How I Met Your Mother: Legendaddy

     I've been pretty hard on the HIMYM writers and their handling of the sappier moments the show give us.  Comedy and heavy emotion don't always go hand in hand.  When it's done right it can be amazing and when it's done poorly it's unwatchable, there is no middle ground.  Because of that, most comedy writers tend to stay away.  Keep things light and keep the laughs coming and everyone goes away happy.  HIMYM, on the other hand, has never been afraid to take that chance, and I'm starting to feel like it's paying off.  After many hit and miss sappy moments it looks like the show has found a groove dealing with the weightier issues the show presents while keeping it fall off the couch funny.  "Legendaddy" was the second strong in a row that was able to properly balance heart with humor.  It certainly didn't hurt adding Emmy winner and master thespian John Lithgow to the cast.  If there was ever a man who knows how to balance the two in his performance, Lithgow is at the top of the list.  The interplay between Barney and his Dad as Barney tried to pull down the basketball hoop near the end of the episode was priceless.  The call back to Barney's lack of knowledge on how to use tools was the perfect situation to demonstrate what Barney missed growing up with a dad, what role his Dad was willing to play going forward and a perfect comedy moment all rolled into one.  Barney banging on the backboard with the blunt end of the screwdriver was my favorite joke of the episode.
     The writers were also able to put the rest of the gang to good use as well.  The "gap" segments were funny, even if I find it hard to believe Robin is that dumb (she comes from Canada, I think she knows the North Pole is real), and set up the most surprising moment of the episode.  Marshal's revelation that he knew the gang was treating him with kid gloves was one of those times when HIMYM nailed what it's like with a group of close knit friends.  Again, a heart warming moment dealing with heavy issues that was able to be funny at the same time.
     I'm interested to see where the show goes with Barney from here, which is a dramatic leap from three episodes ago when I was cringing.  Hopefully the writers have it figured out.  Hopefully Lithgow will return soon, if for nothing else then I think he has a lot to offer the show.  Hopefully we can find out who Ted's damn wife is before the next two years go by.