A brilliant season opener. Similar to the start of season 6, but equally good if not better. Again we get glimpses of the wedding where Ted is going to meet the Mother as bookends of the episode while the main plot is entirely a flashback. And it has definitely the same feel to it as season 6, with the only difference that hopefully this one won't be ruined by Zoey.
In the last season opener, the main themes of the season were set up. Marshall and Lily trying to have kids, Marshall's close relationship to his father, Barney's search for his own father. If this is anything to go by, the main themes of season 7 will be Lily's pregnancy, but also the relationship between Barney and Robin. This episode actually focuses on Robin's perspective of the matter, which is refreshing. Robin is often the fifth wheel of the gang, so it's nice to see her more in the center of attention for a change. Hopefully there will be more of that in the rest of season 7.
And then there's Ted. He is starting to realize that his search for "the one" has lost its direction. It became obvious to the viewer in season 5, but back then his character was most of the time portrayed in a too cartoonish way to be aware of that himself. Most of season 6 he spent in a brutal relationship with Zoey. So where is he going next? Ominously, he brings up the 40-and-still-single-deal in a nice moment with Robin on the balcony, which is kind of reminiscent of the scene with him and Barney at the end of season 2. It is noteworthy that for the first time Ted is the one who brings the deal up. It has been Robin who previously came up with it. But that was before she fell in love with Barney. Still, in that scene on the balcony, I'd say there's still some chemistry left between Ted and Robin. But timing, as they say...
In the last season opener, the main themes of the season were set up. Marshall and Lily trying to have kids, Marshall's close relationship to his father, Barney's search for his own father. If this is anything to go by, the main themes of season 7 will be Lily's pregnancy, but also the relationship between Barney and Robin. This episode actually focuses on Robin's perspective of the matter, which is refreshing. Robin is often the fifth wheel of the gang, so it's nice to see her more in the center of attention for a change. Hopefully there will be more of that in the rest of season 7.
And then there's Ted. He is starting to realize that his search for "the one" has lost its direction. It became obvious to the viewer in season 5, but back then his character was most of the time portrayed in a too cartoonish way to be aware of that himself. Most of season 6 he spent in a brutal relationship with Zoey. So where is he going next? Ominously, he brings up the 40-and-still-single-deal in a nice moment with Robin on the balcony, which is kind of reminiscent of the scene with him and Barney at the end of season 2. It is noteworthy that for the first time Ted is the one who brings the deal up. It has been Robin who previously came up with it. But that was before she fell in love with Barney. Still, in that scene on the balcony, I'd say there's still some chemistry left between Ted and Robin. But timing, as they say...