Architect of Destruction
Encyclopedia
"Architect of Destruction" is the fifth episode of the sixth season of the CBS
sitcom How I Met Your Mother
, and the 117th episode overall. It originally aired on October 18, 2010.
is excited that he and Ted
get to work together since Ted is designing the new GNB building. However, when Barney reveals the site for the future building is to be situated on the current location of "The Arcadian," a hotel that Ted describes as an architectural landmark, Ted refuses to go through with it. Barney is suspicious as to why Ted is so against the old building's demolition, and eventually has Ted reveal that he met a girl, Zoey van Smoot. Zoey was as adamant as Ted about preserving the building, and had even organized a public protest of keeping it from getting demolished. Ted admits joining the protesters, leaving Barney stunned. Barney realizes Ted must not have told Zoey he was the architect of the new GNB building, and Ted admits he had told her he was a veterinarian
. Ted assures Barney he isn't against the plan because of Zoey, but Barney remains unconvinced, pointing out Ted had done crazy things before because of a girl. Later, Zoey reveals she had been arrested several times due to previous protests, and Ted, realizing how passionate she is, decides to join her in a picketing. Barney retaliates by having a billboard lowered in front of the building revealing Ted to be the architect of the new GNB building. Ted confronts Barney, who had hoped that Ted would agree to design the building after ruining his chances with Zoey.
Barney tells Ted he can design the building however he likes, and at this, Ted agrees to design the building. Ted incorporates the Arcadian's facade
into the new building's design, thus preventing its demolition, and eagerly shows it to Zoey. Zoey is thrilled, but then Ted notices a ring on Zoey's finger, and Zoey confirms she is married. Ted then realizes he had been doing this because of Zoey, at which he promptly throws his design away and leaves. Later, Zoey has her group throw eggs at Ted's apartment window.
Meanwhile, Marshall
and Lily
continue to try to conceive a baby. Robin
and Max have hooked up, and Marshall is happy for his former law school friend. However, after Lily tells Marshall that Max has a small penis, Marshall is flustered and is constantly thinking about it. While Marshall and Lily have dinner with Robin and Max, Marshall constantly makes references to it by mentioning sizes and trying to imply he still thinks Max is great. This makes it awkward for Robin and Lily, though Max doesn't seem to notice. When Max leaves momentarily, Marshall reprimands Robin and Lily for telling him about Max, and is then shocked to learn that Lily tells Robin about her sex life, too. Robin argues that Marshall probably does the same with other guys with "locker room" talk, though Marshall claims this never happens. Later, while having sex with Lily, Marshall is haunted by the thought of Lily telling Robin about it later, and Marshall ultimately storms out of the room. Marshall has Lily call Robin later, telling her the sex was amazing in a scripted speech, though Robin recognizes what Marshall is doing.
In the end, as Marshall, Ted, Barney, and Max gather in a locker room, Max states he's thinking of breaking up with Robin due to her odd behavior in the bedroom. Ted and Barney know what he's talking about, though when Marshall tries to ask about it, Max just scoffs and says "Locker room," and Max, Barney, and Ted leave.
gave the episode a C+ rating and wonders if there is a connection between the themes of a big building and a small penis.
Robert Canning of IGN
gave the episode a score of 8 out of 10.
DeAnn Welker of Television Without Pity gave the episode an A- score.
Chris O'Hara of TVFanatic.com gave the episode a rating of 4 out of 5.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
sitcom How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 19, 2005, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays.As a framing device, the main character, Ted Mosby with narration by Bob Saget, in the year 2030 recounts to his son and daughter the events that led to his meeting...
, and the 117th episode overall. It originally aired on October 18, 2010.
