How I Met Your Mother (TV Series) Subway Wars (2010) User Reviews

One Of HIMYM's Best

[davidehallac · 10/10 · 19 April 2019]

While some may pass Subway Wars off as a silly filler episode, I find it to be one of the best episodes in the whole series.

The whole concept of Subway Wars is pretty insane, with the five main characters all racing to the other side of Manhattan using different modes of transportation. The whole race is very dramatic, but that's honestly what makes it so fun. Fun additions like the map graphic, the epic music, and the frequent use of single-camera filming help set this episode apart, serving as a great showcase of how How I Met Your Mother stands out from most other sitcoms.

The humor in this episode is top-notch too, with many great jokes serving as a hilariously realistic portrayal of New York, such as the incomprehensible subway conductor, the crazy person on the bus cliche, the slow traffic light, and of course, what makes a "True New Yorker?". Outside of the NYC jokes, there are many funny character moments such as the "Why _____ Needs A Win" sequences and Marshall's western running song.

And even with all the chaos going on, Subway Wars still manages to have some great character work, with Marshall and Lily stressing out about having a kid, and Robin coping with her difficult year. Scattered throughout the episode are moments where the characters get to genuinely talk things out, so while the overall plot never really progresses, the characters do get to develop a bit. And of course, there is a very heart-warming twist near the end of the episode.

So while Subway Wars may not be everyone's cup of tea, I find it to be one of the best How I Met Your Mother episodes for its great humor, heartfelt character moments, and creativity that showcases why it's such a unique sitcom.

Subway Wars (#6.4)

[ComedyFan2010 · 9/10 · 26 July 2015]

A fun episode where they all take a race to a restaurant to see Woody Allen to prove that their method is the best. But in reality they all race because of other things that are bothering. Creative idea that is both touching to observe and yet at the same time bring so many laughs. I was pretty much cracking up when Robin was doing all the New Yorker things. And when Lily screwed her over to win. And when Marshall freaked out that machines won.

And yet it was sweet to see Marshall and Lily calming down about not being able to get pregnant and see the positive about it. And even more how Barney helped Robin to win. I think when the two are not together I like them as a "couple" even more.

And the joke with having Maury everywhere was also nice. I wonder if New Yorkers have more fun watching this episode as they can relate to it as they always see Maury and kill cockroaches?

Taxi

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 15 June 2020]

I like the bit where she kills a cockroach with her bare hands

A 'meh' episode of the season.

[joekuehn-80803 · 7/10 · 4 November 2015]

One of the more 'meh' episodes of the season - more of a side story than anything, just adding up to Lily and Marshall's problems having a child. Too much focus on other characters for the 'this isn't a race' line to be really that important, and the series could have done without this filler episode.

On a side note, the excessive Microsoft branding in this episode is a bit intrusive; from Ted using a Windows laptop and specifically showing Bing search and maps results, to Microsoft branded monitors in the electronics windows, to Maury walking out of the store with an Xbox 360... C'mon, could product placement be any more noticeable here? Just glad they did it on an unimportant episode.

A Drop In Quality, But Still Fun

[slightlymad22 · 7/10 · 26 January 2015]

It was inevitable after 3 quality episodes at the start of season 6, there would be a drop somewhere, and here it is!! A silly but still fun episode.

Plot In A Paragraph: At Maclarens the gang discussing what constitutes a real New Yorker. They all feel that Robin isn't one, while she believes she knows the city better than any of them. After Woody Allen is spotted at Gregor's restaurant downtown, it starts an impromptu race to Gregor's seven miles away, with Robin believes a taxi is the fastest, Marshall needs to run the seven miles, Lily uses the subway and Ted catches the bus. Meanwhile Barney has a special plan. But each really needs to win this race to compensate for something happening in their respective life.

As usual Neil Patrick Harris is the best thing in the show, but Alyson Hannigan and Jason Segel are not far behind him.