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The Final Page - Part Two
HIMYM episode 8x12 (172)
The Final Page13
First aired:
December 17, 2012
Director:
Pamela Fryman
Writer:
Carter Bays
Craig Thomas
Barney's Blog

Images (17)

Ted debates whether or not to tell Robin about Barney's plans of proposing to Patrice. Meanwhile, Marshall and Lily get an early Yule gift, a night away from Marvin, but a case of separation anxiety strikes and threatens to ruin the evening.


Recap[]

After finding out from Barney about his plans to propose to Patrice, Ted deliberates on whether to tell Robin about this, when he sees her at MacLaren's. However, before Ted can speak to Robin, Marshall and Lily walk in and start talking about the opening of the new GNB Headquarters, which takes place the same night. Ted tells them that he is nervous, but the others say that they will be there to support him, although Marshall and Lily say that they will have to leave a little early, as it will be their first night away from Marvin since he was born, and they have made plans to spend a romantic evening together at a hotel while Mickey babysits. Ted says that it's okay, and he appreciates that they are coming, because Barney is not, which surprises the others. When Marshall and Lily leave, Robin asks for the reason. Future Ted says that this was his chance to tell Robin about Barney, but instead Ted lies, saying that he doesn't know the reason and asks Robin to be his date to the opening.

Before leaving Marvin, Lily hands Mickey a list of Marvin's nightly schedule and Marshall tells him about Marvin's lullaby. Just as Marshall and Lily come out of the apartment, Marshall gets a call from Ted, telling him to come to the bar. He tells Lily that he has to meet Ted and will see her later. At the bar, Ted tells Marshall about Barney’s plans. He says that he knew that he had to tell Robin, but he asked her to be his date to the opening instead. He says that Robin deserves to go after Barney one last time, if that's what she wants, and he tells Marshall that he is going to tell Robin about Barney's plans. Marshall tells him not to, saying that deep down, Ted thinks that he is going to end up with Robin which Marshall agrees with. Marshall wants Ted to be happy, and if Robin can make him happy, then why help her go after another man. Ted says that she might still be in love with Barney and not telling her would be selfish and he can't do that. He says that Robin is his friend, but Marshall says that she has always been more than that and Ted knows this. Before leaving to see Lily, Marshall makes Ted swear not to tell Robin about Barney's plans.

While at the hotel, Lily calls Mickey to check on Marvin and see if he's missing her, but Mickey tells her that the baby didn't even notice that she was gone. When Lily says that she wants to sing Marvin his lullaby, Mickey tells him that he did that and Marvin is already asleep. When Marshall and Lily arrive at the opening of the GNB building, Marshall notices that Lily is drunk. When they see a baby there, they start missing Marvin. They sit in a corner, crying, while singing Marvin's lullaby to a picture of him.

Meanwhile, Ted finally tells Robin that Barney is getting engaged while they are on their way to the GNB building. He says that although Barney asked him to keep it a secret, he thought she deserved to know in case she wanted to do anything about it. Robin tells Ted that she is not chasing after Barney anymore. She claims she just got done being crazy and asks why she would want to throw herself back in that "pit." Ted replies because she is in love with Barney. Robin claims that she isn't and is happy for Barney. Ted asks her if it doesn't bother her that Barney is going to propose to another woman on top of the WWN, and Robin freaks out, because that is her favorite spot in the city. She then says that although that one detail stings, it doesn't mean that she is in love with Barney. She says that she hopes it goes well for Barney, but tonight she wants to be at Ted's building, celebrating with him. She then asks Ranjit (their limo driver) to take them to the GNB building. However, when the car stops Robin looks outside to see the WWN building. Ted tells her to go get Barney, but she says that she already told him that she is done chasing Barney. Ted says that she is clearly not over Barney. Robin says that she can't keep making an ass of herself. But Ted says that making an ass of yourself is underrated. He has made an ass of himself a bunch of times by chasing after her, but he has no regrets because it led to her being his friend. He then tells her to get out of the car.

The Final Page20

When Robin opens the door to the roof, she sees it decorated with rose petals and candles; she then notices a piece of paper on the floor. The paper has a play from Barney’s playbook written on it, called "The Robin." It explains that everything Barney did, beginning with Robin’s break up with Nick, was all part of his plan to get Robin back. After Robin finishes reading it, she notices Barney standing in the corner and starts yelling at him. She tells him that he has gone too far. He lied to her and manipulated her, how could he think that she could kiss him and trust him after this. She says that this ploy is proof of why they will never work. She thanks him for setting her free because how could she be with a man who thinks that this trick, this enormous lie could make her ever date him again. Barney simply asks her to turn the page over. On the back of the page are the words "Hope she says yes." Robin then sees Barney on his knee. He proposes to her; after a moment of silence she says yes.

Ted's building is celebrated and he gets a toast and shakes hands. Marshall and Lily go back home to see Marvin, and happily look out the window to see the snow falling. Barney and Robin are shown in each other's arms, happily engaged. Ted somberly looks out the GNB window.

