robin coaching the bride during her special wedding diet. Once again, the writers subvert a common cliché with humorous results: Lily has to *gain* weight to fit into her dress. Of course there is also a Marshall and Lily storyline. They planned to spend the last 14 nights before their wedding separated, but that proves to be harder than anticipated.
And then, of course, there's Barney. Not directly connected to the other story lines, although he ends up providing Marshall and Lily with unexpected wedding gifts (I really hope he received a thank you note - you'll get that in season 9). Barney's story is hilarious and awesome as always, but in addition to that we get to see a more sensitive side of him. It does bother him that he had to grow up without knowing his father. At this point in the series, it is clear that Barney is not just there for the laughs, that there is a lot more potential in this character that the writers are willing to explore. I have to say, though, (and maybe this is the only reason I don't feel like pulling a 10/10 here,) if I look at Barney's role during the entire season, I kinda feel bad for him. First he gets Lily to go back to New York and get back together with Marshall. Then he pays for their honeymoon. Now he's giving them lots of expensive wedding gifts. And all he's left with is an incomplete nude painting of himself. And snarky remarks by Ted ("yes, it's hard to be friends with you, go on!").
SPOILER ALERT: Let's not forget Ted and Robin. On top of everything mentioned above, the writers managed to slip in an ominous Ted and Robin scene, right in the beginning of the episode. Whatever happened with them is quickly dropped, but it will be picked up again in the season finale.
And there is a lot going on for a single episode: In the preparation for Lily and Marshall's wedding, everybody's got a job to do. There is Team Marshall, with Ted desperately trying to write a wedding toast for the groom that is fun but doesn't offend either Marshall or his older relatives. Ted also helps Marshall to record a nighty-night-tape for Lily. Then there's Team Lily, with Robin coaching the bride during her special wedding diet. Once again, the writers subvert a common cliché with humorous results: Lily has to *gain* weight to fit into her dress. Of course there is also a Marshall and Lily storyline. They planned to spend the last 14 nights before their wedding separated, but that proves to be harder than anticipated.
And then, of course, there's Barney. Not directly connected to the other story lines, although he ends up providing Marshall and Lily with unexpected wedding gifts (I really hope he received a thank you note - you'll get that in season 9). Barney's story is hilarious and awesome as always, but in addition to that we get to see a more sensitive side of him. It does bother him that he had to grow up without knowing his father. At this point in the series, it is clear that Barney is not just there for the laughs, that there is a lot more potential in this character that the writers are willing to explore. I have to say, though, (and maybe this is the only reason I don't feel like pulling a 10/10 here,) if I look at Barney's role during the entire season, I kinda feel bad for him. First he gets Lily to go back to New York and get back together with Marshall. Then he pays for their honeymoon. Now he's giving them lots of expensive wedding gifts. And all he's left with is an incomplete nude painting of himself. And snarky remarks by Ted ("yes, it's hard to be friends with you, go on!").
SPOILER ALERT: Let's not forget Ted and Robin. On top of everything mentioned above, the writers managed to slip in an ominous Ted and Robin scene, right in the beginning of the episode. Whatever happened with them is quickly dropped, but it will be picked up again in the season finale.