Summer is slowly creeping by and wow has it been hot. I’ve been taking a short break here at beawesomeinstead.com but now I’m back and have a few fun things in store for the “summer break”. Also, I’ve read most everything and I wouldn’t consider anything spoiler-ish, just FYI.

Let’s start off with some show news…

CBS has announced that the Season 5 Premier of How I Met Your Mother will air on Monday, September 21st at 8pm. Which is great news, I’m still upset that they canceled the Unit but I digress (seriously though, WTF?)

Next, the Chicago Tribune did a cool interview where Cobie Smulders and Neil Patrick Harris sat down with Gina McIntyre to talk about their on screen romance in Season 5. Also, if you didn’t catch it in the How I Met Your Mother Season 4 Finale Discussion, Alan Spinwall did a must read interview with Carter Bays.

If you are interested in watching HIMYM Season 4 anytime this summer then you will probably have to wait for it’s release on September 29th on DVD (Amazon pre-order), Blue-Ray (again Amazon preorder for those with much more cash than I) or you can download them anytime from Amazon or iTunes .

Also, Darren Barefoot made some a very clever article on hiding a pregnancy on network television, which is basically just a shout out to HIMYM. He also put together a flickr photo set of some of the most amusing instances from Alyson Hannigan and Cobie Smulders.

Plus, Neil Patrick Harris who seems to be everywhere now thanks to partly to HIMYM will reportedly be hosting the Emmy’s this year. Sadly this still, probably won’t be enough to make me want to watch them. Though just maybe we will see something as cool as his closing number at the 2009 Tonys.

A few more HIMYM/BAI related notes,

• The How I Met Your Mother Music Page here is still in progress, I try to add a few episodes a day but it’s quite hard to be complete. I’ve actually been challenged with a few of the rave song mixes and I have to clue. Still trying to work on it but if you have any clue on some of the songs from episodes I’ve skipped over or listed as unknown then feel free to speak up. My goal is to have the most complete list anywhere.
• The Be Awesome Instead Store, is fixing to get some new additions. In addition to the Awesomeness Poster, the Perfection Poster and the Conformity Poster, well be adding some more from Barney’s wall plus some additional sizes and versions. If the pages looks weird at any point it’s because I’m working on a slight redesign, so be patient. Perfection isn’t always made overnight.

Finally, If you are looking for some HIMYM stuff to wear this summer I have been seeing some good things from a few locations.

• First off, I love what I’ve been seeing from the 80sTees store, HIMYM isn’t really an 80s show but I’m so glad they made the exception.
• Next I have always loved the shirts from detour designs. The coolest thing about detour is not all of the shits are obvious and I simply love that, like the Tokyo Ichi Action News Shirt or the Puzzles Bar Shirt. Legendary.
  

Got any other news, suggestions? Let me know! There will be more to come shortly, hope your summer’s are going well.

The thing that annoys me most about most season finales is that someone most always has to die. Luckily, the makers of How I Met Your Mother, must share my feelings and thus we get our own set of clichés. And while we did end up at the hospital (again), a relationship blossomed (again), and a cliffhanger (duh) it was so funny, I really couldn’t care less. The only thing I didn’t like is they HIMYM doesn’t get an hour long season finale.

The callbacks in this episode were priceless. And All the plotlines were done well and made me laugh the whole way through. Also, I LOVED the goat. It appears that putting a barnyard animal in a sitcom is instant comedy genius.  I’m honestly not sure which has more hype and build up…the goat, what really happened with that pineapple or who the mother is? Well at least one question has been answered now, though I wonder how they “get rid” of the goat? Plus we did anyone else catch a glimpse of “the slutty pumpkin” as Marshal stood as Dracula to make the leap?

The Robin and Robin story line was excellent, yet not too revealing. Barney’s conversation with Ted was such a good scene, and the hug (holding tears back).  The continual back and forth of Robin Mosbying Barney and Barney’s reaction was priceless. Their hospital scene was great, the trouble doesn’t seem so troubling. Throughout the entire season we have seen Barney make this gradual push towards this…and while I don’t think that he or Robin can change their ways immediately, I do think the journey will be strange but funny. I hope they keep the two together long term or something of the sort.  The scene before Barney makes the leap speaks volumes to their feelings. While we have seen many episodes where Barney glances at Robin, knowing there is something more, this may be one of the first time we have seen Robin look that way at Barney.  It was so significant too, Barney making that leap, Robin urging him on with their shared look. Robin belongs with Barney, but we will see how they play this out.

