Season 1 |
Season 2 |
Episode Guide
Episode 1 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 2 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 3 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 4 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 5 -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 6 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 7 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 8 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 9 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 10 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 11 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 12 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 13 -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 14 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 15 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 16 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 17 -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 18 -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 19 -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 20 -| Review Score – 4/5
Season 2 of How I Met Your Father feels more like a sitcom in its own right rather than a spin-off running on nostalgia for How I Met Your Mother, which is what a lot of Season 1 felt like. In contrast, the writing and characters of this season are more sure of themselves.
Season 2 continues the story of Sophie Tompkins and her friends as they navigate love and life in the bustling city of New York. With the success of the first instalment, the decision to extend the season 2 episode count is undoubtedly a good choice. The showrunners make the most of these additional episodes, delivering a delightful mix of funny escapades and heart-wrenching moments, iconic cameos and earnest friendships.
The series’ writing is exceptional. While the first few episodes start off a bit shaky, the writing swiftly finds its footing and quickly improves in quality. It seamlessly ties small incidents with larger storylines, creating a smooth narrative flow. Light-hearted moments are balanced with deeper, darker themes without ever feeling jarring. The crisp dialogue and concise, to-the-point scripts maintain a good pace throughout.
In fact, it’s a bit of a letdown that How I Met Your Father feels the need for a cameo by Barney Stinson as bait to keep viewers watching the initial episodes. In my opinion, it might have done better without the whole thing. The ongoing mystery of the father is enough to keep momentum going and the suspense is maintained well.
Without delving too deep, the gang’s various escapades touch upon a few themes like the excessive use of social media and the idea of success having a timeline. A lot of the behaviour exhibited by the male characters of the groups also expresses a nice take on masculinity, highlighting that men can be masculine while maintaining close friendships and feeling strong emotions.
The humour in season 2 is on point, cleverly crafted without being degrading. At the same time, it might not be everybody’s cup of tea. Overall, How I Met Your Father strikes a delightful balance between charm, wholesomeness, and humour. While not every segment of the sitcom may land as intended, the heart and clear intent of the series compensates for any occasional lulls.
Ultimately, the essence of the show lies in its characters. How I Met Your Father thrives on its well-developed, three-dimensional characters, which serve as the driving force of the story. So, on occasion, when the plot feels a bit weak or the story isn’t captivating, it’s the charm of Sophie and her friends that keep you glued to the screen.
And the talented cast really delivers. Hilary Duff shines as the sweet and chaotic yet highly relatable Sophie, while Christopher Lowell infuses Jesse with endearing dorkiness. Suraj Sharma’s portrayal of Sid is immensely likeable and Francia Raisa is a delight as Val. Tom Ainsley gives Charlie a unique charm and Tien Tran’s energy as Ellen is infectious. The entire ensemble has truly done a great job bringing their characters to life with authenticity.
This time, the show even explores new dynamics between characters who hadn’t previously spent much time alone together, such as Sophie and Ellen or Jesse and Charlie, adding a fresh dynamic to the story. Although, while most of the characters from the group receive their due spotlight and are fully fleshed out, the season does have a minor flaw in the limited focus on Ellen.
Ellen’s character seems to receive less attention, and a significant relationship development in her life occurs too swiftly without the same depth given to other characters. Nonetheless, this is one of the very few drawbacks of an otherwise exceptional season.
All in all, How I Met Your Father Season 2 is a delightful continuation of the series. The great writing, charming humour, and talented performances make it a joy to watch. Despite a few shortcomings, the show remains a character-driven gem that makes its viewers eager for more.
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Verdict - 8.5/10
8.5/10