This is not the kind of episode that will make you roll on the floor while laughing hysterically, and it certainly doesn't reach the quality of the previous episode. But what I really like about it is how it is entirely dedicated to Marshall. More often than not Ted and Barney are in the spotlight and go through the interesting character arcs, while Marshall is mostly there for the laughs. This episode reminds us that even after graduation, marriage and having bought your own apartment, you might still not have life figured out, and sometimes you can slide into a really bad place. This is the story of how Marshall got his life back together. And everything about it feels relatable.
Another great part is the burger theme. There are some of the most poetic descriptions of food in there I have ever heard. Who isn't craving a burger after watching this episode? This could easily be a 20 minute fast food commercial.
Besides Marshall, Barney is the second star of "The Best Burger in New York". You think he's acting like a jerk for most of the episode, but in the end you realize he'd been the good guy all along. Not only did he get Marshall a job, all his drivel about Goliath National Bank was meant to get Marshall psyched about it. That kind of role fits Barney exceptionally well. Remember "Bachelor Party"?
There are undeniable flaws, however. As mentioned before, it is not all that funny. The final scene with Regis Philbin didn't really work for me. And the joke about Robin not getting her burger actually bothers me. They all ordered the exact same item from the menu. First of all, if multiple people order the same item, isn't there a convention that the ladies are served first? And secondly, why wouldn't anyone from the group offer their burger to Robin, since she's clearly starving? At least when it happens for the second time, and everyone except Robin has already eaten half a burger?
Another great part is the burger theme. There are some of the most poetic descriptions of food in there I have ever heard. Who isn't craving a burger after watching this episode? This could easily be a 20 minute fast food commercial.
Besides Marshall, Barney is the second star of "The Best Burger in New York". You think he's acting like a jerk for most of the episode, but in the end you realize he'd been the good guy all along. Not only did he get Marshall a job, all his drivel about Goliath National Bank was meant to get Marshall psyched about it. That kind of role fits Barney exceptionally well. Remember "Bachelor Party"?
There are undeniable flaws, however. As mentioned before, it is not all that funny. The final scene with Regis Philbin didn't really work for me. And the joke about Robin not getting her burger actually bothers me. They all ordered the exact same item from the menu. First of all, if multiple people order the same item, isn't there a convention that the ladies are served first? And secondly, why wouldn't anyone from the group offer their burger to Robin, since she's clearly starving? At least when it happens for the second time, and everyone except Robin has already eaten half a burger?
