James Canellos ‘17/ Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
Josh Radnor, Billy Zabka, Marshall Manesh, Laura Bell Bundy, Kyle MacLachlan, Jason Segel and Neil Patrick Harris in the How I Met Your Mother episode “Daisy.” Photo Credit: Richard Cartwright/CBS.
With only four hours left until Robin’s (Cobie Smulders) and Barney’s (Neil Patrick Harris) wedding, one question remains for Marhsall (Jason Segel): where did Lily (Alyson Hannigan) go after the couple’s fight? As Ted (Josh Radnor) and Ranjit (Marshall Manesh) try to calm him, William Zabka (William Zabka), the blonde kid—and Barney’s favorite character—in the original “Karate Kid” mentions that he saw Lily get in the car of her employer, The Captain (Kyle MacLachlan). The Captain swears that she was occupying the bathroom the entire time.
A witty and down-to-earth script proves that creators and writers Craig Thomas and Carter Bays return to form brilliantly with this pre-wedding mystery. The episode went by in what felt like seconds due to the guest stars and their perfect portrayals of the script (except The Captain’s new fiancée Becky (Laura Bell Bundy), the Boats, Boats, Boats girl from the commercial). It was nice to bring her back for the gag that she’s marrying The Captain, but she felt like a prop in the episode and could have been utilized more. Laura Bell Bundy and Alyson Hannigan in the How I Met Your Mother episode “Daisy.” Photo Credit: Richard Cartwright/CBS.
Meanwhile Robin’s mother Genevieve (Tracey Ullman) begins to upset Robin when she accidentally points out Barney’s and Robin’s father’s similarities. However, they didn’t stray from the main plot, using these scenes at a short but reasonable rate. Ted then realizes what Lily’s secret is as the Mosby Boys return. Ted’s pride in his imaginary mystery team always offers Radnor great material as he enjoys the moment. He comes to the conclusion that Lily has secretly been smoking cigarettes again. Considering her strange behavior over the weekend and recent habit of chewing gum, Lily must have planted the cigarette bud in the daisy in the bathroom. But, as Ted rifles through the plant, what he actually finds is a positive pregnancy test. As Marshall chokes up and displays genuine shock and joy, the episode reaches the highlight of the season.
Segel has proven he can handle more dramatic and delicate scenes after the passing of Marshall’s father, and both he and Hannigan prove it again as they reunite and Marshall declares that they’re going to Italy. He’s gotten his dream and feels like Lily should achieve her dream too. The scene even overshadows the delight they shared upon learning of Lily’s pregnancy with Marvin. Thomas and Bays blend sweetness and comedy seamlessly, and, like Lily’s pregnancy test, the duo did not disappoint. Overall Episode Grade: A-