Plot
BarneyBarney Stinson
Barnabas "Barney" Stinson is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris. The character has been extremely well received by critics and has been credited for much of the show's success...
is excited that he and Ted
Ted Mosby
Theodore Evelyn "Ted" Mosby is the titular fictional character of the U.S. television sitcom How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Josh Radnor...
get to work together since Ted is designing the new GNB building. However, when Barney reveals the site for the future building is to be situated on the current location of "The Arcadian," a hotel that Ted describes as an architectural landmark, Ted refuses to go through with it. Barney is suspicious as to why Ted is so against the old building's demolition, and eventually has Ted reveal that he met a girl, Zoey van Smoot. Zoey was as adamant as Ted about preserving the building, and had even organized a public protest of keeping it from getting demolished. Ted admits joining the protesters, leaving Barney stunned. Barney realizes Ted must not have told Zoey he was the architect of the new GNB building, and Ted admits he had told her he was a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
. Ted assures Barney he isn't against the plan because of Zoey, but Barney remains unconvinced, pointing out Ted had done crazy things before because of a girl. Later, Zoey reveals she had been arrested several times due to previous protests, and Ted, realizing how passionate she is, decides to join her in a picketing. Barney retaliates by having a billboard lowered in front of the building revealing Ted to be the architect of the new GNB building. Ted confronts Barney, who had hoped that Ted would agree to design the building after ruining his chances with Zoey.
Barney tells Ted he can design the building however he likes, and at this, Ted agrees to design the building. Ted incorporates the Arcadian's facade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
into the new building's design, thus preventing its demolition, and eagerly shows it to Zoey. Zoey is thrilled, but then Ted notices a ring on Zoey's finger, and Zoey confirms she is married. Ted then realizes he had been doing this because of Zoey, at which he promptly throws his design away and leaves. Later, Zoey has her group throw eggs at Ted's apartment window.
Meanwhile, Marshall
Marshall Eriksen
Marshall Eriksen is a fictional character in the American sitcom How I Met Your Mother, created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas and portrayed by Jason Segel.-Character profile:Marshall is an easy-going, naive optimist from St. Cloud, Minnesota...
and Lily
Lily Aldrin
Lillian "Lily" Aldrin is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by American actress Alyson Hannigan. She is the wife of Marshall Eriksen and the best friend of Robin Scherbatsky...
continue to try to conceive a baby. Robin
Robin Scherbatsky
Robin Charles Scherbatsky, Jr. is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Canadian actress Cobie Smulders.- Early life :...
and Max have hooked up, and Marshall is happy for his former law school friend. However, after Lily tells Marshall that Max has a small penis, Marshall is flustered and is constantly thinking about it. While Marshall and Lily have dinner with Robin and Max, Marshall constantly makes references to it by mentioning sizes and trying to imply he still thinks Max is great. This makes it awkward for Robin and Lily, though Max doesn't seem to notice. When Max leaves momentarily, Marshall reprimands Robin and Lily for telling him about Max, and is then shocked to learn that Lily tells Robin about her sex life, too. Robin argues that Marshall probably does the same with other guys with "locker room" talk, though Marshall claims this never happens. Later, while having sex with Lily, Marshall is haunted by the thought of Lily telling Robin about it later, and Marshall ultimately storms out of the room. Marshall has Lily call Robin later, telling her the sex was amazing in a scripted speech, though Robin recognizes what Marshall is doing.
In the end, as Marshall, Ted, Barney, and Max gather in a locker room, Max states he's thinking of breaking up with Robin due to her odd behavior in the bedroom. Ted and Barney know what he's talking about, though when Marshall tries to ask about it, Max just scoffs and says "Locker room," and Max, Barney, and Ted leave.
Continuity
- Robin is dating Max whom she met in the previous episode "Subway WarsSubway Wars"Subway Wars" is the fourth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 116th episode overall. It originally aired on October 11, 2010.- Plot :...
". - Barney has previously used the swivel chair in Ted's apartment for the same intended effect in the episode "Little MinnesotaLittle Minnesota"Little Minnesota" is the 11th episode in the fourth season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 75th overall. It originally aired on December 15, 2008.- Plot :...
". - This episode continues the story arc of Ted's acceptance to redesign the GNB headquarters in "UnfinishedUnfinished (How I Met Your Mother)"Unfinished" is the third episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 115th episode overall. It aired on October 4, 2010.- Plot :...
