User Reviews

After a more personal Marshall episode that didn't have a major impact on the course of the series, we're back to life changing events, and the plot points from episode 1 are continued.

It is getting more obvious that Ted rushed into his engagement with Stella without knowing her well enough and without thinking of all the consequences. He's not even able to pick up on her sarcasm, which leads to his assumption that Stella would be willing to move to Manhattan with her daughter. As it turns out, she is not. So Ted has to move to New Jersey. And if it wasn't evidenced via flashbacks in this episode how much Ted despises New Jersey, we'd already know it from S03E02, when Ted wouldn't even enter New Jersey for a one-night stand. This leads to an argument in front of Ted's friends, who are all inveterate New Yorkers - except Marshall, who suddenly switches sides and roots for New Jersey, which provides the best comedy of the episode. Then again, it's Marshall who must already doubt Ted and Stella's compatibility since she failed the Star Wars test two episodes earlier. At the end, Ted gives in and agrees to move to the detested city of New Jersey. Mostly because of Lucy, Stella's daughter. You have to wonder if Ted's decisions in this relationship are thought out well. First he went from wanting to break up with Stella to proposing to her within one day, and now he learns that he's expected to move to the place he hates more than anything else, and he agrees to do so only a couple of hours later.

The Barney and Robin story from episode 1 of this season is continued as well. We already know that Robin hates her job at Metro News 1, and that Barney encouraged her to take a chance and apply for a more challenging job. Now we see her finally quit her old job. But all she gets out of her audition at the other news agency is a job as foreign correspondent in Japan. Which is devastating news for Barney. He might not have planned to confess his love to her any time soon, but surely he can't stand the thought of not spending time with her on a regular basis.

All in all a good episode that complies well with the series' continuity, moves the plot forward and sets the stage for some interesting conflicts.

I am not from New York or New Jersey but if I think of somebody making me want to move outside my city I would never agree and want to do it! Somehow I like Stella way less after this episode. To me she is like person I never want to become and who I could never ever marry. Poor Ted. I can't believe some child made him change his mind.

The episode is actually less fun than usually. The only one who really made me laugh was Marshall with him being "too big for New York" and checking out dog shirts.

It has one important moment though. Which is Robin going to Japan now. And we can see that Barney is not over her. Something will be happening there.

WARNING: This comment is very biased being I am a born and bred New Yorker. NY isn't just the media capital of the US but the capital of the world. United Nations building anyone? As for Stella's comment about not wanting to raise her kid in a noisy, urban environment. That's why NY has upstate and Long Island(I'm from Suffolk County) for suburban living. As for the safety of her kid, think about this. All drivers in NY and even the retired NY'ers in FL have one comment in common, 'Freakin' Jersey drivers'. Any time we see a yellow license plate on the back of a car, we know to stay more than one car length away and to watch our asses and the road closely. The only reasons I would be in NJ are to go to a Giants game, having to take I-95 down the coast or passing through to see friends in Philly.

Now, on to the last part of the episode. Robin getting a foreign correspondent job and having to move to Japan is kind of sad. First, she is so incredibly hot and not seeing her would be a shame. Second, based on Barney's reaction, you could tell he really is in love with her and may not have the chance to say it. Based on the fact of her moving and Ted having to move to NJ, I have a feeling that the 4th season will be the last.