Continuity[]

  • It is revealed that a number of events from previous episodes were all part of The Robin, Barney's elaborate plan to propose to Robin. These include:
  • While in the Limo, before Robin is finally convinced to leave and stop Barney's proposal on top of the WWN building, she tells Ted "Maybe future Mrs. Mosby will be there" (The opening for Ted's completed GNB headquarters) which is the first instance somebody has mentioned Ted's search for a soulmate for a long time on the show.
  • When Marshall and Ted are in MacLaren's, Marshall tries to convince Ted that he and Robin are meant to be by advising Ted not to tell Robin about Barney proposing to Patrice later that night. This is a continuation of No Pressure where it is discovered that Lily and Marshall have a long term bet as to whether Robin and Ted will end up together, Marshall betting that they will.
  • This episode has the longest play from the Playbook, lasting six episodes, beating The Scuba Diver which lasted only one episode, The Playbook.
  • Robin uses Ted's nickname "Teddy Westside" again.
  • This is actually the second time Robin and Barney got engaged, the first time being in The Rough Patch​.
  • Robin and Barney getting married was first suggested by Robin in The Leap​.
  • While explaining the 11th step of The Robin, Barney admits there are cameras in the apartment. He previously mentioned the existence of cameras in Lily's and Marshall's apartment in Dowisetrepla during Bad News.

Future References (Contains Spoilers)[]

Gallery[]

For a listing of all images on the wiki tagged as being from this episode, see Category:The Final Page - Part Two images.

Memorable Quotes[]

Ted: 8 years ago I made an ass of myself chasing after you and I made ass of myself chasing after you a bunch of times since then and I have no regrets because it led me something that I wouldn't trade for the world- it led to you being my friend.

Barney: Patrice! The Robin is in the Nest... That means that Robin broke into my apartment. Were you even listening when I explained the codes?

Barney: Step 10: Prove your loyalty to Patrice by burning The Playbook and actually burn it; you don't need it anymore.

Barney: Step 13: Wait and see if Ted tells Robin. And if he does...
Ted: Barney's getting engaged!
Barney: ...It means your best bro in the world has let go of Robin and has given you his blessing.

Barney: Step 14: Robin arrives at her favorite spot in the city and finds the secret final page of The Playbook… the last play you’ll ever run.

Barney: Robin Scherbatsky. Will you marry me?
Robin: (becomes teary-eyed) Yes.

Robin: Come on Ted, tell Ranjit what's actually happening tonight.
Ted: Barney's getting engaged.
Ranjit: Ranjit out.

Lily: In four minutes, we're supposed to be doing hand stuff in the cab!

Mickey: Got it, load him up with cough syrup, watch Breaking Bad until he conks out. Kidding.

Mickey: At 9:00, Put on edible underwear.

Notes and Trivia[]

Goofs and Errors[]

  • When Barney and Robin kiss for the first time, it is clear that Robin's purse falls to the ground. Later on, after Barney puts the ring on Robin's finger, Robin's purse is once again in her hand.
  • When they kiss for the second time, the purse falls again.
  • Lily and Marshall say they have not had a night off since Marvin was born yet in Nannies Lily's dad agrees to be a nanny for Marvin and in Who Wants to Be a Godparent? they spend time at the bar without Marvin and go out together as their first night off.

Allusions and Outside References[]

Music[]

Other Notes[]

  • This episode was originally entitled "The Robin".[1]
  • Marshall has previously made lullaby for Lily, titled "Night Night, Lily. (Showdown)
  • Carter Bays says that "the idea of a long con" represented by Barney's play to win Robin was influenced by "the final run of episodes in season four of Breaking Bad" and that they "wanted a moment of, 'Ohhhhh, that's what's been going on'. Just without anyone getting blown up or poisoned". [2]
  • Barney states in the note that it would be the last play he ever did, however, when the two are divorced, he creates another Playbook, and presumably does those plays on more women.
  • Fairly small note, but the ending mirrors the ending the the Buffy episode 'Amends' with the snow falling, two lovers kissing, Alyson Hannigan and her boyfriend/husband looking out of a snowy window.
  • In The Stinson Missile Crisis​​ you see that Barney has cameras in his apartment.
  • This is the last holiday-themed episode of the series.
  • Barney already met the Mother by this point, she was the one who encouraged him to write The Robin.

Guests[]

Reception[]

  • This episode, along with The Final Page - Part One, received 8.70 million viewers.[3]
  • Donna Bowman of the AV Club gave the episode an A. She calls the episode "hilarious" and "touching". She says that the show "deftly and imaginatively" turned "Barney the womanizer into Barney the fiancée." She called making "Patrice ... part of the final play" a "brilliant idea". She adds that "nearly every character gets great material" in the episode. [4]
  • Ethan Alter of Television Without Pity gave the episode a C+. [5]
  • Max Nicholson of IGN gave the episode a score of 9 out of 10. He writes that "in the second half ... Marshall and Lily's story took a notable downturn" but that it ends "with a satisfying reunion for Barney and Robin". [6]
  • Sandra Gonzalez of EW.com said that "the proposal ... was great because it was 100 percent from Barney's heart". [7]
  • The St. Petersburg Comic Review gave this episode 9.5 out of 10 stars. "...awesome...really awesome..."

References[]

External Links[]


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