How I Met Your Mother

"Shelter Island" is a sad How I Met Your Mother episode. In this episode, Ted and Stella are supposed to get married. But then they make a big deal about inviting exes. Ted invites Robin, but Stella doesn't want Robin to be invited. It was cute how Ted invited Tony to the wedding to prove a point to Stella. But then it was heartbreaking when Stella left Ted for Tony. I give this episode a 9/10.

This episode was bitter sweet to me because it was nice how after all the big decisions they all made in the end their lives almost went back to normal. But on the other hand I really wanted Ted to marry Stella. I couldnt believe in the end Stella left Ted right before the wedding to go back with her x. But I would like to see Ted and Robbin's relationship grow and even get back what they once had eventhough Barney want her to. Also im happy to see that Ted doesn't go to New Jersey and hopefully moves back into their old apartment. In the end this episode wasn't my favorite but it was very important to the plot of the series.

This show really hasn't been the same since season two: the characters seem more and more mainstream, and the jokes feel like they could have been written by any sitcom writer from the past 20 years. But at least the stories remain true to the series voice. This episode is a prime example of the thought-provoking sitcom plots I'm used to seeing on this series, and a fitting end to a long plot arc that kind of needed one.



Once again, the jokes in this episode were nothing new, mostly centering around either crazed brides (so unoriginal there's even a humorous term for it in the dictionary) or vegans (again, too easy). It would be nice to see the dialogue play against typical gender roles sometimes, whether we're talking about weddings or meat-eating. However, the story weaved behind this episode's story, capped by the poignant ending, reminded me what I used to love about this series. I hope it keeps going this way.

I can't believe I'm writing this but How I Met Your Mother really delivered last night with the best episode since pre-strike Season 3. The emotional moments felt really, even if the only time Ted is funny is when he's not supposed to be being funny. I never saw the ending coming, and that's the sign of a well-written episode.



Barney was great here as usual, Lily was kept to a minimum and Daneel Harris as Stella's sister Nora was pretty funny as well. It was clear that How I Met Your Mother is not producing the same quality episodes it once was so the solution, go back to the format it once had. Whether Robin and Ted get back together or not, it will be better than Ted and Stella together.

I like episodes with Stella in general. This episode was just okay though, it was not particularly funny, there were funny points but not as quality as usual. I did enjoy the development shown when Ted and Lucy. They bond in a nice little moment after Ted and Stella fight. I like Ted and Stella as a couple and hope that she is the mother, this episode was decent just because it showed the progression of the relationship between them. Marshall also has some good moments revealing his feelings about NY. Robin has some decent moments due to her Metro 1 news job. Overall this episode was good but nothing spectacular seemed like a good filler episode.

I laughed at a few moments in this episode. Unfortunately, they all involved Barney. Nothing else was funny. In fact, the rest of the show was mildly frustrating.



It seems like the writers are aiming for character development, but they're missing their targets completely. And they had a chance to put a serious dent in the Stella/Ted relationship (which we all know is doomed), but they opted out and now the two appear even more in love.



I fear the only way around this Stella situation is to kill her off. If that happens, I'm done.



We also find out in this episode that Marshall has been harboring pent-up ill feelings toward New York. That's funny, because in four seasons we haven't heard him complain about NY once. NOT ONCE. And suddenly he goes off on this minute-long tirade about how much NY bites the big one. Come on. You can't open a bag of worms like that and not have it affect the show. Is he going to stay silent about his hatred from now on? Most likely. So what was the point?



And what's the deal with Robin going to Japan? If I recall, there was a flashback in a previous episode (the one with Ted's 31st birthday) when he was still living with Robin. Way to think ahead, writers. Thanks for the absolute disregard for continuity.



Most of Barney's jokes, particularly in trying to get a fist pump, were WAY below their usual caliber, but I'll excuse that because they were supposed to be silly. Besides, the intro bit about him trying to nail a lesbian was hilarious. THAT would have made a much better episode than one where they all bash NY or NJ and don't resolve anything.

