411 How I Met Your Mother Review: S04E12 'Benefits'

Posted by Michael Tyner on 01.13.2009

I'm in love with. . . tacos!

Last night How I Met Your Mother returned with the first new episode of 2009 (the show is now in syndication, weeknights on Lifetime). This episode is one many fans who disapproved of the Britney Spears 'stuntcasting' last season have dreaded because of guest spots by Kim Karashian and some jagoffs from The Hills, but these appearances proved to be much different.

"Benefits" is the first episode in a while to deal with Barney's feelings for Robin, the title refering to Ted & Robin's living arrangement and their decision to be 'friends with benefits'. They realize that living together is driving them nuts, but wonder why it didn't when they were dating. Robin realizes it is because they were having sex; just like Barney always says that all world peace issues are related to sexual tension, Ted relates that to peace in the apartment. Of course, when Barney realizes that one of his own ideas is what convinved them it was okay to start having sex. . . well, he goes outside and smashes a TV. Lily tries to make sure Barney is alright with this (since she is the only one he's talked to about it) but he tries to play it cool.

No one would've heard about all of this, though, if it hadn't been for Marshall walking in on them. He stopped by to 'read a magazine' during work and saw them in bed together; it seems every time he tries to walk to the bathroom with a magazine at work, he thinks his co-workers and the people on the covers (which is where Kardashian and said Hills jagoffs guest) taunt him about it. Robin suggests he use the bathroom without a magazine, but Marshall insists that the sole reason magazines exist if for the bathoom; otherwise its time you just don't get back.

Ted, not realizing that Barney is in love with Robin, tells him about all of their exploits at home resulting in more broken TVs outside. When there are no more in the dumpster, Barney heads to the store and, after a short conversation about the quality difference between plasma, LCD, and CRT, buys a CRT TV and heads out to smash it.

Marshall, on the other hand, is having better luck as he hears about everyone on the 8th floor of his building getting laid off. The whole floor is a ghost town, and the bathroom is empty.

Back at the apartment, Ted is heading out for work and after some morning conversation the two kiss. Nothing big, just the typical goodbye kiss one would give their girlfriend on the way out the door. Ted talks to Barney & Marshall about it at the bar, and he thinks the arrangement is going to end. Robin is talking to Lily (Alison is showing her pregnancy pretty clearly now), and she says the same thing.

So the arrangement is over, and the next day when Robin leaves an empty milk carton in the fridge. . . they have sex again. This time it HAS to be a secret, and they agree. . .as does Marshall who walked in again. Seems construction on the empty floor put a damper on his use of the bathroom. After talking about it at the bar again, Ted comes home to Barney cleaning his apartment. He did the dishes, took out the trash, stocked the fridge with milk, and even bought them a dishwasher!

Ted finally puts it all together, but Barney continues to deny it. He heads out, and we next see him sitting down and talking about what happened. It seems hes talking to a therapist about giving his best friend permission to have sex with the girl he loves, and now hes even smoking! Then we see he is actually with Lily's kindergarten class during "feelings hour!" Lily throws him out.

Marshall finally gets over his fear of 'reading a magazine' at work, and the story he tells Barney makes him realize he needs to tell Ted about his feelings for Robin. Kim Kardashian's spot here is pretty funny as she encourages Marshall, who responds with, "Thank you pretty lady who my wife keeps telling me why she's famous but I keep forgetting." Classic.

Barney rushes into the apartment, and says, "Ted, I have to tell you, I'm in love with. . . tacos!" Ted isn't home, just Robin. Dammit, they teased it again! Robin tells Barney that she & Ted broke off their agreement because someone was going to get hurt, and she thinks its Ted. But at the bar that night, we know that Ted didn't want Barney to get hurt.

The 411: So 2009 starts with another good episode, and yet another tease for Barney & Robin. I imagine Lily won't play much of a role in the remainder of the season since Alison Hannigan is getting to be very pregnant these days; Colbie Smulders (Robin) is also pregnant but as of now you can hardly tell. So much to still look forward to this year with about 12 more new episodes to go!

Final Score:  8.0   [ Very Good ]