Best How I Met Your Mother

50 All-time How I Met Your Female parent Episodes Ranked

For nine seasons, Ted Mosby recounted the lengthy tale of how he somewhen met the mother of his children on the pop sitcom "How I Met Your Mother." Joined by his longtime Marshall Ericksen, Lily Aldrin, Barney Stinson, and Robin Scherbatsky, Ted searches for true love as he enters his 30s and progresses in his career. And amidst all the jokes about the trials and tribulations of the dating scene, "How I Met Your Mother" always brought plenty of emotional depth for its story and characters as they navigated life.

With the spinoff series "How I Met Your Father" having successfully launched on Hulu, hither's a look back at the series that started it all. From long-running slap bets to Barney'due south increasingly outlandish strategies to seduce whatever woman that crossed his path, "How I Met Your Mother" is packed with fan-favorite moments. Here are the series' best, continuing every bit the about memorable in Ted's longstanding quest to find the woman of his dreams.

fifty. Benefits (Season four, Episode 12)

CBS

Though Ted and Robin broke up at the end of "How I Met Your Mother" Season ii, the lingering attraction between them was explored halfway through Flavour 4 in the episode "Benefits." With Ted and Robin living together over again, under the presumption that they were to keep things platonic, tensions begin to arise. The two roommates then realized that they could resolve virtually whatever disagreements between them by having sex, with no strings attached.

"Benefits" not only continues to capitalize on the deep chemistry between Ted and Robin, which further informs their longstanding romantic tension, but underscores how much Barney truly loved Robin. Despite the normally suave Barney insisting he was not jealous of his ex-girlfriend hooking up with Ted, this turned out to be a prevarication. This revelation provides a much-needed vulnerability to Barney, and besides foreshadows that his ain romance with Robin was not quite finished.

49. The Platinum Rule (Flavor three, Episode 11)

CBS

Past "How I Met Your Mother" Season 3, Barney's patented Bro Code had become a hallmark for the graphic symbol and a major fan-favorite chemical element of the show. Every bit the flavour continued, Barney shared the code's ultimate precept in the episode "The Platinum Rule" as he advised Ted'south latest romantic endeavor. With Ted strongly because dating his tattoo removal doctor, Barney reveals that the eponymous rule forbids people who meet each other regularly from dating. By Barney'south reasoning, should such a romance fail, the regular interaction would become unbearably awkward for the erstwhile couple.

"The Platinum Rule" provides another splendid showcase for Sarah Chalke'southward recurring character Stella Zinman. Of all of Ted's paramours over the history of the show, Stella holds a especially special identify. More so, the episode further expands on the lore of the code upon which Barney has sworn his life, leading to him debating its merits with Ted in absurd particular.

48. Zippo Skilful Happens Later on 2 A.1000. (Season i, Episode xviii)

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At that place's a reason that information technology takes Ted nine seasons to observe truthful dearest and settle down: Sometimes he makes grave relationship mistakes that result in messy consequences for all parties involved. This fallibility of the character is perfectly illustrated in the Season 1 episode "Nothing Adept Happens Afterwards 2 A.One thousand." With Ted growing closer to Robin, the truthful object of his angel, he has to reconcile how he's going to deal with his serious girlfriend Victoria. And just as Ted screwed up his first date with Robin, he somehow fails even more spectacularly this time around.

"How I Met Your Mother" ever worked because of its true-to-life wisdom and the titular maxim is one that peculiarly resonates. With everyone a bit more emotionally vulnerable and cognitively compromised that late at night, Ted makes some bone-headed amorous decisions. I of the most effectively heartbreaking episodes in the series, the episode is a reminder that, like all of us, Ted makes big mistakes and he has to face the consequences for them.

47. Three Days of Snow (Season 4, Episode xviii)

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With Ted often depicted as being single-mindedly hung upwardly on a sole honey interest at a given time, it'due south piece of cake to forget how he navigates the dating scene. This distinction includes how well Ted and Barney work together as wingmen, trying to choice upwardly women for their respective pursuits. The dynamic between the two friends is explored in full in the Flavor 4 episode "Iii Days of Snow."

The episode traces three different storylines unfolding as an enormous blizzard passes through New York. As Ted and Barney host a party for a visiting college marching band, Marshall and Robin set out to pick up Lily from the airport every bit she returns from a trip. Comedic panic ensues as one of Marshall and Lily's indelible relationship traditions is threatened by complications from the heavy snowfall, with Robin providing her own outside observations. These character pairings work well, showing how naturally the actors are able to play off each other in these varying scenarios.

46. Brunch (Flavour 2, Episode iii)

CBS

There is no more important weekly meal for a millennial than brunch, and the eponymous meal serves equally the centerpiece for an early Season 3 episode. Ted'south parents Alfred and Virginia are visiting New York to see Robin for the first time, and three carve up squabbles surface over the course of the twenty-four hour period. Along the way, Ted receives bombshell news about his parents, while Lily and Marshall address their rekindled romance.

The era of "How I Met Your Mother" where Ted and Robin were a committed couple is an interesting menstruation for the prove. Robin was always something of the ultimate unattainable woman for Ted and watching them challenge each other as a couple adds a fascinating dynamic. And with Ted'southward parents providing his primary show that truthful dear exists, the revelation that their wedlock has unraveled leads to something of an existential crisis for him.

