If you thought Elle’s discovery that Chutney couldn’t have been in the shower when the gunshots were fired (she’d just gotten a perm) was ridiculous, wait until you see Marshall comes up with to win his case.
We’ve seen Marshall in many roles this season – the sassy advice-doling friend, basketball coach, game show host, adult trapped in childhood regression – but none have been more apropos to the ethically sound, heart-of-gold Marshall that we all know and love than the one he seeks to gain in this episode: judge.
The episode begins as Marshall appears before the New York State Judiciary to recall the details of his huge case against Gruber Pharmaceuticals. This was the case introduced in last week’s episode, when Marshall’s old law school bro Brad tricked Marshall into landing him an interview at the firm in order to steal information about the prosecution. Marshall cracks some pretty solid complimentary puns to lighten the mood, but to little avail (“By the way, did I mention those robes really do you all… justice?”), and it’s clear we are supposed to think he’s in big trouble for his actions during this case. Even though I definitely was convinced something was wrong, I thought Marshall had just done something accidentally. I’ve never doubted his character, and last week’s episode only served to reinforce that belief – he could have dropped his principle of supporting friends in need when it looked to be harming his own career, but he didn’t.
Yet Marshall is struggling to get anywhere in the case, because even though he’s well-prepared and eloquent, as compared to Brad’s off-the-cuff slang (Brad’s opening statement: “Why aren’t the frogs like, ‘Hey birds, can I catch a ride, ribbet?’”) Brad is able to bumble his way to near victory by providing ample displays of his well-toned arms and butt to the somehow all-female jury and bi-curious judge. Marshall sees his dream of inspiring his son to do good slipping away. It seems Brad’s about to win the whole thing, when Marshall realizes that Brad swam in the lake in order to shoot a promo video as evidence for the trial, and forces Brad to remove his shirt, revealing a huge red rash caused by pollutants Gruber Pharmaceuticals dumped into Frog Lake. Marshall wins, but the judge still fines the company a mere $25,000 – upsetting Marshall, and inspiring a new career path. After a quant pep talk from Brad, (Judges are people with “hope, vision, and integ”), Marshall decides to apply for judgeship and that’s how he finds himself in front of the NYSJ. I knew Marshall wouldn’t break his values, no matter how dire the situation became.
Meanwhile, Robin, Ted, Barney and Lily are trying to prove to each other that they were the most badass as teens. Ted “Teddy Westside” swears that he gleefully posed for his mug shot; Robin recounts the dark side of Canadian pop stardom, telling of the time she threw a television out a hotel window in the face of Mounties during a particularly rowdy party; Barney greets the bailiff, who references many a time Barney found himself in handcuffs; and Lily recalls how she forcibly converted her ex-boyfriend Scooter from a preppy mama’s boy into a reluctant rebel, drinking on the side of the street and presenting the fake ID of an elderly woman when questioned by cops. As it turns out, Ted really just posed in fake stocks at the Renaissance Fair, Robin won an award for most polite hotel guest and Barney was known as “baby hands” for his uncanny ability to slide his at the time underdeveloped hands easily out of trick cuffs in the magicians’ club the bailiff ran during Barney’s youth. As it turns out, Lily may have been the only one to actually retain a shady past (“like John Gotti in a training bra”).
And lastly, in a mini plot, Robin and Barney have been acting awkwardly ever since Barney tried to kiss her, but he finally tells Robin he’s going to give up for good, so they can get back to normalcy. But as Barney walks to the bar to grab their drinks, Robin has a small moment of realization, and it’s clear that from now on Robin will be chasing Barney, an expected but welcome step in their inevitable relationship.
Tidbits:
-“The brunch bros are back!” I didn’t even realize Brad was the same one who went on all those brunch dates and to the Alanis concert with Marshall back in the day. But I like Brad – he’s interesting because he’s a douche, but now he’ll be using the power of his good looks for good instead of evil, and I’d guess he’ll be a more recurring character now that he’s a lawyer in Marshall’s firm.
– “How you gonna provide for the little dude’s fyootch?”
“I’m worried about the earth’s fyootch!”
-“My girlfriend Kara broke up with me last night. She said I listen too much… whatever that means.”
-“Three hours later, I was arrested, drunk, naked and driving a Zamboni. Man, that ZUI drove my insurance through the roof!”
– Marshall’s big moment of winning the case by making Brad take off his shirt was very Legally Blonde. I wonder how often situations like that actually happen in the real courtroom – I’d guess they don’t.
