First appeared in: 'Slap Bet' Barney and Marshall weren't always the closest characters in How I Met Your Mother's social dynamic. In fact, during its opening run of episodes much of the pair's dialogue seemed to centre around competing for the title of Ted's best friend. So when the Slap Bet came around in season two, it added another dimension to their relationship while acting as a study in maintaining and dispelling tension over the years. Here's how it worked: when it transpired that Robin's secret related to her musical past rather than a career in the adult entertainment industry (as Barney had assumed), Marshall earned the right to slap Barney five times at any interval a total that Barney then raised by a further three slaps in exchange for ridding himself of the Ducky Tie. Make no mistake, Lily's role as Slap Bet Commissioner, along with Marshall's legal background and Barney's general love of rules and regulations, made sure that this wager was taken very seriously by all parties involved. Cue multiple seasons of build-up to each impending slap and a series of side-gags including the yearly ritual of Slapsgiving, a self-titled family-friendly board game "for ages 9-99", and the celebratory power ballad 'You Just Got Slapped' (not to mention the delightful cover by Boyz II Men). Things were rather less overblown when this joke finally came to an end, with Marshall slapping Barney one last time in a bid to help him focus before getting married. As far as wedding gifts go, it was a thoughtful one, freeing Barney from the fear that had plagued him for almost seven seasons while calling time on a gag that will be missed almost as much as the show itself. Did we miss any great ones? Let us know in the comments?
History graduate, writer, and long-suffering Spurs fan interested in all things music and sports-related. Once briefly held the title of world's youngest person.
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