How I Met Your Mother's Marshall - The Truth About Being The "Good One"

Marshall Erickson is often portrayed as the moral compass of the popular sitcom, How I Met Your Mother. He is depicted as the loving husband, doting father, and supportive friend. His commitment to being a good person sets him apart from the more morally questionable decisions made by his friends, Barney and Ted. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Marshall is not as morally superior as he seems, and his character reveals the show's limited moral outlook.

Marshall as the Token Good Guy

Of all the characters on How I Met Your Mother, Marshall is consistently portrayed as the most ethical and committed to being a good person. His role in the group often involves acting as a moral check on Ted and Barney, reminding them that there are limits to their pursuit of serial conquests. Marshall's likability and high ground with the audience stem from his long-term, committed monogamous relationship with Lily, his wife. Even his temporary breakup with Lily evokes sympathy and paints him as the "weaker" partner, avoiding the cliché of a commitment-phobic man. These dynamics establish Marshall as a non-threatening and supportive friend.

Traditional Values vs. the Greater Good

Marshall's commitment to his family is presented as a virtue throughout the series. He values his traditional idea of family above all else, which leads him to prioritize their well-being over serving the greater good. While Lily is more open-minded about relationships and attraction, Marshall is disgusted by even the idea of sleeping with someone else. His love for family is often portrayed as noble, but it also limits his moral outlook and makes him selfish in some respects.

The Moral Dilemma of Family vs. the World

Marshall constantly grapples with choosing between his moral obligation to his family and his moral obligation to the world. This internal conflict creates cognitive dissonance for him, as he feels that fulfilling his duty in one area of his life requires compromising the other. He often finds himself working in corporate law jobs that contradict his environmental ideals, causing his spirit to break. Marshall's decision to prioritize his family's financial stability leads him to compromises that undermine his stated ethics. The show raises the question of whether there truly is a binary choice between satisfying one's family and making meaningful contributions to the world.

Marshall's Self-Interest in Doing Good

Even when Marshall takes action to do the right thing, his motivations can be somewhat self-serving. He fantasizes about the glory of saving the planet through his family, imagining impressing his future son. Marshall's sentimental need to feel good about himself and his decisions can make him naïve and overly trusting, making him susceptible to manipulation. He often puts personal relationships above larger moral issues, choosing to forgive and support his friends even when they betray him. Marshall's appeal to the audience aligns closely with Barney's; as long as he treats his friends kindly, his flaws can be overlooked.

Judging Marshall's Moral Compass

Throughout the series, Marshall's decisions and actions reveal that he operates on a plane of hope, convinced that one win or small victory can lead to other positive outcomes. He believes deeply in his ability to make a difference, even if it means compromising his beliefs. For the characters and viewers of the show, Marshall represents a flawed but lovable person who continually strives to do what's right. Ultimately, How I Met Your Mother suggests that being good to your loved ones is the most concrete and realistic path to leading a moral and fulfilled life.

In conclusion, while Marshall Erickson is initially presented as the moral center of How I Met Your Mother, a closer examination reveals that his moral compass is limited by his commitment to his family and personal relationships. His character serves as a reflection of the show's moral outlook, which suggests that being a supportive friend and partner is the primary determinant of being a good person. However, this perspective overlooks the larger moral and ethical questions that arise in life. How I Met Your Mother's portrayal of Marshall as a flawed yet likable character reminds us that being human means grappling with conflicting values and making imperfect choices.