How I Met Your Father 1×05 “The Good Mom” Spoilers Ahead
How I Met Your Father continues to lay down the groundwork for its heroine while simultaneously allowing us to get to know everyone in her circle. This week, the series doesn’t waste any time introducing a key outside player who’s shaped Sophie’s life. Paget Brewster guest stars as Lori, Sophie’s mother, whose ties with men are more complicated than her daughter once believed.
In “The Fixer,” we learn that tirelessly moving to run from her past boyfriends has impacted Sophie’s view of her love, making her want a stable relationship more than anything else. (A good outcome, but traumatic, no less.) Still, where her mother is concerned, Sophie’s always dropped everything to help her out, and while “The Fixer” tells us about this fact, How I Met Your Father 1×05 “The Good Mom” shows us the negative impact it’s had on her.
“The Good Mom” is anything but so—it’s complicated, but it contributes to Sophie’s character development, and for now, that’s all we could ask for.
After Sophie cancels on Drew to meet her mother’s new boyfriend, Valentina learns that Lori is cheating on her musician boyfriend with his manager. And thus, when Sophie confronts her mother, she realizes that she’s been the problem in relationships this entire time. It’s a big step for Sophie, who’s consistently been the adult in the relationship, to finally choose for herself and leave her mother to fight her own battles.
It’s also a big step for her to realize that this isn’t some sort of a weird familial curse where she’s bound to be just as unlucky. Sophie’s understanding that these failed relationships are because of her mother’s choices distills that she can choose the right guy for her future without the outcome of inevitable failure waiting for her.
The growth that’s now tied to Sophie will be of her own accord. And we see that result directly in the end when she goes over to Drew’s house to resume their previous plans. While we still don’t know if he’s “the father,” we can be confident by now that, at the very least, Drew is one of the good guys. His behavior in “Dirrty Thirty” proved this by allowing us to see that he isn’t judging her lifestyle, but instead, he wants to see their two worlds combine. (And I selfishly want to see more of Josh Peck on my TV screen.)
How I Met Your Father 1×05 “The Good Mom” thematically focuses on reclaiming a truth by allowing each character to move forward from something. Whether that’s Sid realizing that his pet “Slim Shady” died while he discovered his pleasure to a poster of Lori, or Jesse getting back on the infamous proposal stage, the steps taken are no small feat.
Because more than anything, we are seeing a group of people who are adamant about supporting each other. Right now, it doesn’t matter who the father is because Drew is a lovely addition to this friend group, and “The Good Mom” shows us that these friendships are the heart of the series.
People looking for each other and willing to listen to each other are this story’s appeal. Jesse would’ve never gotten up on that stage again if he didn’t have friends cheering him on, and even though he doesn’t perform, taking this step is integral to his development. It’s also worth mentioning that it’s interesting Sophie leaves the venue right as he’s about to step on stage. Because if this is where he experienced his most humiliating moment, and if they are to be together, it’s only fitting that she be present when he makes a new memory.
It’s also lovely to see that albeit, a little ridiculous at times, Charlie’s means of trying to help his friends is a fantastic showcase of his character. In a completely new country and mostly alone, he’s making the best of experiences by choosing to be the type of friend they could use.
How I Met Further Thoughts
- I need Ellen to find love like yesterday. I was so ready to ship her with Rachel after that accidental meet-cute, and then sweet ol’ Charlie went and messed it up. But then again, they are neighbors now? Who’s to say we won’t get some sort of a reversed enemies-to-lovers. Bring it.
- Sweet Charlie wanting to help people but not wanting to go to school? Valid. A bar tender seems like the perfect job for him.
- I really appreciate Valentina not only being transparent with Sophie, but Sophie choosing to listen to her best friend.
Now streaming on Hulu: What are your thoughts on How I Met Your Father 1×05 “The Good Mom?” Let us know in the comments below.