How I Met Your Mother “Rally” 

Ten hours before the big wedding, the gang attempts to cure Barney’s hangover in what is one of the funniest episodes of the season in this week’s How I Met Your Mother.

I found myself laughing almost the entire time during “Rally.” Sometimes it’s so easy to get emotionally attached to these characters lives that I forget that this is a comedy series. At this point in the series, even the minor well-weaved inside jokes turn out to be absolutely hilarious. “Rally” was the perfect remedy, just like the Stinson Hangover Fixer Elixir, to cure any How I Met Your Mother hangover since the last episode aired nearly three weeks ago.

As far as plot, this episode did not move Ted any closer to meeting The Mother. Ted’s biggest accomplishment this week was trying bacon for the first time, which led to him devouring an entire tray, (as Future Ted would say) but more on that later. This necessary and amusing step was vital for him to secure the grease needed for the Stinson Hangover Fixer Elixir (along with Tantrum, Funyuns, ginger and bananas).

“Rally” had all the components of a classic How I Met Your Mother episode with a mix of flashbacks, flash forwards and even an appearance by Cristin Milioti. Through disgust with how drunk Barney was, the entire gang vowed to never drink as much as he did ever again, however just like how Marshall is never able to keep his “sweeping declarations,” they all eventually break the vow. Here’s what we learn about the gang’s future through all the flash forwards:

2020: Marshall runs against Brad Morris for New York State Supreme Court. The three-week campaign was so stressful that he ended up losing almost all his hair, which would explain his bald appearance shown in earlier flash forwards. Depressed that he is projected to lose, Marshall begins to drink excessively but a few hours later manages to pull off a surprise comeback. By the time he wins the election, Marshall is so drunk during the live interviews that he believes that he won the race to be commissioner of Gotham City and vows, “to make Batman work harder.”

2030: Lily and Marshall drop a grownup Marvin off on his first day of college at their Alma mater, Wesleyan University. To celebrate getting Marvin out of the house, the two take shots at a local bar until Marvin walks in. Then Lily exclaims, “You son of a me!”

2016: Barney and Robin wake up in Buenos Aires, Argentina to a crying baby. We’re all led to believe that baby belongs to Barney and Robin, until an Argentinean woman storms into the room screaming and chases them out.

2021/2022: Ted and The Mother are riding in a limo on New Year’s Eve on the way to a party to celebrate the publication of one The Mother’s books. Ted downs a glass of champagne quickly, which causes The Mother to advise Ted to take it easy. Ted reminds her of the vow he took along with the others at Barney and Robin’s wedding. The next morning The Mother wakes up in bed clearly hung over with Ted by her side with the Stinson Hangover Fixer Elixir. A young Penny and Luke Mosby charge into the room as they greet their parents a good morning.

Other Thoughts

• I need to commend Josh Radnor in this episode. I feel like for the last few seasons, Ted/Radnor have drawn the short end of the stick in the series. In such an amazing and talented cast, Radnor gets lost in the mix as the main character. There hasn’t been that much of a focus on Radnor, but in “Rally” I think he had some of the funnier lines and moments. The scenes involving bacon were particularly memorable. Can you imagine your entire life not eating bacon, donuts or Halloween candy? It’s unnatural, shame on Mrs. Mosby for lying to Ted about being allergic to such heavenly treats.

• The writers teased viewers a lot in this episode. Two instances stand out especially – having us believe that Barney and Robin have a baby in 2016 and Weekend at Barney’s. A lot of people have wished that Barney and Robin to end up with kids and who knows, it’s still possible. I for one can’t really imagine them as parents and see them as the cool aunt and uncle to Marvin, Penny and Luke. While I wished the gang actually pulled off Weekend at Barney’s, I see the parallel between that and the Stinson Hangover Fixer Elixir. They gave Barney the secret ingredient, lying, because he deserves to feel happy.

• After years of resistance, Lily finally got to kiss Robin. However after the whole experience, it felt weird to her. Robin on the other hand seemed to love it and wants more. Oh how the tables have turned…

• We still have no idea who picked up Lily at the end of “Unpause.” I guess it isn’t an important detail, but I still wonder who it was.

What They Said

Marshall: “I cannot believe that Mini-mart sold Tantrum. It’s been discontinued for years.
Ted: “Uh, hey. Will you, uh, toss me that bottle?”
Marshall: “Yeah, we haven’t done this in forever.”
*throws bottle of Tantrum to Ted*
Ted: “Dude, you’re a grown man. Why are you throwing a tantrum?”

Ted: “HOW COULD YOU, MOTHER?!? You had the road map to Heaven and you never showed me the way. May you rot in the bacon-less Hell I’ve lived in my whole life.”

Marshall: “C’mon Ted, let’s go.”
Ted: “No. NO! I’ve finally found The One, Marshall. Her name is Bacon.”

We’ve entered the last stretch with only six episodes left. Let’s hope they’re all legen- wait for it – dary!

How I Met Your Mother airs Mondays 8/7c on CBS.