If I had to use one word to describe the television phenomena that is How I Met Your Mother, it would be “Legen- waitforit-dary!” Even though the jaw dropping series finale aired a few years ago, this show is one that will always be relevant in television and pop culture.
When I was in middle school, oftentimes my oldest sister and I would catch reruns in the afternoon and laugh hysterically at each episode. My sophomore year of high school, not long after Netflix became a major streaming source for most, seasons one through six came to Netflix. For months, the only show I would watch was How I Met Your Mother. I laughed, I cried, I reflected. And I loved every second. When I finished the end of season six, I anxiously awaited for the next season to be uploaded only to watch all of it in one day. I grew with this show, the cast became my friends, and anytime I feel out of control in my own life, I watch some of my favorite episodes and feel better.
I have concocted a list of my all-time favorite episodes that I can watch over and over again. This is all my opinion and I am always eager to hear other people give their input on episodes they enjoy. Spoiler Alert: if you have not finished the series, I would not recommend reading this list unless you already know how the plotline goes! I hope everyone can enjoy reading this list, because I had a blast writing it!
Season One, Episode Ten: The Pineapple Incident
The first episode to ever make me snort from laughter, this season one classic has some of my favorite moments and lines. One morning, Ted wakes up hungover, with a stranger in his bed, and a pineapple beside his head. With some help from the gang, Ted pieces the previous night together, leaving me in stitches each time!
Season Two, Episode Nine: Slap Bet
You cannot talk about HIMYM without talking about the infamous Robin Sparkles! Throughout all nine seasons, several episodes and many, MANY references are made back to this episode. When Robin refuses to go with the gang to the mall, Ted is convinced she has some major dirt she is hiding. Causing the codependent gang to make a slap bet, as one does, on what bizarre secret Robin is keeping. The Slap Bet continues on with many loopholes throughout the show.
Season Three, Episode Five: How I Met Everyone Else
Over two hundred episodes, spanning over nine seasons, all to hear about how Ted Mosby met the mother of his children. And while the show covers so much back story on how he met each of his friends, and how their relationships flourished, this episode gets down to the basics: to the very moment. Endearing moments, right here everybody. And some future Ted, Lily, and Marshall that is absolutely amazing.
Season Four, Episode Eight: Woooo!
This is an episode I love to watch when I feel very lost in life, and like I am doing everything wrong. In this episode, Robin and Lily go to a bar with some of Lily’s friends from work. Only to realize her “mature, tasteful” teacher friends are all Wooo! Girls who love to party and scream when they are excited. When Robin realizes she is also a Woo! Girl due to some bumps in the road, it leads to some painfully honest humor. Whenever I feel down, this episode reminds me that even powerful and successful characters like Robin have their bad times now and again.
Season Five, Episode Four: The Sexless Innkeeper
Even though this episode is full of some rhymes from Ted and Barney, the star of this episode is Marshall and his Oscar worthy video montages. For years, Lily and Marshall have been waiting for couple-friends and now that Barney and Robin are together, it is time for their double-date plans to shine. Following Robin and Barney’s terrible time, Marshall and Lily are so blind with excitement they don’t realize how badly the double date went. The deal was sealed with Marshall’s video montage, which is truly some of the best television I have ever seen. Along with other hits like "Ordered Chinese Food Today," "Cat Sitting for Lily's Mom," and "Cat Funeral," Marshall's "Best Night Ever" video changed my life.
Season Six, Episode Fourteen: Last Words
Marshall is my favorite character, so when he cries, I sob like a baby. In the previous episode, Lily has to break the news to her optimistic husband that his father has died. In this episode, the gang travels to cold Minnesota to give their condolences to the Eriksen family, but especially to their best friend. As Marshall’s family tries to think of their final words with their beloved departed, Marshall tries to remember his final conversation with his hero.
Season Seven, Episode Twelve: Symphony of Illumination
Unpopular opinion, but this is probably my all-time favorite episode of HIMYM. Anytime I watch this episode, emotions I did not even know existed in me decide to show themselves. Unlike all of the other episodes, Robin is narrating this storyline rather than Ted. Robin faces devastating news, leaving her in shambles, as the gang tries to cheer her up without fully knowing what she is going through. The final scene of this episode has one of my favorite quotes and a spectacular light show to the musical stylings of AC/DC.
Season Eight, Episode Fifteen: P.S. I Love You
Several season after we are first introduced to the beloved Robin Sparkles, we are finally introduced to her alter ego: Robin Daggers. With so many familiar faces like Robin Thicke, Paul Shaffer, and Dave Coulier, this episode includes a documentary-style look on the downfall of Robin Sparkles. Oh, and the cute story of how Marshall asked Lily to be his girlfriend.
Season Nine, Episode 24: Last Forever, Part Two
The final episode. The end. No more. Many people have been quite vocal about how they were very displeased with the ending, but I think the show ended the way it was supposed to: where it started. In the pilot episode, the viewers see the story of the blue French horn. And in the final minutes, the show ends with a blue French horn. I have chills just thinking about how beautifully thought out the ending of my favorite show was.
