How I Met Your Mother

"The Playbook" is an entertaining How I Met Your Mother episode. This episode is all about Barney being a single man again. I love how Barney is sitting in the bar in a scuba suit and Lily warns a woman about him and the gang explains what lead to that moment. In turns out that Lily tried to set Ted up with her teacher friend, who Barney uses the "Lorenzo Von Matterhorn on her. I love how Lily steals the playbook and threatens to publish it online. Anyways, I don't remember how it happened but in the end Barney fooled everyone. I give this episode a 8.5/10.

This was quite an episode, and it was very entertaining. Seeing Barney back at his best was absolutely epic and all the scenes of the various tricks were highly enjoayble, and I was laughing a lot throughout this episode.



Overall, the sensational storyline was exceptionally funny and I highly enjoyed it. Lily was great in this episode as well, and seeing Barney back felt like gold, to me!@



I would recommend this episode very highly, as it was packed in with great scenes, exceptional moments of great humour and quite simply, it was the best episode of How I met Your Mother in quite some thim!

This episode didn't have much development, and I thought it was part of the aftermath of Barney & Robin's breakup. But this episode was basically letting us know that the good old Barney is back. He's turning tricks up his sleeve and in his playbook. The playbook is a book in which he has plans to get girls, ridiculous plans that often work. Lilly is completely against the playbook so she basically sets Barney up, in a battle of wits. Meanwhile Robin is trying to get over the breakup by swearing off guys completely and dedicating all her time to work. Ted & Marshall think that's when she is going to find a guy, when she isn't looking for one. Robin begs to differ. I enjoyed seeing Lilly & her manipulating ways. Her hiring that actress, just so she can steal the playbook, and Barney creating the scuba diving game when actually there was more to it. It was happening since the very beginning and Lilly was a part of it. Barney gets the girl in the end, and as he winks at the screen, we know good old Barney is back. We get to see that Robin is going through a hard time seeing Barney bounce back so fast, and Barney exposes fake feelings. This is all part of the play. Nothing much else to say, except I enjoyed the Lilly/Barney interaction since we haven't seen that since season 4, also enjoyed the minor development since Robin met a guy in the end, loved her last lines: "Dammit Marshall," hilarious.

I think I must get a different version of this show to everyone else. I've been trying to think why HIMYM is now so poor when compared to the earlier episodes. I think it is the quality of the writing and the way in which some of the far out ideas are presented. In the first few series this was an endearing show with some funny ideas that made me laugh. Now everything is done in such a stupid unfunny way that it ruins any good bits that come along. I now think that they should change the name as the amount of episodes which actually contain information about How he met his wife can be counted on one hand. They should now call it 'How I Stretched Out A Half Decent Concept For 2 More Years Than Was Necessary'.

A special Barney episode ? It could only be funny. I feared the writers would decide to throw in the usual dumb Marshall arc but they didn't. They were wise enough to focus on Barney's dating how-to book. In fact the story reminded me of Game Night, season 1 15th episode, because it's one of the only dedicated to him. However considering how bad the show has apparently evolved I wasn't expecting The Playbook to be as interesting and sad. But in the end I have to admit that it was at least funny. Of course all jokes weren't good but some should make you laugh enough not to make you feel like you've just wasted twenty minutes of your precious life. In fact the best thing about it is that it should encourage you to be more original and daring when it comes to dating.



The twisted idea behind the story was creative but the execution was almost a failure. I think the writers mistake was to not focus on the best and most important joke. In fact the end reminded me of "Ted Mosby : Architect", season 2 5th episode, but it wasn't as surprising and hilarious. So when you could watch that one over and over to appreciate all its awesomeness I don't think you'll want to go back to this one. Beside the relatively linear and riskless writing I also blame the poor use of the supporting characters because their role was quite anecdotic. I think it's a mistake because the story would have been far much more entertaining if it involved more Ted or Robin for example. Why didn't they viciously switch profiles in a crazy fashion ? What about revealing the story was just a dream at the end ? It's already the 96th episode but it doesn't mean you can just sit back and relax instead of challenging yourself. Of course it's easier to review other people's work than to get things done but I can't help thinking that some talent is desperately wasted.



