Season 5 Now

89 (1)
Definitions

September 21, 2009

Robin and Barney resist their friends' pressure that they should have "the talk" about their relationship. Meanwhile, a panicky Ted, about to face his first college class, decides he must keep control of his students by releasing his "inner douche", a tactic that backfires miserably.

 

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90 (2)
Double Date

September 28, 2009

While on a blind date, Ted and Jen realize they've met before, on a blind date seven years ago. They decide to retrace their steps and correct each other's mistakes in an effort to change the outcome of the current evening.

 

 

 

91 (3)
Robin 101

October 5, 2009

Robin thinks (understandably) that Barney is cheating on her, but in fact he's betraying her and violating her trust in a much more devious way: he's taking classes in "Robin 101" from her ex-boyfriend, Ted, and Barney is proving to be a very apt pupil...

Season 4

65 (1)
Do I Know You?

September 22, 2008

Stella responds yes to Ted's proposal, but Ted realizes he and Stella know very little about each other. After accidentally sending Stella to the hospital (because of her peanut allergy), Ted makes her watch Star Wars to determine if they are compatible. Barney realizes he's in love with Robin. Lily sets him up on a date with Robin, but he continues his womanizing ways.

66 (2)
The Best Burger in New York
September 29, 2008

A "burger-mad" Marshall is on a quest to find the place where he ate the first, and best hamburger he ever had in New York. Marshall accepts a job with Barney's firm. Guest starring Regis Philbin.

67 (3)
I Heart NJ

October 6, 2008

After inviting the gang to Stella's apartment in New Jersey, Ted tries to sell them on the perks of living in the suburbs until he learns that she expects him to move there after they're married. Robin quits her job, stages a mad dash to return to the job, but in the end quits again and takes a new job as a foreign correspondent in Japan.

68 (4)
Intervention

October 13, 2008

While packing and discussing all the damage stories to their apartment, the gang decides they are not ready to take the next steps in their adult lives. But when Ted discovers the gang planned to stage an intervention for his engagement to Stella, he is uncompromising, saying that they should go through with their plans anyway. Robin moves to Japan, and Marshall and Lily pack up to move to their apartment.

69 (5)
Shelter Island

October 20, 2008

After Stella and Ted make the spontaneous decision to get married in three days, the presence of their exes destroys what was to be the "happiest day of their lives." Robin quits her job, returns from Japan, and suggests she may have feelings for Ted, and Stella reunites with her ex-boyfriend and father of her daughter and leaves Ted at the altar. Barney ruins a chance to reunite with Robin.

70 (6)
Happily Ever After
November 3, 2008

The gang goes out for dinner, but Stella's presence nearby prompts each of them to relate a story of a person they'd rather forget. Ted finds the courage to confront Stella, but when he sees how happy she and Lucy are with Tony, he lets go of his anger.

71 (7)
Not a Father's Day
November 10, 2008

Lily and Marshall contemplate having a baby, so Lily turns to Ted and Robin and gets completely different advice on the issue. After Lily becomes extremely drunk and interferes at Marshall's workplace, they decide to put off having a baby. Robin becomes Ted's new roommate. Barney has a pregnancy scare and when it's disproved, he creates a new holiday: Not a Father's Day.

72 (8)
Woooo!

November 17, 2008

Robin is feeling a little lost because of her unemployment, and becomes a "Wooo!" party girl. Lily tries to fit in with Robin's new friends, but Robin confirms that Lily is her best friend and she just needs the Woo! girls to unwind as a single person. Barney gives Ted a shot at designing a new bank building, but Barney is swayed by the Sprockets-like Swedish collective architects "Sven". Marshall steps in and Ted is awarded the contract.

73 (9)
The Naked Man

November 24, 2008

Ted walks in on Robin's date sitting on the couch in the buff. When she later admits she hooked up with him, all the gang try it. Lily angers Marshall when she tries to think of 50 reasons to have sex. Although not a match, Ted starts to forget Stella by dating a new girl and successfully uses the "Naked Man" technique on her.

74 (10)
The Fight

December 8, 2008

Bartender Doug gets Ted and Barney involved in a fight with guys sitting in the gang's favorite booth. They arrive after Doug has knocked out the guys, but take the credit anyway, earning the admiration of everyone except Marshall. But when Ted and Barney are sued by the losers, it's Marshall to the rescue. Lily struggles with two kids in her class who are also fighting.

