TV Series: How I Met Your Mother

A couple days ago I watched the grand finale of the very popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother. It's hard to believe that after 9 seasons and 208 episodes this hilarious series has come to an end. The show premiered in 2005, however I did not start following it until 2010 when Philip and Shawnna lent me the first 4 seasons on DVD. Afterwards I followed each season on Neftlix. 

I enjoyed the show almost immediately, and could relate to the setting, a close group of friends in their mid-to-late 20s living in the city. It was very similar to Friends, (a show that I never got into) about a group of young professionals living out various comedic situations in New York City. This show was particularly clever because it was the telling of a romantic story as the title suggests. It was created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays and was loosely based off of many of their friendship in New York City. 

The Characters

Ted Mosby: The main character of the show is Ted Mosby (played by Josh Radnor) and narrated by his older self (Bob Saget). Ted is essentially telling his two teenage children the story of how he met their mother, beginning with his professional life in New York City after college. He works as an architect and has a very close group of friends who meet at a bar almost regularly. The comedic quality to Ted is that he is a hopeless romantic, always looking for the perfect one. 

Barney Stinson: The breakout character of the show is no doubt Barney Stinson (played by Neil Patrick Harris). Barney is the ultimate player of New York City, who prides himself in his classy style of picking up women. As sleazy as his character is, he also has a genuine side and always puts the interests of his best friends first. 

Marshall Eriksen: Ted's oldest friend from his childhood days and college roommate is Marshall Eriksen (played by Jason Segel). Marshall is constantly attached to his significant other, Lilly, yet he is also Ted's dearest friend. He works as a lawyer in the city.

Lily Aldrin: Marshall's girlfriend since college and another good friend to Ted is the character of Lily Aldrin (played by Alyson Hannigan). She is a spunky kindergarten teacher, truly in love with Marshall and always opinionated on the groups' decisions. Although Ted is the core of the group, Lily is the mediator, always resolving conflicts. 

Robin Scherbtasky: Ted's ex-girlfriend and constant love interest is Robin Scherbtasky (played by Cobie Smulders). She was the last addition to the group, having moved from Canada to pursue a job in TV news reporting. She also has a relationship with Barney towards the end of the season, yet ultimately ends up with Ted in the end.   

The Finale

To be honest I was slightly disappointed with the ending which I'll get into in a bit, yet that being said it doesn't take away from the brilliance that was this sitcom. The writing was unlike anything I'd witnessed before, constant overlapping and time-spanning, especially in the final season. Each episode was cleverly done, with numerous stories and situations intersecting with the other. There were moments of drama, moments of shock, and nonstop moments of entertaining laughs.

After 8 seasons of back story, the producers decided to make the final season revolving around one event, Barney and Robins marriage. After all this was the big event in which Ted met "the one". I think this was a very smart choice and the perfect way to bring everyone together and close the many knots that needed tying. The final season succeeded in staying true to it's comedic overlapping style while closing out each main character and minor character. 

The final season cleverly introduced Ted's future wife, Cristin Miioti (played by Tracy McConnell) at the end of eighth season. All throughout the 9th season she was bumping into characters at the wedding, and the viewer got to know who this special somebody was. Her and Ted were of course a perfect match, and their final meeting was true to all the clues and details Ted told his children about in the prior 8 seasons. However what seemed to be a happily-ever-after story did not end that way, and rather there was quite an unconventional ending.  

In the final one hour episode we were bombarded with emotional closure. Marhsall became a judge and later a Supreme Court Justice and he and Lily had a third child. This resolution was an easy one, since Marshall and Lily were always by each other's sides. However the other three characters of Ted, Barney, and Robin were a little less conventional. Following the wedding, the story begins to fast forward to numerous events in each character's life. 

The first major twist is that Barney and Robin do not end together, yet rather get a divorce after 3 years. I suppose it could have been assumed when considering Robin and Barney's independent characters, yet still is an unhappy resolution. To make matters worse for Robin, Barney gets a child of his own, which although is from a one night stand, it still gives Barney something to aspire to. Robin on the other hand must resort to the path of her profession, of which she successfully travels the world climbing the TV news ladder, however is ultimately alone with nothing to show. 

The second major twist comes in Ted and Cristin's marriage as we see a fast-forwarding of their life together It appears they are bound to live happily ever after as we see mentions of their first date and numerous romantic encounters. They don't have their wedding until after their two children are born. Of which the entire group is reunited for the first time in several years. However it appears clear that Robin is unhappy with her situation and thus leads to perhaps the biggest shocker in the entire show; the death of Ted's wife. Which obviously leads the way to him being with Robin forever after.

Of course this was always the expected conclusion, yet how the writers went about it was perhaps a bit rushed and careless It seemed as if we had just met this special somebody whom Ted was dearly in love with, and who mothered his two children. To kill her off so quickly only to pave the way for him and Robin being together seemed a bit harsh. This ending left a bad taste with many viewers. My argument is that if the writers intended Robin and Ted to be together, then why even bring Cristin into the story. Although it can be assumed that Robin and Ted ended happily ever after it was by no means a happily ever after ending. 

That being said this ending does not take away from the brilliant entertainment that was How I Met Your Mother. There were so many episodes of sheer originality that left me dying of laughter. From it's catchy theme song, to Ted Mosby's ridiculous situations, to Robin's Canadian lifestyle, to Marshall and Lily's cheesy relationship, and finally Barney's never-ending catch-phrases and self dubbed awesomeness. Ted was always my favorite character and it makes me happy to see that he was able to find love in the city. I think this show will go down as one of my all time favorite sitcoms, and although its finished, I will surely be watching it again. 