". - In a flashback with Ted in costumes, Barney could be seen attempting to perform a card trick. Barney has been known to perform magic tricks from time to time.
- Barney says that GNB has put snakes inside the Arcadian to drive out the residents. GNB has been shown to be notorious for committing various acts of "sabotage". According to Bilson, GNB had bribed a guerrilla group which led to the overthrowing of a royal family in Rangoon in "Woooo!", and Marshall mentions having read a file that detailed the poisoning of Portugal's water supply in "The Goat".
- Lily exclaims, "Damn baby, be cool!" during the double date. Lily and Robin had a similar exchange in "Robin 101Robin 101"Robin 101" is the third episode of season 5 of the How I Met Your Mother TV series and 91st overall. It originally aired on October 5, 2009.- Plot :...
". - Barney and Ted show knowledge of one of the acts that Robin does in bed that turns off Max, as both of them had previously dated Robin on different occasions.
- Ted mentions The Arcadian while talking about New York's architecture while riding a bus in the previous episode "Subway WarsSubway Wars"Subway Wars" is the fourth episode of the sixth season of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, and the 116th episode overall. It originally aired on October 11, 2010.- Plot :...
".
Cultural References
- When Ted walks into his apartment, Barney turns around in the swivel chair, stroking a rabbit. This is a reference to the James BondJames BondJames Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
villain Blofeld who iconically stroked a white cat in a lush swivel chair. - The Guns N' RosesGuns N' RosesGuns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
album Appetite for DestructionAppetite for DestructionAppetite for Destruction is the debut studio album by American rock band Guns N' Roses, released in July 1987 on Geffen Records. It was well-received by critics and topped the American Billboard 200 chart...
is mentioned. Ted and Zoey also mention the band's 2008 album Chinese DemocracyChinese DemocracyChinese Democracy is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, released in November 2008 on Geffen Records. It is the band's first studio album since "The Spaghetti Incident?" , released exactly 15 years before Chinese Democracy, and their first album of original studio...
. Zoey was arrested after one of the band's concerts in 2009. - Barney claims that the Star WarsStar WarsStar Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
prequel trilogy is better than the original films, which had "barely mentioned the intricacies of intergalactic trade law", referencing the trilogy's use of the Trade FederationTrade FederationThe Trade Federation is a fictional organization in the Star Wars universe at the time of the Galactic Republic. It appears in the franchise's three prequel movies and the Star Wars Expanded Universe...
as a plot device. - Ted uses the line "I'm BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
!". - In a flashback, Ted is seen dressed as a UnionUnion (American Civil War)During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
soldier. He also mentions that they are going to GettysburgBattle of GettysburgThe Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
. - Ted mentions that Lily and Marshall are fans of the Indigo GirlsIndigo GirlsThe Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
. - Robin says that the penis of one of the group's men looks like Winston ChurchillWinston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
. - In Marshall's mind, Robin mentions his style of love-making is like the character Lennie from Of Mice and MenOf Mice and MenOf Mice and Men is a novella written by Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck. Published in 1937, it tells the tragic story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant ranch workers during the Great Depression in California, USA....
. - Also in Marshall's mind, Robin and Lily discuss love-making as they are drinking cosmopolitansCosmopolitan (cocktail)A cosmopolitan is a cocktail made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice or sweetened lime juice. Informally, it is referred to as a Cosmo.-History:...
, mimicking the television series Sex and the CitySex and the CitySex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
. - One of the signs in the rally reads, "Gotham's Newest Bully", a reference to the fact that one nickname for New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
is "Gotham". - Another sign reads "Goliath! David's coming to get you!" is a reference on the Biblical tale of David and Goliath.
Critical response
Donna Bowman of The A.V. ClubThe A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
gave the episode a C+ rating and wonders if there is a connection between the themes of a big building and a small penis.
Robert Canning of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave the episode a score of 8 out of 10.
DeAnn Welker of Television Without Pity gave the episode an A- score.
Chris O'Hara of TVFanatic.com gave the episode a rating of 4 out of 5.