How I Met Your Mother: All Halloween And Thanksgiving Episodes Ranked Worst To Best
3. Canning Randy
Canning Randy isn't much of a Halloween episode, save for the opening scenes. Nonetheless, it earns a spot near the top of the list for its high number of memorable gags and a few genuinely touching moments.
Some of the more memorable scenes from the episode include boats, GNB's feel-good video, and an appearance by Bob Odenkirk and Tugboat that leads to one of the best-ever jokes about GNB's ethical policies. The twist reveal about Robin's "Halloween" outfit feels like a bit of a borrowed Friends joke (re: Joey has VD), but Cobie Smulders still sells the bit pretty darn effectively.
As for Ted's role in the story, this might be one of the better episodes portraying his early-season rivalry with Zoey. Much as we'd later see in Blitzgiving, Zoey seems to have a gift for winning over the people closest to Ted. Not only does this build a pretty effective nemesis out of an obvious future love interest, it leads to an especially fun gag about old-fashioned car alarms that we have to assume at least a few parents and teachers have tried imitating in real life.
The episode's biggest downside is merely that Randy gets a bit annoying toward the end. However, the resulting Wharmpess beer gag hits the perfect balance of heartfelt comedy that defines the series at its best.