Benefits (How I Met Your Mother)
Encyclopedia
"Benefits" is the 12th episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother
and 76th overall. It originally aired on January 12, 2009.
and Robin
become "friends with benefits" to deal with the stress of being roommates, such as Robin leaving an empty milk carton in the refrigerator, or not taking out the garbage. Marshall
catches Robin and Ted having casual sex since he used Ted's bathroom. Marshall finds it hard to use the bathroom at work, because his coworkers seem to judge him when he is walking to the restroom. Later in the episode Barney implies that he "reads a magazine" at work all the time, but he then asks for affirmation that they are talking about masturbation. Marshall blackmails Ted and Robin: he won't tell Lily
and Barney
about their casual sex, provided he can continue to use their restroom. However, Marshall quickly gives in and tells them about it, much to Barney's dismay and jealousy. Barney resorts to breaking old televisions from the dumpster outside MacLaren's to vent out his anger, and when he runs out of televisions, begins buying them to smash, continuously refusing to see a therapist.
When Barney begins to solve all of Ted and Robin's problems (cleaning the apartment, stocking the refrigerator with milk, taking out the trash), Ted realizes that Barney loves Robin. Barney continues to deny it to Ted, but flees to Lily, and vents about his heartbreak. Unfortunately, this is in Lily's kindergarten classroom, in front of her students. Ted, meanwhile, decides to stop having casual sex with Robin, telling her "Someone would get hurt".
Marshall finally decides not to be ashamed and finds that his coworkers apparent attitude toward him changes at work as well. He relays his new found strength in confidence to Barney who finds it as motivation to tell Ted that he is in love with Robin. He tells Marshall that he can use Barney's own private bathroom, which is hidden as part of the wall in his office.
When Robin relays Ted's ending of casual sex to Barney, she thinks Ted was afraid of getting hurt because he's too romantic. She says "He's always like--" and then Barney finally confesses, saying "I love you" to Robin. Robin misunderstands and thinks he is just imitating Ted. They go together for a meal, while Barney doesn't attempt to correct her.
The episode ends with Future Ted restating Lily's earlier argument: "Lily was right: when two exes decide to just be casual, someone always gets hurt. But this time, it was just not one of us." The camera focuses on Barney's lingering gaze on Robin as she is laughing as this is said. Barney then looks to Ted, who is clearly okay with Barney's feelings for Robin.
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 19, 2005, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays.As a framing device, the main character, Ted Mosby with narration by Bob Saget, in the year 2030 recounts to his son and daughter the events that led to his meeting...
and 76th overall. It originally aired on January 12, 2009.
Plot
TedTed Mosby
Theodore Evelyn "Ted" Mosby is the titular fictional character of the U.S. television sitcom How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Josh Radnor...
and Robin
Robin Scherbatsky
Robin Charles Scherbatsky, Jr. is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Canadian actress Cobie Smulders.- Early life :...
become "friends with benefits" to deal with the stress of being roommates, such as Robin leaving an empty milk carton in the refrigerator, or not taking out the garbage. Marshall
Marshall Eriksen
Marshall Eriksen is a fictional character in the American sitcom How I Met Your Mother, created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas and portrayed by Jason Segel.-Character profile:Marshall is an easy-going, naive optimist from St. Cloud, Minnesota...
catches Robin and Ted having casual sex since he used Ted's bathroom. Marshall finds it hard to use the bathroom at work, because his coworkers seem to judge him when he is walking to the restroom. Later in the episode Barney implies that he "reads a magazine" at work all the time, but he then asks for affirmation that they are talking about masturbation. Marshall blackmails Ted and Robin: he won't tell Lily
Lily Aldrin
Lillian "Lily" Aldrin is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by American actress Alyson Hannigan. She is the wife of Marshall Eriksen and the best friend of Robin Scherbatsky...
and Barney
Barney Stinson
Barnabas "Barney" Stinson is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris. The character has been extremely well received by critics and has been credited for much of the show's success...
about their casual sex, provided he can continue to use their restroom. However, Marshall quickly gives in and tells them about it, much to Barney's dismay and jealousy. Barney resorts to breaking old televisions from the dumpster outside MacLaren's to vent out his anger, and when he runs out of televisions, begins buying them to smash, continuously refusing to see a therapist.
When Barney begins to solve all of Ted and Robin's problems (cleaning the apartment, stocking the refrigerator with milk, taking out the trash), Ted realizes that Barney loves Robin. Barney continues to deny it to Ted, but flees to Lily, and vents about his heartbreak. Unfortunately, this is in Lily's kindergarten classroom, in front of her students. Ted, meanwhile, decides to stop having casual sex with Robin, telling her "Someone would get hurt".
