What can you say? It's the "Let's Go To The Mall" episode. It combines a legitimate relationship story with Ted and Robin (where Ted is a little insufferable and Robin is a little unreasonable), with the goofy weirdness of the Slap Bet, and culminates in one of the strangest, funniest, and most memorable bits in the series's history. Ted & Robin's story gets a little too exaggerated at times. Ted *is* kind of a jerk for telling the secret and should have been far more honest and direct with Robin. But then Robin does get on a big high horse about Ted asking if she's married (a less than crazy assurance to seek, even if she didn't want to explain the mall situation) and then lying to him about it. But even if the resolution's a little too tidy, there's a sweetness to it and it can enjoy the halo effect of the ensuing pop song. The Slap Bet, on the other hand, is pure delight, from Barney's overconfidence, to Marshall's weepiness after getting slapped, to Lily's megalomania but concomitant sense of honor as the Slap Bet Commissioner. I had forgotten how much the episode leans into the idea that Robin's secret is a past career in adult films, but the entire slap bet subplot is one of those trademark, genuine-feeling games among friends that helped HIMYM stand out from the crowd among hangout sitcoms, and it would be the gift that kept on giving.

I can't 😂 This episode was hilarious