45. The Best Burger in New York (Season 4, Episode two)

CBS

Marshall has always been a character capable of finding joy in the modest, everyday pleasures that life has to offer. That comes to play in "The Best Burger in New York." Though Marshall finds himself jobless at the start of Season 4, he decides to cheer himself up by locating the best burger joint in the metropolis. Unfortunately, Marshall tin can't quite remember where this fabled establishment is, leading his friends on a merry search for it.

The Marshall-driven episodes have a more innocent sense of fun about them, befitting the graphic symbol's nature, and that works wonders here. "The All-time Burger in New York" likewise comes with the running gag of Robin simply trying to consume, following a lengthy cleanse, only to be dragged elsewhere before she can swallow. "How Met Your Mother" doesn't ever capitalize on its New York setting, just this episode actually leans into how much fun the environment can be.

44. Farhampton (Season eight, Episode 1)

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"How I Met Your Mother" Season viii is a season of second thoughts and romantic feet, all fueled by a healthy corporeality of heartbreak, and that'southward readily apparent right from its season premiere. "Farhampton" telegraphs the matrimonial premise that volition make up the bulk of Season ix, while offering Ted a second hazard at one of his bang-up loves that he thought he lost for practiced years ago: Victoria.

While Ted had disastrously botched his romance with Victoria in a failed bid to woo Robin in Season one, his ex-girlfriend resurfaces to rekindle their relationship. The Season 8 premiere involves Victoria dealing with the consequences of leaving her fiancé at the altar, with guest star Thomas Lennon hilariously portraying her jilted German lover Klaus. As Ted and Victoria face Klaus, Barney celebrates his own engagement to his girlfriend Quinn, a relationship audiences already know is doomed to neglect — thus adding an extra level of intrigue.

43. Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)

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With 9 seasons and over 200 episodes, information technology'southward remarkable how much enduring continuity for "How I Met Your Mother" is borne specifically from the pilot episode. Kicking off the series, the airplane pilot quickly establishes all of the primary grapheme's dynamics, with many of the recurring jokes permeating through the serial introduced here. Some shows change a lot from their pilot but "How I Met Your Mother" lays a particularly strong foundation out the gate.

The series begins with Marshall finally proposing to Lily later on years of dating. This leads Ted to become more than serious with his own romantic pursuits, searching for truthful beloved. He shortly meets the enigmatic Robin, who could be the woman of his dreams. All the cardinal players for the majority of the show come together but, as the episode'due south denouement confirms, the mystery is but simply getting started.

42. The Broath (Season seven, Episode nineteen)

While Barney always had eyes for Robin, one of his other most thriving romances was with Quinn, whom he began dating in Season 7. Equally Barney prepares to innovate Quinn to his friends, he makes Ted swear an adjuration on the Bro Code — effectively "The Broath" — that he won't tell them she's a stripper. This oath is, of form, broken immediately, as Ted and his friends wonder if Quinn is truly a good match for Barney.

"The Broath" confirms only how much of a master manipulator Barney can be, and what makes Quinn such an ideal lucifer for him. This couple dynamic is mirrored by Robin facing crises across the board and budgeted Ted to commiserate — merely for him to rebuff her. Mixing drama, romance, and comedy in equal measure, "The Broath" is a sterling example of what "How I Met Your Mother" was capable of, even in after seasons.

41. Trilogy Time (Flavor 7, Episode 20)

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Marshall and Ted take an undying dearest of the original "Star Wars" trilogy, with the aptly titled Season 7 episode "Trilogy Time" honing in on this. The guys are revealed to accept a tradition every three years where they binge the first three "Star Wars" movies. Every bit Ted and Marshall revisit the iconic space opera franchise, they daydream about how their lives volition be in the side by side 3 years.

These alternate futures provide amusing glances at how each of the characters will stop up, while cementing the timeline upon which Ted volition meet the long-promised female parent. A lot has been said about Ted and his perpetual bachelorhood condign a bit wearying in the latter seasons, just "Trilogy Fourth dimension" utilizes this well. And any occasion that "How I Met Your Mother" gets to indulge in humor about flatulence is certainly a welcome 1.

40. The Best Man (Season seven, Episode 1)

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"How I Met Your Mother" Season 6 concluded with the cliffhanger revelation that Ted is destined to serve every bit the best human being at Barney'south wedding. The Flavor seven premiere "The Best Man" expands on this, with Ted calming Barney'south pre-matrimonial jitters past recalling a different wedding where he served as best man. The episode follows Ted attempting to fix a best man's speech for a loftier school friend named Punchy, with the anniversary set to become a full disaster.

"The Best Man" gives each of the core bandage hilarious subplots to follow upward on as they get together at Punchy's hymeneals. Outside of his usual stomping grounds, Barney decides to experiment with his pickup techniques and expand his playbook. Lily is pregnant and she and Marshall decide to keep this secret, resulting in Marshall drinking for both of them. And through information technology all, the seeds for Barney and Robin to rekindle their romance are planted, setting up Season vii'due south big payoff.

39. Subway Wars (Season six, Episode 4)

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One of the running jokes throughout "How I Met Your Mother" is Robin constantly getting grief by the gang for being Canadian. Robin's status as a New Yorker is called into question once again in the Season 6 episode "Subway Wars," where she's given iii challenges to become a true New Yorker. This comes as the gang debates what's the fastest manner to achieve a restaurant, with each taking an individual transit method to become their beginning.

What "Subway Wars" does so well is carve up its core ensemble in reaching a common goal, as each member of the gang runs into their own complications in reaching the eatery. Additionally, the 3 Herculean challenges given to Robin unfold over the course of the episode, to mounting comical consequence. As fun as it is to see the core ensemble play off each other, "Subway Wars" is a potent reminder they can individually acquit themselves in a thrilling race.

