# How I Met Your Mother: The Ducky Tie Spoiler! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 27, 2011, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743 "2011-09-27T04:26:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/101 "2011-10-06T15:56:49Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I’m coming around to the Robin is Barney’s bride camp. I’m thinking that Nora will want Barney to wear something other than the Ducky Tie, which (having lost the bet) he won’t. Nora will want to know why (his bet with Marshall). She will then want to know what the stakes of the bet were. I doubt very much that she would be amused that Barney wanted to cop a feel of Lilly’s pregnancy boobs while he was desperately trying to win Nora back. Honestly, I think you’re on the right track but taking the wrong route. I don’t think she’ll care about the reason behind it. I think the problem will be that he refuses to take it off because he lost a bet. Her problem will be how basically juvenile it is. But we’ll see. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/102 "2011-10-06T17:04:06Z")
anyone agree that Ted is the least interesting character on the show? I don’t find Robin all that great as a character, but she is interesting. I watch for the other folks on the show. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/103 "2011-10-06T17:06:22Z")
> [@well\_he\_s\_back](#): > > anyone agree that Ted is the least interesting character on the show? Anyone disagree? ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/104 "2011-10-06T17:16:43Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Anyone disagree? I bitch about him all the time. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/105 "2011-10-06T18:44:36Z")
I wouldn’t be friends with Ted. I’m not a huge fan of Lilly either though. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/106 "2011-10-06T19:16:47Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > I wouldn’t be friends with Ted. I’m not a huge fan of Lilly either though. The dark secret of HIMYM is that the only character who really understands Lily–_including Lily herself_–is Barney, who once described her as “a devious puppet-master constantly and subtly manipulating every situation to get what she wants: in short pure evil.” And he thought he was complimenting her. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/107 "2011-10-06T19:54:16Z")
> [@well\_he\_s\_back](#): > > anyone agree that Ted is the least interesting character on the show? I don’t find Robin all that great as a character, but she is interesting. I watch for the other folks on the show. The lead character in a sitcom is always the least interesting. I’m not sure why, but I think they have to be. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/108 "2011-10-06T20:02:07Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The lead character in a sitcom is always the least interesting. I’m not sure why, but I think they have to be. I don’t think that’s _always_ true – think of _I Love Lucy_ – but I agree it’s often true. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/109 "2011-10-06T20:10:35Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > I wouldn’t be friends with Ted. I’m not a huge fan of Lilly either though. I think Lilly is fun and quirky and kind of cute in a “one of the guys” sort of way but I have never understood the many people that think she’s hot. Allyson Hannigan is great in the role but for the love of rhinoplasty could she please get her deviated septum or whatever makes her sound like she has a perpetual head cold taken care of? ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/110 "2011-10-06T20:35:10Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I think Lilly is fun and quirky and kind of cute in a “one of the guys” sort of way but I have never understood the many people that think she’s hot. Allyson Hannigan is great in the role but for the love of rhinoplasty could she please get her deviated septum or whatever makes her sound like she has a perpetual head cold taken care of? She’s always been cute. Now she’s cute and stacked. So, that’s why. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/111 "2011-10-06T20:35:30Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The lead character in a sitcom is always the least interesting. I’m not sure why, but I think they have to be. In this interview, [Sheldon Leonard](http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/sheldon-leonard)says the key to the success of The Andy Griffith Show was to “downplay” Andy’s funny and highlight the other characters, like Barney and Goober. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/112 "2011-10-06T20:56:44Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > The dark secret of HIMYM is that the only character who really understands Lily–_including Lily herself_–is Barney, who once described her as “a devious puppet-master constantly and subtly manipulating every situation to get what she wants: in short pure evil.” And he thought he was complimenting her. Think of the scene when they’re all trying to come up with an answer to the dilemma about Ted’s building. Marshall sits back with a relaxed smile and says something to the effect of “Don’t worry guys, this woman right here is a brilliant, conniving, witch on wheels, and she’s going to come up with an evil scheme to solve this.” What I do remember him saying exactly is “And I’m just going to sit back and watch it happen!” Cut to Barney with The stone lions mounted above his bed. In short, he knows, and considers himself quite lucky that she’s on his side. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/113 "2011-10-06T21:05:22Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Think of the scene when they’re all trying to come up with an answer to the dilemma about Ted’s building. > > Marshall sits back with a relaxed smile and says something to the effect of “Don’t worry guys, this woman right here is a brilliant, conniving, witch on wheels, and she’s going to come up with an evil scheme to solve this.” What I do remember him saying exactly is “And I’m just going to sit back and watch it happen!” > > Cut to Barney with > > The stone lions mounted above his bed. > > In short, he knows, and considers himself quite lucky that she’s on his side. I haven’t seen that one. But I recall that an episode in which Barney describes Lily as I did above; Marshal started to object, but before he could Barney added, “You got a good one there. Keep her.” ---
**Author:** ![Lo-Slung\_Denim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@Lo-Slung\_Denim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lo-Slung_Denim)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/114 "2011-10-06T21:38:27Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > The episode where Ted finds out his parents are divorced has a bit where Barney goes to Mass with Ted’s mother. The episode where Ted bumps into Zoey at the Natural History Museum and meets her husband The Captain has him shout after her about going with her to the golf club or country club or something “Hey I’m half-Jewish, will that be a problem?” So I guess his dad is Jewish? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/115 "2011-10-07T00:43:36Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I think Lilly is fun and quirky and kind of cute in a “one of the guys” sort of way but I have never understood the many people that think she’s hot. Allyson Hannigan is great in the role but for the love of rhinoplasty could she please get her deviated septum or whatever makes her sound like she has a perpetual head cold taken care of? Seconded. It sounds like she desperately needs to blow her nose most of the time. I think most sitcom characters are terrible people; the rest are boring foils for the terrible (but interesting) characters. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/116 "2011-10-07T00:50:26Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Seconded. It sounds like she desperately needs to blow her nose most of the time. > > I think most sitcom characters are terrible people; the rest are boring foils for the terrible (but interesting) characters. I think Marshall and Robin are perfectly nice people without being boring. Lily is an evil genius, but though her impulses are always vile and selfish she manages to channel her power for good most of the time. Ted needs to be punched in the nose twice a day until he matures, of course, while Barney is – well, let’s just say complex and leave it at that. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/117 "2011-10-07T19:00:17Z")
I’ll give you Marshall, but Robin wants to settle everything with guns - I don’t know how nice that is. And Marshall would get annoying to hang out with since he wins everything. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743/118 "2011-10-07T19:02:08Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I’ll give you Marshall, but Robin wants to settle everything with guns - I don’t know how nice that is. > > And Marshall would get annoying to hang out with since he wins everything. I had forgotten about the guns. I won’t bend on Marshall, though. He’s fine just RUNNING game night. And I suspect he doesn’t enjoy playing board games anyway, since with his mutant power, it’s always like playing with a five-year-old. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-met-your-mother-the-ducky-tie-spoiler/597743.md?page=5)