Will Robing go to Japan for her new job, will Ted really marry Stella? Will Barney beg Robin to stay? Like i said wasn't there best episode but it was still very good episode overall. It does leave you wondering until next week, or it could be of them stories that play out for the rest of the season. All, I know is that it's going to be an interesting season, and I'm not trying to predict anyting but it may be the last season, maybe Ted did find the love of his life and have 2 more children with Stella?

Ted struggles to maintain a system where he is able to spend time with Marshall,Robin,Barney,Lilly and Stella. Ted,Marshall,Robin,Barney,Lilly spend time at Stella home where they fight over which is better New Jersey Or New york. Side Notes. Robin quits her job twice. Ted tells Stella that he is willing to move to New Jersey for her.



Closing Comment. This was just another dull episode, i wanted more laugh more of the things i expect from this show.

I know there better then this showing. There was really no character developing unless you call them fighting over New York and New Jersey a well character movement in this series of a show, for me i do not.

I do not know who else had enough of Stella, she has become some what stale to the show. Slow start to a new season, but i will give it this it was not as bad as the Hunt for the best burger episode.

It is Ted's wedding day, and everything falls apart. Ted & Stella decide to be spontaneous and they decide to get married the upcoming weekend. Everything seems to be going perfectly until fate intervenes. It turns out Stella has a problem with Robin coming to the wedding, so she orders Ted to tell her to go back home. Barney insists to do it over the phone, but since Barney wants to hook up with Robin at the wedding, he lies and says Robin is already on her way. When she arrives, something else happens. Stella's ex (father of her child), Tony wont let his own daughter, go to Stella's wedding. So Ted decides to retrieve her daughter to cover up from Robin being there. Then he ends up bring Tony to the wedding because that's the only way Ted could bring Lucy. Stella infuriated, tells Ted to tell Tony to go home, and she will tell Robin to go home. But that's not what happens, Ted goes to Robin and Stella goes to Tony. It's revealed that Robin quit her job and is staying in New York, she urges Ted not to get married, that he's making a huge mistake. Ted disagrees and is ready to get married to Stella. Only to find out the problem really wasn't Ted & Robin, it was Stella & Tony. Stella ran off with Tony taking Lucy, running out on her own wedding. Robin seeing Stella there with Tony on the boat was so heartbreaking. This is the only episode of HIMYM that actually made me tear up and feel bad. After all that build up, I was really hoping Stella would be the mother. Oh well, I'm excited to see what happens in the next episode. Barney fails to sleep with Robin, since he ends up sleeping with the receptionist, and Stella's sister. The funny sides would have to be when Stella imagines what's it like to have ex's at the wedding, and Robin also imagines it as well. "Suck it b****!" Hilarious. So that's that. An amazing dramatic episode.

When Stella’s sister’s rustic wedding falls apart, Ted and Stella step in to get married with only a few days’ notice. Despite the short notice, Robin catches a flight back from Tokyo. But when Stella finds out Ted invited Robin, the divisive issue of whether an ex should even attend a wedding threatens to overshadow everything. In an effort to make Stella okay with Robin attending, Ted winds up inviting Stella’s ex, Tony, and in the end learns the hard way why it’s not a good idea to invite an ex to your wedding. This episode was just perfect. Its jokes were hilarious and the episode kept me guessing the whole time. A must see! Although I did feel bad for Ted at the end.

This episode was a classic How I Met Your Mother episode. Without this episode the show could not continue on and then it'd be the end of our favorite show. Sucks that she broke it off with him but again, it was necessaiy to keep the show going on how it was. I'd prefer to see robin with barney but thats just me. Seeing barney settle down could be a really cool subplot to the story. I can't wait to see the next episodes and am waiting for them to be broadcast. This show is absolutely and completely awesome!! Love it!