I do love all the talk about the mother, it’s fun to think about, discuss. But I enjoy the journey al lot more. Carter Bays said in an interview with Alan Spinwall that he won’t answer the “when will we meet the mother” question because his preference is a spoiler. And knowing that the mother is in Ted’s class, well that could make things move quick but if the final moment of the show are “and that’s how I met your mother” which I am more of a fan of then I hope they postpone it as long a s possible. I think they could keep the show going after she is introduced but I enjoy the journey and stories of these 5 friend so much I really hate to see it move too quickly. And since we know the Mother was in Ted’s Architecture class, I would think we can easily eliminate some mother candidates (ehem…Robin, Victoria…)

“You know what? Let’s sort this out later”…shall we? I’ll recap a bit more with the bullet points and Legendary Lines…

What did everyone else think?

How I Met Your Mother Music: (looking for a song from this season? try here)

• Murder Train by the Foreskins (played and Ted and the Goat fight…it’s the go to violence song for the show now, bravo) now if they would only release it!
• Prophets by AC Newman (closing, as they all make “the leap”)

 Legendary Lines:

Marshall: Lily, when Evil Knievel sat astride his star spangled rocket on the rim of Snake River Canyon, do you think his wife said, “Honey, Get down from there!”
Lily: For the last time I am not Linda Knievel. I will never be Linda Knievel!
Marshall: You don’t need to remind me.

Lily:  You’re gonna break whatever it is that pumps that black sludge through his brains.

Barney: You happened upon a beautiful suit. A beautiful Canadian suit. Double breasted…mmmmm…

Barney:  This is so not pimped out, if anything this is pimped in.

Hospital Orderly: But remember buddy. Baahh means baahh.

Barney: The trouble doesn’t seem so troubling.

Lily: Barney planned on being a violinist.

Marshall: I AM NEVER EATING RIBS AGAIN!!!… in front of Ted.

Marshall: I did it!
Lily: Yes you did!
Marshall:  I’m getting a motorcycle.
Lily:  You absolutely are not

Moments of Awesomeness:

• First and foremost , the goat. The fight scene had me rolling…also I love it when they play Murder Train. I wish I could find that song for download.
• Vampire Marshall. All of his “leap scenes” were cool but the vampire look at the Halloween party took the cake.
• “The Mosby”… you know I actually used “the Mosby” before Ted did, though I eventually married the girl…true story. (ps, this is not fuel for you Ted/Robin peeps)
• Callbacks, Marshall and Evil Knievel, the goat, the roof events, Sven, no one watching Robin’s morning show (somebody watch it please?), Lily keeping secrets, Marshall’s “I can jump that far”, the Halloween party and the slutty pumpkin, Murder Train … callbacks are great anytime in HIMYM but ESPECIALLY in a season finale! (also, I’m sure I missed some)
• Robin and Barney’s conversation. The back and forth. Fear or commitment vs. the Mosby reaction. Then the kiss. All in all the hospital scene was funny and awesome.
• I love the way Ted goes through half the episode with the goat hoof print on his forehead.
• So funny when the Rib Town guys broke up with Ted.

No re-return for the Season Finale..but do check back here often over the break. I have some cool ideas planned, some contests and also I plan to start from Season 1 with How I Met Your Mother Recaps. And as always, discussion is recommended and encouraged!

Still, the site for said show is now online (weddingbridemovie.com). Not much there for now, just the same picture from the show. Some fans feel that the movie will be about how Ted finds the mother…from the look of the poster I feel more like it’s the story of Ted, Stella and Tony.

Thoughts?

Also, if you take a gander at the site there is a high rez poster version…in case you want to advertise for Tony.