38. Final Words (Flavor six, Episode xiv)

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One of the biggest emotional gut punches in "How I Met Your Mother" is the expiry of Marshall's father Marvin. The fallout from this sudden loss is explored in the Season 6 episode "Last Words," as the gang travels to Minnesota to support Marshall at his male parent'southward funeral. Every bit Marshall rejoins his family unit, he shares memories of his father and the familiar faces that arrive for the funeral.

"Last Words" is a character study, delving into Marshall'southward relationship with his father and how it shaped him into the man that he became. That isn't to say there aren't plenty of funny moments to beacon Marshall'south grief-stricken introspection — Ted has his own traumatic memories of his father while the gang gets to play off of Marshall'due south family and childhood friends to great effect. But really, "Last Words" is a reminder of the emotional poignancy the bear witness is capable of and does and so well.

37. The Leap (Season 4, Episode 24)

CBS

"How I Met Your Mother" Season iv was a particularly tumultuous 1 for Ted'southward personal life, from being left at the altar to getting fired, with all other manner of mishap along the manner. Despite this, Ted remarks that it was the best year of his life, and that all comes to fruition with the Season 4 finale "The Spring." Every bit Ted works late nights to salvage his architecture career, Marshall plans a surprise altogether political party for his friend on the apartment'southward roof.

For a flavor that put Ted through the wringer, "The Leap" really stands as a triumph for the protagonist every bit his resilience and friendships win out. This isn't to say that Ted doesn't earn some boosted bumps and bruises forth the way, merely we would look aught less of Ted Mosby. The episode too offers some overdue character growth for both Barney and Robin that will inform each of them for seasons to follow.

36. The Bracket (Season 3, Episode fourteen)

CBS

Information technology really was only a thing of time before "How I Met Your Mother" provided its own spin on March Madness bracketology, and the Flavour 3 episode "The Subclass" doesn't disappoint. As Ted and Marshall rails their college basketball game brackets for the flavor, Barney finds himself mysteriously and repeatedly thwarted in his contempo romantic endeavors. This frustration leads Barney to create his ain bracket nautical chart of his various amorous escapades.

Barney has e'er been the virtually cartoonish and depraved of the main ensemble, and that is highlighted in full in "The Bracket." Delving into Barney's romantic history as he searches for his ain personal saboteur gives the episode its ain overarching and intriguing mystery. "The Bracket" offers a deeper look at Barney's antics and gives him a run a risk to grow ... albeit not too much for the show'south own resident Don Juan. True love is coming for him, but in that location is all the same a larger story to tell, subsequently all.

35. The Iii Days Rule (Season 4, Episode 21)

CBS

In an age of text messages and online dating, one of the big debates is how long someone should look to respond to avoid looking desperate while maintaining interest. This principle comes into question in the Season four episode "The Three Days Rule," with Barney instructing Ted to refrain from following up with a woman correct abroad. This leads Ted to carry on a text conversation with the adult female in question, with Robin reminding him to temper expectations appropriately.

"The Three Days Rule" is an episode that resonates with modernistic audiences particularly well years after its initial broadcast in 2009. Ted has built up an arcadian version of his would-be paramour, benefitting from the distance and his own vivid fantasy. This offers a greater glimpse into Ted's idealized romantic partner while setting him up for a harsh reality check that modern, online dating savvy audiences may be all likewise familiar with.

34. Miracles (Season 3, Episode 20)

CBS

"How I Met Your Mother" Season 3 gave Ted and Barney's friendship its greatest exam when Barney hooked up with Robin shortly after she and Ted broke up. Discovering what transpired, Ted and Barney had a falling out that comes to a head in the episode "Miracles." Revolving around two harrowing accidents, Ted and Barney are left reevaluating their lives and their dynamic after a close brush with their own mortality.

With Ted and Barney both narrowly surviving their own accidents, the gang ponders on their own experiences with the miraculous, offer a fun expect at their history. But really, "Miracles" offers two substantial moments in the greater "How I Met Your Female parent" lore — it proves only how resilient Ted and Barney'southward friendship truly is, while testing Stella's own relationship with Ted. These two elements directly set the stage for the start of Flavor 4, while Ted and Barney'southward dynamic will play an even more central function moving forward.

33. Symphony of Illumination (Season seven, Episode 12)

By its very premise, "How I Met Your Mother" is predicated with the expectation of its principal characters becoming parents and recounting their adventures to their children. This setup is completely subverted in the Season vii episode "Symphony of Illumination," with a story that largely centers on Robin. After Robin and Barney believe they have conceived a child, Robin imagines herself narrating her ain history to her children.

This, of course, all proves to be an elaborate fabrication — Robin learns she is biologically unable to have children at all. Robin was introduced equally a character who planned to focus on her career instead of raising a family, but this episode reminds audiences just how vulnerable she is underneath that bravado. It's one affair to decide not to accept children and another thing entirely to be incapable of doing so, and "Symphony of Illumination" is an absolute heartbreaker of an episode. And even so, for all the tragedy, the episode also underscores how much Ted cares for Robin, particularly at a moment when she needs it the most.

32. Something New (Season 8, Episode 24)

CBS

For years, audiences grasped at whatsoever minute clues and details "How I Met Your Mother" dangled regarding the identity of the long promised mother. The lengthy wait finally came to an end with the Flavour 8 finale "Something New," finally unveiling the confront of its time to come mother: Tracy McConnell. And while that alone is worthy of a place on this listing, there is plenty of solid material in the episode leading upwardly to the big reveal.

