Last Words (How I Met Your Mother)
Encyclopedia
"Last Words" is the fourteenth episode of the sixth season of the CBS
sitcom How I Met Your Mother
and the 126th episode overall. It aired on January 17, 2011.
, Marshall
's hometown, to attend the recently deceased Marvin Eriksen's funeral. Marshall is devastated, while his mother Judy is keeping herself distracted by doing chores (according to Lily
, she has not eaten or slept in the last two days). Ted
and Barney
unsuccessfully try to make Marshall laugh by showing him multiple videos of men getting hit in the groin in odd ways. Meanwhile, Robin
amazes the gang, as well as other people at the funeral, by providing them with virtually everything they need out of her purse (from mobile chargers to drugs).
Judy and Marshall learn that the funeral service will not be held by the Reverend, but by his son Trey (Danny Strong
). The gang is surprised to learn that Trey used to bully Marshall in high school (especially since Trey is very short). Trey turns out to be extremely insensitive, though Judy agrees that Marvin Sr.'s last words should be the theme of the service. Marshall is reluctant to tell any such story as his last conversation with his father was over trivial issues, while the stories told by his mother and older brothers are very touching and inspiring. After charging his phone (which was out of power since before Marvin's death), Marshall discovers that he has a voicemail from his father. Marshall does not know what to do, and decides that he does not want to listen to it. Meanwhile, Robin runs into rough waters when she accidentally gives alcohol to Marshall's teenaged cousin. Lily takes the blame and faces Judy's outrage to let the latter vent all her emotions. Finally, an exhausted Judy eats and rests.
The group tries to reason with Marshall, who counters by asking them what their father's last words to them would be should their fathers die. They realize that none of them would have anything special to say. During the service, Marshall impulsively goes out to hear his father's message. He initially hears only scratching noises, assuming that his number was accidentally pocket dialed. An outraged Marshall says how much his father meant to him and how unfair it is that his last message to him was a "pocket dial". Just then, he hears his father's voice on the phone, telling his son he loves him—followed by Marvin asking for his foot cream as his rash had started to act up again. Marshall takes comfort in the fact that his father's last words to him were "I love you".
After the stories told by Judy, Marcus, and Marvin Jr., Marshall's turn to speak at the memorial service comes. He surprises the gang by deciding to keep his father's real last words to himself, instead telling everyone of how his father had told him to rent Crocodile Dundee 3
.
Judy thanks Lily for what she had done during the course of the wake while making one last crude joke at Lily's expense, stating that it was the last time, apparently resolving their strained relationship. Ted, Lily, and Robin call their fathers to have meaningful conversations with them. Meanwhile, Barney calls his mother and tells her that he's ready to meet his father.
Eric Braeden
was set to reprise his role as Robin's father, but backed out at the last minute, claiming that his cameo appearance was not "substantial" enough. This led to Neil Patrick Harris
calling him out over Twitter, and Braedan later responding back in the media. The part was recast with Ray Wise
.
Chris Elliott
reprises his role as Lily's father, but does not appear on-screen; his brief cameo just consists of a voiceover as Lily is talking to him over the phone.
According to co-creator Carter Bays
, they intend to bring back Bill Fagerbakke
as Marshall's father in future episodes, but during flashbacks.
Donna Bowman of The A. V. Club gave the episode an A, noting it "[u]npretentious, unobtrusive, funny, balanced, and shot through with genuine feeling and unexpected grace".
Robert Canning of IGN
gave the episode a rating of 8.5 out of 10. He said the episode built up on Bad News' momentum and had more roles in store for the rest of the main characters, but criticized Barney and Ted's efforts to lighten up Marshall as weak and worse during a funeral.
DeAnn Welker of Television Without Pity graded the episode at A.
Henry Hanks of CNN.com's Marquee Blog compared the episode's impact to that of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
episode "Chuckles Bites the Dust
" and the first episode of NewsRadio
after Phil Hartman
's death in 1998.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
sitcom How I Met Your Mother
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 the 126th episode overall. It aired on January 17, 2011.
Plot
Everybody goes to St. Cloud, MinnesotaSt. Cloud, Minnesota
St. Cloud is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the largest population center in the state's central region. The population was 65,842 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Stearns County...
, 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...
's hometown, to attend the recently deceased Marvin Eriksen's funeral. Marshall is devastated, while his mother Judy is keeping herself distracted by doing chores (according to 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...
, she has not eaten or slept in the last two days). Ted
Ted 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 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...
unsuccessfully try to make Marshall laugh by showing him multiple videos of men getting hit in the groin in odd ways. Meanwhile, 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 :...
amazes the gang, as well as other people at the funeral, by providing them with virtually everything they need out of her purse (from mobile chargers to drugs).
Judy and Marshall learn that the funeral service will not be held by the Reverend, but by his son Trey (Danny Strong
Danny Strong
Daniel W. Strong is an American actor and writer in film and television.-Early life:Strong was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, California. where he would rent videos from Video Archives, becoming friends with Quentin Tarantino who was then a clerk there...
