How I Met Your Mother bounced back from a weak string of episodes last week and was able to keep the streak of solid episodes alive with tonight’s episode, Twelve Horny Women.
First of all, Twelve Horny Women is an outstanding title. Obviously the plot of this episode was nothing like the plot of the classic film that the title pays homage to, but I had a good laugh at the title even before seeing the episode.
Last week this trial was teased, saying it was the biggest one of Marshall’s career and we would get to the story later. Rather than following the typical How I Met Your Mother conventions and waiting a few episodes to touch on a story that was previously brought up, we only had to wait a mere week to find out just how this trial was so significant in Marshall’s life.
Tonight’s episode was as punny as they come (if the show can go there, so can I). The little lame quips from Marshall are part of why he’s such an enjoyable character. Whether he’s making jokes about fish or on a string of topical puns such as tonight, his lines can be hilarious.
The episode begins with Marshall speaking to a panel of judges telling them about his day in court against Gruber Pharmaceuticals. How I Met Your Mother is one giant frame story, but the multiple stories within the story provide for a dynamic and unique way to attack an episode. Marshall telling his story to the judges made for a very interesting perspective on things.
He starts with a series of hilarious puns, including “Those robes do you justice” and “You’re all guilty! Of looking sharp…” I won’t keep dwelling on his jokes, but Marshall is easily the funniest character on the show.
In his story, we see him tell Brad how upset he is that Brad screwed him over. After all, they were “Brunch Bros.” Brad replies that after his girlfriend left him he realized that being nice was overrated, so he started suiting up and being a jerk, very similar to another character.
When the trial begins, Marshall thinks he has it locked up. Brad hardly has a case, and he sounds much less intelligent than Marshall does. But then, before Brad even dives into his argument, he drops his pen, bending over and taking far more time than was needed to retrieve a writing utensil, much to the pleasure of the all-female jury, and the sexually confused judge.
From this point on Brad goes through a series of acts that manipulate and win over the jury, making hints about his performance in the bedroom and bringing in a completely bogus witness.
Marshall counters Brad’s quack of a witness by bringing in a baby duckling who was harmed by the chemicals put in the lake. It looks as if Marshall may have pulled ahead when Brad brings out a video of him enjoying a great day at the lake, complete with “Frog” and “Lake” inked on his bulging biceps. By the way ladies, he edited it himself.
The next day Marshall thinks all hope is lost, but at the last minute he notices Brad scratching. He realizes if he’s to win, he must do something rash. Marshall calls Brad to the stand and insists Brad take off his shirt. Brad resists but the judge and the jury insist. As he unbuttons his shirt, a horrible rash is seen by all. That’s right, Brad’s swim in the lake gave him the very same Acute Dermatitis that he insisted wasn’t present.
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