Okay, honesty time. I didn't review last week's episode, not because I forgot or was busy, but because it was so gosh-damn boring I couldn't even think of things to say about it. I was also hesitant to write anything on this week's installment, given that I've already expressed my frustrations with a certain story arc concerning Ted and Robin (here). However, there were a few good features of "Drunk Train," including a promising plot line for Barney and his newest love interest.
The first big surprise in this episode comes relatively early on, with perpetually too-smitten Kevin asking Robin to marry him. First, haven't they only been dating a few months, at the very outside? And second, you would think that if Kevin feels they know each other well enough to get married, he would know Robin well enough to be familiar with her views on marriage and children. But ignoring that (just as the writers apparently have), we see that at least Robin is thinking somewhat straight, telling Kevin she needs time to think it over before giving her answer.
Fortunately, Marshall and Lily are around to lend a pair of listening ears, being more useful in their brief exchange with Robin than they have in weeks. Robin spills the secret about her infertility and cites it as the reason she does not want to marry Kevin. While I am very glad that she's found someone to confide in, I take issue just a bit with the use of this twist as the sole reason for turning Kevin down. I think that, even prior to finding out she can't have children, Robin never showed signs of being 100% invested in the relationship (especially when she, you know, cheated on him with Barney), and I also think it's possible that the writers didn't want to rehash the issue of Robin simply not wanting to get married (a stance which few television shows seem brave enough to validate, even in this day and age). In any event, Marshall and Lily rightfully advise her to be honest with Kevin, and he responds in a manner that is either charming or kind of desperate, depending on your level of cynicism (I tend toward the latter), insisting that he still wants to marry her.
The other major arc in this episode involves Barney and a girl he met whilst out serving as Ted's wingman a few nights ago. While I am fully on board with the idea of Barney getting another serious girlfriend (especially if he's set to walk down the aisle by season's end), I think the writers were a bit heavy-handed with the hints that Barney likes Quinn in a more serious way than his usual conquests. A few seasons ago this would have absolutely been necessary, but in the face of all of Barney's growth as well as his relationships with Barney and Nora, the possibility of seriously dating a woman didn't need to be treated as so unusual for him. That said, I like Quinn as a character based on what we've seen here. She started out a bit too reminiscent of Nora on her introduction, dismissing Barney's tactics, but the plot twist that emerged in the tag (that she's in fact a stripper at Barney's regular haunt) seems like it might be just the thing to keep this relationship interesting.
Getting back to Robin and Kevin, we finally got a scene with some real honesty, however harsh. Kevin again reiterates his desire to marry Robin despite her infertility, but doesn't realize she not only can't have kids, she doesn't want them. This is (finally) a dealbreaker for Kevin, and the two part ways, concluding one of the more tedious relationships this show has ever thrown at us. But the fun (and by fun I mean nonsense) isn't over yet...
The episode's last scene opens with Robin on the roof of the apartment, looking sad about her breakup. She is quickly joined by a possibly still drunk Ted, who listens as she tells the whole story of her and Kevin's unraveling. And instead of saying something reassuring or even just offering a hug (you know, like a good friend would do), Ted makes not one but two completely illogical statements. When Robin laments that she doesn't think any guy will ever be able to look past her non-desire for children, Ted responds thus: "I could. I love you, Robin."
Now, as we've previously established, I am completely against another walk down this road. Ted and Robin's romance was, in my opinion, put to rest seasons ago, and as of this moment there is no discernible narrative reason to revisit it. Additionally, I am extremely bothered by the way Ted makes this proclamation. First of all, he has always, always wanted children. It's been in his plan since the very beginning, and there has been absolutely no indication that this has changed in the intervening time. Second, while there have been moments that could conceivably be stretched to indicate a renewed interest in Robin, I simply cannot buy that Ted is now so in love with her again that he would be willing to give up his dream of having kids in order to be with her. I'm hoping that this was simply a drunk, irrational Ted making his usual too-sweeping declarations, and that it will be resolved in next week's episode, but the fact that I can't be sure of that worries me. For now we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed that Robin knocks some sense into him, and that this whole story line can be resolved in a minimally annoying way.
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