A two-part episode that is best known for the twist that Barney's inexplicable relationship with Patrice (as well as some previous season 8 moments) had all been part of an elaborate play to win back Robin and propose to her. Robin naturally feels manipulated and lied to, saying she could never be with a man like that. Until Barney tells her to turn the page which has the final step of 'The Robin' play: "Hope she says yes." This leads to the proposal, which she accepts ending both her inability to commit and Barney's womanising ways. The journey taken to get to that point is just as strong, as Barney spends nearly the entirety of part one jinxed (complete with an explanation of why Barney takes them so seriously). Once alone Barney tricks Ted into breaking the jinx by bringing out a wedding ring. He proceeds to tell Ted how he is going to propose to Patrice on the roof of the WWN building the next night, knowing that Ted will not be able to keep it a secret from Robin. During Barney's silence, the first part of the episode centred around the idea of a mental "pit" the gang each found themselves in because of the show's running theme of an inability to move on, only this time it was from grudges. The 'Silence of the Lambs' inspired idea provided both comedy and drama, with the trip to Wesleyan College for Ted to confront his professor and Marshall and Lily bumping into their obsessed college friend Daryl (played by Seth Green) while Robin tackled her own issues with Patrice when planning to fire her out of jealousy. With Marshall and Lily gone home to baby Marvin, Ted makes the ultimate sacrifice by sending Robin to Barney, he is left celebrating the achievement of his dream at the opening of the new GNB building all alone. Ted has had a lot of moments of feeling alone in the show's history but this has to be the most bittersweet. Trivia Fact: Carter Bays revealed that the influence for the "long con" for Barney to win Robin was inspired by the final run of episodes in the fourth season of Breaking Bad.
