How I Met Your Mother: Nannies

     Another episode of HIMYM that didn't offend me, but really did nothing for me either.  I don't remember laughing at anything other then Chris Elliot's antics and, as funny a man as he may be, he shouldn't be the only one getting a laugh in an ensemble sit-com.  I couldn't help but feel, after the first two or three minutes of the episode, that I had already seen this one before.  Barney jumping to quick and hard back into the singles scene and Lilly's dad making an unannounced appearance.  The writers are obviously out of ideas because we keep seeing the same plot points and jokes over and over again.  When I pause for a second wondering if this episode is a repeat or not, you know it's time to either bring in fresh writers or end the show.
     My biggest problem with this episode, other then the rehash of ideas, is the way the writers have handled Barney over the last season or two.  They can't seem to make up their minds if we are supposed to be seeing growth in his personality or not.  I understand the dilemma, I've spent plenty of time criticizing and calling for good old single womanizing Barney, it's obviously the most entertaining version, but you can't just jump back and forth without really hurting the narrative.  If you want Barney to grow, then have him grow.  After all he's been through the last couple of years I find it hard to believe that he would react the exact same way coming out of a serious relationship that he did when things ended with Robin.  And if he is, then how can you expect us to except any story lines that show him with a heart?  Pick a Barney and stick with it.
     On the other side of the coin, one thing that the writers have done consistently well over the years is handle the relationship between the members of the group and their parents.  Each character has their own complex and original relationship with their parents and the writers have done a great job highlighting those relationships and the changes they have made over the years.  The best emotional moments over the shows 8 years have all been centered around relationships with parents.  This episode's finally between Lilly and her dad was another one of those excellent moments.  I wonder how much Chris Elliot brings of his own material to the show because he has been genius every time he shows up.  If only they could bring the humor and heart of these relationships into the rest of the show.  Then we might have a TV show that resembles the show we feel in love with.
     Because of the lack of consistency with Barney and the lack of laughs, I'm counting this as a loss. 1-2