To sum things up it was a decent installment but not a match for the great episodes I mentionned. It's almost scary because The Playbook is actually the highest rated episode on TV.com. I think its creators should just make the wise decision of finally answering The Question no one really cares about anymore. Maybe the wake up call they need will come from viewers disappointed by a show that didn't meet their expectations. It will be so sad if they decide to cancel How I Met Your Mother once it jumps the shark. Let's hope it won't happen because the people who worked on it deserve better. Cobie Smulders is beautiful and her acting talent can only improve. Neil Patrick Harris is legendary as Barney. Last but not least Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, the sitcom creators, successfully served us with a few excellent episodes.

I usually find this show, well, boring. So while waiting to get on the computer I decided lets watch and what a surprise I got.



The genius comes from the fact that this is a Barney episode (best character in the show). A whole episode dedicated to his pulling techniques with a book detailing them. Each is in some ways genius but more importantly each is a mini punchline. The Scuba is clearly the most disapointing as you see it a mile off. The sorry to Robin feels nasty though as he used that just to pull. However I guess they expect it from Barney so no Biggy. The Playbook should be published online... :) ;)

It was a very funny episode. I realy like Barney but I'm worried of the direction the show is taking. I'd like to see more of Ted's stories, we don't see any progress in his quest for a girlfriend. What about his new career? Since the beginning of the season, every episode have been about Barney. Barney is funny and everything, but I think that if he becomes the main character of the show, it's going to be funny for a while and than people are going to get bored and it will kill the show. He's funny but so unreal, you can't realy relate to this character, unlike Ted who has real problems like everyone in real life.

Barney's back to his old tricks ... finally. I, for one, was finding the relationship with Robin boring and senseless. Barney should always remain a bachelor. I guess, that's why the writers decided to end their frivolous relationship after just 7 episodes. Well done! I loved this episode. Barney uses all the old tricks in the book, literally! He in fact wrote a "playbook" describing all the various tricks to get women into bed. I especially liked the Lorenzo van Matterhorn (awesome fake name), the "he's not gonna make it" and of course the successful in the end "The scuba diver". A must watch.

This is classic HIMYM episode. Though its all bout Barney again, the episode was very funny and interesting. The phase is fast and no boring moments. Though the effects in Empire State building is kinda cheap, because it is obvious that Barney was walking in a green background. And miss Californication girl Eva Amurri, looks like her neck was stretched when she got that weird hairdo. About Marshall, dude make some sit ups or go to the gym, your beer belly is showing. Get in shape when your on tv man, unless its in your character to be like fat belly guy. Nevertheless this is a superb episode and keep it up.

As always, the episode starts in reverse and the story keeps revealing step by step. Barney's way of moving after a breakup is revealing his book and looking for tricks to get NY women back into his bed. Lily just hates the book and thinks it's cheap so she tries to mess up with his attempt to get a hot girl on the bar by telling her all about Barney and trying to discover Barney's Scubadiving suit method. In the end, it turns out that Barney tore the page and stuck it underneath the table and it included shocking information that the whole thing he did was already prepared and expected. This show is really getting great episodes like this after 5 years. This show is going to stay and we all love it for that.

Barney is back and he's came back strong. Personally I'm glad he's single again because for some reason I find him more fun in that status. What I like about this episode is we get some depth on Barney once again mainly on his pick me up tactics to the women. I'll admit I'm amazed any of them even worked and the women actually bought it. Though I can't help but feel that may'be deep inside they didn't buy it but they hooked up with the guy probably out of desperation. I liked how Robin put it, it was sort of like they had it coming which is true and what happens when you don't set your expectations higher.



But that aside I thought some of the tactics were really amuzing. Three favorates of mine were The Warning of the Ruffie, where Barney warned a girl of a non existant ruffie and then points out Ted is the culprit, that part probably makes Barney a hinderer of Ted's quest in finding the mom. The Ted Mosby which is supprising yet ironic. And of course the he's not coming line. Though my minor complant is I though a few of his other tactics were just plain ridiculous and I just don't buy. Mainly when he's wearing costumes doesn't really work. I just find it funnier when he's not wearing any costumes, and goes with more low key suttle apporaches. I really liked the rivalry with Lily and Barney with the Playbook, and the twist at the end of it.