Equally Barney and Robin ready for their lavish wedding weekend in Farhampton, each of the other principal characters face their ain crossroads. Frustrated with watching Robin marry his best friend, Ted plans to movement away from New York for good. Meanwhile, Marshall hasn't told Lily about his new chore. Say what you lot volition nearly "How I Met Your Female parent" Season 9, the setup for the season coming out of Season eight was a masterclass in setting the stakes.

31. Oh Honey (Season six, Episode 15)

CBS

A prominent celebrity cameo can make or break an episode. Fortunately, "How I Met Your Mother" has managed to incorporate its cameos to feel more than a mere gimmick. Season 6 brings Katy Perry into the fold portraying Honey, the incredibly naïve cousin of Ted's friend Zoey. Naturally, Barney sets out to woo Honey while Ted contemplates if in that location's more than to his friendship with Zoey than he initially idea, with Marshall providing long altitude back up.

Though Zoey and Ted's romance is one of the shorter lived relationships, the start of their courtship is undeniably sweet. And Perry proves she has acting chops that can more than go along up with the master cast, and she's not afraid to poke fun at herself. "Oh Love" is a particularly solid episode in Flavour 6, with Perry giving the proceedings a welcome shot in the arm playing off her veteran co-stars.

thirty. The Bro Mitzvah (Season viii, Episode 22)

CBS

Halfway through "How I Met Your Mother" Season 8, Barney and Robin rekindled their romance and got engaged. As the happy couple began preparing for their wedding ceremony throughout the latter half of the season, Barney's bachelor party was chronicled in the episode "The Bro Mitzvah." In Barney'southward eyes, yet, his plans for a raucous stag night quickly become off the runway every bit Ted and Marshall helm the festivities.

"The Bro Mitzvah," full of plot twists, shows just that Ted and Marshall empathise their longtime friend fifty-fifty better than he realizes. Information technology's besides an episode that has aged incredibly, presaging the popularity of the revival series "Cobra Kai" years before its eventual premiere, complete with its "Karate Child" revisionism and celebrity cameos. "The Bro Mitzvah" is a fantastic example of "How I Met Your Mother" still firing on all cylinders in its penultimate season.

29. Intervention (Season 4, Episode 4)

Some of the all-time episodes of "How I Met Your Mother" involve the gang revisiting their history together, and the Season 4 episode "Intervention" is a peachy showcase for this. Equally Marshall and Lily ready to get out their longtime apartment to start their ain abode as a married couple, Robin is ready to motility to Japan. This leads Marshall and Ted to fence who should pay for their apartment'southward security deposit, reminiscing about damage done to the unit of measurement during their tenure living there.

This trip down memory lane involves the gang recalling moments that they staged interventions for each other. In true "How I Met Your Mother" fashion, these involve interventions to stop relatively silly concerns, from Lily constantly using a British accent to Barney'due south magic tricks. However, past the cease of this, 18-carat concerns between the characters are raised, reminding audiences merely how much they are truly invested in the gang.

28. Ted Mosby: Architect (Season 2, Episode 4)

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Disagreements are a natural outgrowth from whatsoever long lasting relationship, and though Ted and Robin seemed like the ideal couple, they finally take their first big fight early in Flavor 2. The episode "Ted Mosby: Architect" features a tense moment betwixt the couple over their individual work concerns. This leads Barney to assistance Ted realize that women remember architects are absurd and sexy, leading him to look outside of his relationship.

For all of Ted's faults, we intuitively know that he'due south not the blazon to cheat on Robin, but the episode demonstrates how much they've grown as a couple. "Ted Mosby: Architect" too helps keep audiences guessing — despite us knowing Ted's better nature, there are plenty of clues that he could become unfaithful in the episode-spanning mystery. As an audience, we want to run across Ted and Robin thrive, and this episode puts that notion to the exam with its exploration of relationship growing pains.

27. Mary the Paralegal (Season 1, Episode xix)

CBS

Barney is a grapheme that the others, and by extension the audition, are never quite sure how much they should take seriously. Ever ane to use guile and wanton manipulation to go what he wants — or to play an elaborate gag — Barney keeps everyone effectually him on their toes at all times. This duplicitous side to Barney provides well-nigh of the hilarity and narrative tension in the Season one episode "Mary the Paralegal."

Invited to an award banquet for Robin after she wins a prestigious honor at work, Ted finds himself in need of a date after breaking things off with his serious girlfriend Victoria. Barney sets up Ted with a date for the upshot, but it's unclear if the adult female in question is a sexual activity worker or a co-worker of Barney'south. This leads to an entire episode of Ted and his friends debating whether his appointment is all that she appears, with enough of red herrings and clues heightening the funny mystery.

26. World's Greatest Couple (Season 2, Episode five)

CBS

"How I Met Your Mother" Season 2 began with Marshall and Lily separated, having broken off their engagement at the end of the inaugural flavor. Their adventures equally single individuals was explored in the episode "World's Greatest Couple." Relocating back to New York, Lily finds herself moving in with Barney in the interim while Marshall begins hanging around with a new friend named Brad.

Of everyone in the usual friend group, nobody butt heads more frequently than Lily and Barney. "World'southward Greatest Couple" capitalizes on this interpersonal friction. Similarly, while "How I Met Your Female parent" boasts several enduring bromances, the blossoming friendship between Marshall and Brad pokes fun at this dynamic. On the surface, the audience wants to see Marshall and Lily dorsum together, but "World'due south Greatest Couple" shows how effective and interesting the two characters are apart.

