Sigh, and I had so much faith ...

[arabian]

Warning: This is not a Carter Bays-Craig Thomas friendly post. Ie, I am NOT happy with how the Robin/Barney relationship has played out ... AT ALL.

Comments

[hyacinthian]

While I feel like you make some super valid points that I am inclined to agree with, my reading of the situation gives them a little more credit (bays/thomas, i mean). I think that part of the perceived OOC-ness is just in the idea of Barney and Robin having a relationship (period). They both don't think they're the relationship kind, they've both had issues with commitment, and to be in something committed with someone they know also has the same issues, I feel like neither of them really know where to tread or how to tread. They're both out of their element. Part of the OOC-ness, I think, can then be explained by the fact that maybe they both are trying to be something they're not or trying to fit Lily/Ted/Marshall's definition of a relationship because that's really all they've been inundated with. Ted being super declarations-of-love guy and Lily/Marshall pretty much being the perfect couple period. And aside from Shannon, I don't think Barney or Robin are as well-equipped to handle a relationship where they both feel like they

[havemy_heart]

I agree. Except for Robin's relationship with Ted, which he was definitely more invested in than she was, neither of them has ever been in a real relationship. They know they're crazy about each other, but don't know where to go from there. They just need to find their footing.

[danceinacircle]

Agreed. I think they'll get there eventually, but it's going to be awkward and strange at first.

(PS: I haven't really been thrilled with this season either, but I think for different reasons.)

[brandyleigh]

I definitely agree with a lot of what you've written here, as I saw their relationship going much differently than the way they've portrayed it thus far, but I'm going to give them to the end of the season to see how things play out. Here's why - what I think they're doing is showing Barney and Robin trying (and failing) to fit into the mold of a traditional couple. They've got all these expectations of what a relationship should be like and they're relying on their friends for relationship advice. Ted, Marshall and Lily, while well-intentioned, are completely different people who want/need completely different kinds of relationships than the one I would expect Barney and Robin to have

[arabian]

If this is what happens, then I'll feel better about them, but nothing will take away how messed up the lack of anything real from Robin last season. Still, it would be something.

Thanks for this take.

[artic_fox]

Very much agree. You always manage to put things more eloquently than me. While I'm new to the fandom and still basking in the 'glow' of discovery, I can certainly agree with the flaws you have raised. I have a feeling that Barney/Robin are only going to do downhill from here and by the writers choice as well.

[eolivet]

I was trying to think about this, and I think you really covered most of it. My problem is the only time we've really seen Barney/Robin work as a couple this season is sexually. Everything else is just wrong, wrong, wrong (the strip club, the horrific couple date, the "how to be a good boyfriend" class) This season, the show has chosen to portray Barney/Robin as a "bad" couple, who only seem to be "happy" when they are portrayed as just friends who have sex.

(OMG...did Carter & Bays turn Barney/Robin into Leonard/Penny?! :/ )

[arabian]

OMG...did Carter & Bays turn Barney/Robin into Leonard/Penny?! :/

Impossible. Neil Patrick Harris and Colbie Smulders have smoking hot chemistry. Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki do not. Therein lies the difference. We WANT Barney and Robin to work; we want Leonard and Penny to just. go. away. NOW!