Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, the creators and executive producers of How I Met Your Mother, based a number of the show's early story-lines on their own past experiences.  That can only last so long, because you only have so much past to draw on.  Last night's episode featured The Naked Man, a completely insane first date move that is so bizarre that it had to come from somebody's real life.  I can't imagine the How I Met Your Mother writers' room summoning The Naked Man out of the ether.  One of those writers either was The Naked Man or knew someone who was.  And, just like all of our favorite How I Met Your Mother characters, I stand in awe of Naked Man and all he represents.  Courage, glory, triumph – the Naked Man knows you well. 

In terms of the on going story line, last night's episode wasn't integral, though there was a few character moments that were interesting.  Most of all, Robin's slutty tendencies were exposed in a not so subtle manner by Marshall (how great was his fake cough?).  Will Robin keep randomly hooking up with guys?  Or, will she and Barney find each other?  And, that didn't take very long for Ted, did it?  He's over it and ready to have empty sex with awful human beings.  I love the conceit that sex is better with someone you don't like if you can trick them via something like The Naked Man.  So true, Ted.  And good work. 

Maybe not the best episode of the season, but it may have been the all-around funniest.  The idea of Naked Man is hilarious in and of itself, but the execution of the idea and its wide-spread ramifications were great.  After the episode, I thought to myself “Hey, I wonder if the Naked Man really works?”  There's no way, right?  It can't.  It doesn't make sense.  But, then again, it's just so crazy that it could be effective, especially for a sad sack like Mitchell. 

How I Met Your Mother's patented time jumping was in prime form tonight, especially when we went through all the things Ted walked in on during his time at the apartment, including the infamous goat.  This was a Ted episode, and a good one.  He's going through the necessary steps after a tough break-up, and he was able to recognize a rebound girl when he saw her.  Ted, in his adorable way, had that fleeting moment of self-doubt when he saw the book of poems.  Great character moment – only Ted would allow poetry to override a whole night of awful-ness. 

Props must also be given to the most inspired scene of the night – Ted and Barney trying all the different naked poses.  My favorite: The Burt Reynolds. 


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of CBS)