Sandcastles in the Sand

Season 3, Episode 16, Aired
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Episode Summary

Robin's musical past emerges again as the group learns of someone named Simon from Robin's past. As Barney searches for more Robin Sparkles memorabilia, Ted spends more time with Stella.
9.0
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EPISODE RATING: Superb
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Fan Episode Reviews (24)

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  • Robin's old high school friend is back in town, bringing back some painful memories.

    8.0
    "Great"
    By Canogaparkcindy, May 01, 2010 Report Abuse
    At first this episode didn't seem so great, I thought it was going to be as mediocre as the last episode. But it actually developed in to something eventful by the end. We learn that when Robin was a Canadian pop star, she made another video other than "Let's Go To The Mall". The music video was called "Sandcastles in the Sand" That video contained her ex-boyfriend who dumped her in a van, and broke her heart after going out for a whole Canadian summer (a week and a half). She tries to be the "winner", she clearly is the winner, but when she sees him again, it's like she is in high school again, and she adores him only to get heartbroken the same exact way. In a van. Meanwhile Lilly's old friend also comes to see her, and we learn that Lilly acts a bit different too. That was probably the funniest plot device: Lilly & her friend. So at this point, you think "Oh a mediocre funny filler" but wait right there! Barney comes back to the bar to find Robin crying. He consoles her and Robin agrees to show him the tape, "Sandcastles in the Sand" They end up laughing and just having a good time, until they end up making out and the episode ends. Very unexpected, the last time we saw a hint of this couple happening was season 1, episode 14, and that was a long time ago. So the epsiode ends leaving us all in shock, boosting up the rating scale from a 6 to an 8. The only thing I'm upset about is that these two people are supposed to be Ted's friend. Robin is his ex-girlfriend. And Barney is one of his good friends. I don't understand why they would do this to Ted. I guess I have to wait till the next episode to find out. Mediocre episode, amazing cliffhanger.moreless

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  • One of the show's best. And not just for shipper reasons =)

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Ting13, Oct 02, 2009 Report Abuse
    In my mind this is definitely one of the best episodes this show has ever produced. It's funny all the way through, all storylines are good and it's got several very memorable moments.

    James van der Beek's guest spot was funny, and the thing with Simon having gone lame and Robin not noticing it felt fresh. And it gave us one of my favorite conversations in the show's run, namely the parent/teen discussion between Robin, Marshall and Lily. That scene could easily have felt boring and like it's been done before, but they made it work through some good acting and by the last line which really made the whole thing work in my eyes. Lily and Michelle were great fun and they managed to save that storyline from "yeah, seen it a dozen times" to feeling original when it turned out Michelle was also suffering from "revertigo" and was well aware of it.

    And then of course there's Barney and Robin... I was only a casual viewer until recently, only watching the show if it happened to be on, so I had maybe seen seven or eight episodes over the course of four years. And still I cheered when Barney and Robin got together. Didn't take more than an episode or two to know these two make a really good match. And it was great seeing a softer side of Barney before they hooked up.

    Oh, and "Sandcastles in the Sand"... Except for me wondering where the heck you'd make sandcastles if NOT in the sand, I thought it was really funny.moreless

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  • robin sparkles is backk.

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By HaveSumFaith, May 04, 2008 Report Abuse
    not only does robin go to the mall but she goes to the beach. her new video was pretty cool. this episode was very funny. with robins ex and how she tried to impress him. but she ended up making him seem so good and her really boring compared to him. even barney tried to help. the whole thing with lilly and er friend michelle was hilarious. the wayy she was all talking normal one second, and when lilly put on the song she went right back to high school, literally. i just really loved this episode. one of the best, and bringing back robin sparkles didnt hurt much though.moreless

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    0 1

  • Amazing last 7 seconds

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Moeabbad, May 02, 2008 Report Abuse
    okay...soo When an old flame from a Robin Sparkles love ballad video comes back into her life, Robin turns into the head over heels 16 year-old girl she was the first time around. While the gang tries to help Robin see what a loser the guy has become, Robin has a hard time letting go of her past crush. But when he breaks up with her again, it’s Barney who finally helps her to realize how awesome of a person she has become. And in a shocking moment between them, Barney and Robin sleep together.btw: looking forword to episode 18 :(moreless

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    0 2

  • Amazing last 5 minutes

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By rchalico, Apr 29, 2008 Report Abuse
    The last 5 minutes of this episode were great! Throughout the episode we see a lot of character development but it is in the final two scences where this development really takes place. It is a great dialogue between Barney and Robin. Barney shows his sensitive side without compromising his 'amazing' attitude and his sense of humor. And that kiss I never saw it coming. Well, I kinda thought it could happen but I didn't see it as a plausible possiblity, it was more of a wild dream. Now I'm looking forward for next episode, what will Ted think about it? I guess thats the theme of the discussion about 'the bro code'.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    • Help by adding trivia to this episode. Add trivia

  • Notes

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    • In the dubbed German version Barney asks Robin "Ist das Jason Segel?" (Translation: Is that Jason Segel?) instead of the original "Is that Alan Thicke?". Edit
    • The German episode title is "Jugendliebe", meaning "Puppy Love". The French title is "Adolescence attardée", meaning "Delayed Adolescence". The Italian title is "Castelli di sabbia", meaning "Sandcastles". Edit
    • International Airdates: Australia: June 19, 2008 on Network 7; Czech Republic: October 13, 2010 on Prima COOL Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Lily: How did you two meet?
      Simon: I was in her video.
      Robin: Starred in it, is more like it!
      Barney: Excuse me. I've seen "Let's Go to the Mall" about a thousand times, and, you, sir, are not in it.
      Simon: I was in the other one.
      Barney: There's another video?! Edit
    • Lily: You are not going to that show tonight.
      Robin: Oh, yes I am! And after the show, Simon and I are going all the way! (storms out of the bar)
      Lily: Young lady, get back here! (To Marshall) And thanks for your help!
      Ted: So today at work...
      Marshall: Not now, Ted! Edit
    • Marshall: So is he the guy who, how shall I say this like a gentleman...Robin, did he take your "maple leaf"? Robin: No, it wasn't like that. Barney: Sounds to me like he gave you your first "Oh Canada" face! Older Ted: (voiceover) This went on for a really long time. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Barney: What, you two went to Degrassi together? Degrassi is a Canadian TV francise about a group of students who live on/near De Grassi street. The current Degrassi series is Degrassi: The Next Generation. Edit
    • Barney: Tell me more. Tell me more. Like did he have a car? This is a clear reference to the lines of a song from the musical Grease called "Summer Nights". With the song, Sandy and Danny, the lead characters in the play, describe to their friends how their brief summer love affair went. Edit
    • Barney: Finish Him!! This is a clear allusion to the video game "Mortal Kombat". When you KOed (knocked out) your opponent, he stood once again to receive the coup de grace while those words were shown on the screen. Edit

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