Oh Honey
Encyclopedia
"Oh Honey" is the fifteenth episode of the sixth season of the CBS
sitcom How I Met Your Mother
and the 127th episode overall. It aired on February 7, 2011.
living with his mother for a while due to his father's recent death, he is forced to hear of the gang through phone calls, and is glad to hear of an interesting story developing between Ted
and Zoey. Robin
explains that it began when Zoey offered to hook up Ted with her cousin. Future Ted is unable to remember her name, and simply refers to her as "Honey", due to the fact she appears to be extremely gullible but cute; those listening often say "Oh, Honey" to her in a chiding manner. At McLaren's, Ted and Honey appear to be hitting it off, although Barney
is also clearly enamored with her. Ted decides to let Barney leave with Honey, later confessing to Robin that he's fallen in love with Zoey. Knowing that such love is forbidden, as Zoey is married, Ted holds an intervention for himself, with him initially deciding that he should stop being friends with Zoey. The others don't want to lose Zoey as a friend, and convince Ted to get over his feelings for her.
In the present, Marshall receives a call from Barney, who tells him that something strange had happened after hooking up with Honey. The following morning, Barney ran into Zoey and revealed that Ted had not hooked up with Honey after all; hearing this, Zoey hugged Barney. Marshall realizes that Zoey is in love with Ted as well, and calls Ted. Before he can tell him, though, Ted explains that he has his own story to tell. Earlier, Zoey had arrived at his apartment to hang out, and Ted finally told her that he couldn't hang out with her anymore, but could not say why. Lily
then calls Marshall, explaining that Ted had actually said that Lily hated her. Zoey rushed over to Lily to ask why; Lily initially tried to play along, but after hearing that Zoey was going through some tough times, lied and said that the reason for them being unable to hang out was because Robin hated her. Robin lied as well and said that Marshall hated her, much to the latter's annoyance, because Robin reasoned that Zoey would never call Marshall so soon after losing his father.
At this point, Honey calls Marshall, as Barney had left his cell phone in her room. Honey reveals that Barney had broken down in tears after she asked him about his dad (by saying "Who's your Daddy?"); Barney had tried to contact him but had not received a response yet. Remembering Lily's story of Zoey going through a tough time, Marshall pretends to be Zoey's therapist and Honey reveals that Zoey is divorcing her husband, The Captain, as well as getting her own apartment. As Marshall explains the situation to his mother and brother (who have both been eavesdropping on Marshall's phone conversations throughout the episode), Zoey confronts Ted, demanding to know the real reason that he doesn't want to be friends. Ted claims that he hates her and begins rambling off all the things he likes about her, though saying them in a way to make it seem like they annoy him. Marshall separately calls Zoey and Ted, informing them of their feelings for each other and also telling Ted about Zoey's divorce, and the two then embrace and kiss.
Television Without Pity's DeAnn Welker also gave the episode an A-
Eric Goldman of IGN
gave the episode a 7.5
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 127th episode overall. It aired on February 7, 2011.
Plot
With MarshallMarshall 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...
living with his mother for a while due to his father's recent death, he is forced to hear of the gang through phone calls, and is glad to hear of an interesting story developing between 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 Zoey. 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 :...
explains that it began when Zoey offered to hook up Ted with her cousin. Future Ted is unable to remember her name, and simply refers to her as "Honey", due to the fact she appears to be extremely gullible but cute; those listening often say "Oh, Honey" to her in a chiding manner. At McLaren's, Ted and Honey appear to be hitting it off, although 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...
is also clearly enamored with her. Ted decides to let Barney leave with Honey, later confessing to Robin that he's fallen in love with Zoey. Knowing that such love is forbidden, as Zoey is married, Ted holds an intervention for himself, with him initially deciding that he should stop being friends with Zoey. The others don't want to lose Zoey as a friend, and convince Ted to get over his feelings for her.
