Why How I Met Your Father Is The Show We Need Now – The Nerd Stash

How I Met Your Fatherhit American screens on January 18, 2022. A Hulu exclusive, the show always had a tough act to follow. How I Met Your Mother was one of the most beloved sitcoms of the noughties and early-10s. Predictably, this new spin-off was subject to high expectations and a wee bit of skepticism (despite Barney Stinsons famous assertion, new isnt always better. Certainly so when it comes to series reboots and spin-offs).

And thus, when HIMYF aired earlier in the year, reviews weremixed. Critics shrugged their shoulders ineffectually at the series, it was okay, but it pretty much retreads the ground of HIMYM. Hillary Duff and co. were likable enough, and the new gangs hijinks were chuckle-worthy. But the question remained what new material did How I Met Your Father offer the world? The answer, in many critics summation, is none.

And, in their defense, theyre right in their reviews about HIMYF. The episodes released thus far have shown a loyal faithfulness to its predecessors formula. Many quirky, mismatched characters have adventures in New York nightclubs, laughing amongst a barrage of cutaway gags and pop culture references. And also, much like its predecessor, the series maintains a steady diet of heart underneath its zaniness. Much like Ted was the emotional center of HIMYM, Duffs Ted-genderswap, Sophie plays the same role for her series. And its for the reasons mentioned that despite its downfalls, How I Met Your Fatheracts as a fitting antidote to modern-day nihilism in TV and society.

Funnily enough, despite accusations in reviews that HIMYF lacks originality, it appears incrediblydistinctive now, given the current slate of telly. From the emotional abuse of Succession to the comic-relief-turned-Greek-tragedy of Better Call Saul, modern television seemingly reflects the nihilistic hearts and minds of the Western world. Now, by no means is this is a criticism of said shows. In fact, these shows are very well-written and explore the dark side of humanity in complex and compelling ways. There is always room for shows like these.

That said, in a world bewitched by COVID-19 and country invasions and wars, there is also room for fantasy. This is where light-hearted shows likeHow I Met Your Fathercome in. HIMYF is the televised comfort food you can consume while lying on the couch. It shows us a diverse cast of different backgrounds coming together, getting along and having fun adventures, and learning hard lessons about love all the while. The cast, as mentioned above, all have their quirks and are like a family you can return to watching every week.

Indeed, the cast of How I Met Your Father is very charming. The golden spoon-fed fish-out-of-water Brit, Charlie, is pure fun, his struggle to adapt to lower-class New York life often a reliable source of comedy. Likewise, Jesse, who appears to be HIMYFs Robin, is a handsome and endearing music teacher who is a widespread internet meme after his ex-girlfriend turns down his proposal on a YouTube video. And then we have Hillary Duffs Sophie, the character who lives inside all of us a photographer searching for the one. And although Sophie has her own quirks (i.e., Trains Drops of Jupiterbeing her comfort song for all situations), she also has depth. She is the daughter of a single mother who often had to big sister her mother.

This is just the tip of HIMYFs iceberg. However, it affirms my point. The show maintains a delightfully relatable cast (who also prove a good laugh) for millennial and Gen Z viewers that light up an otherwise grim real-life.

One of the elements HIMYF borrows from its predecessor is its unrelenting optimism. While How I Met Your Mother was often compared to Friends during its initial run, it did have something its inspiration didnt. It had the series-long mystery of the titular Mothers identity. The show revolved around Teds journey to the Norman Rockefeller-picket fence dream of starting a family. Now, HIMYF does this via Sophie.

Sophies faith that she will meet the one despite her hang-ups is unshakeable. And whats more, shes blessed with the support of her friendship group. Even Jesse, who acts as the series will they-wont they love interest, shows a great deal of empathy towards Sophies plight, especially in Episode 3s coda. After all, Jesse himself has been heart-broken before and possesses the same goal love-wise. He gives Sophie the contact deets for the Vice Principal of the school where he works after realizing they hit it off. Hes a good guy deep down.

But the shows focus on young people finding love isnt the only way it challenges our everyday nihilism. The pilot itself clarifies that the show is a celebration of what makes NYC beautiful. Although admittedly cheesy, Sophies best friend, Valentina, has a deep affection for the city she calls home. So much so she is anxious to get her outsider-boyfriend Charlie to see it. More importantly, HIMYF wants us to see it. And, to some degree, it succeeds.

Alicia Keys once sang that NYC is the concrete jungle that dreams are made of. And, if anythings inevitable, then its that HIMYFagrees. And its not merely via the pilots ending bridge scene, where the citys lights shine in the background, that this is made apparent. Instead, its through every detail in the show.

In Episode 3, for example, a running gag has a strange man called Frank ask various characters to open wide. Much to Charlies detriment, he learned this isnt a wise request to indulge. Because once the unwitting subway-rider opens their mouth, Frank randomly prods their tongue and gums. And yet, as absurd as this sounds, the show plays this for laughs and depicts the seemingly-homeless Frank as one of the many vibrant and characteristic colors in New Yorks diverse color palette.

Indeed, the magic of NYC is subtly promoted via its cast alone. This is a show that has the Caucasian Jesse have an adopted Asian sister, Ellen, who is a lesbian. This is also the show with Jesses roommate and best friend, Sid, of Indian descent, who runs a bar. The message here being? No matter who you are, NYC has a place for you. Lady Liberty is seldom seen in this show, but her message is written all over Season 1. Undoubtedly, itll continue to shine in Season 2.

Now, as its reviews indicate, by no means is HIMYFa perfect show. Theres plenty to criticize. Since the show employs the same hook as its predecessor (who is the protagonists soulmate?), it feels less compelling. That is, after all, what made How I Met Your Mother unique, despite its similarity to Friends. It made the show feel like it had a purpose and direction, even despite its weekly over-the-top comedy hijinks. It proved that single-camera sitcoms could let loose the laughter while keeping things meaningful and sincere with profound meditations on love.

At this point, How I Met Your Father is still finding its voice. Its trying some new things (this time, for example, the elder protagonist, played by Kim Cattrall, is obvious, unlike future Ted from HIMYM). But ultimately, it still rests on the laurels of the original show. It is a hopeful message, and endearing characters are a welcome escape from the nihilism and despair of modern-day television and film. And, if the writers can shake things up going forward, then long may it continue.

Do you agree with the mixed reviews of HIMYF? What is your favorite character in the show?

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Why How I Met Your Father Is The Show We Need Now - The Nerd Stash