How I Met Your Mother

The creators managed to avoid the cringiness that often comes with the theme, and thankfully, they managed to steer clear of clichés. It was a pretty decent watch for me, and it even humanized Barney a bit (though I still got the most laughs from how convincing he was in the subtitle scene). But the interaction between Ted and Robin kind of went over my head. / Lesson learned: Not every revealed secret will make you happy. (28/09/2022)

And we're right back to square one. Another episode that felt like it shouldn't have seen the light of day. The story is taking another nosedive. The plot was essentially about nothing, with Ted's dream building taking center stage again, the little monster meddling in other people's lives, and the rest practically fading into the background. / Lesson learned: Be decisive. (28/09/2022)

I'm seriously wondering why the creators bothered with episodes like this one. It was absolutely pointless when it came to the overall story, and that's exactly why it got a low rating from me. The only reason I stuck around was for Barney. Not that he was particularly funny this time around, but it just goes to show that if I had to pick someone from this crew to trust, it'd be Barney. The rest are like hyenas, and don't even get me started on Marshall, the blabbermouth. / Lesson learned: Do you want to become a true New Yorker? Why? (29/09/2022)

The plot of this episode didn't do much for the main story's development, much like the one before it. The episode drove home the point that if you want to tell someone about any troubles, secrets, or experiences you want to keep under wraps, you better make sure that person never speaks again. I've been feeling pretty queasy about the series for a while now, not really enjoying it. / Lesson learned: Sometimes, being alone might not be all that bad. (29/09/2022)

If the sixth season was a mode of transportation, it wouldn't be a car — it would be a train. The creators keep it chugging along the same old tracks, moving me at a steady speed toward the Predictable, Annoying, and Boring station. In this episode, parenthood is on the agenda again, and Ted has found another Miss Right. As I said, the same old tracks. / Lesson learned: There's definitely an app out there for picking baby names. (29/09/2022)

Despite a few minor variations, it's still the same old tune. And no, it's not some epic metal banger; it's more like one of those tired, whiny Enrique Iglesias songs. The seventh episode felt just like the fifth and sixth — essentially pointless. The little monster was a major pain in the ass again, but hold up! The methods she used at work cracked me up, and Randy didn't disappoint either. I'm crossing my fingers that the left-wing freak, who's annoying as heck to me, will finally peace out of the story. / Lesson learned: Don't hold others back. (30/09/2022)

The sixth season has a consistent subpar vibe. This episode stuck to the same old tracks I already talked about in my reviews. Ted played the tragedy card, the little monster and the ridiculous activist were at it again, Marshall was just pathetic, and only Barney and Robin tried to bring some humor into the mix. / Lesson learned: Hands off exhibits/women/men/children/animals, etc., and don't lean out of the windows. 1*- (30/09/2022)

The fifth season's got me thinking the creators are on a mission to make each new episode worse than the one before, and they're kinda pulling it off. But, there's always that tiny glimmer of humor. As for the ninth episode, I'll just say I'm getting pretty tired of Robin Sparkles videos, and the little monster's reaching an unbearable level for me. / Lesson learned: Out of fresh ideas? Just reactivate the old ones. 1*- (01/10/2022)

Not even this episode quite hit the mark for what I was hoping to see. Sure, the curse got a chuckle out of me, but what about the rest of it? Beyond laughing at the unfortunate souls, there wasn't much else here. And of course, the creators couldn't resist taking a swing at playing with emotions, which was a bit of a miss for me. / Lesson learned: A turkey is not a Matryoshka doll. (01/10/2022)

Another episode that was basically about nothing, thanks to Ted's storytelling that seemed to be all over the place. I could have certainly done without it. The episode only dodged a complete disaster thanks to two things. First, the undeniably true theory about mermaids. And second, Kyle MacLachlan as the Captain because he and the character he's playing are top-notch, not just in this episode. / Lesson learned: If you're hitting the sea, bring a life jacket and a poison capsule. (01/10/2022)

This episode didn't throw anything my way that I haven't seen a dozen times before. The humor was meh, making it a standard sixth-season episode. It's the midway point of this season, and I am far from satisfied. The creators pulled the same scenes out of their bag of tricks, and it seems like they're making it their new template. And don't even get me started on the constant rants about reproduction. / Lesson learned: Use decimal points. (01/10/2022)

I'm seriously questioning the writers' train of thought. Did they finally get that it needs more humor? If so, they clearly missed the memo that overusing Robin Sparkles videos and constant baby-making storylines aren't the way to go. And seriously, who in their right mind would think a family tragedy is a comedy goldmine? That was the figurative nail in the coffin. / Lesson learned: Death in the family. LOL, ROFL. (02/10/2022)

Okay, I hate to sound like a broken record, but I gotta say it again. Sitcom stands for situational comedy, right? So, where's the humor? In the fourteenth episode, I'm hit with a mourning session for a fictional character, and the creators are trying to tug at my heartstrings. But for whom? I get it in TBBT because Carol Ann Susi actually passed away, but here it feels like the writers threw in the comedy towel and went full-on tragedy mode. The only silver lining was Robin and her handbag. / Lesson learned: When a loved one dies, make sure to flaunt your grief — people love that. (02/10/2022)

One big upside to this episode was the creators getting back to the usual sixth-season vibe. Under different circumstances, that might be a negative, but this season is in such a rough spot that it's clutching at straws. Honestly, I didn't find any standout positive moments in this episode — I just appreciate that they didn't dissect Marshall's father's corpse. / Lesson learned: An empty head is lighter to carry. (02/10/2022)

If you'd told me just twenty minutes ago that I'd actually enjoy any of the remaining episodes in the sixth season, I'd think you were out of your mind. But, against all odds, that wild scenario happened, and I found myself cracking up at Barney's concept of the predator and the major help that Mrs. Eriksen got. / Lesson learned: Not a fan of Valentine's Day? Just enjoy yourself! (02/10/2022)

The episode, just like the last one, managed to keep me entertained. Sure, my good mood was mostly thanks to a character outside the main cast, but that didn't take away from my satisfaction. / Lesson learned: If you're gonna have a serious talk with someone, maybe don't meet in an armory. (02/10/2022)

I wasn't impressed with the storyline like I was by the previous two episodes. Not that the eighteenth episode didn't have its bright moments — they were there. But Barney's romantic subplot seriously messed with the overall feel for me. I've got different expectations for Barney, and most times, he delivers, but this just wasn't one of those cases. At least Scooby got the job done. / Lesson learned: Take your loved ones for a walk regularly. (02/10/2022)

I'm bummed out. The episode kicked off strong because John Lithgow is usually a solid actor in my book, but the writers failed to give him decent material. The episode had a promising beginning but slowly lost its steam until it completely fell off the radar. Once again, the creators chose to bury all the good stuff in a sea of fake emotions. / Lesson learned: Don't set your expectations too high. (02/10/2022)

Nah, this one's just not hitting the mark for me. Yet another episode with a plot so unremarkable and forgettable that it needed Barney's fiery touch of revenge to keep it from being a total wash. Aside from him, the episode just tossed in more of those trivial relationship bits and the same old Marshall-and-Lily-are-a-power-couple and Ted's-a-pathetic-loser lines. Oh well. / Lesson learned: Sometimes, it's just best to keep quiet at American airports. (03/10/2022)

Another episode in which John Lithgow really killed it and stood out among the crowd (except for Neil Patrick Harris, of course). The plot didn't really bring anything groundbreaking except for the quest for the perfect bar for the legendary party. All those names were perfect, at least distracting me from the generally lackluster script. / Lesson learned: Don't go stirring up demons from the past. (03/10/2022)