Episode 3.7 - Dowisetrepla

Good fiction is made up of bad decisions.

That’s it. That’s the principle this week.

This episode showcases this, hanging a lantern on it over and over again. Throughout the episode, there are several points where the characters will say something responsible or mature and Future Ted will break in with, “... is what we should have said”. Then the scene will rewind slightly, and everyone will now say something irresponsible or immature, pushing the story forward.

The bulk of the story hangs on Lily and Marshall wanting to move out of Ted’s apartment. They are planning to rent, but Marshall gets it in his idea that he wants to buy.

Bad Decision #1: They aren’t financially stable, they shouldn’t be buying real estate in the most volatile real estate market in the country. (also, they couldn’t have known this, but they were heading into the worst recession, driven by falling real estate prices, and would be underwater on their apartment within a few months)

Bad Decision #2: Lily is hiding her debt from Marshall

When they go to see the apartment, the realtor is doing her job. She makes them feel insecure about being Real New Yorkers so they won’t question the shady neighborhood, she tells them other couples are interested.

Bad Decision #3: Marshall falls for every trick in her book, Lily doesn’t talk him out of it

Bad Decision #4: They order a huge bottle of warm champagne and accidentally pop Wendy the Waitress in the eye with the cork

Bad Decision #5: When they go to apply for a loan, Lily still keeps her debt a secret from Marshall until she’s forced to say it out loud

The rest of the gang tries to figure out what Marshall and Lily are fighting about while Lily suggests they get a divorce on paper so that Marshall can qualify for a loan without her bad credit dragging him down.

Bad Decision #6: They end up buying the place anyway, with a horrible interest rate

Bad Decision #7: They did absolutely no research on their new neighborhood

This string of bad decisions will catch up with Marshall and Lily for a while, but nobody really wants to watch a tv show about a couple in their 20s making really sound financial decisions. That’s a lot of boring conflict: should I buy new shoes or keep wearing the ones that are fine, if a little out of fashion? Should I negotiate my rent or shop around? I guess I’ll stay home and not go out for the next… year, since going out is expensive.

Good fiction is made up of bad decisions. Harry Potter would be very boring indeed if the 11-year-olds just did their homework and left the murdering and mystery solving to the adults. Titanic wouldn’t have been nearly as compelling if Rose had simply bit her tongue and then dumped her fiance once they got to America. Star Wars wouldn’t have happened at all if Anakin had made one good decision in his life, ever.