In the present, Marshall receives a call from Barney, who tells him that something strange had happened after hooking up with Honey. The following morning, Barney ran into Zoey and revealed that Ted had not hooked up with Honey after all; hearing this, Zoey hugged Barney. Marshall realizes that Zoey is in love with Ted as well, and calls Ted. Before he can tell him, though, Ted explains that he has his own story to tell. Earlier, Zoey had arrived at his apartment to hang out, and Ted finally told her that he couldn't hang out with her anymore, but could not say why. 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...
then calls Marshall, explaining that Ted had actually said that Lily hated her. Zoey rushed over to Lily to ask why; Lily initially tried to play along, but after hearing that Zoey was going through some tough times, lied and said that the reason for them being unable to hang out was because Robin hated her. Robin lied as well and said that Marshall hated her, much to the latter's annoyance, because Robin reasoned that Zoey would never call Marshall so soon after losing his father.
At this point, Honey calls Marshall, as Barney had left his cell phone in her room. Honey reveals that Barney had broken down in tears after she asked him about his dad (by saying "Who's your Daddy?"); Barney had tried to contact him but had not received a response yet. Remembering Lily's story of Zoey going through a tough time, Marshall pretends to be Zoey's therapist and Honey reveals that Zoey is divorcing her husband, The Captain, as well as getting her own apartment. As Marshall explains the situation to his mother and brother (who have both been eavesdropping on Marshall's phone conversations throughout the episode), Zoey confronts Ted, demanding to know the real reason that he doesn't want to be friends. Ted claims that he hates her and begins rambling off all the things he likes about her, though saying them in a way to make it seem like they annoy him. Marshall separately calls Zoey and Ted, informing them of their feelings for each other and also telling Ted about Zoey's divorce, and the two then embrace and kiss.
Continuity
- The title was first mentioned by Ted in season 5, "The Rough PatchThe Rough Patch"The Rough Patch" is the seventh episode of the fifth season of the CBS situation comedy How I Met Your Mother and 95th episode overall. It originally aired on November 9, 2009.- Plot :...
", when he and Marshall were talking to Crazy Meg and she thought Barney was going to propose to her. - Marshall was previously seen enjoying the board game ClueCluedoCluedo is a popular murder/mystery-themed deduction board game originally published by Waddingtons in Leeds, England in 1949. It was devised by Anthony E. Pratt, a solicitor's clerk from Birmingham, England. It is now published by the United States game and toy company Hasbro, which acquired its U.S...
in "The Sexless InnkeeperThe Sexless Innkeeper"The Sexless Innkeeper" is the fourth episode of the fifth season of the CBS situation comedy How I Met Your Mother and 92nd overall. It originally aired on October 12, 2009.- Plot :...
". - There is a poster above Marshall's childhood bed of the Loch Ness MonsterLoch Ness MonsterThe Loch Ness Monster is a cryptid that is reputed to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. It is similar to other supposed lake monsters in Scotland and elsewhere, though its description varies from one account to the next....
, further demonstrating his fascination with the legendary creature. - This episode resolves the Ted-Zoey relationship that was hinted at with a ticking clock in "The Mermaid TheoryThe Mermaid Theory"The Mermaid Theory" is the eleventh episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 123rd episode overall. It aired on December 6, 2010.-Plot:...
". - Barney's father issues are brought up again. He mentions his attempt at contact, began in "Last WordsLast Words (How I Met Your Mother)"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.-Plot:...
". - The "Who's your Daddy?" line from "Baby TalkBaby Talk (How I Met Your Mother)"Baby Talk" is the sixth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 118th episode overall. It aired on October 25, 2010.- Plot :Marshall and Lily visit Stuart and Claudia, who are having trouble naming their newborn baby...
" is used by Barney once more. - The episode flashes back to Ted and Zoey's first meeting in "Architect of DestructionArchitect of Destruction"Architect of Destruction" is the fifth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 117th episode overall. It originally aired on October 18, 2010.- Plot :...
", and their first Thanksgiving in "BlitzgivingBlitzgiving"Blitzgiving" is the tenth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 122nd episode overall. It aired on November 22, 2010.-Plot:...
". - Marshall's mother and brother, Marcus, appear in this episode.
- Ted takes out the "Intervention" banner, first seen in "InterventionIntervention (How I Met Your Mother)"Intervention" is the fourth episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 68th overall. It originally aired on October 13, 2008.-Plot:...