). The gang is surprised to learn that Trey used to bully Marshall in high school (especially since Trey is very short). Trey turns out to be extremely insensitive, though Judy agrees that Marvin Sr.'s last words should be the theme of the service. Marshall is reluctant to tell any such story as his last conversation with his father was over trivial issues, while the stories told by his mother and older brothers are very touching and inspiring. After charging his phone (which was out of power since before Marvin's death), Marshall discovers that he has a voicemail from his father. Marshall does not know what to do, and decides that he does not want to listen to it. Meanwhile, Robin runs into rough waters when she accidentally gives alcohol to Marshall's teenaged cousin. Lily takes the blame and faces Judy's outrage to let the latter vent all her emotions. Finally, an exhausted Judy eats and rests.
The group tries to reason with Marshall, who counters by asking them what their father's last words to them would be should their fathers die. They realize that none of them would have anything special to say. During the service, Marshall impulsively goes out to hear his father's message. He initially hears only scratching noises, assuming that his number was accidentally pocket dialed. An outraged Marshall says how much his father meant to him and how unfair it is that his last message to him was a "pocket dial". Just then, he hears his father's voice on the phone, telling his son he loves him—followed by Marvin asking for his foot cream as his rash had started to act up again. Marshall takes comfort in the fact that his father's last words to him were "I love you".
After the stories told by Judy, Marcus, and Marvin Jr., Marshall's turn to speak at the memorial service comes. He surprises the gang by deciding to keep his father's real last words to himself, instead telling everyone of how his father had told him to rent Crocodile Dundee 3
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles is a 2001 Australian-American comedy film, directed by Simon Wincer and starring Paul Hogan. It is the sequel to the 1988 film Crocodile Dundee II, which itself was the sequel to 1986's Crocodile Dundee and the third and final film of the trilogy...
.
Judy thanks Lily for what she had done during the course of the wake while making one last crude joke at Lily's expense, stating that it was the last time, apparently resolving their strained relationship. Ted, Lily, and Robin call their fathers to have meaningful conversations with them. Meanwhile, Barney calls his mother and tells her that he's ready to meet his father.
Production
This is the first episode since the season one finale, "Come On" to not have a cold opening; instead, it starts with the opening credits.Eric Braeden
Eric Braeden
Eric Braeden is a German-American film and television actor, best known for his role as Victor Newman on the soap opera The Young and the Restless and as John Jacob Astor IV in the 1997 film Titanic...
was set to reprise his role as Robin's father, but backed out at the last minute, claiming that his cameo appearance was not "substantial" enough. This led to Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, singer, director, and magician.Prominent roles of his career include the title role in Doogie Howser, M.D., Colonel Carl Jenkins in Starship Troopers, the womanizing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, a fictionalized version of himself in the Harold...
calling him out over Twitter, and Braedan later responding back in the media. The part was recast with Ray Wise
Ray Wise
Raymond Nicolas "Ray" Wise is an American actor, known for his roles as Leland Palmer in Twin Peaks, as Leon C. Nash, right-hand henchman to villain Clarence Boddicker in the science fiction classic RoboCop, and recently as the Devil in the CW television series Reaper.-Life and career:Wise was...
.
Chris Elliott
Chris Elliott
Christopher Nash "Chris" Elliott is an American actor, comedian and writer. He is best known for his comedic sketches on Late Night with David Letterman, starring in the cult comedy series Get a Life and for his recurring role as Peter MacDougall on Everybody Loves Raymond...
reprises his role as Lily's father, but does not appear on-screen; his brief cameo just consists of a voiceover as Lily is talking to him over the phone.
According to co-creator Carter Bays
Carter Bays
Carter Bays is an American television writer. Along with writing partner Craig Thomas, he is best known as creator, writer, and executive producer of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. He has 70 episodes of the show under his belt from 2005-2009, and has been nominated for six primetime Emmy...
, they intend to bring back Bill Fagerbakke
Bill Fagerbakke
William Mark "Bill" Fagerbakke is an American actor and voice actor. He is well-known for his long-running-roles as Patrick Star in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and "Dauber" Dybinski on the sitcom Coach....
as Marshall's father in future episodes, but during flashbacks.
Continuity
- The episode continues the storyline of Barney's absentee father. He initially believes his father was Bob BarkerBob BarkerRobert William "Bob" Barker is a former American television game show host. He is best known for hosting CBS's The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history, and for hosting Truth or Consequences from 1956 to 1975.Born...
in "Showdown" but stops believing it in "Cleaning HouseCleaning House"Cleaning House" is the second episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 114th episode overall. It originally aired on September 27, 2010.- Plot :...
". In "Natural HistoryNatural History (How I Met Your Mother)"Natural History" is the eighth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 120th episode overall. It aired on November 8, 2010.- Plot :...
", Barney learns the man he thought was his uncle was actually his father. - The scenes in which Marshall's parents left took place offscreen during the timeline of "Bad NewsBad News (How I Met Your Mother)"Bad News" is the thirteenth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother and their 125th episode overall. It aired January 3, 2011.-Plot:...