75 (11)
Little Minnesota
December 15, 2008

Marshall takes Robin to a bar with a Minnesota theme. Ted attempts to keep his visiting sister away from Barney.

76 (12)
Benefits
January 12, 2009

To ease the tension of being roommates, Ted and Robin start to sleep together, enraging Barney. Marshall has trouble finding a restroom to "read a magazine" at his new job. Lily encourages Barney to tell Robin he loves her, and Ted breaks off the "benefits" when he recognizes Barney's feelings. Barney attempts to tell Robin he loves her, but a misunderstanding stops the message from getting through to her.

77 (13)
Three Days of Snow
January 19, 2009

When a blizzard shuts down the city, Marshall and Lily try to continue their longstanding airport reunion tradition while Ted and Barney volunteer to keep MacLaren’s open so they can meet up with some college girls.

78 (14)
The Possimpible
February 2, 2009

Robin has only seven days to get a job or she will be deported back to Canada. After failing at several interviews, Barney produces a video resume for her that eventually gets Robin a talk show job. The others discuss frivolous items on their resumes.

79 (15)
The Stinsons
March 2, 2009

When Barney mysteriously leaves MacLaren's, the gang follow him to a house in Brooklyn, finding that Barney has a wife and child they never knew about. Barney explains that it is all a ruse to please his mother, (Guest Star Frances Conroy) whom they also meet, and that "Betty" and "Tyler" are actors. Betty and Ted are caught in a kiss, which finally forces Barney to confess to his mother. Marshall is upset when Lily admits she hates his mother.

80 (16)
Sorry, Bro
March 9, 2009

When Lily and Marshall hear that Ted's college girlfriend, Karen (Laura Prepon), has moved to New York City, they explain to Barney and Robin how much they dislike her. The episode name was previously known as "Marshall Forgets his Pants" as to Marshall forgetting his pants when going to his work's gym before work.

81 (17)
The Front Porch
March 16, 2009

During a pajama party to watch Robin's early morning talk show, Lily recounts her efforts to sabotage most of Ted's relationships after Ted's girlfriend, Karen (Laura Prepon), finds a woman's earring in his bed. Barney learns the pleasures of nightshirts, and after Karen and Ted break up, Ted and Robin promise to be each others' "back-up spouse".

82 (18)
Old King Clancy
March 23, 2009

When Goliath National Bank cancels plans to build their new headquarters that Ted was hired to design, Barney and Marshall concoct an elaborate lie to keep Ted from knowing he is out of a job. Meanwhile, Robin has a juicy story about a Canadian celebrity.

83 (19)
Murtaugh

March 30, 2009

When Barney hears that Ted has made a list of things he feels the gang is too old to do, he attempts to complete every task on the list within 24 hours to prove Ted wrong. In a counter bet, Ted attempts to do things only old people would do. Marshall and Lily's coaching styles clash when Marshall takes over Lily's kindergarten basketball team.

84 (20)
Mosbius Designs
April 13, 2009

When Ted loses his job and decides to form his own architectural firm out of his apartment, he hires an intern to help get his company off the ground, but the intern gets too close for comfort with some of Ted's friends. Meanwhile, Marshall tries to make himself more valuable at work with a gimmick.

85 (21)
The Three Days Rule
April 27, 2009

When Ted breaks Barney and Marshall's "three days rule" by having a "text" relationship with a girl he just met, they play a cruel joke on him by pretending to be her. Although credited, Lily does not appear in this episode.

86 (22)
Right Place Right Time
May 4, 2009

Barney plans to celebrate his 200th female conquest in style, but ends up with a less than desirable partner. Marshall is obsessed with charts and graphs. A string of seemingly meaningless events causes Ted to run into a former girlfriend--Stella...

87 (23)
As Fast As She Can
May 11, 2009

...and her boyfriend Tony. Feeling he ruined Ted's life, Tony insists on helping him find a job. Ted inadvertently causes a breakup with Stella. However, Ted helps them reunite and finally moves on. As the other relate their tales of outwitting speeding tickets, Barney struggles to do the same. Lily returns after having been gone for several episodes.