". - Lily rallies Marshall into hating Ted, similar to how she had the group dislike Kate HudsonKate HudsonKate Garry Hudson is an American actress. She came to prominence in 2001 after winning a Golden Globe and receiving several nominations, including a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in Almost Famous. She then starred in the hit film How to Lose a Guy in 10...
in "BlitzgivingBlitzgiving"Blitzgiving" is the tenth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 122nd episode overall. It aired on November 22, 2010.-Plot:...
". - Ted's neighbor, who appeared in "As Fast as She CanAs Fast As She Can"As Fast As She Can" is the 23rd episode of the fourth season of How I Met Your Mother and 87th overall. It originally aired on May 11, 2009.-Plot:...
", peeks in the hallway to see Ted and Zoey kissing. - Barney tells Honey that he plays for the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, which is what he told the waitress Robin helped him hook up with in "Do I Know You?Do I Know You?"Do I Know You?" is the first episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and sixty-fifth overall. It originally aired on September 22, 2008.- Plot :...
". - Robin claims to have thought the oven was in CelsiusCelsiusCelsius is a scale and unit of measurement for temperature. It is named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius , who developed a similar temperature scale two years before his death...
, continuing her use of Canadian units of measurements which had been seen in "Subway WarsSubway Wars"Subway Wars" is the fourth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 116th episode overall. It originally aired on October 11, 2010.- Plot :...
". - Zoey is protesting in front of Goliath National Bank to not close the Arcadian, first seen in "Architect of DestructionArchitect of Destruction"Architect of Destruction" is the fifth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 117th episode overall. It originally aired on October 18, 2010.- Plot :...
".
Barney's blog
Barney lists ten situations that he claims are signals that a woman is playing "hard-to-get".Cultural references
- Marshall uses ClueCluedoCluedo is a popular murder/mystery-themed deduction board game originally published by Waddingtons in Leeds, England in 1949. It was devised by Anthony E. Pratt, a solicitor's clerk from Birmingham, England. It is now published by the United States game and toy company Hasbro, which acquired its U.S...
cards to portray the four main characters of the episode (Ted as Professor Plum, Barney as The Reverend Green, Zoey as Mrs. White and Honey as Miss Scarlet), who appear throughout the episode clad in their counterparts' primary color. Marshall also calls The Captain Colonel Mustard; while The Captain does not appear in this episode, his next appearance in "Garbage Island" portrays him wearing a yellow top, furthering the comparison. - Honey was tricked into believing that she would appear on the series LostLost (TV series)Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
which had ended by the time the episode takes place. She says her audition was behind a KFCKFCKFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global...
. - Honey's claims about a so-called NigeriaNigeriaNigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n prince seeking her Social Security numberSocial Security numberIn the United States, a Social Security number is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents under section 205 of the Social Security Act, codified as . The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an independent...
is a reference to the Nigerian scam. - Judy Eriksen, Marshall's mother, mentions going to shop at Byerly'sByerly'sByerly's is an up-scale supermarket located in Minnesota around the Twin Cites area.The company was founded in 1968 by Don Byerly, who opened the first store in Golden Valley, Minnesota. Byerly's has since opened ten other stores in and around the metro area.Byerly's stores, which range in size...
, a popular MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
supermarket chain. Marcus asks her to buy more Bugles. - Marshall, in his rant to Robin, references the ingrained rivalry between MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
and WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
when he yells on the phone about proper manners and table etiquette. - Barney discusses disposable cell phones in the same manner as the Barksdale OrganizationBarksdale OrganizationIn the television series The Wire, the fictional Barksdale Organization led by Avon Barksdale began as the most powerful and violent drug crew in Baltimore, Maryland and was the main focus of investigation in seasons one and three...
in The WireThe WIREthe WIRE is the student-run College radio station at the University of Oklahoma, broadcasting in a freeform format. The WIRE serves the University of Oklahoma and surrounding communities, and is staffed by student DJs. The WIRE broadcasts at 1710 kHz AM in Norman, Oklahoma...
Critical response
Donna Bowman of The AV Club put the episode at A-, saying the story of Zoey and Ted's first kiss and the multiple phone conversations were gimmicks to keep the audience hooked. She also noted the various practical jokes that are common to people in the Midwest region.Television Without Pity's DeAnn Welker also gave the episode an A-
Eric Goldman 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 7.5