2. Symphony of Illumination (Season 7, Episode 12)
In a formatting twist the episode opens with Future Robin talking to her children, revealing that Barney is their father. This follows the cliffhanger set up by the previous episode 'The Rebound Girl' where Robin reveals to Barney that she is pregnant. She rules out the possibility of Kevin, who she was dating, because they haven't slept together but the more shocking news was Barney's excitement at the prospect of becoming a father. The two see a doctor who informs them that Robin is not in fact pregnant, something that comes as a relief to both of them after Barney had seen an old friend whose life had been destroyed by fatherhood. The doctor's news wasn't finished there though as Robin's mood did a 180 with the heartbreaking news that she cannot have children. Deciding to hide it from her friends because their reactions don't help her, she pretends to be upset about not being able to compete in the Canadian pole vault team. Each of the group react in the exact way she worried they would, and she eventually confides that even though she never wanted to be "a pole vaulter" it hurts to know that it will never be an option if she changes her mind. It is revealed that the entire storytelling to her children had been imagined, as she sits alone on a bench in Central Park drinking eggnog and the usually emotionally anchored Robin is a completely broken mess. Cue Ted, who despite not harbouring romantic interests for her at this time would still do anything he could to make her smile and show her that she "is never alone." He sets up a lights show for her at their apartment to try and cheer her up without needing to know what the problem really was. The emotional rollercoaster that Cobie Smulder's excellent performance takes the viewer on during the half hour is enough to earn such a high placement in the history of the show. Trivia Fact: This is the first time an episode was told from a point of view other than Ted's, which would be repeated by The Mother in the 200th episode and by Marshall in 'Bedtime Stories'.