88 (24)
The Leap
May 18, 2009

When Ted pulls an all-nighter working on a pitch in an attempt to bring business to his fledgling architecture firm, Marshall tries to lure him to the roof for a surprise 31st birthday party. Barney professes his love for Robin and the story of the Goat is also continued.

Season 3

45 (1)
Wait for It
September 24, 2007

When Robin shows up with a new boyfriend Gael (Enrique Iglesias), Ted decides he is ready to hit the town with Barney. He meets Amy, (Mandy Moore), a tattooed party girl with whom he hooks up. Ted wakes up the next morning with a butterfly tattoo--a "tramp stamp"--on his lower back. Marshall also calls Barney and shows him he has 55 days until his next slap.

46 (2)
We're Not From Here
October 1, 2007

After seeing that Gael attracts girls because he is from Argentina, Barney and Ted pose as out-of-towners in order to meet New York City women. Their plan is a bust, and they eventually discover their dates are from New Jersey.

47 (3)
Third Wheel
October 8, 2007

Ted bumps into Trudy (the girl who snuck out Ted's bedroom window in "The Pineapple Incident"). While on a date with her, her sorority sister Rachel shows up and acts very interested in Ted. He tries to orchestrate a threesome ("tricycle"), but never reveals if it actually happened.

48 (4)
Little Boys

October 15, 2007

When Robin surprisingly forms a bond with the young son of the man she is dating, she decides it is too serious and must figure out a way to end her relationship and her friendship with the son.

49 (5)
How I Met Everyone Else
October 22, 2007

Ted introduces a new girlfriend whom he met over World of War craft. She becomes jealous because the story of how they met is worse than the stories of how their friends met, and she becomes progressively less stable. Barney describes his "crazy scale" and how she ranks.

50 (6)
I'm Not That Guy
October 29, 2007

Jeff Coatsworth (John Cho) courts Marshall into joining his "evil" corporate law firm in exchange for an enormous salary and great benefits. Lily reveals her deep credit card debt to Robin, but is too ashamed to tell Marshall to abandon his dream job in favor of a job that will help their financial woes. Marshall accepts Coatsworth's offer when he discovers he will only be protecting a local theme park.

51 (7)
Dowisetrepla
November 5, 2007

Lily and Marshall make a rash of irresponsible decisions when buying an apartment in the "Dowisetrepla" neighborhood. Lily's credit card debt forces them to take a loan at 18%, and after buying the apartment, they realize "Dowisetrepla" stands for "Down wind of the sewage treatment plant."

52 (8)
Spoiler Alert
November 12, 2007

Ted finds what he thinks is the perfect woman, but his friends all find a flaw that once noticed cannot go unnoticed. In doing so, however, they irreversibly reveal each others' shortcomings.

53 (9)
Slapsgiving
November 19, 2007

As Lily and Marshall host their first Thanksgiving as a married couple, Barney is tortured by the tick-tock of the Slap Bet countdown clock and the certainty of the exact moment the slap is going to be delivered. Meanwhile, Ted and Robin try to settle their feelings for each other when she brings an older suitor to Thanksgiving with her. Marshall delivers his third slap.

54 (10)
The Yips
November 26, 2007

After everyone joins a gym, Barney sees Rhonda (the woman who took his virginity) there. After learning that his performance with her was poor, he loses his ability to approach women. After his attempts at a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show party go awry, Barney has sex with Rhonda again, and she claims it was the best she ever had. Model cameos include Heidi Klum, Marisa Miller, Miranda Kerr, Adriana Lima, Selita Ebanks, and Alessandra Ambrosio. Wayne Brady also guest stars.

55 (11)
The Platinum Rule
December 10, 2007

Ted asks the dermatologist removing his tattoo to go on a date and his friends try to discourage him from going out with someone he sees regularly--the "Platinum Rule"--recalling their own horror stories of bad experiences. (Robin dated a coworker, Barney dated Wendy the waitress, and Marshall and Lily double-dated with their neighbors). Ted's date is a bust anyway as the doctor says it's illegal to date patients.

56 (12)
No Tomorrow
March 17, 2008

Ted and Barney go out in the town to celebrate St. Patrick's Day as if there is no tomorrow, where Ted is seemingly rewarded for every bad behavior. Meanwhile, Lily and Marshall discover a major flaw with their new apartment, the floor is slanted. Robin helps them invent "roller luge". Ted finds a yellow umbrella that may be "Mother's".

