Little Minnesota
Robin pretends to be from Minnesota; Ted's sister visits.
"Little Minnesota" is the 75th episode of *How I Met Your Mother*, airing on December 15, 2008, as the 11th installment of season four. In one plot, Robin shows up at MacLaren’s in a T-shirt despite the cold, explaining that her Canadian upbringing makes her immune. Marshall agrees, noting that New York winter feels like a Minnesota spring, minus the taxis, skyscrapers, and non-white people. When Robin admits she’s homesick, Marshall takes her to the Walleye Saloon, a bar designed to remind him of Minnesota. She enjoys it so much that she pretends to be from Bemidji, Minnesota, to fit in with the regulars, annoying Marshall. Her claim to his story about the 1999 NFC Championship Game and her beating his high score on Fisherman’s Quest push him to expose her as Canadian. Robin then rants about Canada’s contributions to the world and her wish to be there. Marshall apologizes, reassures her that she belongs with her friends despite having no job or boyfriend, and takes her to a Canadian-themed bar, the Hoser Hut, where a karaoke performance of her teenage hit “Let’s Go to the Mall” embarrasses her.
Meanwhile, Ted’s sister Heather (Erin Cahill) arrives in New York, planning to move there. Ted considers her irresponsible, citing her past sale of his possessions to fund a Nine Inch Nails concert in Spain, and doubts she’ll follow through. He has always kept Heather away from Barney, fearing Barney would try to hook up with her. But Lily, unable to keep secrets, tips Barney off, and he is waiting at Ted’s apartment. Hurt that Ted hid Heather, Barney insists he never intended to act on his jokes. Ted admits he trusts neither Heather nor Barney but eventually invites Barney to Sunday dinner. Over dinner, Heather asks Ted to co-sign a lease for an apartment, but his lack of faith in her causes tension. To teach him a lesson, Heather and Barney stage a fake sexual encounter at Goliath National Bank, ensuring Lily walks in. When Ted confronts them at MacLaren’s, Barney reveals the scheme and mentions he kissed Ted’s mother. Heather leaves, accusing Ted of refusing to see she has grown up. Ted later reconciles and co-signs her lease, saying he wants to know the new her.
Critical response: Donna Bowman of *The A.V. Club* gave the episode a B−, while Michelle Zoromski of *IGN* rated it 9.8 out of 10, noting that Barney steals the show.
Quick Facts
- Series
- How I Met Your Mother
- Season
- 4
- Episode
- 11
- Guests
- Erin Cahill as Heather Mosby
- Writer
- Chuck Tatham
- Director
- Pamela Fryman
- Airdate
- 2008-12-15
- Production
- 4ALH12
- Prev
- The Fight
- Next
- Benefits
- Episode List
- List of How I Met Your Mother episodes
- Season Article
- How I Met Your Mother season 4
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the episode, Robin enters MacLaren's wearing an unseasonal T-shirt and explains that cold weather does not affect her because she is from Canada. Marshall compares New York City in winter to a spring day in Minnesota, except for the taxis, skyscrapers, and non-white people. When Robin expresses homesickness, Marshall takes her to the Walleye Saloon, a Minnesota-themed bar he frequents when missing his family. Robin enjoys it so much that she pretends to be from Bemidji, Minnesota, to befriend the patrons, frustrating Marshall. Her frustration grows when she claims his story about the 1999 NFC Championship Game as her own and beats his high score on the Fisherman's Quest video game, leading Marshall to unmask her as a Canadian. Robin then delivers a tirade on Canada's merits and admits she wishes she were there. Marshall apologizes and takes her to a Canadian-themed bar, the Hoser Hut, where a karaoke rendition of her teenage hit "Let's Go to the Mall" embarrasses her.
Meanwhile, Ted reveals that his sister Heather has arrived in New York and plans to move there. Ted considers her irresponsible, citing an example where she sold his possessions to attend a Nine Inch Nails concert in Spain. Ted has prevented Barney from meeting Heather, fearing Barney would try to hook up with her. Lily accidentally tips off Barney, who is hurt that Ted kept him away. Ted eventually relents and invites Barney to dinner. Over dinner, Heather asks Ted to co-sign a lease, but his lack of faith in her causes conflict. Heather and Barney stage a fake sexual encounter to taunt Ted, revealing the plan later. Ted confronts them, and Barney admits he kissed Ted's mother. Heather storms out, and Ted later makes up with her and co-signs the lease.
Reader's Guide
The episode explores themes of homesickness, identity, and family trust. Robin's storyline highlights her Canadian roots and the comfort of shared cultural touchstones, while Marshall's frustration reflects the tension between genuine belonging and performative belonging. The subplot with Ted and Heather examines sibling dynamics and the difficulty of recognizing personal growth. Critical reception was mixed: Donna Bowman of The A.V. Club gave the episode a grade B−, while Michelle Zoromski of IGN gave it 9.8 out of 10, noting that Barney steals the show. The episode is notable for introducing the Walleye Saloon and Hoser Hut bars, and for featuring Erin Cahill as Heather. It also includes the song "Let's Go to the Mall," a fictional teenage hit by Robin.
Did You Know?
- The episode originally aired on December 15, 2008, on CBS.
- Robin's teenage hit 'Let's Go to the Mall' is performed as karaoke in the episode.
- Marshall takes Robin to the Walleye Saloon, a Minnesota-themed bar, and later to the Hoser Hut, a Canadian-themed bar.
- Ted's sister Heather is played by Erin Cahill.
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in Minnesota Vikings
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