25. Drumroll, Delight (Flavour 1, Episode xiii)

While "How I Met Your Female parent" introduced plenty of memorable love interests for Ted, 1 that looms especially large is Victoria. Halfway through Season ane, Victoria was introduced as a woman at a wedding attended by Ted, with the two hitting it off immediately. This leads to a m mystery, as the gang sets out to discover who exactly this adult female actually is.

"How I Met Your Mother" began with Ted constantly pining for Robin, simply for complications to arise every pace of the manner, preventing their potential relationship from progressing. "Drumroll, Please" presents the possibility that true love for Ted lay elsewhere, and Victoria's introduction opens that interesting management through actor Ashley Williams' natural chemistry with series star Josh Radnor. Ted'southward journey began very much in the shadow of Robin, but Victoria led the grapheme to a far more interesting path moving forward.

24. Something Borrowed (Flavour ii, Episode 21)

CBS

"How I Met Your Mother" began with Marshall and Lily'south date and, despite all the twists and turns along the way, the couple finally marries at the finish of Season 2. The season'southward penultimate episode, "Something Borrowed," has the gang scramble as a whole wave of obstacles surface, threatening to completely derail the impending nuptials. Contending with everything from the sudden appearance of Lily's obsessive ex-beau to a harpist going into labor, the wedding is set up to be a total disaster.

"Something Borrowed" goes to slapstick lengths to deliver in some of the series' biggest laughs, including a memorably tragic haircut for Marshall correct before the ceremony. Throughout all the comedic mishaps, the episode delivers i of the most picturesque happy endings the series has ever crafted, as the wedding proceeds through the crises. And if there were any lingering doubts well-nigh Barney's intentions, the reckless ladies' man pulls out all the stops here to save the twenty-four hours.

23. Something Blueish (Season 2, Episode 22)

CBS

Just every bit its preceding episode chronicled the pb-up and private nuptials anniversary between Marshall and Lily, the "How I Met Your Mother" Season 2 finale revolved around its subsequent reception. "Something Bluish" has Barney realize Ted and Robin are belongings a big secret in the midst of the effusive celebrations. This leads to 1 of the most bittersweet episodes of the series, as Ted and Robin quietly admit their storied romance has finally come to an end.

On ane hand, Robin was never going to exist the long promised female parent to Ted'south children — this was telegraphed from the series premiere. On the other hand, so much genuine chemistry between the couple and goodwill had been shown beyond the first two seasons that it's legitimately heartbreaking to see them split. "Something Blue" is an episode that sets the stage for the long game backside the series, with a spoonful of sugar to help that bitter medicine get down.

22. Ten Sessions (Flavor 3, Episode 13)

CBS

The first woman that was poised to become Ted'due south true beloved in the wake of his breakup with Robin was Doctor Stella Zinman. Introduced halfway through Flavor 3, Stella and Ted'southward romantic rapport was the centerpiece of the episode "Ten Sessions." As Ted visits Stella to accept her remove an embarrassing tattoo beyond ten sessions, she repeatedly rejects his amorous overtures. This leads to Ted to pull out all the stops during their last session, giving a whole new meaning to "cyclone courtship."

While recurring actor Sarah Chalke brings enough of energy and calorie-free to the show that will do good from for the residuum of Season three, there is a different secret weapon here. Just as Season vi saw a memorable guest star turn from Katy Perry, "Ten Sessions" features a prominent guest advent by Britney Spears. In one of the most acclaimed invitee star roles in the series, Spears' graphic symbol Abby plays off both Ted and Barney well, providing the laughs as Ted woos Stella.

21. The End of the Aisle (Season 9, Episode 22)

CBS

One affair "How I Met Your Female parent" fans can largely concur on is that the show'due south ninth and final season is its weakest. From dead-on-inflow running jokes merely getting worse as the flavour continues to the master story existence fix over the class of a single weekend, Flavor ix is a mess. Having said all that, there are still some vivid spots in the season and the episode "The Stop of the Aisle" is certainly i of them.

Starting time approximately 30 minutes earlier the start of Barney and Robin'southward long awaited hymeneals ceremony, "The Terminate of the Aisle" addresses Season ix'southward longstanding cadre conflicts. From the matrimonial couple dealing with the concluding of their pre-ceremony anxieties ,to Marshall and Lily reevaluating their own marriage, the emotional stakes of Season nine are fulfilled here. And through it all, Robin finally gets her own meeting with Tracy, leaving only Ted to make her fateful associate every bit the series' endgame looms on the horizon.

twenty. The Magician's Code: Role 2 (Season 7, Episode 24)

CBS

Beyond Season 7, there was the long-running mystery of whom Barney was destined to marry, picking up from the cliffhanger ending to Season 6'south glimpse at the future. This undercover was finally revealed in the Flavor 7 finale "The Magician'south Lawmaking: Role two," while Ted reexamined his ain romantic woes. This reappraisal brings dorsum Ted'south ultimate girl that got away, marker Victoria — at her ain matrimonial crossroads.

Truthful to the evidence's nature, the revelation of Robin equally Barney's future helpmate comes equally he successfully proposes to his girlfriend Quinn in the present. Non simply does this resolve Season 7's longstanding question, but promises Flavour 8 volition be one filled with its own surprises and twists for Ted and Barney. "How I Met Your Mother" is a testify borne from a mystery and "The Wizard's Code" presents another puzzle that will shape the ensemble's trajectory in its final two seasons.