". - Marshall uses his "Lawyered" catchphrase.
- Ted's father calls him "T-Dawg" as Ted had presented himself to the class in "DefinitionsDefinitions (How I Met Your Mother)"Definitions" is the first episode of the fifth season of the How I Met Your Mother TV series and 89th episode overall. It originally aired on September 21, 2009.- Plot :...
". - Lily's father continues to propose ideas for new board games, which were tackled in flashbacks during the season 5 episode "Slapsgiving 2: Revenge of the SlapSlapsgiving 2: Revenge of the Slap"Slapsgiving 2: Revenge of the Slap" is the ninth episode of the fifth season of the CBS situation comedy How I Met Your Mother and 97th episode overall. It aired on November 23, 2009.- Plot :...
". - Robin's father is angry at her because she is still unsuccessful and he was never proud of her, as shown before in "Happily Ever AfterHappily Ever After (How I Met Your Mother)"Happily Ever After" is the sixth episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 70th overall. It originally aired on November 3, 2008.- Plot :The day after Stella ran out on their wedding, Ted is unusually happy...
". - Barney and Ted keep quiet when Marshall says his dad was his best friend. Both of them usually get offended when Marshall claims someone else to be his best friend.
- Barney wears a suit at Marshall's father's funeral, despite the fact that in the Season 2 episode "Monday Night Football" he said he never wears a suit at a funeral.
- In discussing the significance of last words, Barney claims Nathan HaleNathan HaleNathan Hale was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He volunteered for an intelligence-gathering mission in New York City but was captured by the British...
's actual last words at his execution were "I'm peeing my pants!" He has been known to make fake history lessons, as seen in "The Goat" and "Big DaysBig Days"Big Days" is the first episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 113th episode overall. It originally aired on September 20, 2010.- Plot :...
".
Cultural References
- At the funeral, a man says to Robin, "I hear you're a woman who can get things." and she replies, "I've been known to locate certain objects from time to time." This dialogue paraphrases lines from Rita Hayworth and Shawshank RedemptionRita Hayworth and Shawshank RedemptionRita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption is a novella by Stephen King, from his collection Different Seasons . It has been hailed by critics as King's "greatest work", and "masterpiece". The novella was adapted for the screen in 1994 as The Shawshank Redemption, itself a lauded film, nominated for...
by Stephen KingStephen KingStephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
(which was later made into the film The Shawshank RedemptionThe Shawshank RedemptionThe Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman....
). - Robin's "vice" bag is compared to Mary PoppinsMary Poppins (character)Mary Poppins is a fictional character and the protagonist of P. L. Travers' Mary Poppins books and all of its adaptations. She is a magical nanny of unknown origins who arrives at the Banks home in Cherry Tree Lane where she is given charge of the Banks children and teaches them valuable lessons...
' magical bag. - During the episode Marshall tries to think of his last words with his dad, which he at one point thinks were about Crocodile Dundee 3Crocodile Dundee in Los AngelesCrocodile Dundee in Los Angeles is a 2001 Australian-American comedy film, directed by Simon Wincer and starring Paul Hogan. It is the sequel to the 1988 film Crocodile Dundee II, which itself was the sequel to 1986's Crocodile Dundee and the third and final film of the trilogy...
, which Marshall's dad caught on the cable. Robin then gives Marshall the DVD after the service.
Critical response
Reviews for the episode were highly positive.Donna Bowman of The A. V. Club gave the episode an A, noting it "[u]npretentious, unobtrusive, funny, balanced, and shot through with genuine feeling and unexpected grace".
Robert Canning of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave the episode a rating of 8.5 out of 10. He said the episode built up on Bad News' momentum and had more roles in store for the rest of the main characters, but criticized Barney and Ted's efforts to lighten up Marshall as weak and worse during a funeral.
DeAnn Welker of Television Without Pity graded the episode at A.
Henry Hanks of CNN.com's Marquee Blog compared the episode's impact to that of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
The Mary Tyler Moore Show is an American television sitcom created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns that aired on CBS from 1970 to 1977...
episode "Chuckles Bites the Dust
Chuckles Bites the Dust
"Chuckles Bites the Dust" is an episode of the television situation comedy The Mary Tyler Moore Show which first aired October 25, 1975. The episode's plot centers on the fictictious WJM-TV staff's humorous reaction to the absurd death of Chuckles the Clown, an often-mentioned but seldom seen...
" and the first episode of NewsRadio
NewsRadio
NewsRadio is an American television situation comedy that aired on NBC from 1995 to 1999. The series was created by executive producer Paul Simms, and was filmed in front of a studio audience at CBS Studio Center and Sunset Gower Studios...
after Phil Hartman
Phil Hartman
Philip Edward "Phil" Hartman was a Canadian-American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and graphic artist. Born in Brantford, Ontario, Hartman and his family moved to the United States when he was 10...
's death in 1998.