Finally, a How I Met Your Mother episode that I didn't cry at the end...ok maybe a little.
Marshall goes to his Dad's grave, so immediately we think tear jerker...again! But thankfully, it was to do their yearly tradition of tailgating for the Vikings game. Marshall brought all the fixins, burgers, beers, even his Dad's old apron. He really wanted to have a private moment with his Dad. Unfortunately, his 2 brothers had the same idea and wind up crashing his party. Bitter that they each couldn't have their own private moments, they retreat to separate sections of the grave. Marshall begins to tell his Dad about that New Years Eve. Robin spent it with boyfriend, Kevin (who, is it me? Or is Kal Penn still not jiving in this show? I'm bored of him, and I really do like him, just send him back to White castle...or the White House) watching drunken manwhore Sandy Rivers on TV for NYE. Kevin encourages Robin that maybe it's time for her to get back on camera instead of being the behind the scenes gal all of a sudden. She is thrilled that she doesn't have to work with Sandy though and revels in their quiet, NYE. However, Sandy, on camera, scorns his producer/lover and Robin gets the phone call to go save the day. When she arrives, Sandy is a train wreck, as per usual, and Robin jumps through hoops to get it all working. Sandy keeps drinking and disappears.
Back at the homestead, Ted and Barney go to the bar for New Years Eve but are turned off by how high the cover charge is and how much they are charging for drinks and souvenirs. They flashback to their idea of opening up their own Cheers-esque establishment entitled "Puzzles" where they would charge little for drinks and everyone would be welcome. They invite people in line up to Ted's apartment to make their dream come true. However, as the night goes on, things get broken, drunk people get out of control and they keep upping the drink price to cover the damages. Finally, at wit's end, they hire the bouncer from downstairs to throw everyone out so they can enjoy their New Year.
Lily is afraid to tell her Dad she's pregnant because she knows it'll be an underwhelming reaction as always. She calls me and he barely reacts and hangs up and she is greatly saddened. Marshall tries to cheer her up by getting her involved in his Time Life series of mysteries but she refutes them all as she has been taught by her distant Dad not to believe in miracles or mysteries. Finally, her Dad shows up at her door and he drove all night because as soon as he hung up the phone he realized he was going to be a grandfather and couldn't wait to see her. Aw.
Back on TV, Sandy had disappeared and is discovered by Kevin in the bathroom at the bar 'Puzzles" aka Ted's apartment. Robin calls Kevin for advice and Kevin tells her he has no idea where Sandy is and locks him in the bathroom where he passes out drunk. Robin is then forced to go on for him and is loved by all. Future Ted reveals that it was the beginning of her on camera career for good.
Back at the cemetery, Marshall is trying to finish his story but other grievers at the cemetery keep wanting to check the score of the game and asking for food off the grill. One griever in particular, mistakenly calls him Marvin, his Dad's name, as he was just like him. Marshall flashes back to the tailgate parties with his Dad and he was always offering food to strangers and making it a bigger party because it's more enjoyable when more people are involved. Marshall is happy with this revelation and asks his brothers to join in with him and they all celebrate their Dad together.
This show's still got it after all these years. Sure, I'm with everyone and think it's time for the damn mother to be revealed, but they still have stories to tell. So what's the rush?
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