How I Met Your Mother

It seems like the regular cast can't carry the series any further, so it's up to the guest actors to swoop in and save the day. In this episode, Leland..., I mean, Ray Wise, emerged as the hero, and thanks to him, I could once again have a good laugh. Other than his shining moment, it was just the usual eighth season standard, which isn't exactly my thing. But hey, I saw a vampire in broad daylight, so I'm giving this episode two stars. / Lesson learned: Never munch on confetti. Never. (17/10/2022)

Who would have thought? This episode not only put me in a good mood but also had me laughing out loud. / Lesson learned: Beware, Anthrax is not just a metal band. (17/10/2022)

If it wasn't for Barney's stay among the Canadians, I wouldn't even have a single star to give because the rest was just pathetic. I had my fingers crossed it wouldn't happen again, but nope, the creators went and dropped another one of Robin's music videos on us. / Lesson learned: Seriously, enough is enough. (17/10/2022)

The creators stuck to the low standards set by the eighth season. Still, I'm giving this episode two stars because there were moments that I surprisingly enjoyed. The squatting policewoman wasn't a bad idea, but the atypical nanny was even better. / Lesson learned: Put the pacifier on a string. (17/10/2022)

It's a shame that the creators couldn't maintain consistent quality in this episode. I really enjoyed hearing about the encounter with the Captain from three different perspectives (or three types of memory). While it didn't have me laughing out loud, I was entertained. But then, everything took a nosedive with the continuation of the story involving the little monster, which ruined all the fun for me. / Lesson learned: If your memory is failing you, record everything. (18/10/2022)

The episode had its bright moments (Skittles were the best), but, unfortunately, they were few and far between. The playbook is running on fumes, and with the creators constantly revisiting it, it's starting to resemble a teabag that's been used way too many times. It won't add any color to the water anymore, let alone flavor. And speaking of things overstaying their welcome, Jeanette has been there for way too long. / Lesson learned: Go for the quiet snacks; gummibears, cotton candy, and bubblegum are the way to go. (18/10/2022)

It's not getting better, not that I expected an improvement. The nineteenth episode didn't bring any interesting plot or a decent portion of quality humor, so for me, the only entertainment was a tour of Barney's apartment. So far the clear winner in the battle for the title of "worst season". / Lesson learned: There's nothing like romance in Las Vegas. (18/10/2022)

I find this episode utterly pointless. No ties to the main storyline, and the peak of the humor was Marshall finding himself in the women's restroom... Oh well... I will make it to the end of this show, but I never plan on rewatching it. / Lesson learned: When your future self pays a visit, don't sweat the small stuff; focus on the stock market. (18/10/2022)

The episode was quite fun, thanks in part to the nods to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and Don Marshallin. It left me wishing for more of that humor; the creators could have earned an extra star. Well, in the eighth season, I've learned to appreciate even the little things because I know it could get a lot worse. / Lesson learned: Let's go to Italy to have some onion rings. (18/10/2022)

So this was definitely an atypical episode. From my point of view, the twenty-second episode was the funniest of this season. I can't wrap my head around how the creators managed to include both the worst and the best of this series in three consecutive episodes. Anyway, I haven't laughed this much in a long time, and if there wasn't so much recycling, I would rate it even higher because Karate Kid were both great. / Lesson learned: Pre-wedding rituals can seriously jeopardize both health and relationships. 3*+ (18/10/2022)

Ray Wise can't salvage this one because I can't endure another round of Laser Tag for the hundred and sixth time. Digging in the park and the bizarre interaction between Ted and the Italians didn't do much to entertain me either. / Lesson learned: When you bury something, resist the urge to dig it back up. Ten out of ten gravediggers agree. (19/10/2022)

There was a noticeable step up from the last episode, but not quite enough to warrant a higher rating from me. The episode still fell short on humor. It's a shame as the creators actually came up with something that was relevant for the main storyline, not a frequent occurrence here. Barney and Robin kept me entertained. I wish it happened more often. / Lesson learned: Don't just turn the other cheek. (19/10/2022)

Season 9 was probably the least balanced one. The quality of the episodes flew up and down like a seismograph. The creators constantly alternated excellent ideas and jokes with pathetic to disastrous ones, often unable to resist recycling and ripping off themselves, which didn’t do the show any good. On the upside, they did manage to pull off both final episodes, so I’m willing to go as high as two stars. / Lesson learned: A wedding weekend can get pretty damn long sometimes. (25/10/2022)

The kickoff of the ninth season wasn't the worst but the humor could've been bolder, and certain things are starting to grate on me quite a bit... I'm looking at you, Ted. Ted's ongoing personal tragedy has been irking me for several seasons now. / Lesson learned: Sweets are good for the nerves. (19/10/2022)

Yet again, the creators failed to serve up the humor I was craving. Instead, they decided to switch to a more serious tone, leaving me puzzled about what brought that on. I mean, it's supposed to be a sitcom, right? I distinctly recall that being the case in the beginning. But now, it feels like drama is increasingly creeping its way in. / Lesson learned: We could all use our own personal Linus from time to time. (19/10/2022)

And now, back to the regular dose of despair. Despite some decent laughs from zombie movie references, the third episode didn't deliver many humorous moments for me. I find the Marshall/Daphne duo's storyline entirely unnecessary (is it all about political correctness?), and Ted's expression of tragic romance just makes me want to inflict harm. The little monster's speech was the final nail in the coffin for everything. / Lesson learned: Zombies live by the motto "Haste makes waste," and it pays off for them. (20/10/2022)

The fourth episode had almost the same downsides as the previous one. Well, almost – Robo Marshall was fun, but the little monster was even more cringe-worthy, so it kind of evened out. However, what consistently kills the vibe for me is Ted. I think I'm starting to get allergic to him. / Lesson learned: Drink antifreeze, you won't feel cold. (20/10/2022)

The fifth episode ditched the usual frustrated Ted routine and came with a great storyline involving wedding gifts. The unexpectedly high-stakes poker game was also a good move. The only downside was Marshall's road trip, which still feels pretty pointless. / Lesson learned: If you're giving someone a present, have your name engraved on it. 3*+ (20/10/2022)

It's hard to believe, but I genuinely enjoyed the sixth episode — I laughed wholeheartedly and had a blast. The priest and the knight were spot-on. / Lesson learned: A church wedding? Suit yourselves. (20/10/2022)

The individual character stories were utterly pointless, except for one standout. What the creators came up with for Robin was just plain nonsense. That whole storyline goes to show that the screenwriters are OD'ing on sandwiches. / Lesson learned: If there's a ghost in your room, clamp down on the receptionist. Seriously. (21/10/2022)