Surprisingly well written. Although this was not my favourite storyline, it was well written, even by this show's standards.



I'm glad that Stella is finally out of the way. It was dragging its feet for a while now, and this could not have come soon enough. Jason Jones' portrayal of the ex was hilarious.



However, as one annoying storyline is killed, another even more dead one is revived: Robin and Ted. As if it was not enough that these two make watching paint dry a gladitorial contest in comparison to their on screen chemistry, we already know that "Aunt Robin" is not the kids' mother. Please spare us.



Shame the Japan angle could not continue - there was something about that chimp in diapers, throwing balls at Robin's head, and bouncing up and down that was deeply, deelpy funny.



Barney was heroically saved the misfortune of "banging Robin" for the rest of his awesome life by a very determined and kinky yoga teacher. Please keep him this awesome for a long, long time.



Marshall admitting to having dreams of his wedding as a little girl was priceless.



Overall, a nice twist to the whole show. And Barney is saved.

Now THAT was a shocker. Granted, we were kind of told that Ted/Stella wouldn't wed today, but... that was a shocker. However, Tony makes up for it by being very funny, so he is allowed to take my Stella away from my Ted. And meanwhile, my little Barney needs to stay in love as long as possible, because he's comedy GOLD while pining after Robin. I was so surprised and amused by his whiteboard. And the lack of alcohol. As usual, Neil Patrick Harris is top-notch. However, Marshall and Lily weren't as interesting as they were last episode, but Robin came back and was awesome. Meanwhile, Ted still rocks. *blows kisses at him and the review board*

Ted and Stella's wedding day didn't turn out as planned for more than the bride and groom to be. When Ted invites Robin to his sudden nuptials, Ex issues come to the forefront. Barney decides to use this opportunity for a second go round with Robin, but there is a problem-can he keep away from other women until Robin shows up?

Ok, there wasn't much chance of Stella being the mother because, well, the show isn't over yet. You had to know that even if they got married, it wouldn't last long because she isn't the mother, but the way that they ended the episode was pretty good. I felt for Ted and how he was willing to give up quite a bit to be a family with her and her daughter and she ran off with her ex. Of course she had to accuse him of being too close to Robin. Oh well, now we can get back to the search for the real mother.

As much as the show is about Ted and his search for the mother of his children I have to say that once again the highlight of the episode for me was Bobin. I love the whole DaVinci Code graphics floating around as Barney tried to figure out a way to get back into bed with Robin. In typical Barney fashion his idea of a romantic sentiment is "Robin is the only woman I'm banging this weekend". That, from Barney-is quite mushy. Of course Lily points out that he'd have to resist the advances of the other women around. At first, his resolve is great, actually telling a sexually aggressive woman who makes it known that she wants him, that he's with someone. Wow, Barney refusing sex, something I didn't think I'd ever see without there being a bet involved. Of course, when a vulnerable Robin actually turns to Barney-too late, he's already gotten someone attached to his headboard. But the look on his face as she walks away and his chance with her slips between his fingers. At least, for now. Now that Robin has acknowledged that she still has feelings for Ted, Ted is now single, and Barney seems to at least be trying to stave off the attentions of other women for Robin's sake I wonder if there's going to be a bit of drama. By that I mean I hope there's some drama, and with Barney in the mix there's also going to be some comedy gold.

Excellent episode. Can't wait for more.

I've watched HIMYM from the very beginning. And seeing the (season 4) episodes before this made me think if the writers are on some kind of drugs or something. Those episodes from a while back just doesn't have the formula used in this show's earlier seasons, something just isn't in order; well except for the first episode which is kind of good. Anyway, back to the point. Thankfully "Shelter Island" was totally different and it brings back the old feeling we had watching seasons 1, 2 and a few of season 3. This episode was a better one in this season (so far), and maybe it's because of the new writer. It was great how drama was placed in a comedy show and still works fine and tells the story straight. Plus they've managed to remove Stella from the picture (I knew she wasn't the mother even before) thus going back to the point of the story (how ted met the mother).



