“How I Met Your Mother” Recap: Slapsgiving

It’s finally here. The How I Met Your Mother episode we’ve been waiting for ever since slap-bet winner Marshall set the countdown clock at the end of the season premiere: “Slapsgiving.”

The episode begins with a quick flashback to when Ted and Robin were still dating — and annoying everyone else by saluting fake military figures who come up in casual conversation, such as General Knowledge, Corporal Punishment and Colonel Stuckinmyteeth. Back in the present, that chemistry is gone and Ted explains to his kids how awkward it is trying to remain friends with your ex. For instance, it makes you say preposterous things like, “Pierce Brosnan is my favorite of all the Bonds.”

Making things even more awkward is the fact that Robin has invited her new boyfriend, Bob, to Thanksgiving (even though she says the real Thanksgiving — Canadian Thanksgiving — took place more than a month ago). Bob is 41, which in reality isn’t that old. But in Ted’s mind, he sees Bob as an old man. As such, the actor who plays Bob is Orson Bean, who in real life is the second cousin of Calvin Coolidge — who was still president when Bean was born.

While Ted is busy comparing Bob to Orville Redenbacher, Marshall (intentionally) lets it slip that he has invented a new holiday called Slapsgiving. “It’s the one day we set aside each year to gather together and give slaps,” he explains. Barney, visibly shaken, tries to convince Marshall (and himself) that knowing when the next slap is coming makes it easier to take. [For those who have just joined us, Marshall is in the process of doling out five slaps to Barney as the result of a bet. The first was delivered immediately, the second in the Season 2 episode “Stuff” during Barney’s one-man show.]

Nobody believes Barney — and nobody shows up later at Robin’s, where everyone was supposed to gather to make pies for Thanksgiving. Nobody, that is, except Ted. Left alone together, Ted and Robin make awkward conversation, which turns into an argument, which somehow turns into them sleeping together. That, of course, leaves things more awkward than ever and, at Thanksgiving, Ted and Robin come to the conclusion that maybe they aren’t friends at all anymore. Coupled with the fact that a stressed-out Lily has put the kibosh on slapping, nobody is having a good time at what was supposed to be a very special holiday get-together (even though Bob brought Jell-O shots). Well, actually Barney is enjoying himself now that the threat of an impending slap has been removed. But as is often the case, Barney’s joy merely adds to the misery of others, as he takes the opportunity to taunt Marshall mercilessly.

The tension is finally eased when Bob describes his family Thanksgivings as a “major buzzkill,” and without thinking Ted and Robin revert back to their old chemistry with a salute. They realize they’re still friends. Better yet, Lily tires of Barney’s taunting of Marshall and lifts the ban on slapping. With that, we all get what we’ve been waiting for. Slap! “That’s three!” This one is extra special, because Marshall has prepared a musical tribute to accompany it. (See below.)

Here’s the rest …

Other highlights: Robin’s definition of smelling: “It’s like eating with your nose”; hearing that Ted’s little league on-base percentage was off the charts because he was frequently hit by pitches; everything about Bob.

Best Barneyism: “Did something spoil your slappetite?” — an overconfident Barney taunting Marshall while thinking he had slap-bet immunity

I’ll leave you with Marshall singing the new holiday classic “You Just Got Slapped.” Happy Slapsgiving, everybody!

Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.