Season 1, Episode 17: Life Among the Gorillas

“No, when Dr. Australia Birdbath-Vaseline came home from the gorillas, she didn’t run around picking nits out of people’s hair and throwing feces!”

Ted deals with his long-distance relationship with Victoria, while Marshall struggles at his new job.

Marshall, Lily, & Barney- His first day working for the same company as Barney, Marshall discovers he’s not fitting in.  Barney tells him that Lily is going to be much happier in the future if they have money.  Marshall is still being picked-on, so Barney advises him to conform.  lily is appalled, but Mary says it’s just like an anthropological study.  He’s merely appearing to conform.  Barney teaches him what to do and he starts to fit in.  A little too well.  It’s driving Lily crazy, so in an effort to show her how not lame the guys are Marshall invites her out with them that night to karaoke.  Unfortunately, they really are lame, but they tell Marshall they’re getting him a permanent position in the office and he agrees to take it.  Lily is mad and tells Marshall he’s great without the money.  Marshall apologizes by arranging to sing “their song” with Lily.

Ted & Robin- Feeling guilty because Victoria keeps sending him care packages, Ted leaves a message for Victoria saying that he’s sent her a package.  He hasn’t.  Robin helps him put together a great package which Victoria loves.  Unfortunately, Ted isn’t getting any better at the long-distance thing and tells Robin how he fell asleep on the phone to Victoria the night before.  Ted decides to fly to Germany to like Victoria is going to break-up with him.  Robin tries to convince him he’s Victoria over-reacting, but nothing can change Ted’s mind.  After sitting at home waiting for Victoria to call, he finally heads out to the karaoke bar.  He heads home at 2 AM and the phone rings.  But it’s not Victoria.  It’s Robin, and she asks him to come over.  Dum dum dum.

The Mother- Poor Victoria.  Ted’s already broken up with her and she hasn’t even called yet.  Did I call it or what?  This is going to end spectacularly badly.