Shippy Moment of the Day: "I Seriously Only Have Two Minutes" (How I Met Your Mother)

Ted and Stella's First Date
"Ten Sessions" from How I Met Your Mother Season 3

Recap: Ted falls for his dermatologist, Stella, and has the ten sessions it takes to get rid of his tramp stamp butterfly tattoo to woo her. When he's unsuccessful, he finds out that she likes him but doesn't want to date him because she has a daughter and no time. Ted thusly takes her on the perfect two-minute date.

The Moment:



Ted: And...go. Taxi!
Stella: Yeah, but I seriously only have two minutes...
Ted: I know!
Stella: That's like 120 seconds!

Ranjit! I love Ranjit!

Ted: 380 West 22nd, please. And step on it, we're in a hurry.
Stella: 380 West 22nd street? But that's--
Ted: Right this way.
Stella: Thank you, sir.
Ted: You know, I've always wanted to try this place.

Waitress: House salad.
Ted: So, college?
Stella: Stanford
Ted: Wesleyan.
Stella: Oh my God, do you know Adam LeVar?
Ted: No. Scott Crambel?
Stella: Nmm hmm.
Waitress: Eggplant Parmesan.
Ted: Thanks.
Stella: Oh, already cut up. Nice.
Ted: Could I get the check please? We're trying to make a movie in 15 seconds.
Waitress: Of course.
Ted: Okay, great. How do you want to do this. You had the eggplant parm, I only really had water...I'm kidding. Let's go. Taxi! You nervous?
Stella: A little bit.
Ted: You can't tell at all.
Stella: Oh, good.
Ted: Yeah.
Ranjit: Hello!

I love how through this entire sequence they're holding hands.
It leads to cute moments like this where he essentially twirls
her in the taxi. Adorable.

Ted: 384 West 22nd.
Stella: 15 seconds, the movie's started.
Ted: Previews. We'll be fine. Ah, just in time. It hasn't started yet.
Stella: So what are we seeing?
Ted: Manos: Hands of Fate.
Stella: The whole thing?
Ted: Only the important parts.

I love her amused/incredulous look here.
He's already won her over.

Ted: Worst movie ever.
Stella: Yeah, I almost walked out like five times.
Ted: How are we doing on time? Taxi!
Stella: We got a little time.
Ted: Okay, you want to walk it?
Stella: Why not?
Ranjit: Hello! Goodbye!


Ted: So, what grade's your daughter in?
Stella: Third grade.
Ted: Ah, that's a good year.
Stella: Yeah, she's wonderful. I just wish I could get her to quit smoking, you know?
Ted: What?
Stella: I'm kidding.
Ted: Oh. Little coffee and dessert?

My question is, where is the food coming from? They're in front
of a gyros restaurant. And not to stereotype typical Greek fare,
but I don't think it usually consists of eggplant parmesan.

Stella: You know, this neighborhood just keeps on changing. This used to be a cute little Italian restaurant.
Ted: I know. New York. It's a living organism, an ever-changing tapestry. Ooh, look at the time! Let's go.
Stella: The cheesecake's amazing.
Ted: Flowers?

I love how Ted planted the flowers and, upon finding out
she's allergic, had no problem just holding them. Ted is secure in
most ways and it's always refreshing.

Stella: I'm allergic.
Ted: Okay, see, we're getting to know each other! Stella, I had a lovely--doggie bag. Stella, I had a lovely time.

FAVORITE PART. During the entire scene, I was like,
Ted, cute date, but she's not getting a chance to eat anything. And then
the doggie bag! Perfect date.

Stella: Me, too, Ted.

And two minutes and nineteen seconds later...

Ted: And...date!

Thoughts: Oh, How I Met Your Mother. One of the most consistently funny and endearing shows on television. Sure, there's Barney's hilarious womanizing and Lily and Marshall's adventures in coupledom, but Ted is the heart of the show. He's a bundle of energy and creativity and earnestness. It's about how in his search for a wife and soul mate, he grows into a better person. It's a vehicle to show his heart and how it teaches him to be more mature.

This moment is possibly the cutest thing Ted has done on the show, minus the blue french horn and orchestra. It's the perfect date boiled down into two minutes. Stella needs to be shown that he can put her and her daughter first and he proves that with flying colors. He is able to show her the ultimate romantic gesture by not only being ridiculously charming but by being practical. In the end, he and Stella have instant chemistry and, most importantly, it's completely different than the chemistry he had with Robin.

I admit that at the time, I wanted Stella to be the mother. I felt that it was the most mature relationship Ted had been in and that he fully learned how to compromise. I understand why it didn't work and I respect the writers for their decision. I'm just afraid we'll never get an actress as great as Sarah Chalke or a character that brings out the good in Ted like Stella did.