How I Met Your Mother is not your typical sitcom. In complexity of plot & production, cleverness of writing, and themes, it’s a lot like Coupling (one of my very favourite sitcoms ever), except maybe not quite as ambitious or clever. That’s not to say that HIMYM isn’t a good show. It’s actually very good. The pilot episode does a fantastic job of establishing the characters and their environment, leads you along nicely, and then does a 180 on you at the end. Just a beautiful inversion of the “Sam and Diane” cliche. The rest of the episodes pick up the ball and just run with it, growing in cleverness and complexity as the season goes on. The plot twists and turns on you, dropping hints and leading you down garden paths; the rug is pulled out from under the audience a number of times. There are lots of surprises and shocks about who the titular mother may or may not be, and the writers keep you guessing but don’t come off as overly tricky. The actors are teriffic, particularly Neil Patrick Harris as Barney (the breakout character of 2005). This show is definitely recommended if you like a little more heart – and brains – in your situation comedies.

This show is so good! Someone described this show as being like the new Friends. But it is totally not! It is way better! It’s got better writing, characters and BARNEY! I cannot wait for the 2nd season to be released on DVD.