Links I Love (aka how to waste even more time on the internet as if you didn't know how to already)

How I Met Your Modern Sitcom: Rethinking Love & Relationships | The Artifice

This person GETS it. Thank you, wise author for not being the only person on Earth who realizes that HIMYM is a work of ART.

And thank you, HIMYM for reminding us that TV can be good.

You just need to read the first two paragraphs to understand why himym is a television masterpiece. People might laugh all they want at that notion because of the humble genre of himym, but they are wrong. On the surface, himym is disguised as your everyday, fluffy, cheesy, low-budget sitcom. But underneath, it's a cunning, introspective yet subtle and non-judgemental commentary on human society and life itself. Their use of not only symbols, but basic COLORS is revolutionary.

And that makes himym even better. That it can serve both functions as entertainment to unwind and deep thematic intellect only further proves that himym is truly superior to all the TV shows in the world.

In other words, it's legen-wait for it-dary!

“Situation comedy has never been considered at the forefront of cutting edge art. In the pantheon of narrative literature, there is no special place for Two and A Half Men. Rather, when people think of sitcoms, they think of their stupidity and simplicity—stereotypical archetypes and the romanticizing of mundane problems tied to home and work. The sitcom may not be a trailblazer, but it is a barometer for the culture of its particular time and place. Sitcoms are overwhelmingly about office politics and romantic relationships, because that’s what most people deal with everyday. In this way, it is a democratic and generous form.

Despite its low aspirations, the sitcom can have a lot to say about the world and examine ideas that are quite meaningful. Now, it’s true, that doesn’t often happen, but it’s still possible. Of the few series that have managed such an enormous feat, How I Met Your Mother is an amazing example of artistic daring and humanity, while quietly filling the 8 pm time slot for CBS. Despite a four-camera aesthetic ripped off from the Cheers template, HIMYM has given an educated commentary in regards to sitcom aesthetics and societal norms. Its concerns are surprisingly broad, ranging from the formal use of character archetypes and sitcom tropes down to generalized perceptions on traditional relationships, both romantic and platonic. Through all this is an agile self-awareness of how ably the sitcom can traffic in real feeling and philosophical reflection.”

I'm glad I'm not the only one who recognizes the legendary genius of this amazing show. It's not called an obsession. And I sure hope people wouldn't be putting it so low as to call it a fandom. It's called noticing a quality tv show when I see one.

Need more proof that HIMYM is literally pure genius? Check out this color theory: The Yellow Umbrella and the Blue French Horn. This guy's answer is more eloquent than I could ever put it.

“There are three primary colors (blue, yellow, and red), and How I Met Your Mother contains a symbol for each: the blue French horn, the yellow umbrella, and the red boots. Alone, each of these symbols doesn't mean much, but there's a lot of meaning in their contrast.

The blue French horn represents Ted actively pursuing and doing anything for love. He seeks out Robin throughout the entire series, just as he repeatedly goes out of his way to get the blue French horn. He didn't stumble upon the blue French horn; he went after it. The horn also represents permanence—Ted ultimately gets it back at the end of the series despite having lost it earlier. He can always go back to the horn, as he can always go back to Robin.

The yellow umbrella represents love coming from unexpected places and times, or fate. The umbrella came into Ted's life without him really needing to do anything, just as Tracy did. This is a stark contrast to the blue French horn: Ted needed to perform a rain dance to be with Robin, but with Tracy, it was already raining (hence the umbrella). Finally, just as Ted lost Tracy, we similarly see the umbrella blowing away, implying that it symbolizes loss and moving on, the opposite of permanence.

The red boots represent everything in between. The remainder of Ted's relationships consist of him refusing to acknowledge that they won't work out, just as he refuses to acknowledge that he is not “pulling them off” when he wears the red boots.

Together, the blue French horn and the yellow umbrella represent Ted's two very different love stories: one that is driven by him, and one that is driven by fate.”

Also check out this theory:

Mind BLOWN.

This image alone justifies the finale. As it’s been said, a picture's worth a thousand words.

And this points to the genius that is HIMYM that I wanted to talk about but never got around to eloquently pointing out each and every thought and detail that I have about HIMYM's genius so I'll just leave it here.

Have a legendary day,

The Blogger

#himym