Even though co-creator and writer Carter Bays promised a big story arc in season six of “How I Met Your Mother,†Subway Wars felt more like a stand-alone episode. In HIMYM's episode four, each of the gang members tried to prove they knew New York the best.
It started at McLaren’s when Marshall (Jason Segel) got a call from lawyer friend Max (Geoff Stults) who saw Woody Allen in Gregor’s restaurant. Even though Robin was the only one who wanted to go see the famed writer, the group decided to race there. Why? To prove they knew the best mode of transportation around New York. Everyone on HIMYM also had a reason to win the race. And everyone spotted Maury Povich along with the way.
Lily (Alyson Hannigan) wanted to win, because she still wasn’t pregnant after two months of trying in HIMYM land. Her mode of transport: the subway.
Marshall wanted to win for the same reason as Lily. Yet, he ran most of the seven miles, proving his body could beat the machines. He ran to the tune of a folk song.
Ted (Josh Radnor) wanted to beat everyone because someone rated him as ‘boring’ on GradeMyTeacher.net. He didn’t care that 64 other students considered him ‘majestic.’ He rode the bus and learned: if you can’t spot the crazy person on the bus, it’s you.
Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) had no need to win - after all, he smelled incredible.Yet, he still faked a heart attack and took an ambulance. When that failed, he called Ranjit (Marshall Manesh). After Robin made him feel bad, and Marshall passed him, he opted for a pedicab instead.
Last but not least was Robin (Cobie Smulders). She had a lot to prove, especially considering her new morning show co-host is a perky Becky who had already eclipsed Robin. Robin feels like the city has rejected her.
After she steals a cab from someone - the first sign she’s a ‘real New Yorker’ - she hitches a ride from Barney. Barney has been refusing to listen to Robin’s frustrations, talking of ‘carrots and peas’ instead. So, Robin then tries the subway, where she’s taunted by a poster of Becky, and then of her and Don. So she cries and doesn’t care what people think, the second sign she’s a real New Yorker.
Yet, it’s down to her, Ted, and Barney at the end. Lily and Marshall found each other, realizing they have lots to do while they ‘try’ for a baby. So they start their bucket list with a visit to Coney Island instead.
As the three HIMYM friends rush to the finish line, Barney tackles Ted, and Robin wins, running right into Max. Barney won’t admit to the tackle, or smiling at Robin winning, but Ted noticed.
And Robin has hope again, especially after she kills a cockroach with her bare hand - another sign of being a real New Yorker. Then again, it wasn’t Woody Allen in Gregor’s. It was Maury Povich, again.
Expect to see more of Geoff Stults, and not just in Gregor’s restaurant with Robin, in the weeks to come.
What did you think of HIMYM’s Subway Wars? Ted didn’t have much of a story line, but a little something something is still going on with Robin and Barney, even if Robin might have a new beau. Plus, Marshall and Lily seem to be on the right track toward baby making. So, maybe this episode of “How I Met Your Mother†was just stand-alone for Ted after all.
© Copyright: 2010 Elizabeth SanFilippo at Gather.com
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