I hope future episodes will be as good or if not better than this. This is the best show and I wish they'll continue to make great episodes. More power to HIMYM!

Personally I have never considered Stella as the mother of the kids because she wasn't the right person. As Robin states in the episode, Ted has the best romantic character in world and he deserves much better than Stella. Even it is just a serie, I'd be sorry to see Ted married to stella. After this episode, we understand that Robin has got still a thing against Ted. Things will be complicated from now on because Robin will have a desire to restart a relationship with Ted, while Charley will platonically loving her.



I enjoyed this episode a lot. Not so funny but very revealing and entertaining. And oscar goes to Robin in this episode.

Like a lot of people I knew it was going to happen, the signs were always there but Ted just didn't want to see them until it was too late. This was one of the episodes I've been waiting for and as usual both comidy and drama are balanced perfictly.



The fact the marrage was going to take place at some fruity yoga/health retreat. I liked how Lily, Marchall, and Barney reacted to the place they felt like they were in hell. Another joke of the weak from Barney when he is trying to hold off till Robin arrives and woo her after the wedding, but unfortunately his womanizing habits make him week willed when he engages in a threesome in his room, but I did like that moment before he even engages Robin passes by he room and he has that serious and sad look for a moment knowing he blew an opportunity.



Down to seeing that Japaneze news show Robin was in which was very bizzare, it cracked me up seeing that monkey throw marchmellows at Robin. It's funny because it's slightly true, I've seen some Japaneze game shows/live shows that were just as strange but in a good way and fun. But there are others that just make no damn sense, I can't help but wonder if the person/s that created it were on something. Poor Robin when will those TV stations ever take her seriously, why the heck can't that.



Other than those comic moments things do get serious and the highlight of it is Robin herself whom I though was at her humaine best in the episode.

My favorate moment in the episode was the dialog moment with Robin, which I found deep and emotional. Robin expresses her feeling about the manner like any best friend should when they feel he/she is making a mistake and she is completely right about Ted, he deserves better. Even though Ted looked a little mad at all of what Robin said to him I can tell in his eyes subconciously he knows it's the truth.



I don't doubt Ted is in love with Stella, but I think it was the ending/dream that he was in love with more. He was going though this wedding out of fear more, Stella he figures may be his only chance at making that happy ending he dreams about a lot become a reality. But the truth in life is reality takes a long while to catch up to the expectations in the dreams we hold. And what's happening right now just shows those expectations haven't been met, I know he doesn't want to get married in that craphole he's in right now, he wants it to be someplace romantic someplace special; if I ever was going to get married that's what I want as well it would be in a place like Italy or Paris (I know a longshot but you get where I'm going with this).



It all comes to an ending I expected, I was sad but not entirely, Stella and Ted's destiny together was simply not to be, both have a destiny but not with each other.



I'm sure the happy ending both Ted and Robin envision for themselves will happen someday. But as a saying goes "there is a time and a place for everything".

This season of HIMYM is still bit uneven in terms of quality. This episode at least refrains from pushing too much jokes without meaning into 30 minutes of programming and focuses on the story development which was certainly needed.



The story was pretty good, not only because of the way stuff was worked out at the end but because of the seamless integration of all the main characters. We got Robin back to the group just after she left for Japan and the monkey was just a cherry on top.



I liked Stellas husband in his martial arts suit and black belt using karate to vent out and I liked him all DiCaprio-like at the end. NIce job, writers, now bring us the MOTHER!

I felt something from HIMYM this episode that I haven't felt since "Come On" in season 1 when Ted makes it rain. This episode taps at emotions.



Ted and Stella decide to get married and they argue about whether to invite Ex's to the wedding or not. In the end it turns out it's best not to.



Barney chases Robin and plans on sleeping with her at the wedding but when she shows up at his room Barney already has a woman there. Has the legendary Barney been beaten? Now Ted is back on the market and Robin still clearly in love with him Barnewy might have to bare all to be with Robin.