57 (13)
Ten Sessions
March 24, 2008

When Ted goes to see a dermatologist named Stella (Sarah Chalke) to have his tattoo removed and instantly falls for her. She's not interested, however, and so Ted sets out to change her mind before the ten sessions are up. Abby (Britney Spears), Stella's secretary, has a crush on Ted.

58 (14)
The Bracket
March 31, 2008

(a.k.a. The Final Four) When Barney's love life is sabotaged by a mystery woman, he turns to tournament bracketology to narrow down the field of 64 women with the most cause to hate his guts.

59 (15)
The Chain of Screaming
April 14, 2008

When Marshall is verbally berated by his boss, he questions whether the decision to work for a big law firm was the best career move. (Bob Odenkirk as Marshall's boss)

60 (16)
Sandcastles In The Sand
April 21, 2008

Robin's old boyfriend, Simon, from another of her teenage pop videos comes to town (James Van Der Beek), leading to a rekindling of their former romance, and Barney being thrown into a frenzy to find the second video in question, which also features Alan Thicke and Tiffany. Ted, Lily, and Marshall ponder their former personalities being brought back in the presence of old friends. When Robin is dumped by Simon again, Robin feels vulnerable leading her and Barney to sleep together.

61 (17)
The Goat
April 28, 2008

Guilt-ridden, Barney breaks the "Bro Code" by sleeping with Robin, and he ruins his friendship with Ted. Meanwhile, Lily decides to rescue a goat while the gang plans Ted's surprise party. In the end, future Ted realizes that he is confusing his 30th and 31st birthdays, that Barney's betrayal occurs before his 30th, while the goat incident — during which Robin will live in the apartment currently shared by Ted, Lily, and Marshall — will occur on his 31st.

62 (18)
Rebound Bro
May 5, 2008

When Ted breaks Stella's (Sarah Chalke) trust by telling the gang that she hasn't been intimate in five years, he must face the consequences of derailing the relationship. Meanwhile, since his split with Ted, Barney searches for a replacement Bro, finally settling reluctantly on his hapless co-worker (Will Forte).

63 (19)
Everything Must Go
May 12, 2008

Lily and Marshall attempt to raise money to fix their apartment floor by selling Lily's designer clothes. Lily also discovers a hidden use for her art. When Abby (Britney Spears) is revealed to be Barney's relationship saboteur, they join forces in their mutual hatred of Ted.

64 (20)
Miracles
May 19, 2008

After rashly breaking up with Stella (Sarah Chalke), Ted is involved in a car accident. He re-evaluates his life and relationship with Stella, who didn't realize she had been dumped. Surrounded by Marshall, Lily, and Robin, Stella then dumps him. Meanwhile, Barney rushes to the hospital but is hit by a bus, seriously injuring him and leading to Ted and Barney's reconciliation. He then realizes he is in love with Robin. Ted proposes to Stella after meeting in a Chuck E. Cheese-like funhouse.

Season 2

23 (1)
Where Were We?

September 18, 2006

The gang tries to help Marshall get over Lily, especially when he finds a credit card bill that leads to a hotel in New York City.

24 (2)
The Scorpion and the Toad
September 25, 2006

Lily returns from San Francisco claiming that she had the summer of her life, but in reality, she was miserable.

25 (3)
Brunch
October 2, 2006

This episode, which deals with each of the three parts of the story lines separately before meshing them together for the final scene, deals with Ted and Robin's failed brunch with the Mosby parents (Michael Gross, Cristine Rose), during which Ted learns of his parents' divorce.

26 (4)
Ted Mosby: Architect
October 9, 2006

Ted and Robin get in their first fight. Lily and Robin chase Ted and Marshall on their night out.

27 (5)
World's Greatest Couple
October 16, 2006

Lily wakes up in Barney's bed. Marshall hangs out with Brad and they take part in couple-like activities, to Ted and Robin's amusement.

28 (6)
Aldrin Justice

October 23, 2006

While Barney makes it his job to sexually satisfy Marshall's disgruntled law professor (Jane Seymour), Lily goes to work for Ted's architecture firm and tries to teach Ted's boss (Bryan Cranston) to be nicer.