Biblical Study: The Deluge of Genesis

The first five books of the bible, known as the Pentateuch, have always been the foundation of Jewish and Christian belief. These first books describe the creation of life as we know it as well as the establishment of the Jewish faith, and the laws by which they are to follow. I have often read through the Old Testament, and have always been especially intrigued by the first two books of Genesis and Exodus.

The book of Genesis is full of juicy theological interpretation. It begins with the creation of the universe, to the dawn of mankind, the fall of mankind, the destruction of mankind, the restoration of mankind, and eventually the descendants of Abraham. I firmly believe that none of this book can be taken literally, yet is rather to be interpreted as parables.

After recently watching the film, Noah (directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Russell Crowe), I have been inspired by this film's interpretations of the story. In this blog I hope to better understand some of this subject matter, particularly the Nephilim and the Great Deluge.

The Flood Myth

The story of the great flood and Noah's ark has generally been understood as a legend rather than historical fact. It has numerous versions among different religions however usually follows a basic structure. The basic story is that God had grown tired of humans' wickedness and decided to bring forth a great flood to wipe out this evil and start anew. He thus chose Noah to build an ark that would carry two animals of every species, male and female, that could reproduce and begin a new string of life. Noah and his family endured the storm and eventually landed on dry land with the animals to begin a new covenant with God.


That is the general flood myth found in the book of Genesis, however there remains many questions to consider regarding the tale. Such as who helped Noah build this ark, why would God destroy what he created, and how did humanity become so wicked in the first place? Then of course there's the great mystery of the Nephilim, the fallen angels of God, and how they played a part in this tale.

The Nephilim

According to Genesis chapter 6 verse 4, there is a very vague passage about immortal beings that dwelt on Earth, known as the Nephilim.

[6:4] The Nephilim were on the earth in those days - and also afterward - when the sons of God went in to the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown. This verse has mythological implications to it, as it describes a race of half-God heroes known as the Nephilim. According to the passage they were born from the Sons of Gods, who had intercourse with the daughters of mankind. (No different than in the case of the demigod warriors such as Achilles or Herakles of Greek Mythology) These Nephilim were considered the heroes of old, perhaps warriors from heaven or even fallen angels that were stuck on Earth. It's a very romantic and intriguing concept to think that these half-god warriors dwelt among humans in the ancient days. It can be speculated that these half-god immortals were looking for ways to redeem themselves and return to heaven. (In the film it is suggested that these creatures aided Noah in building the Ark and were thus able to ascend into Heaven)  All of this is merely speculation however, and in the biblical story, the Nephilim are merely used as precursors to the wickedness of mankind. They are the reason God decides it is time to rid his flesh of wickedness and start anew.

God's Judgement

In Genesis Chapters 6 verses 5 through 13, God had come to a final decision that mankind was wicked and must be destroyed. He was full or regret however found favor with Noah and decided to start anew with Noah at the helm of life.

[6:13] And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth.

Its quite likely that God's Judgement to rid the world of mankind was an after effect from Adam and Eve's failure in the garden of Eden. By this point there had been many  descendants from Cain, Seth, and Abel however according to scripture these descendants were all consumed by corruption. Thus God was full or regret, perhaps feeling defeated by the serpent, he decided it was time to hit the reset button. And so came God's horrific deluge to end all the life he had created.

Noah's Ark

However in these early chapters of Genesis, where it appears quite clear that mankind has disappointed God, he still finds favor in one, and that person happens to be Noah.

[6:17] For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. [6:18] But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. Noah is assigned the ultimate task to carry out God's wishes and salvage life on Earth. He builds the ark with God's specific dimensions and instructions to endure a terrible flood. It is not detailed in the bible how he builds the ark or summons the animals, yet one can only assume that it is through divine intervention. It does state however in the bible, that he only has 7 days to complete the project. Once the project is completed the Great rainstorm comes as promised.

The Great Deluge

[7:11] In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. [7:12] The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.  According to scriptures this rainstorm lasted for forty nights, and the flood lifted the ark above the mountains and the earth. All creatures who could not dwell underwater, (mankind, birds, and cattle) were drowned and perished. Only those on Noah's ark were able to endure the storm. After 40 days, the storm stopped however it took an additional 150 days for the waters to uncover the land. Once the storm stopped Noah sent out a raven who wandered the world foolishly. Then he sent a dove three times to explore the new world, On it's first flight it returned to the ark empty handed, on it's second flight it returned with an olive leaf, and on it's third flight the dove did not return at all. At that point Noah knew the Earth was dry once again.

The New Covenant

After the horrible deluge was finished, God promised Noah that he would never bring destruction upon the earth again. However he also came to the realization that mankind was forever to chose between good and evil and he should not intervene because of it.

[8:21] And when the LORD smelled the pleasing odor, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth; nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done. [8:22] As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease." God thus blessed Noah and his family and encouraged them all to be happy and multiply. He stressed that everything that came from the ark was to begin a new covenant and to abide by a new law. The Earth was to follow a natural order, and that all creatures were food for mankind, and that mankind should never kill one another. The survivors of the Ark were to reproduce and repopulate the earth. God also described how the rainbow would serve as his reminder that he would never flood the Earth again.  [9:11] I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." [9:12] God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: [9:13] I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Noah's Vineyard

One final takeaway from this tale, perhaps not as important to the overall theme of the Deluge yet still as intriguing to me as a wine-enthusiast, is Noah's Vineyard. After the covenant is made and Noah and his family return to the land, he is consumed by the soil, (perhaps fittingly so after being at sea for nearly 200 days). At this point he becomes the first winemaker to plant a vineyard and the first to become drunk from it. His son Ham finds him naked in a drunken stupor, and tells his brothers Shem and Japheth. Because of this Noah became furious with his son Ham, and curses his son Canaan and his descendants.