19. Ducky Tie (Flavour vii, Episode 3)

CBS

Just as "The Magician's Code" rekindled the romance between Ted and Victoria, her return into his life was presaged earlier in Season seven in the episode "Ducky Tie." While making amends for how disastrously their past human relationship concluded, Ted is likewise driven to reevaluate his friendships with Robin and Barney, given their intertwining history. This cadre trio believed they had overcome their interpersonal tension, but "Ducky Tie" sets the stage for this to resurface as the serial moves towards its finale.

Of course, as Ted's subplot takes him on a more reflective path, Marshall and Lily find themselves defenseless in a competition with Barney to give the episode a more comedic main story. Barney gets obsessed with changes to Lily's torso from her pregnancy, prompting a bet with her and Marshall over a particularly ugly tie. While Barney is a fan-favorite graphic symbol for the show, its e'er squeamish seeing the overconfident grapheme stammer, and "Ducky Necktie" features a well deserved comeuppance.

18. Come On (Season 1, Episode 22)

For all the laughs, "How I Met Your Mother" has always brought a stiff level of emotional investment in its main characters equally they progress through life. The bear witness frequently accomplishes this by pairing triumph with tragedy, and one of the first episode in the series to expertly showcase this tonal juxtaposition is the Season 1 finale "Come On." Though Ted finally manages to embark on his romance with Robin, this victory is marred by Marshall and Lily'south relationship completely imploding.

Despite usa existence explicitly told that Robin not being the mother of Ted's children, Flavor 1 resolved around his attempts to start a serious relationship with her, with the audition cheering him on. This tumultuous journeying was contrasted with Marshall and Lily as the ideal couple, happily engaged and planning their wedding. Truthful to the show's commitment to the long game, both narrative arcs come to a caput in the season finale, setting the emotional stakes for the audience for the ride ahead.

17. Perfect Week (Season 5, Episode 14)

CBS

Barney Stinson is an unrepentant lothario — it's the defining characteristic of his grapheme for nigh of "How I Met Your Mother." For Barney, it'south all about hooking up with as many women every bit possible, and that drive informs his central part in the Season 5 episode "Perfect Calendar week." Every bit Barney tries to claw upwards with a dissimilar woman every day for a unmarried week, the residue of the gang endures a particularly terrible calendar week themselves over the same period.

If "Come On" is an illustration on how "How I Met Your Mother" mixes victory and defeat on more than emotional terms, "Perfect Week" plays this contrast for laughs. The gang initially believes their recent spat of bad luck is inversely correlated to Barney'southward amorous winning streak. However, every bit the episode progresses, the gang realizes the key to breaking their bad week is in seeing Barney actually succeed, giving him an impromptu coiffure of wingmen.

16. Showdown (Season 2, Episode 20)

CBS

One of the early on mysteries in "How I Met Your Female parent" involved the identity of Barney's biological father, with the character suspecting information technology to be "The Cost Is Correct" host Bob Barker. Barney finally got the take chances to personally face Bob in the Season 2 episode "Showdown," with the venerable host appearing every bit himself when Barney arrives on the show every bit a contestant. This storyline is intercut with Ted preparing to write his best human's speech communication for Marshall and Lily'southward upcoming wedding, and struggling with the consignment.

Seeing Barney'southward light-headed joy in getting the "The Price Is Right" challenges down to an verbal science is an unfettered delight. This is mirrored by Marshall constantly interfering with Ted's speechwriting, insisting that his all-time man keep information technology every bit family friendly as possible. Marshall has Ted replace unsavory terms and events with innocuous substitutions, giving Ted a surprise creative challenge.

15. Tick Tick Tick (Season 7, Episode 10)

CBS

Though Season 7 gave both Robin and Barney their own respective serious relationships, the two drifted dorsum into each other's arms early in the season. This comes to a head in the episode "Tick Tick Tick," with the two deciding to confess to their significant others while stuck on a boat together the following evening. Of course, this plan does non get as intended, with its own set of complications and betrayal of trust along the mode.

Undercutting these emotional stakes is a subplot post-obit Ted and Marshall attending a concert with Lily. After smoking marijuana together (which, in "How I Met Your Female parent" parlance is substituted by eating a sandwich), the two get on their own cognitively impaired adventure. "Tick Tick Tick" provides a solid amount of character growth for Barney, and Neil Patrick Harris delivers i of his finest performances in the series.

14. Bad News (Season 6, Episode thirteen)

If there was ever an episode of "How I Met Your Mother" practically begging for a rewatch, it's the Flavor half dozen episode "Bad News." Equally Marshall and Lily address fertility troubles while trying to conceive a child together, numbers start appearing in the background, counting down throughout the episode. While the overarching premise of the episode would suggest this has to do with the couple's troubles conceiving, the countdown instead ends with a shocking tragedy for Marshall.

Bad news often comes when those least expect it, and the episode not merely reflects that, merely reminds audiences that there are homo stakes at play — as outlandish equally the show can occasionally become. "Bad News" also gives the gang enough to practice aside from its countdown, with Robin squaring off confronting her old nemesis Sandy Rivers at work while Barney's doppelganger is discovered. Though the episode'southward core gimmick can be a bit distracting, "Bad News" largely rises above information technology to deliver a particularly memorable twist for the show.

