How I Met Your Mother

10 Best Episodes of How I Met Your Mother - Season 5

Are you a fan of heartwarming sitcoms that make you laugh, cry, and everything in between? If so, you're probably familiar with the beloved TV show "How I Met Your Mother." This hit series, which first premiered on CBS in 2005, follows the journey of a father as he tells his children the story of how he met their mother. Through a series of flashbacks, we get to witness the adventures, mishaps, and heartfelt moments that he and his four best friends experience along the way. With 10 seasons under its belt, this show has had its fair share of memorable episodes that have left audiences wanting more.

From hilarious antics to touching moments of friendship and love, "How I Met Your Mother" has it all. With each passing season, viewers have been treated to a plethora of standout episodes that have become fan favorites. Whether it's the gang's annual Thanksgiving traditions, their epic road trips, or their hilarious attempts at finding love in the city that never sleeps, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

So, if you're ready to relive the laughter, the tears, and the unforgettable moments that "How I Met Your Mother" has to offer, join us as we dive into the best episodes of this beloved sitcom. From the pilot episode to the series finale, we'll take you on a trip down memory lane and remind you why this show has captivated audiences for over a decade. So grab a bowl of popcorn, get cozy on the couch, and let's embark on this legendary journey together.

Written by Sophie and last updated on dec 12, 2024.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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How I Met Your Mother - S5E10

#15 - The Window (Season 5 - Episode 10)

When a perfect girl finally shows up, the gang tries everything to help Ted, while Marshall takes action when he discovers a letter written by younger himself.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 1108 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E4

#14 - The Sexless Innkeeper (Season 5 - Episode 4)

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Marshall and Lily want to hook up with Barney and Robin for double-dating and fun, but their desperate eagerness to please is a huge turn-off. Meanwhile, when a succession of girls come to his apartment and immediately fall asleep, Ted is bummed to learn he is a "Sexless Innkeeper" whose "dates" are only interested in a comfy place to crash

The episode was rated 7.83 from 1156 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E2

#13 - Double Date (Season 5 - Episode 2)

Barney takes Marshall, and Robin to a strip club where they find a stripper who looks almost exactly like Lily. Meanwhile, Ted discovers he had been fixed up with the same woman, Jen seven years earlier.

The episode was rated 7.93 from 1130 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E18

#12 - Say Cheese (Season 5 - Episode 18)

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When Ted ruins Lily's birthday dinner celebration by bringing a date, Lily goes to great lengths to keep her out of the traditional photo she takes every year of the gang.

The episode was rated 7.94 from 1078 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E20

#11 - Home Wreckers (Season 5 - Episode 20)

When Ted attends his mother's wedding, he is extremely disturbed by her overly affectionate relationship with her fiancé, which forces him to think about his own life and make an impulsive decision.

The episode was rated 7.95 from 1070 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E9

#10 - Slapsgiving 2: Revenge of the Slap (Season 5 - Episode 9)

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Barney freaks out when Marshall bequeaths a "slap bet" slap to Ted and Robin. Meanwhile, Lily's estranged father shows up for Thanksgiving.

The episode was rated 7.96 from 1093 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E1

#9 - Definitions (Season 5 - Episode 1)

After sharing a kiss at the beginning of the summer, Robin and Barney are unsure how to handle their mutual attraction. After some consideration they tell the gang they have decided to remain just friends, but secretly continue seeing each other. They are able to get away with their secret romance for a couple months, but are discovered when Ted, Marshall and Lily walk in on them together. They explain to the gang that they are happy with their casual relationship, and didn’t want to complicate it by defining it. This is unacceptable to Lily, who pressures them to label their situation, and ultimately locks them in Robin’s room to force them to address it. Meanwhile, Ted is anxious about his first days as a professor at Columbia, which is made worse when he shows up at the wrong class and starts his lecture.

The episode was rated 7.96 from 1230 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E3

#8 - Robin 101 (Season 5 - Episode 3)

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When Robin fears that Barney is cheating on her, she soon discovers that he is spending his evenings with Ted learning everything there is to know on how to date her.

The episode was rated 7.99 from 1175 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E22

#7 - Robots Vs. Wrestlers (Season 5 - Episode 22)

When Ted, Marshall, Lily and Barney crash a highfalutin party at a swanky New York apartment, Ted gets the chance to mingle with the snooty guests and show off his intellectual side.

The episode was rated 7.99 from 1074 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E17

#6 - Of Course (Season 5 - Episode 17)

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When Robin confesses that she is still angry with Barney for the way he handled their break-up, she enlists the help of Anita, a self-help author who plans to beat Barney at his own game.

The episode was rated 8.04 from 1131 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E14

#5 - Perfect Week (Season 5 - Episode 14)

When Barney is about to complete the perfect week - landing seven different girls in seven days - the gang roots him on in order to forget about their own miserable week.

The episode was rated 8.07 from 1112 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E13

#4 - Jenkins (Season 5 - Episode 13)

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When Lily refuses to believe that Jenkins, Marshall's attractive female colleague, kissed him, Marshall insists Jenkins tell Lily what really happened. Meanwhile, Robin finds out that a drinking game has been made up about her.

The episode was rated 8.08 from 1083 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E24

#3 - Doppelgangers (Season 5 - Episode 24)

Marshall and Lily make a secret pact to start trying to have a baby if they ever finally see Barney's doppelganger. Meanwhile, Robin finally gets an offer for her dream job.

The episode was rated 8.13 from 1061 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E12

#2 - Girls Vs. Suits (Season 5 - Episode 12)

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When Barney debates giving up wearing suits in order to land a hot bartender, his conflicted feelings lead to an amazingly awesome musical number. Meanwhile, Ted gets one step closer to meeting the future mother of his kids.

The episode was rated 8.22 from 1195 votes.

How I Met Your Mother - S5E8

#1 - The Playbook (Season 5 - Episode 8)

In the episode "The Playbook" of the hit TV show *How I Met Your Mother*, Barney finds himself single again after his relationship with Robin comes to an end. But fear not, because Barney has a secret weapon to help him navigate the dating scene once more – his infamous "playbook."

This episode takes a unique approach to storytelling, as it is framed as a flashback told by Lily to a girl at the bar. The entire episode ends up being part of Barney's master plan, showcasing the show's signature creativity and clever premise. And let's not forget the fun and entertaining sketches that accompany the various "plays" in Barney's playbook.

While the overall story may be a bit weak and harsh towards Robin, the episode still manages to deliver the fun and inventive reintroduction of Barney on the prowl. Add to that the constant friendly ribbing from Ted and Marshall towards Robin, and you've got the perfect recipe for a classic *How I Met Your Mother* episode. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be entertained as Barney dusts off his playbook and dives headfirst into the world of dating once again.

The episode was rated 8.34 from 1223 votes.

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