Courtesy of CBS
Sarah Chalke — reportedly a last-minute replacement for Alicia Silverstone — was actually very good as the latest woman who may or may not be Your Mother. (She replaces last week's favorite, "Woman.") As a dermatologist single mom who feels a spark with Ted but can't bring herself to make a commitment, Chalke was pretty, charming, and sweet. But something about the episode — maybe the subpar, rushed-after-the-writers'-strike jokes, maybe Ted's really not-great hair, maybe Chalke's presence — made this whole episode feel … well … kind of Braffy. As if at any moment, Bob Saget's voice-over might be replaced by Zach Braff's, intoning great truths about friendship and love.
The episode ended with a deadpan "two-minute date," a neatly choreographed bit of TV business in which Ted took Sarah Chalke out for dinner, a movie, dessert, and a good-night kiss in just two minutes, to the tune of Big Star's "Thirteen." So yeah: a little bit twee, a little bit overdesigned, and a little bit unbelievable. In short, a little bit Braffy.
Chalke and Spears are both gone next week, which might be all for the best. We'd like How I Met Your Mother to take a couple of episodes to regain its footing before continuing with the stunt casting, the multi-episode arcs, and the multiple Your Mother teasers. How about a return to some old-fashioned funniness?
Earlier: ‘How I Met Your Mother’: It's Britney OMG It's Britney
‘How I Met Your Mother’: We Think We Figured Out Who ‘Your Mother’ Is
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