Natural History
- Episode aired Nov 8, 2010
- TV-PG
- 22m
Ted and Zoey's feud continues during a fundraiser at the Museum of Natural History. Meanwhile, Marshall confesses to Lily that he enjoys his job at GNB, and a prank by Barney and Robin may l... Read allTed and Zoey's feud continues during a fundraiser at the Museum of Natural History. Meanwhile, Marshall confesses to Lily that he enjoys his job at GNB, and a prank by Barney and Robin may lead Barney to his real father.Ted and Zoey's feud continues during a fundraiser at the Museum of Natural History. Meanwhile, Marshall confesses to Lily that he enjoys his job at GNB, and a prank by Barney and Robin may lead Barney to his real father.
- Monocle Man
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Ted shows the page of the newspaper about the Arcadia, the topic at the left side is about the place where Marshall and Lily live, "DOWISATRIPLA". And on the right side is a scoop about the "Cockamouse" from the 1st season. There is even a quote saying "No one is safe, not even your Mother.
- GoofsAt the Natural History Museum, Barney says that the last time he saw his Uncle Jerry was in July 23rd 1981 when he was 6 after he knocked down the Blue Whale Exhibit. In "Hopeless", They say that it is September 1983 when they last saw each other. In a related subject Barney would not have been 6 in 1981. In episode #1.15 "Game Night", Barney tells his story about Shannon and states that it happened in 1998 and that he was 21. This means he was born in 1977. He would have been 4 in 1981.
- Quotes
Robin Scherbatsky: [Barney and Robin have just been summoned to the Natural History Museum security office for pulling off pranks. An unexpected revelation about Barney's uncle actually being his father hits him hard] So, when was the last time you saw him?
Barney Stinson: It was that day, July 23rd, 1981. My mom got pretty upset he let me destroy a New York City landmark.
Robin Scherbatsky: [scoffs] Moms.
Barney Stinson: He never came around anymore after the fact. Think he moved away.
Robin Scherbatsky: Well, maybe the security guy had it wrong, you know...
Barney Stinson: You do know, you do know, that's the thing, you know. He's my dad.
[long pause]
Robin Scherbatsky: Barney, do you wanna...
Barney Stinson: [emotionally] I don't wanna do anything. Don't tell anyone about this, okay?
- ConnectionsReferences The Last Dragon (1985)
Let's start with Ted. He unexpectedly runs into his arch-enemy Zoey as the gang is invited to a high class event at the Natural History Museum, courtesy of GNB. As it turns out, she is married to an old rich man who calls himself The Captain. Ted is visibly excited upon learning about this new side of her and can't stop mocking her and her elitist friends, which results in great hilarity. This is the funniest and wittiest Ted we have seen in a long time. I love him in this role. Sadly, he soon falls for Zoey's fake tears and gets tricked into talking trash about GNB and his own project, which is disappointing to watch and the only low point in an otherwise brilliant episode. He makes up for it in his following exchange with The Captain, a well written dialogue delivered by two great characters.
Marshall and Lily take on a more serious issue. While working at GNB, Marshall has lost part of his idealistic attitude and has put off his plans of working in environmental law. Lily is worried about this change in his attitude, partly because he spends so many hours at his job and partly because she fears that this change might affect some of his other views as well. A realistic portrayal of a relatable problem. And yet the writers manage to get some hilarious moments out of that storyline, mostly via an imaginary conversation between Lily and "College Marshall". As it turns out, Marshall has not changed when it comes to their relationship, and Lily has to accept that he is "Corporate Marshall" at this point in his life. But that might not be the end of the story after all...
But the best part of the episode is once again the Barney and Robin storyline. It starts out as a funny but harmless little filler piece. They dare each other to touch and play with exhibits, and as Neil Patrick Harris is involved, of course there are some good laughs. And I have to say, although I didn't like their stint as a couple in season 5 (though that wasn't the only thing I didn't like about season 5), that Barney and Robin have great chemistry here. Eventually they get caught by a security officer, who then rambles on about all the pranks and shenanigans he has seen since working at the museum, including dinosaurs from the cretaceous period hanging out with dinosaurs from the jurassic period. This is one of my favorite jokes of the episode, as it is both a nod at the "cats and dogs living together" line from Ghostbusters and a hilarious reference of a common mistake in dinosaur-themed movies and even museums. And then, out of nowhere, a revelation that entirely changes the tone and leads into a serious and emotional finale. A final masterstroke that takes an already thoroughly funny and well-balanced episode to another level.
- simbrab
- Jul 24, 2016
Details
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- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime22 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
- 16:9 HD