Full spoilers for tonight’s episode to follow.
There have been some questions lingering over everyone’s heads for the last few episodes (and most of the series for Ted) that needed to be dealt with before the story could continue, but I’m not so sure “Sunrise” went about answering them in the right way. Not to mention that we had, yet again, another Ted letting go of Robin moment that was tired years ago. Overall, it just felt like the writers were stretching and couldn’t really come up with an effective way of getting their ideas across.
Let’s get the Ted thing out of the way first. We get it; he’s still in love with Robin and always will be until he meets the Mother, but how long can this really stretch out? They’ve had their goodbyes and moments of truth countless times, and that was just in this season. His continued devotion to Robin doesn’t do anything to prove he’s a romantic or mold him into the perfect guy he’ll want to be when he meets his wife. If anything, it makes Ted annoying and kind of a creeper. Look, we’ve probably all known someone we fell head over heels in love with, and even if we dated, we learned they weren’t the right person. It may have taken some time to move on and get over that relationship, but it happened, and I’m sure it didn’t take seven years to do so. Sure, this is TV, but even sitcoms should have some semblance of reality or else the characters move beyond parody and into absurdity. Such is the case here, as even though Ted literally let Robin go, I can’t help but be worried he will try one last ditch attempt at the wedding to prove his love, and that will probably be about as painful as it sounds.
The only good thing about Ted’s story arc was catching up with his past girlfriends. Getting to see one final glint of crazy in Jeanette’s eyes was almost worth the price of admission.
Marshall’s arguments with the Lily ghosts were marginally better and did wrap up the argument the two of them had a few weeks ago, but it fell pretty flat with the forced jokes and failed laughs. 2006 Lily learning that all the stuff she thought was cool and awesome no longer is in the present time just wasn’t that funny, and her addition to the discussion didn’t make a bit of sense. At least Marshall’s dad showing up and giving him some timely advice about marriage worked with the story, so had they found some way to play off 2006 Lily and use it to effect, I would have gone with it, but this was pointless.
Finally, Barney definitely had the most fun taking two would-be players and showing them what the game is really all about. The magical ability he had to make a strip club appear out of nowhere and his late night calling on Tim Gunn to make his proteges suits was definitely the best part of the episode. Despite being completely housed, Barney turned two losers into perfect wingmen and also managed to impart the knowledge of The Playbook with them. It was stupid, but fun and allowed Barney to successfully pass on his legacy.
In the end, though, one bright spot wasn’t enough to make this episode truly enjoyable or one that I would look forward to revisiting when it is released on DVD. Considering how strong the last few weeks’ episodes have been, I was really hoping for more than was delivered — a trend that has plagued the show all season.
You’ve only got seven episodes left, guys; get it in shape.
5 out of 10