I thought last week’s HIMYM was a lot better and maybe I am still expecting too much because of the phenomenal Scrubs finale, but I thought this episode was funny but just, well…average. I mean Stella (Sarah Chalke) is a great actress but on HIMYM she is just isn’t as funny as the others. It’s not her fault, I think it just how she is written and supposed to come across, as that more serious part. To that end I really feel that she is meant to contract the future mother.  She is not into all the romance Ted offers, she isn’t the fun one for Ted, I mean she is great, but Ted would have to settle in ways to make it work with her. I like seeing her on screen, but I hope this episode closes the door on all the “look Stella’s the mom” people. (btw. if you want to join a mother discussion try this about the mother.) Either way, her talk with Ted was really good and her words of encouragement. Plus we get another glimpse of the yellow umbrella. I really thought some chick was gonna walk by and say, where did you get that?

    Barney’s side story was fairly funny. Especially that eh got arrested, and swore on his suits…wow. I can’t decide which was funnier, seeing Barney in two thumbs up pose, crying at gunpoint pose, or scared and behind bars pose. I think everyone had speeding ticket stories, unless you can’t drive. Which brings to mind, when did Barney learn to drive? I thought in Arrivederci Fiero he never wanted to drive again. I’ll easily err on the side of it’s just not mentioned or I missed it before I gripe about continuity.

   Tony was really funny. Really, nothing but love for Jason Jones. The murder house scene was great. I’ve also been trying to find his movie site (weddingbridemovie.com) …I know it’s one of those “more about that later” like the goat. But the HIMYM spoof websites are always funny. Maybe it will be up once it’s talked about. Still, chances that it is about Ted’s marriage and meeting the mother? Thoughts?

  So I still laughed, but I was left wanting a little more. The ending was redeeming in a way, but definitely not in a funny way.

What did everyone else think?

How I Met Your Mother Music:

- Let’s go to the Mall (Ted’s ringtone)

- Careful by Michelle Featherstone (closing, as Ted talks to Stella)

Legendary Lines:

Ted: I transitioned into a small business ownership, it’s the backbone of the economy.
Tony: No it’s not

Barney:  Challenge Accep-wait for it…
Ted: I don’t get it…
Barney: Accep- Ted.

Robin: You got Tony to dump with Stella, I’m sorry but I am gonna have to insist that you bump this.

Barney: OOOoo…Did you feel that? I think we just had a what-up quake?

Stella: I know you’re tired of waiting. And you may have to wait a little while more, but she’s on her way, Ted. And she’s getting here as fast as she can.

Moments of Awesomeness:

• Ted still has the “cowboy hat from Right Place Right Time
• the "that check is so big” jokes
• Ted and Stella’s talk was pretty good. Definitely see Ted moving back towards Season 1 Ted that we all loved.
• Ted’s “Let’s go to the Mall Ringtone”
• Barney. Period. The man is genius. His voice tone changes during the pullovers were hilarious.
• May favorite moment is when Stella comes to Ted’s door and Robin is…well, Robin. “have to insist that you bump this.”
• Tony’s job offers. If the murder house wasn’t enough there was the “I want you to build the Statue of Liberty…a husband”
• Thought it was great that Tony describes as a Daschund with a bad back that has to wheel itself around…actually, yea, that’s pretty accurate.

 The Re-Return:

    This really was a re-return, and something nice for those who missed Lily, plus the placement of the handbag, made me laugh. As Barney tells the story of a girl that tracked him down Lily return to the table. She says the infamous peanut butter joke actually made her laugh, thought 3 weeks later.

   Barney then begins to give details of his new “chick scoring” plan, quite funny, and Lily leaves. “That’s all I can handle for one day. I’ve gotta ease back into it”

Got questions about the music? While our show discussion always has the episode music list for quick reference try our How I Met Your Mother Music page.

You can also download the episode on iTunes: or get As Fast as She Can on Amazon

   Dr. Cox was sufficiently humanized yet remained very…errr…Cox-ish? Kelso’s role was ended well and Ted got to keep his girl. Very cool. Turk was amazing the whole episode.  And I so wish I had a copy of the book that JD made for Dr. Cox. Sheer brilliance. JD not only herd the praise from Dr. Cox that he always wanted but also got that hug. Maybe he didn’t get it back but he didn’t get punched for it either.

