“Yikesy mikesy” is a
phrase I don’t use very often. I came up
with it back when I was six, and for a while I had every intention of making it
my catch phrase. Didn’t pan out,
exactly; I pretty much didn’t use it until my brother reminded me that I once coined
it. And even then it wasn’t exactly a
common utterance. But I’ve entertained
the thought of putting it into rotation -- after all, there are few phrases
that capture the supreme, heart-stopping, breath-stealing affectation of
something truly remarkable. So for
future reference, if you see me use “yikesy mikesy” to describe something,
chances are it’s to describe something I found really, really great.
Such is the case with How I Met Your Mother.
Now, I’ve been a fan of the show pretty much
since the first episode, and I think I’ve only missed about three or four episodes
since then. It is, in my opinion, one of
the best things on TV, and has been for years.
I could spend a full post on why
that’s the case -- the near-seamless blend of comedy and drama, the high
density of heartwarming moments, the continuity-based elements that repeatedly
feed into new and surprising situations, and most of all the characters -- and
I just might someday. If I could talk
about Kingdom Hearts for about ten
thousand words too many, I could say something
about that show.
But this past Monday’s
episodes elevated an already-fine show to a whole new level. I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen
it (and that’s saying something, considering my lax spoiler policy), so if you
have yet to see the back-to-back episodes, and if you actually care about the
canon, go see them however and whenever you can. It’s the kind of episode (well, episodes)
that changes everything -- not only because of Barney’s ultimate action, but
everything leading up to it from every character. It’s really saying something when the guy who
was afraid of getting slapped in the face for several episodes ends up becoming
a more credible threat than The Dark
Knight’s Joker.
In the interest of
doing something besides beating around bushes and gushing, I want to make two
comments as to why I like the who as much as I do -- and by extension, why
these past two episodes encapsulated its essence and quality. First off, one of HIMYM’s greatest strengths is its unpredictability. That’s a little hard to believe, given that
there’s only one way the story’s gonna end (Ted will probably find his future
wife when all is said and done), and most episodes usually start by introducing
some concept or definition to the point where it’s damn near unsettling when
they don’t. But where an episode -- or
even gag -- starts can be completely different before the twenty-two minutes
are up.
And it’s not even an issue of
unpredictability for comedy alone (though the two should generally go together
at all times for maximum effect); unpredictable drama makes for some truly
shocking turns that’ll keep fans coming back for more. Could anyone have guessed that the same
episode where Lily returned from San Fransisco and talked about her amazing
stay there would be the same episode where she revealed her stay was a massive mistake -- with all the dialogue
therein being exactly the same except for a different tone? Did anyone see the sudden and tragic death of
Marshall’s dad coming, even with the background props counting down to
something? Did anyone know that, even if
Stella wasn’t the much-teased Mother of the series’ name, she’d end up leaving
Ted at the altar thanks to an event as simple as bringing your ex to a wedding? Essentially, you very rarely know what’s
going to happen next; just when you think you’ve got the twist figured out, the
last seven or so minutes can flip-flop everything like a well-cooked pancake.
But the second factor
is this: I’m ready for the show to end.
Hear me out on this --
I know that sounds negative, but let me explain. About eight years have passed both
in-universe and IRL, and a lot has happened since then. If the story is winding down to its ultimate
conclusion as I suspect (and I’m thinking that there isn’t as much ground to
tread now as there was at the start), then essentially it’ll come to an end
very, very soon. A sad fact, but a true
one. Better to go out now in its prime
instead of spinning its wheels for another six seasons. It’s something that’s been in the back of my
mind for the last couple of seasons, and I lamented the fact that soon I’d have
to find something else to fill my Monday nights with.
But a funny thing happened this past Monday:
I ended up thinking to myself, “All right, show. You’ve done it. You’re great.
I’ve gotten everything I need from you.”
It left me so satisfied, so satiated, so mentally and emotionally served
that if the show inexplicably got cancelled and no episodes ever aired again, I’d
be all right with that. As Ted said, it’s
been eight years; we’ve seen these five people, and roughly a dozen others,
change and evolve and live through good times, bad times, and incredibly absurd
times. If they aren’t at the apex of
their narrative arcs, then they’re all very near it. And it’s because I’ve seen and lived through
their experiences that I can look back on the past -- every last bit of it --
with a smile. It’s been a great ride
full of bros, suits, slaps, and murder trains.
Show, you have done basic cable TV a service. Take a bow...while I try to figure what I'm going to watch on Monday nights when you ride into the sunset.
Also, long live
Marshall Eriksen.
Well, that’s enough
gushing. Tune in tomorrow for tactical
psychokinetic action.