'How I Met Your Mother' recap: Screaming matches and meatball subs

As “How I Met Your Mother” nears the end of its season — there are just four episodes left!— the issues that have been lying dormant in Ted (Josh Radnor) and Zoey's (Jennifer Morrison) relationship are starting to surface. Since becoming friends and then something more, the two have been getting along pretty well even though they were on opposite sides at the beginning of the season. Although future Ted confirmed their inevitable breakup, things had been going pretty smoothly for the couple. But executive producer Craig Thomas teased to me that their issues regarding the Arcadian would complicate their relationship. It was nice to finally see that brought up onscreen with this week's episode.

But the Arcadian is not the only thing Ted and Zoey argue about. Lily (Alyson Hannigan) brings up their constant screaming matches, which Ted calls “growing matches.” They dispute everything: Sex moves, who should hang up first, even “Tommy Boy.” Not everybody can be “one hermaphroditic blob” like Lily and Marshall (Jason Segel). Lily's response: “Marshall and I have been together for 15 years, and the only debate we've had about 'Tommy Boy' is whether it's awesome or super awesome. That's love, bitch.”

When Marshall finally quits his job and takes a nonpaid position saving the environment, Lily is completely supportive. Ted thinks her giant anime eyes give away the truth: She's not OK with Marshall's choice. Lily counters that his feminine mouth gives away his true feelings. It's saying, “Zoey, why can't I be on top just this once?” Lily mimics in a little-girl voice, which actually kind of sounds like an anime character. But they're still friends, so she admits that even though Ted and Zoey's relationship is different, that doesn't mean it's not right.

“Oh, my God, is that how support feels?” Ted cries. “So warm and wonderful. Oh, Lily, I've been so unhappy.” Turns out it's hard to date a girl whose sole purpose is to crush your dreams. But it may be even harder to be constantly supportive when your husband doesn't seem concerned with how you're going to pay the bills or that you seem to have given up on having a family. Not to mention Lily feels like has to always be supportive since his father just died. This proves so hard that Lily decides to do something for herself and go to Spain before she explodes. The decision was actually pretty in line for Lily, who also took off for San Francisco in the Season 1 finale to pursue her dream of being an artist. Thankfully, this time she didn't leave Marshall crushed and came home, where Marshall told her he was going to look for a paying job. This storyline really worked for me because, in this case, Marshall and Lily's almost singular entity-like relationship came off as endearing.  It wasn't the annoying, overly eager couple we saw trying to double date with Barney and Robin in “The Sexless Innkeeper” last year. And as happy as I am to be off the constant baby-making, it was nice to see that story's disappearance addressed.

Ted, meanwhile, realized that he couldn't argue with Zoey for the next 50 years. But then the graduation goggles came on. Everything got warm and fuzzy. Sarah McLachlan's “I Will Remember You” began to play. (A+ on the song choice, which has to be the most nostalgic song ever, and its clever use.) And Ted didn't break up with Zoey. Even though it's better to support each other, Ted would “have to learn that the hard way.” Why do I feel like Zoey's going to leave Ted in pieces at the end of this season?

And in what can only be described as the most bizarre Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) storyline ever, Barney was upset that Marshall quit GNB not because of his abandonment issues, as Robin (Cobie Smulders) suggested, but because he didn't get to exact his exploding meatball revenge on Marshall. Honestly, I don't know what to make of it. It didn't let us dig deeper into Barney, as it first seemed it might, and it wasn't as hilarious as it needed to be to work. Robin pretty much summed up my feelings: “What is wrong with you?” At least we learned that Barney sees a shrink. Interesting. And we finally got to see future Robin! Also, there's no way Herschel is real because I'm pretty sure it's impossible to find a person taller than Jason Segel.

Showtrackers, how much longer do you think Ted and Zoey will last? What do you think of Marshall and Lily's new journey? Did you like the meatball side story?

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Complete “How I Met Your Mother” coverage on Showtracker

— Vlada Gelman (follow my TV musings on Twitter at @stayingin)

Photo: Lily (Alyson Hannigan), center, tries to break up a screaming match between Ted (Josh Radnor) and Zoey (Jennifer Morrison) in “Blitzgiving.” Credit: Eric McCandless / Fox.

Comments

[Jac]

I seriously want the Ted-Zoey storyline to be over and I was excited about this episode because I thought it was gonna end with this one. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait some more before that happens.

I wonder if next season is the season Lily gets pregnant. That would be awesome, honestly. And no new hints on the wedding. I wonder then if that'll happen this season or in season 7. Hmmm...

Man, four episodes left! And then we have to wait four months for the next season.

[Eolivet]

This ep was OK, but I think they confused the idea of your S.O. "challenging your opinions" vs. "having a different opinion." The movie convo was such a bizarre way to introduce the whole "being supportive" topic. I get that it was supposed to be just the tip of the iceberg, in terms of the Ted/Zoey relationship -- but it didn't work at all. That whole "opposites attract" thing works for superficial things like movies in a way it doesn't for big picture stuff like someone's lifelong dream.

Basically: I can certainly buy that Marshall/Lily are a "healthier" couple because they support each other on the big things. But Ted/Zoey having different opinions on movies does not make them unhealthy. It makes them independent thinkers.

(The Barney storyline was weird, but what about Robin's random descent into madness/weirdness with the murder thing? What was the point of THAT?!)

[tarylelizabeth]

Vlada don't remind the season is almost over!!! This was a great episode. When Lily said she was leaving, i completely believed that she was! I understood her frusturation. This episode had me soo engrossed! I was into this episode from beginning to end...everything that happened had me wondering what would happen next. My favorite was the beginning of the episode when they are talking about Tommy Boy..classic! That's love bitch!

Marshall quit his job! Finally! We knew we would eventually quit because of the 'Natural History' episode and I am so glad he did. I am interested in what kinda job he will eventually settle into. He warmed my heart when he let Lily know that he can't leave her to do everything and will get a paying job. I completely agree that I am enjoying the break from Marshall and Lily trying to get pregnant. But it was nice to see it brought up again. *That's my favorite and most respectable thing about this show and the writers....and it's that story lines just don't drop off the face of the earth. They bring issues and certain story lines back into play, which is so great

[Sloan]

First off, good article Vlada. I like Barney in this episode. Even though we realized his real reason for being mad at Marshall leaving was b/c of the meatball sub. Even though that was the reason, we still gave a deeper look into Barney. You can tell that he's battling some issues that he's just not ready to talk about yet. Best part of the show....was seeing more Barney and Robin interaction.They had real touching moments..even though he had the whole meatball sub thing and she told the fake story about her childhood. It still showed a very real side to both of them...which is why they are meant to be together.

Lily and Marshall are a great couple. They have really had to grow up this season and it was nice to see as one herhermaphroditic blob. When it comes to Ted and Zoey...I wonder who will break up with who? And I wonder how hard it will be on Ted? I mean, how serious they will get before they break up?

[Joseph]

Jennifer Morrison is the worst that could happen to HIMYM. Look at the ratings. The whole Zoey story arc is driving viewers away. If should end soon.

[Sally]

I like Zoey, so of course I hope she'll be around for another while. As far as I know she's also in the season's finale, isn't she? The relationship is different, but fun!