'How I Met Your Mother': Hurley From 'Lost' Visits for Thanksgiving
>
After last week's disappointing show, How I Met Your Mother returned with a strong Thanksgiving episode. In "Blitzgiving" viewers were introduced to the Wesleyan curse of "The Blitz," personified in a terrific guest appearance by Lost's Jorge Garcia (Steve). Essentially, when The Blitz decides to leave an event, things turn incredible for those who stayed.
The action kicks off when Ted exits the bar early to prep for Thanksgiving. In the morning he wakes to discover not only that he's become the new Blitz, but that the group has just had an amazing night with Ted's enemy Zoey (Jennifer Morrison's trophy wife/activist). Ted is simultaneously terrified of his new status as The Blitz and outraged that his friends would betray his hatred of Zoey. In the midst of the gang's fun, they break Ted's oven and are thus forced to spend Thanksgiving with Zoey as a last resort.
The episode turned great, though, when the curse of The Blitz is transferred to Barney—a character who bases his entire worth on his (legendary) stories. With his confidence shaken, Barney turns into a self-conscious, petulant child, blurting out inelegant stories, lacking the confidence to offer a rebuttal when Robin challenges their point, and trying desperately to be included in the jokes and events that he keeps missing. Barney's arrogant coolness is one HIMYM thread that never seems to get old with viewers, largely due to Neil Patrick Harris' charm and talent. In the end, of course, Barney re-transfers the curse back to Steve and all is restored to normal. Although quite brief, it's reassuring to know that the writers are willing to part with some of their go-to jokes and characters in order to keep the show fun to watch. In "Blitzgiving" the Barney thread worked beautifully, and bodes well for the remainder of Season 6.