13. Swarley (Flavour 2, Episode vii)

CBS

One of the most curious stretches for "How I Met Your Mother" is the beginning of Season two, with Marshall and Lily remaining cleaved up. It was only a matter of time earlier they reconciled, and that finally takes identify in "Swarley" following Marshall's brief attempt to reenter the dating scene. This romantic reconnection follows "How I Met Your Mother" introducing the concept of the "crazy optics."

Ted, Barney, and Marshall each embark on dates with women possessing eyes that hint at hidden mental instability, responding to each portend accordingly. This comes equally Barney earns an unfortunate nickname while Lily becomes despondent over Marshall dating again. At that place is some funny, truthful-to-life dating communication to be had in "Swarley," but more than that, the episode finally brings back its ultimate couple back together as Season 2 kicks into high gear.

12. How I Met Everyone Else (Season 3, Episode 5)

CBS

For all the fourth dimension "How I Met Your Mother" takes to explain how Ted would eventually see the mother to his children, Season three remembers to highlight its other introductions. Though Ted'due south history with his friends were explored in previous flashbacks, the full story of gang's first meetings are explored in the aptly titled "How I Met Everyone Else." Mirroring this trip down retentivity lane is Ted dating someone whom Barney finds on the incorrect cease of the crazy/hot scale.

For a bear witness that relies and then heavily on flashbacks and flash-forwards, information technology was good for Flavour three to finally get and so much of its own history out of the way in a single go. Plenty of the show's mythology would be established in "How I Met Everyone Else," including Ted's propensity to apply "eating a sandwich" as a euphemism for smoking marijuana. Flashbacks aside, the episode is just a funny i, with the core cast clearly relishing portraying the younger lives of their characters.

xi. Slapsgiving (Flavour 3, Episode 9)

CBS

One of the longstanding plot threads in "How I Met Your Mother" was the slap bet, which saw Barney serving equally the recipient to a set up of slaps from Marshall. Though two slaps had already been delivered, the fanfare surrounding this bet truly began in the Flavor 3 episode "Slapsgiving." As Marshall and Lily host their start Thanksgiving as a married couple, Barney must contend with the promise that he volition receive a slap by the end of the evening.

"Slapsgiving" is such a celebrated episode in the series that "How I Met Your Mother" would produce two sequels to it as the slap bet continued. However, whereas future Slapsgivings felt derivative, the first ane cements its place in the show's mythos. And more than than just relying on tension between Barney and Marshall, "Slapsgiving" reminds audiences that Ted and Robin could still play off each other well, even after their failed romance.

10. Spoiler Alert (Season 3, Episode 8)

CBS

1 of the keys to any successful, long-lasting friendship is learning not to bring up certain aspects of a friend's life or beliefs, lest it unearths latent tension. This rule is challenged in the Season 3 episode "Spoiler Warning," as the presence of Ted's new girlfriend Cathy leads the gang to accost each other's annoying habits. And, of grade, once a genie similar that is out of the canteen, it's difficult to put it back in.

"Spoiler Alarm" instills plenty of friction between its cadre cast, with relatively low stakes and plenty of comedic aureate to be mined from information technology. As fun as it is to see the gang work together, the chance to see them poke fun at each other is capitalized here. At that place is an even greater joy in seeing the ensemble inevitably work their way back together, as a testament to their enduring friendship.

9. Game Night (Flavour 1, Episode 15)

Though Ted plant love with Victoria, this fledgling romance was tested halfway through Season 1 in the episode "Game Night." The gang assembles for a series of games orchestrated by Marshall, who presides over the evening's activities due to his undisputed mastery over all established games. This leads to each of the gang sharing, as part of one of Marshall's drinking games, the most embarrassing moments of their respective lives to each other, told through a prepare of flashbacks.

"Game Nighttime" offers a surprise await into Barney'southward background and the shine-talking, sharply dressed persona he had built for himself. Every hero and villain deserves a good origin story and, with Barney occasionally acting every bit both, his mysterious past finally stands revealed. This backstory is juxtaposed with the gang's other bad-mannered anecdotes, including unseen details behind Ted'south disastrous first appointment with Robin, with a tense fuse lit between him and Victoria.

viii. Girls Versus Suits (Flavour 5, Episode 12)

CBS

Running for over 200 episodes, "How I Met Your Mother" e'er pulled out all the stops whenever it hitting a landmark centennial episode to mark the occasion. The first of these milestones was reached halfway through Flavour five, with Episode 100: "Girls Versus Suits." The climax of the episode was an unabridged song and dance number that saw Barney professing his love of suits, with the vocal itself nominated for an Emmy Award.

Boasting a whole prepare of invitee stars, including Tim Gunn as Barney's personal tailor, "Girls Versus Suits" celebrates the evidence'due south centennial episode with plenty of mode to spare. Apart from Barney's musical ode to his sartorial fixation, the episode as well marks a progression in Ted's overarching story to detect true honey. Though the futurity female parent remains elusive, there is the sense that she is correct effectually the corner every bit Ted dates her roommate ... though the ultimate reveal was still years abroad.

7. Blitzgiving (Flavor 6, Episode ten)

CBS

From slap fests to bad-mannered family unit become-togethers, Thanksgivings were always a standout occasion in virtually every season of "How I Met Your Mother." 1 of the concluding truly spectacular Thanksgiving episodes occurs in the Flavour 6 episode "Blitzgiving." The episode has Ted finally take on host duties to have his friends over for the holiday, just for complications to arise. Ted develops a growing fear that he has become the fabled figure in the friend group to but miss out on every major moment, nicknamed "the Blitz."

