How I Met Your Mother Marshall's Brothers
We all love Marshall Eriksen. He’s the goofy, lovable, giant lawyer with a heart of gold. He’s the best friend, the husband, the dad. But let's be honest, when we think of Marshall, we usually think of him on his own, or with Lily, or maybe even with the gang. What about his family? Specifically, his brothers? Yep, Marshall has brothers. And while they might not get as much screen time as, say, Barney’s playbooks, they’re a pretty interesting bunch.
Now, I'm going to go out on a limb here, and this might be an unpopular opinion. But I think Marshall’s brothers are seriously underrated. We see them in a few episodes, mostly during family gatherings or when Marshall is trying to impress someone with his “manly” side. But there’s a whole world of potential comedy and character development just waiting to be explored with them.
Let’s start with the obvious one: Marcus Eriksen. He’s the “middle child,” as Marshall likes to remind everyone. And there’s something so inherently relatable about that. Marcus seems like the guy who’s always trying to prove himself, but in a much more aggressive, “I’m a man, hear me roar” kind of way than Marshall. Remember that episode where Marshall tries to get his brothers to respect him? Marcus was definitely the ringleader of the mockery. He's the kind of brother who probably gave Marshall a hard time growing up, but deep down, he probably also has a soft spot for him. He’s got that tough exterior, like a bear, but maybe a cuddly bear underneath? Or maybe just a bear who’s really good at football. It’s hard to say for sure with limited exposure.
Then there’s Marvin Eriksen Sr., or as I like to call him, the original Marshall. Not the lawyer Marshall, but the original Marshall – the one who was probably just as goofy and a little bit clumsy. We see him in flashbacks, and he seems like such a sweet guy. He’s the dad who probably told terrible jokes and gave the best hugs. He’s the foundation of the Eriksen family’s wonderful weirdness. And it’s kind of sweet to see where Marshall gets his good nature from. You can just imagine him trying to teach young Marshall how to hunt or fish, and both of them probably ending up falling into the lake.
And who can forget Byron Eriksen, also known as "Bair"? This guy is a whole different ballgame. He's the quiet, more reserved brother. He's the one who probably spent his childhood reading books while Marcus was out playing rough and Marshall was perfecting his dinosaur impressions. Bair seems like the intellectual one, the one who might have a secret passion for, I don't know, competitive unicycling or something equally unexpected. He’s the contrast to Marcus’s boisterous nature and Marshall’s enthusiastic goofiness. He’s the mystery man of the Eriksen brothers, and that’s what makes him interesting! What is Bair actually up to? Does he have a secret life? Maybe he’s a spy. Or a world-renowned chef who only cooks for himself. The possibilities are endless, and frankly, I’m here for all of them.
The thing about the Eriksen brothers is that they represent a different side of Marshall. They show us where he comes from, the kind of upbringing that shaped him into the wonderful man we know and love. They offer a glimpse into a world outside of MacLaren's Pub and Lily's meticulously planned life. They have their own unique dynamics, their own inside jokes, and their own brand of sibling rivalry.
Imagine the storylines we could have had!
What if Marcus tried to start a business with Marshall? Think of the chaos! Marshall would be trying to keep things ethical, and Marcus would be suggesting selling "lucky moose antlers" as a lucrative product.
Or what if Bair finally opened up about his secret hobby, and it turned out to be something hilariously mundane, like collecting novelty erasers? It would be the perfect anti-climax to his mysterious aura. And can you picture Marvin Sr. trying to give Marshall dating advice in his old-school Minnesota way? It would be a masterclass in awkwardness and unintentional wisdom.
These brothers, even with their limited appearances, have such distinct personalities. They’re not just props for Marshall’s stories; they are characters in their own right. They have their own quirks, their own dreams (however obscure), and their own way of loving their youngest brother, even if they express it through playful teasing and competitive wrestling matches.
So, yes, I’m going to say it. Marshall’s brothers deserve more love. They deserve more jokes. They deserve more storylines. They are the unsung heroes of Marshall’s childhood, the architects of his sometimes-baffling sense of humor, and the living proof that the Eriksen family is a beautiful, chaotic, and incredibly funny unit. Next time you rewatch How I Met Your Mother, pay a little extra attention to Marcus, Marvin Sr., and Bair. You might just find yourself as invested in their hypothetical adventures as you are in Ted’s lifelong quest for true love. They’re the brothers who make Marshall, well, Marshall. And for that, we should be grateful.