   I have to admit something else, first I knew the janitor’s name (Glenn Matthews) and was right. So nah nah nah na na. But after that, I will admit that despite going into the season an anti-JD/Elliot enthusiast, I was turned. During JD’s fantasy/future sequence I was cool with what he visualized. Especially the sort of ode to Will and Grace part with Turk and JD’s kids. The kicker to it all though is it was still left undetermined. JD’s fantasy was just that. You decide for yourself. The Janitors name, well right after that someone called him Tony, so even that wasn’t certain, decide for yourself.

  There was so much nostalgia in this episode and I loved every minute of it. The random callbacks such as Dr. Cox’s rant to Sunny that he had used on JD long ago, the reference to wanting a “sitcom ending” (Cheers?), and I’m sure a few other things that I’ll find the next time I watch it.  The string of guest stars in his fantasy walk out were delightful. My favorites were Lonnie, Hooch (who is crazy), Dan, Collin Hay (who I expected music from) and Ms. Tanner (the old lady who told him to just lay in the grass, which I do often now in honor of Scrubs). I wish we could have had seen a few others like Michal J. Fox (Dr. Kevin Casey) and Brendan Frazier (Ben), but what we got was more than satisfying. However I  am disappointed there was no cameo by Hugh Jackman.

In the end though, change is hurts more than you expect. JD wanted a grand send off and though he had some moments with people, he eventually walked out alone to get in his car one last time and drive away from Sacred Heart. Luckily though, since some much was implied, given alternatives, or fantasized it’s easy for a fan to draw their own conclusion, or even come back if they wanted to in some fashion.

Thanks to Scrubs for a great final* season and a spectacular 8 years. Scrubs was easily one of the best shows on television and despite it feeling like I’m losing a friend, I’ll still have my DVD’s. In my opinion, Scrubs has set a standard for television that’s is near impossible to match. Some shows may get the drama right or the comedy, but I doubt any show will ever do as well as Scrubs all around. Farewell Scrubs… Goodbye five?

Also, sorry if I went a little picture happy, but it was awesome.

What did everyone else think?

My Music (Scrubs Music):

- Snow [Hey Oh] by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (intro as JD thinks back)

- The Book Of Love by Peter Gabriel or try iTunes  (playes during JD’s walk down the hall.)

- Two versions of Superman are played. One is an instrumental version played during JD’s future/fantasy montage the other is a version by Ted’s band, the Blanks sung during the credit outtakes (youtube version)

My Quotes:

JD: …the number next to each passage is a rating from 1 to 5 based on how much that particular passage hurt me emotionally…

Ted: Aww man, they got my coffee wrong.
Carla: How’s that?
Ted: Because it’s dirt.

Dr. Cox: Un…let it arrive…acceptable

JD: We smell like regret

Janitor: If you surprise someone with an accusation they are more likely to tell you the truth.

Dr. Cox: I’m real sorry there, newbie. But this is not a special day for me. It’s just a day.

JD: Endings are never easy. I always build them up so much in my head, they can’t possibly live up to my expectations, and I just end up disappointed. I’m not even sure why it matters to me so much ow things end here. I guess it’s because that we all want to believe that what we do is very important: that people hang on to our every word, that people care what we think. The truth is, you should consider yourself lucky if you even occasionally get to make someone, anyone, feel a little better. After that, it’s all about the people you let into your life.

My Greatest Moments:

• EAGLE!!!!
• Turks growls during the hug
• Elliot and Carla’s hug was awesome. “It’s happening!”
• JD really did put the penny in the door.
• Any of the Janitor stories. They are some of the funniest parts of the show. Muh-night Shamalon…
• Dr. Cox’s rant book has to be the best book ever. I wish I could buy it.
• The Janitors name, Glenn Matthews…or is it?
• Dr. Cox tells someone how he really felt about JD and allows him to get a hug.
• The whole kind of choose your own true ending worked well.
• The memory lane trip down the hall to “Book of Love” was done so well. Bravo.
• Bill Lawrence pulls down the screen at the end, how fitting.

Don’t Miss the Credits:

A great collection of outtakes set to  an acapella version of Superman, the shows theme. Neil Flynn’s alternative rant was amazing and fries being thrown at Ted, so funny.

Thoughts on the episode? Discuss?

My Music:

- Winter Song by Sara Bareilles with Ingrid Michaelson (as Turk and JD discuss the future…and JD realizes that change hurts more than you expected)