‘How I Met Your Mother’ season 9, episode 2 review: Cristin Milioti and a big surprise

During the first episode of the “How I Met Your Mother” premiere, we saw our first extended glimpse of the Mother (Cristin Milioti) as she ended up having a helpful, kind conversation with Lily aboard a train to Farhampton. However, this episode was not exactly a showcase for the Mother for the first twenty minutes. It came near the very end, as we saw that Ted and the Mother were sitting at the same table together. There was a flash-forward in here to the same place a year later, where we learned that they went back to the same hotel on Long Island as a couple.

So are we okay with seeing Ted and the Mother interact before their first meeting? We were a little unhappy about the idea at first, but upon reflection, it totally works. For one, this does allow for more of an opportunity to see the couple’s chemistry together, and actually want to root for their eventual meeting. Now that we know they are cute together, we want to see the relationship happen even more.

Marshall – During this episode, we were quick to realize that Marshall was completely screwed courtesy of not only failing to get on a flight, but also not getting a car in Daphne thanks to his environmental concerns. We thought we were going to be seeing the last of Sherri Shepherd, but instead, it looks like the two are literally going to road trip together. This should be awkward, obnoxious, and entertaining.

Robin, James and Barney – This story was somewhat entertaining, but also a little strange. After an extended story that was all about the originals of the bro code, we learned that Barney’s brother James (Wayne Brady) was getting a divorce thanks to his cheating. We thought this was going to devastate him, but it didn’t. Instead, it just made him try and destroy the surprise that he was going to give the brother.

As great as the first episode one, this one had its problems. It really felt like producers were trying to milk and stretch things, almost like there was not enough material to justify the length of the season. See: Ted and the front desk clerk, or Lily and the drinks. There really was not much that happened here at all, save for the story of James and Marshall getting into a car and offering to pay for gas.

Did this episode build on the premiere for you, or was there too much silliness in it? Click here if you want to read our full review of the premiere!

Photo: CBS