The Front Porch
| "The Front Porch" | |
|---|---|
| How I Met Your Mother episode | |
| Episode no. |
Season 4 Episode 17 |
| Directed by | Rob Greenberg |
| Written by | Chris Harris |
| Original air date | March 16, 2009 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
|
Laura Prepon (Karen) | |
"The Front Porch" is the 17th episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 81st overall. It originally aired on March 16, 2009.
Plot
After Robin gets upset about the gang not watching her show, they all agree to watch Robin's 4:00am talk show. Ted informs them that Karen broke up with him after finding Robin's earring in his bed. Ted discovers the matching earring on Marshall's dresser and mutes the television to confront Marshall, believing him to have sabotaged his relationship.
As extreme events occur on Robin's show still muted, Lily confesses that she has been breaking Ted up with girls, including Robin, who she didn't see passing the "Front Porch Test"—an indication of how they would all live together once they were old. A scene is shown of Marshall, Lily and Ted in the far future playing bridge.
Robin returns home to learn the truth behind her break-up with Ted, which Lily insists she did not want to happen. Lily tells them that she didn't realize that she was giving them the words that would lead to their breakup. Ted heads into the bar the next day to find Karen waiting, having had the situation explained to her by Lily. Karen hands Ted a letter from Lily, which contains an apology, and lets Ted know that Lily has prepared a fine dinner in Ted's apartment for him and Karen. Ted breaks up with Karen anyway after she says Ted cannot ever see Lily again and he imagines what the future would be like without her and Marshall. Returning to the apartment, Ted asks Robin to be his "plus one" and they enjoy the meal Lily prepared. They wonder whether or not they would still be together if not for Lily's intervention. Ted then makes a mock proposal to Robin, asking her to be his "backup wife". She accepts.
Marshall wears a nightshirt to the pajama party to watch Robin's show, while Barney wears a silk suit. Barney insists his clothing choice is superior, citing the possibility of attractive women coming to his home at night and seeing how good he looks, but then admits how unlikely that is and uncomfortable the "suitjamas" are. Marshall convinces Barney to try a nightshirt instead. Barney and Marshall delight in their nightshirts, having a dream about flying together in them. Barney starts wearing nightshirts to sleep. A week later, an attractive woman shows up at his apartment at night—but, upon seeing his nightshirt, she decides to leave, much to Barney's chagrin.
Critical response
Donna Bowman of The A.V. Club rated the episode with a grade A.[1]
Michelle Zoromski of IGN gave the episode 8.9 out of 10.[2]
Cindy McLennan of Television Without Pity rated the episode with a grade A+.[3]
References
- ↑ Donna Bowman (2009-03-16). "How I Met Your Mother "The Front Porch"". Retrieved 2010-04-04.
- ↑ Michelle Zoromski (2009-03-17). "How I Met Your Mother: The Front Porch Review. Lily plays god.". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 2010-04-04.
- ↑ Cindy McLennan (2009-03-16). "How I Met Your Mother: When They're Sixty-Four". Television Without Pity. NBC Universal. p. 17. Retrieved 2010-04-12.