Marshall finally decides not to be ashamed and finds that his coworkers apparent attitude toward him changes at work as well. He relays his new found strength in confidence to Barney who finds it as motivation to tell Ted that he is in love with Robin. He tells Marshall that he can use Barney's own private bathroom, which is hidden as part of the wall in his office.
When Robin relays Ted's ending of casual sex to Barney, she thinks Ted was afraid of getting hurt because he's too romantic. She says "He's always like--" and then Barney finally confesses, saying "I love you" to Robin. Robin misunderstands and thinks he is just imitating Ted. They go together for a meal, while Barney doesn't attempt to correct her.
The episode ends with Future Ted restating Lily's earlier argument: "Lily was right: when two exes decide to just be casual, someone always gets hurt. But this time, it was just not one of us." The camera focuses on Barney's lingering gaze on Robin as she is laughing as this is said. Barney then looks to Ted, who is clearly okay with Barney's feelings for Robin.
Music
- "No More Wishing" by Hayley TaylorHayley TaylorHayley Taylor is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and painter from Los Angeles, California.-Biography:Born in Michigan and raised in Los Angeles, Taylor began performing at a young age, making her musical debut at the age of three roller skating and singing on the Jerry Lewis Telethon .She...
. - On both occasions when Marshall walks to the eighth floor bathroom to read a magazine, the song "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate FactoryWilly Wonka & the Chocolate FactoryWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a 1971 musical film adaptation of the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, directed by Mel Stuart, and starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. The film tells the story of Charlie Bucket as he receives a golden ticket and visits Willy...
is played.
Continuity
- While describing his theory on world peace, Barney mentions that he was speaking to "Madeleine," a reference to the time he sat next to, and later slept with, former Secretary of State Madeleine AlbrightMadeleine AlbrightMadeleine Korbelová Albright is the first woman to become a United States Secretary of State. She was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996, and was unanimously confirmed by a U.S. Senate vote of 99–0...
at a charity event. - Ted and Robin continue to do their running joke to salute and repeat whenever somebody said a word that resembled a military rank ("Private thing") which was first introduced in the episode "SlapsgivingSlapsgiving"Slapsgiving" is the 9th episode in the third season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 53rd overall. It originally aired on November 19, 2007.- Plot :...
" from the third season. - When describing a kiss Ted and Robin had, Robin says it was "W-I-E-R-D". When Lily corrects her, Robin tells Lily that "nobody likes a Ted". This is a reference to "Spoiler Alert," where the gang realizes that Ted is always correcting people.
- Robin's habit of distracting men from fighting with sex is later expanded on in "BagpipesBagpipes (How I Met Your Mother)"Bagpipes" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of the CBS situation comedy How I Met Your Mother and 94th overall. It originally aired on November 2, 2009.- Plot :...
", when she uses the same tactic to distract Barney when she destroys a tie of his.
Cultural references
- The magazine that Marshall takes with him to the restroom to "read a magazine" is called Them Weekly, a reference to the celebrity gossip magazine Us WeeklyUs WeeklyUs Weekly is a celebrity gossip magazine, founded in 1977 by The New York Times Company, who sold it in 1980. It was acquired by Wenner Media in 1986. The publication covers topics ranging from celebrity relationships to the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and entertainment...
. As Marshall makes several attempts to "read a magazine" at work, the various reality TV celebrities on the covers come to life and talk. The first are Heidi MontagHeidi MontagHeidi Blair Pratt is an American media personality and singer. She came to prominence with her starring role on the MTV reality series The Hills from 2006 to 2010. Montag has also appeared on I'm a Celebrity.....
and Spencer PrattSpencer PrattSpencer William Pratt is a former American television personality known for his role on MTV's The Hills, along with his wife Heidi Montag. He is the older brother of Stephanie Pratt, who also appears on The Hills....
, next Kendra WilkinsonKendra WilkinsonKendra Leigh Baskett , professionally known by her maiden name, is an American television personality and glamour model...
, and finally Kim KardashianKim KardashianKimberly Noel "Kim" Kardashian is an American socialite, television personality, model, actress and businesswoman. She is known for the E! reality series that she shares with her family—Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and its spin-offs including Kourtney and Kim Take New York...
, who Marshall refers to as "super hot lady who my wife keeps telling me why you're famous but I keep forgetting." - Barney's theory of world peace makes allusions to the Gaza StripGaza Stripthumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
, Apartheid and the Cold WarCold WarThe Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, especially Reagan's famous quote - Robin claims Ted's friends with benefits proposal is like "telling the FonzFonzieArthur Herbert Fonzarelli is a fictional character played by Henry Winkler in the American sitcom Happy Days . He was originally a secondary character, but eventually became the lead...
to be cool." - When pointing out how messy Robin is Ted compares her to Ogre from Revenge of the Nerds