Great Episode!!!!!!! Fantastic ratings as well.

In the aftermath of Stella's sister's meltdown, Stella and Ted decide to move their wedding forward. They have it on Shelter Island, Stella's dream wedding is all coming together until Stella suggests that Robin shouldn't come as she is an ex and that would just be uncomfortable.



Meanwhile, Barney has come up with a plan to sleep with Robin again. He thinks if he can get her drunk at Ted's wedding and then she will sleep with him. This comes undne when he finds out that their resort doesn't serve alcohol.



This episode does something that most comedies seem to have trouble with. They balance both humour and drama at the same time. That said the drama only comes near the end but all the same you find it very hard to see a comedy that can handle both. The story of the "don't invite your ex" takes centre stage and by the way the episode plays out you can see the ending coming but part of you wants to think that it won't. In essence this is really great writing. A definite tune in for fans but I don't think new comers will get the gravity of just how good this episode is!

For a few weeks, I thought HIMYM had chosen this season for its downward spiral. But thankfully, this episode was sort of comeback with all the character developments,killings, and revelations.



Another interesting point which I was able to notice was that the entire cast had pitched in on comedy score - giving NPH a break. As I've mentioned in my summary, its good to have the story back on to square one. This will definitely give the writers a good amount of room to weave the old magic. And, the way the writers had to kill off Stella's character was heartbreaking. But nevertheless, it was one awesome way to do it. I hope to see some good stuff happening in the remaining episodes.

I must say that I was extremely impressed with this episode. It was very well written. We all knew that Stella was not going to be the Mother, and we were basically waiting to see how Ted was finally going to end it with Stella. Well the wait is over, for all is reveled in this episode.



The episode really throws a curve ball at you. At first you are very unsuspecting of what is to come. Barney once again made this episode keep a smile on my face. You can't help but laugh at his quirkiness, as well as feel for his problems trying to tie the knot with Robin.



Which brings me to my next point - Robin. I must say that she was fantastic in this episode, being funny at the beginning of the episode and serious at the end. She tells Ted things that needed to get out, and really made you connect more with her as a character. Finally, concluding to the end of the episode, the twist was quite amusing and really brings out the serious side of How I met your mother. This is not just a comedy, it can be quite dramatic and the writers do a fantastic job making you really care for each main character on the show.



I'm really enjoying season 4, and i'm hoping it keeps pumping out very well written and funny episodes.

I've been expecting this story for some time now, and I was wondering how they were going to eliminate Stella from Ted's life. By now, most people could deduce that Stella was not the mother (Several clues, one of which: Ted's kids in the future are very close to each other in age, less than two years probably, but Stella's daughter is already six in the present). So, the question was, how long was this going to last? I loved this story and I thought it was very well written. It eliminated Stella but still allowed you to like Ted, and feel sorry for him. The great thing was that in the edn, all of Ted's friends were still there for him. There was also a great setup for the Return of Robin to Ted's life, and that she may still have feelings for him. Last season in "The Goat" Ted tells the story of his 30th birthday and how the Goat was eating one of Robin's washcloths. Then he stops himself and mentions that Robin was living with him on his 31st birthday not his 30th. Which means that at some point THIS SEASON Robin will move in with Ted. I still don't believe she is the mother but I do believe she's going to play a more intricate role in Ted's future relationship. Anyway, while this may have not been the funniest episode it was still very good and was still a bit of great TV!

To be honest, I was relieved that the Stella-Ted relationship ended. I read somewhere that Stella's character was just too boring and I started to agree with that. There just wasn't any excitement with Ted marrying her. I thought the writers did a great job with this episode. Barney's struggle with not hooking up with Stella's sister was hilarious. I think his struggle with being "Barney" or going after Robin is going to be fun to watch the rest of the season. I loved the reference to "A Beautiful Mind." The whole deal with Robin being in Japan was just kind of silly, however the scenes with the monkey might have made it all worth it. The fact they dropped in zitchdog was classic. Lots of little things were great in this episode and overall still makes me want to watch next week. There's nothing more you can ask for from a TV show, keeping your interest.

