Ep 6. Aldrin Justice

As the second season of How I Met Your Mother progresses, it grows increasingly clear that the show is just as much about Ted's friends as it is about his quest for love. This fact is exemplified in season 2 episode 6, "Aldrin Justice," in which the gang rallies around Marshall as he navigates a difficult situation.

The episode opens with Ted and Robin in bed together, which leads to some humorous commentary about Ted's sleep habits. After they wake up and get dressed, Ted sees that Marshall has left him a series of missed calls and voicemails. When he finally calls Marshall back, Marshall explains that his step-sister, Heather, stayed over at his apartment the night before. When he woke up, he found that his brand new Fiero was missing. Despite the fact that Heather seems to be the most likely culprit, Marshall doesn't want to believe that someone he loves could have done something so terrible.

Throughout the rest of the episode, the gang bands together to help Marshall crack the case of the missing Fiero. They track down some potential leads, including a creepy neighbor and a strange man who seems too eager to help, but none of them pan out. Meanwhile, Marshall is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about his family, including the fact that his step-dad is a bit of a jerk.

One of the strongest elements of "Aldrin Justice" is the way it delves into Marshall's relationships with his family members. Marshall is an inherently lovable character, and it's heart-wrenching to see him struggling to reconcile his love for his step-sister with the possibility that she may have stolen his car. We get some glimpses into Marshall's past and his complex relationship with his step-dad, which add some necessary depth to his character.

Another highlight of this episode is the way it shows how the gang's dynamic has evolved since the show's first season. How I Met Your Mother is a show that thrives on nostalgia, but it's clear that the writers aren't content to rest on their laurels. In "Aldrin Justice," we see a version of the gang that is even more tightly knit than before. Instead of relying solely on Ted and Robin's relationship for drama, the show manages to wring suspense and emotion out of the entire group's dynamic.

Of course, "Aldrin Justice" isn't without its flaws. There are a few jokes that don't quite land, particularly a running gag involving Barney's attempts to bed Heather. Some of the plot points feel a bit contrived, and some of the acting is a little hammy. However, these flaws are minor, and they don't detract from the episode's overall impact.

Overall, "Aldrin Justice" is a highly entertaining installment of How I Met Your Mother that showcases the show's strengths in a variety of ways. Whether you're a diehard fan or a newcomer to the series, this episode is definitely worth checking out.