And there is that little subplot with Robin, liked how Marchall was constantly teasing her about finding the one and stating some facts on certain people that went her route. And of course Marchall's teasing was a plot point to a payoff that happens when Robin does meet the love of his life Rob. Hmmm wonder if he's going to be a new character in the show. I think this could be a good sign, Robin may be on her way to finding her happy ending and soon it will be Ted's turn.

HIMYM used to be one of my must watch, quality show. However last season, the show witnessed a dip in quality (and that`s bad cause the first 3 seasons were really really awesome). And first couple of season 5 episodes were ok, kinda meh with the show continuing to go downhill with even NPH becoming well, less awesome. However, last 2 episodes (prior to this one) showed good signs...leading to this episode: The best HIMYM episode since early season 4...at least IMO.

Barney-Robin relation was kinda boring, at least for now and the break up brought the best out of Barney. The playbook is a genius idea, on par with the bro code and the way the book was illustrated throughout was perfect, hilarious. Hoping the book is commercialize like the bro code. :D

This was a Barney classic. However the rest of the cast still remains pretty much indifferent as far as I am concerned. Take Marshall for example, the line on Stephen King reflects the character these days...unable to put a funny line. Nice development about Robin in the end, should be interesting.

So is this a return to form for HIMYM? I hope so but wouldn`t bet. We`ll have to wait to see if the writers suddenly creative again or this is a one time thingy. Next episode is about slapsgiving, promising.:D

I've been honest about my gripes with this show for the last season and a bit. It just never seemed to come together, when it was funny the eps were ultimately fillers and the eps that did focus on character were ultimately predictable. Well I am happy to say that this ep is the first this season where it all comes together in a hilarious ep that is by far the season's best.



This week the gang are getting over the end of the Barney and Robin relationship. It is evident from the get go that the two are going about it in very different ways. Robin decides to focus on her job while Barney chooses to open up the playbook. The playbook is a book of all the techniques in which Barney can seduce a woman. Lilley is disgusted by the playbook and becomes even more agitated when Barney uses it to sleep with a woman that Lilly has been saving for Ted. Over this arc you get a look at a few hilarious plays as well as the chaos when Lilly steals the playbook from Barney.



Meanwhile, Marshall and Ted are riling up Robin when they tell her that she will find the love of her life because she isn't looking for him. She ignores it as the two guys just giving her a rise for fun, but Marshall continues to labor the point. This arc also had its funny moments, the frozen waffles being one, and it does seem that this story can lead to more plotlines in the future.



This ep had it all, good character pieces, interesting storylines to follow and some genuinely great laughs. If this ep doesn't make you laugh, then you this show is not for you!

HIMYM is really getting better by the week. And this one was out of the park, and probably the best episode in years. It definitely looks like a lot of work has gone into making this episode.



This is a tribute to Neil Patrick Harris who has single-handedly run the show. The shows kicks off with random excerpts from Barney's playbook, a guide to pick up women. Everything was awesome, right from the 1920 style intro cards to the final wink after getting the job done. I am not lying, but I did see the last act coming. The whole concept reminded my of the Kevin Spacey movie, Usual Suspects. Great idea, great acting by NPH, and great execution. Sadly the other characters, Robin, Ted, Lily, and Marshall still continue to be boring. And Jason Segal simply can't deliver a funny line.



Otherwise, I am really really impressed.

A fairly funny episode with multiple Barney stories and the other members of the cast discussing him at great length. As Barney goes from one girl to another the guys regale us with the different approaches taken.



We hear about "The Lorenzo Von Matterhorn", "The Cheap Trick", "The Ted Moseby"(which Ted finds out really works!), "The SNASA", and finally "The He's Not Coming". All of these elaborate plays that Barney puts on to get girls.



It is very funny as Lily has pulled a fast one on Barney, but Barney gets what he wants in the end using "The Scuba-diver". Doesn't he always. I mean, he is... wait for it... Awesome! Thanks for reading...