The Jinx

I had to sit and plan how I was going to give this entire, stress-packed episode the attention it deserved, and not make it entirely about the massive plot twist at the end.

So I’ll be recapping this Christmas special by character. ‘Tis the season:

Ted: Ted’s architectural “more than a building” wonder is opening on the Manhattan skyline, and he decides to prove to his old professor, Prof. Finnick, that he became an architect after all. Unfortunately, the old Professor’s untimely words—“You’ll never be an architect”—remain unchanged. But this ties into the hinge of the episode, The Pit Person: everyone has that one person they’d hold captive in their basement pit, as in Silence of the Lambs.
More fortunately, Ted realizes the only person he pitted in his mind was himself; he broke free from his worries by leaving the adamant Professor alone.

Marshall and Lilly: Marshall and Lilly brave their old “Hackamigo,” their almost-literal Pit Person, and realize they missed out on the opportunity to have a really great friend. Talking about passing up first judgments, they realize on their first night away that they’d rather a quiet evening with Marvin over any 24-hour date planned to the minute.

Robin: Robin finally pulls herself out of her own pit—mostly—when she resists firing Patrice, given the opportunity. She admits it’s hard seeing her and Barney together, and Patrice accepts the news with nothing less than a forthcoming hug. But more on that in just a bit.

Barney: Once he overcame his jinx, Barney broke the news (I just realized, with someone’s own engagement ring, no less!) to Ted that he’d be proposing to Patrice. If you all were anything like me, you’d be just a bit heart-shattered and confused right now. Though we get our fair explanation when--

Robin and Barney: --when these two lovebirds get engaged at the end of the episode! The grandest part of my whole night! I can’t express how much I rooted for these two—I commend the series writers for being rightful teases. Barney pulled his most elaborate—and final—play ever when he proposed to Robin. Sure, they might argue and fight from time to time, but they both know that won’t keep them from each other in the end. They’re going to be each other’s wingman for life.

In a few words, a hundred words or so over thus far (sorry)—best. Episode. Ever.