29 (7)
Swarley
November 6, 2006

Barney is accidentally called "Swarley" by Chloe, the coffeehouse waitress (Morena Baccarin). Ted and Marshall stick with this nickname for the whole episode. Marshall goes on his first real date post-Lily with Chloe. Ted and Barney try to convince him the girl is crazy. Lily stalks Chloe and eventually she and Marshall reunite. (Note: Original episode title: "Crazy Eyes").

30 (8)
Atlantic City
November 13, 2006

Lily and Marshall attempt to elope at Atlantic City. Various obstacles such as not having a wedding license stand in their way, and just when they are about to marry each other, they realize they don't want to elope, but to have a big wedding.

31 (9)
Slap Bet
November 20, 2006

When Robin refuses to go to the mall, Marshall and Barney propose a "slap bet". Marshall believes she was married, and Barney believes she was a porn actress. Robin reveals she was in an embarrassing music video in the mall. Marshall is eventually awarded five slaps to be delivered anytime, and lands his first slap.

32 (10)
Single Stamina
November 27, 2006

Barney invites his gay, black brother James (Wayne Brady) to "liven" up the gang's life as all of them have been 'coupled' off and Barney is alone. James lives the same lifestyle as Barney. To his dismay, Barney discovers that James is engaged to a man named Tom. He disapproves until he discovers that James and Tom have adopted a baby, making Barney an uncle.

33 (11)
How Lily Stole Christmas
December 11, 2006

Ted calls Lily a harsh word (censored as "Grinch"). The two fight and nearly ruin the gang's Christmas. Barney catches a cold.

34 (12)
First Time in New York
January 8, 2007

Robin tries to keep her younger sister (Lucy Hale) from losing her virginity, which prompts the group to recall their own first experiences.

35 (13)
Columns
January 22, 2007

When Ted is constantly insulted by his former boss (Bryan Cranston), who is now working for him on a project, he is told to fire the man, but he finds it difficult. Meanwhile, Barney offers Lily a lot of money to paint a nude portrait of him.

36 (14)
Monday Night Football
February 5, 2007

The group was planning to watch the Super Bowl when they are invited to a funeral on the same evening. They make plans to watch the game the next night and make a pact to not find out the score before the next evening. Everyone except for Ted discovers the result. Cameo by Emmitt Smith.

37 (15)
Lucky Penny
February 12, 2007

Ted has a shot at his dream job, but loses it when he and Robin barely miss a flight to Chicago for the job interview. They retrace their steps and the steps of their friends to determine whose fault it was that Ted missed the flight.

38 (16)
Stuff
February 19, 2007

Lily's performance in an awful play draws honest but harsh criticism from Barney. When Lily is hurt, Barney defends himself by reversing the situation. Ted and Robin fight over what to do with "stuff" left over from each other's previous relationships. Marshall uses his second slap.

39 (17)
Arrivederci, Fiero
February 26, 2007

While waiting at the mechanic's for word on his Fiero, Marshall reminisces about his adventures with the car.

40 (18)
Moving Day

March 19, 2007

When Ted plans to move in with Robin, Barney steals Ted's moving truck. Marshall and Lily initially enjoy having the apartment to themselves, but soon learn that Ted kept everything together. Robin and Ted decide not to move in together after all, much to Marshall and Lily's joy.

41 (19)
Bachelor Party
April 9, 2007

Marshall has a bachelor party and Lily has a bridal shower. Barney ruins the bachelor party, and Robin buys Lily a vibrator as a gift, unaware that the party's guests are almost entirely Lily's elders. Lily later reveals that Barney went to great lengths to make sure she and Marshall reunited.

42 (20)
Showdown
April 30, 2007

Barney is ecstatic about his appearance on the "The Price Is Right" because he believes Bob Barker is his father. He wins every challenge and gives Marshall and Lily numerous wedding gifts. Marshall and Lily agree to stay apart before the wedding so the moment is more magical. Lily learns she can't fit in her wedding dress.

43 (21)
Something Borrowed
May 7, 2007

By the time their wedding day arrives, nothing seems to be the way Marshall and Lily had envisioned, but surprisingly Barney jumps in to try to save their special day.

44 (22)
Something Blue
May 14, 2007

When Barney overhears that Ted and Robin have a secret at the wedding reception, he begins to speculate about what it might be.