As Ted tries to fight this perceived curse, the past holder of the curse resurfaces, portrayed by guest star Jorge Garcia. Garcia plays off the core bandage well, equally does other invitee star Jennifer Morrison, foreshadowing her grapheme Zoey's impending romance with Ted. The jokes fly fast and furious in "Blitzgiving" and the cast is at the superlative of their powers making sure they state.

6. The Naked Man (Season four, Episode nine)

CBS

While Barney is often responsible for introducing unorthodox methods to pick upwards love interests, 1 of the most memorable came from an entirely unexpected outside source. An unassuming man named Mitch reveals he successfully used a pickup technique known as the Naked Homo, which has him disrobe earlier a date. Boasting an unusually high success charge per unit, the gang is shocked to acquire the technique worked on Robin and seek to investigate further themselves.

Taking place in Season 4 as Ted recovered from existence left at the altar, "The Naked Human" marks his render to the dating scene with hilarious results. The episode also shows Lily and Barney attempting to apply the technique for themselves, while Robin insists at that place's more to her dalliance with Mitch. Every now and so, "How I Met Your Mother" leans unabashedly into the absurd and "The Naked Homo" showcases this comedic sensibility at its best.

5. The Pineapple Incident (Season i, Episode 10)

CBS

One of the most historic episodes in "How I Met Your Female parent" is the Flavor i episode "The Pineapple Incident," serving every bit the perfect comical showcase for Josh Radnor. Ted is a character that often drives the series' overarching story forward, but "The Pineapple Incident" presents the character with an unrelated side mystery. Later a nighttime of blackout inebriation, Ted awakens the adjacent 24-hour interval with a list of surprises, including a female person companion and a fresh pineapple sitting on his nightstand.

Drunk Ted is a welcome alter of stride from the usual iteration of the character, overthinking about every aspect of his life. Operating like a twist on the thriller "Memento," Ted pursues the various clues around him in an endeavor to piece together what exactly transpired while he was drunk. "The Pineapple Incident" became a criterion for what the series could be, with its unique storytelling style, and one that was afterwards referenced repeatedly — including in "How I Met Your Father."

four. The Playbook (Flavor 5, Episode 8)

Though Barney embarked on a serious relationship with Robin, he apace slid back into his womanizing ways upon their breakdown. Barney's renewed romantic antics served equally the central story in the Season 5 episode "The Playbook," with Barney sharing his almost ridiculous pickup techniques yet as Lily set up out to foil him. Barney's approach to his breakdown is contrasted past Robin, who decides to devote her focus to her career — merely for Marshall and Ted to predict otherwise.

While it's always interesting to see Barney grow rather than remain a womanizing caricature of a playboy, "The Playbook" is something of a return to class for the grapheme. Much of Barney'south indelible popularity is derived from this initial iteration, and "The Playbook" demonstrates there is nevertheless plenty of comedic mileage to be had. It would be sometime before Barney would mature up again and "The Playbook" reveals the grapheme at his most calculatingly manipulative.

3. The Final Page: Part 2 (Flavor eight, Episode 12)

CBS

There are fans that want to see Ted and Robin succeed every bit a couple and in that location are fans that want to run into Barney and Robin brand it work. The later on seasons of "How I Met Your Female parent" really build an argument for wanting the latter relationship to thrive, though they would face their own complications along the manner. The long road to their presumed romantic reconciliation was finally set in the Flavour 8 episode "The Final Page: Part ii."

Though Robin assumed Barney was attempting to woo her co-worker Patrice, the episode presented the twist that Barney was vying to reconnect with Robin all along. "The Concluding Folio" demonstrates "How I Met Your Mother" at its well-nigh romantic, with Robin and Barney become back together. This development is now all the more bloodshot in knowing how the series would terminate, but the episode is a testament to amorous triumph and having 1's faith pay off.

two. Slap Bet (Season 2, Episode 9)

CBS

Perhaps the most memorable element of Marshall and Barney'due south friendship is a the slap bet, which saw Marshall slap Barney at unexpected moments throughout the series. This was introduced in the Season 2 episode "Slap Bet," with a running contest between the two friends. By the terminate, Barney would find himself at Marshall's mercy, skewering their ability dynamic for the residual of the series.

Of course, the eponymous slap bet is far from the only revelation in the episode, with the title masking its ultimate twist as Robin holds a secret of her own. Robin's by every bit a teen idol in Canada is unearthed, complete with a music video introducing her pop star alter ego: Robin Sparkles. The discovery reminded audiences how wacky the show was willing to become with its characters and would shape Robin's trajectory for years to follow.

ane. How Your Female parent Met Me (Flavor 9, Episode 16)

CBS

Just as "How I Met Your Female parent" delivered a legen -– wait for it –- dary centennial episode, information technology similarly crafted a standout story to commemorate its 200th episode. After years of only missing out on seeing the female parent and offering plenty of clues, the pieces of the puzzle finally came together in the Season ix episode "How Your Mother Met Me." Told entirely from Tracy's perspective, Ted's true love reflected on the steps that led her to that fateful hymeneals weekend in Farhampton — where she met him for the kickoff time.

In many ways, histrion Cristin Milioti was given the incommunicable chore of portraying a character that had been built upwardly with stratospheric expectations over the years. And nonetheless, Milioti more proves she'south capable of creating such a fully formed character in her ain right in this episode, not just as a romantic foil for Ted. Of all of Season 9'south faults, Milioti'south operation is not one of them, and she gets overdue time to shine in the spotlight here.

Source: https://www.looper.com/807098/best-how-i-met-your-mother-episodes-ranked/

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