This is what Barney's story arc of the 6th season has been building up to: He finally gets to meet his dad, Jerry. How is this big moment being dealt with? Not for the first time this season, the writers go for the dramatic option.
Jerry turns out not to be what Barney wanted him to be. Even worse, he has a family, including a son that got a proper childhood. Barney first reacts by being close-lipped and avoiding him. But after the gang pressures him into giving his dad one more chance and join his family for dinner, Barney ends up confronting him with all the anger, disappointment and abandonment issues Jerry's absence during his childhood has caused him.
Pretty heavy stuff for a sitcom. It works for two reasons. The first reason is a light-hearted supporting B-story centered around Marshall, who provides some good laughs in between the more intense moments. The second and most important reason is an outstanding performance by Neil Patrick Harris. He has been brilliant countless times before, but this tour de force of dramatic acting has been unprecedented within the show. Kudos to him!
P.S.: Don't google Vietnamese shame wheel! You're not ready.
Jerry turns out not to be what Barney wanted him to be. Even worse, he has a family, including a son that got a proper childhood. Barney first reacts by being close-lipped and avoiding him. But after the gang pressures him into giving his dad one more chance and join his family for dinner, Barney ends up confronting him with all the anger, disappointment and abandonment issues Jerry's absence during his childhood has caused him.
Pretty heavy stuff for a sitcom. It works for two reasons. The first reason is a light-hearted supporting B-story centered around Marshall, who provides some good laughs in between the more intense moments. The second and most important reason is an outstanding performance by Neil Patrick Harris. He has been brilliant countless times before, but this tour de force of dramatic acting has been unprecedented within the show. Kudos to him!
P.S.: Don't google Vietnamese shame wheel! You're not ready.