Season 1

1
"Pilot"
September 19, 2005

In 2030, Ted tells his children the story of how he met their mother, beginning back in 2005 with Marshall and Lily's engagement. Ted, eager to find his soulmate, meets Robin, and sets his sights on marrying her.

2
"Purple Giraffe"
September 26, 2005

Ted throws three consecutive parties so he can "casually" interact with Robin, but they end up just being friends. Barney tries to pick up a girl that does not know anyone at the party.

3
"Sweet Taste of Liberty"
October 3, 2005

Ted and Barney fly to Philadelphia after using one of Barney's techniques of picking up women. While in Philadelphia, the two end up doing something "legendary".

4
"Return of the Shirt"
October 10, 2005

Ted tries to find love in a past relationship but is reminded why he broke it off in the first place.

5
"Okay Awesome"
October 17, 2005

Ted and Barney go to a club to pick up women, while Lily and Marshall, in an attempt to be grown-ups, host a dinner party at the apartment for a group of couples.

6
"Slutty Pumpkin"
October 24, 2005

Ted waits around at a Halloween rooftop party at his apartment building for a girl dressed as a slutty pumpkin, whom he met at the same party four years before.

7
"Matchmaker"
November 7, 2005

Ted goes to a matchmaker who guarantees that her computer can find a person's soul mate in three days, and the computer reports no matches to Ted's profile except women who have already been matched. Lily and Marshall discover the horrifying "Cockamouse," a combination of a cockroach and a mouse.

8
"The Duel"
November 14, 2005

Ted and Marshall argue over who gets the apartment when Marshall and Lily get married. They get in a sword fight, and Marshall accidentally stabs Lily.

9
"Belly Full of Turkey"
November 21, 2005

For Thanksgiving, Lily meets Marshall's family of giants while wondering if she is pregnant. Robin and Ted spend Thanksgiving volunteering at a soup kitchen, and are surprised to see Barney working there.

10
"The Pineapple Incident"
November 28, 2005

Barney, Marshall, and Lily get Ted to drink shots. The next day, he wakes up with no memory of that night's events, an unknown woman (Danica McKellar) in his bed, and a pineapple on his nightstand.

11
"The Limo"
December 19, 2005

The group spends New Year's Eve in a limo Ted rented. They try to make it to five big parties and plan to ring in the New Year at the best one.

12
"The Wedding"
January 9, 2006

Ted almost breaks up a friend's wedding by trying to get Robin invited as his date.

13
"Drumroll, Please"
January 23, 2006

Ted meets Victoria at the wedding, but when he wants to see her again, he does not know how he can find her. Marshall obsesses over the cake.

14
"Zip, Zip, Zip"
February 6, 2006

Ted and Victoria have been dating for a month, Marshall and Lily are going to a bed and breakfast for their ninth anniversary, and Barney and Robin become "bros," since Ted is otherwise occupied.

15
"Game Night"
February 27, 2006

After winning several game nights in a row, Marshall invents "Marshgammon," but game night gets sidetracked when an embarrassing videotape of Barney from when he was just out of college shows up.

16
"Cupcake"
March 6, 2006

Victoria gets accepted into an internship program in Germany. She and Ted contemplate a long-distance relationship.

17
"Life Among the Gorillas"
March 20, 2006

Marshall takes a job at Barney's company and tries to fit in with his new crass coworkers.

18
"Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M."
April 10, 2006

Robin invites Ted over to her place after a long night of work. Ted contemplates ending his relationship with Victoria for another chance with Robin.

19
"Mary the Paralegal"
April 24, 2006

To fix Ted's jealousy over Robin, Barney sets him up with an escort for an awards banquet.

20
"Best Prom Ever"
May 1, 2006

Lily and Robin go to a high school prom to listen to the band that Marshall picked out for their wedding.

21
"Milk"
May 8, 2006

The matchmaking service from episode 7 finally matches Ted to his dream girl, but Ted realizes that Robin is the one for him. Lily secretly has an interview for an art fellowship in San Francisco. Barney has a feud with an office worker across the street.

22
"Come On"
May 15, 2006

Ted tries a rain dance in the hope that rain will keep Robin from going on a camping trip with Sandy Rivers. Lily is accepted at her internship, and she and Marshall break up