I have been hard on this show. I have said it's lost everything that made it special to me. I've said I think it's gone off were it was never meant to go. And now somehow it's made it back where it needs to be. Ted searching. That's where this show works. That's why I love this show. Ted and Stella agree to take the date of Stella's sister's wedding after her fiance runs off. So things happen (which if you're reading this you probably already know) and we're left with Ted telling Robin she can't come to the wedding. And Robin tells him she doesn't want it to happen because it's Ted giving up everything that makes Ted Ted. To me all I could hear was Roxy Music playing Mother of Pearl (think the wedding scene in "Milk" in season one) and thinking that this was what was meant to be. I know it can't but understand where I'm coming from. Some how. Some way. They in an instant reminded me why I love this. Why I felt like this (even though Josh Radnor is a Bexly guy, and I live in UA which really is totally different but you'd have to live in Columbus to understand but I'm guessing you can't becuase odds aren't you'd have no idea what I'm talking about) I don't know. I might wake up tomorrow and feel like I'm back in "I love New Jersey" but for tonight, I'm good.

Wow. I don't understand what all the hate with this episode is. I really enjoyed it. Sarah Chalke is so sexy now. I really liked this episode. I liked the imaginary sequence at the end when Stella was the mother. Then, they agree not to invite any exes to the wedding, after Ted invites Robin. He makes it fair and invites Stella's ex. I loved the end, especially. Robin thinks she and Ted should get together. I loved how everything built up to the end and I never expected it. The end was so great with the flashbacks and Robin on the boat with Stella and her ex. 10/10.

Sorry, but seeing Ted getting overly aggressive over everything new-jerseyian doesn't make him more appealing, dear writers. Nor does it help the storyline, or the show altogether. It was enough to watch him tear NJ apart ONCE (season 3, episode 2, "We're not from here", but really, once again? Come on.



And it didn't quite fit the characters to have them basically insult Stella by moaning about how lame it is at her place and how much better another night down the bar would be. That's just not like them. If those characters were real (yeah I know - they're not :->), they'd sit it through, for Ted... 'cause they know how important it is for him.



Anyway. I'll stop here. Didn't like this episode much, just like the one before. Barney made it ok, but there were enough other bits to warrant a "Poor" rating, at least in my opinion.

As a born and raised New Jerseyian, I loved this episode, it was of my favorites of all time.



The truths were all there, while I love Manhattan, I am not sure that I would raise a family there, mainly because I would want them to have yards and all. Not that Manhattan does not have a lot to offer, but NJ does too. The funniest things about the pro-NJ movement was Marshall's sudden realization that he too loved NJ. His reasoning was perfect though, he simply does not fit in Manhattan any longer, and he likes the big discount club stores.



Then Robin, accidentally quit her job before landing her new job, because she was tired of reading the play on words headlines. Watching Robin as she tried to get back to the studio in a half hour was hilarious, completed with a car jump. Then she got her new job, but she has to move to Japan, and Barney looked devastated.



This does explain how she comes to live with Ted around his birthday, Robin will move to Japan and then hate it and come back, but she will have sold her place in Brooklyn and since Marshall and Lily finally moved out, there is an extra bedroom at Ted's apartment, and there will be a goat.



This episode made it clear that Ted and Stella will not last, they threw in a wrench with her daughter Lucy and Ted reading her a bedtime story, but overall I feel that Ted is slowly realizing that he went too far too fast with Stella, and that they ultimately will not make it down the aisle.



On a side note, the whole no one will give Bareny props for his lame joke, that he kept his hand up all night long, well it showed why Neil Patrick Harris deserves an Emmy.