'How I Met Your Mother' Season 9, Episode 10: 'Mom and Dad' Recap
by EG
This week's episode of "How I Met Your Mother" was mostly filler, a collection of subplots that didn't do much to advance the storyline toward Barney and Robin's wedding or Ted's meeting with the mother-to-be. The episode did, however, feature a musical number, a bright spot for fans who are growing weary of the season's slow pace to this point.
In the episode's main plot, Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) and James (Wayne Brady) plot and compete to rekindle the romance between their mother and their respective fathers, Jerome Whittaker and Sam Gibbs (John Lithgow and Ben Vereen). Jerome and his wife are guests at the wedding, and Sam has volunteered to officiate after the death of the planned officiant.
A subplot involves Ted's (Josh Radnor) quest to find out who destroyed an autographed photo of Wayne Gretzy that Barney intends as a wedding gift for Robin (Cobie Smulders). The nefarious William Zabka plays himself in this episode, and he is a prime suspect in the photo's destruction.
Elsewhere, Marshall's cross-country journey to Farhampton has reached New York, a welcome signal that the unpopular story arc is nearing its end and Marshall (Jason Segel) will soon be reunited with the rest of the gang.
Cristin Milioti's character is once again a no-show in this episode.