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