Trusted media reviews for families
How I Met Your Mother Season 1

How I Met Your Mother

Season 1

September 19, 2005 22 episodes

A love story in reverse: How I Met Your Mother is a fresh new comedy about Ted (Josh Radnor) and how he fell in love. When Ted's best friends Marshall (Jason Segel) and Lily (Alyson Hannigan) decide to tie the knot, it sparks the search for his own Miss Right. Helping him in his quest is his bar-hopping "wing-man" Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), a confirmed bachelor with plenty of wild schemes for picking up women. Ted's sights are set on the charming and independent Robin (Cobie Smulders), but destiny may have something different in mind. Told through a series of flashbacks, Ted recalls his single days, the highs and lows of dating and the search for true love.

All Episodes

Pilot
E1
Guide

E1. Pilot

23m Sep 19, 2005

When Ted's best friend Marshall proposes to his girlfriend, Lily, Ted realizes he'd better get a move on if he hopes to find true love. Ted soon meets Robin in a neighborhood bar, immediately becomes smitten and scores a first date. But when Ted can hardly wait to see her again, his eagerness threatens to scare her away.

Purple Giraffe
E2
Guide

E2. Purple Giraffe

23m Sep 26, 2005

In a desperate attempt for a second date, Ted invites Robin to a party he is throwing. However, she doesn't show up and he keeps throwing parties in the hopes she will finally arrive.

Sweet Taste of Liberty
E3
Guide

E3. Sweet Taste of Liberty

21m Oct 3, 2005

Ted agrees to let Barney spice up his love life, and ends up on a crazy adventure of flying to Philadelphia, encountering the law, and visiting the Liberty Bell.

Return of the Shirt
E4
Guide

E4. Return of the Shirt

23m Oct 10, 2005

Ted's outlook on his continuing search for love is altered when he rediscovers a shirt that has not seen daylight in years. Meanwhile, Barney amuses himself by coaxing Robin into sacrificing her job by saying completely outlandish things on air live for a cash reward.

Okay Awesome
E5
Guide

E5. Okay Awesome

22m Oct 17, 2005

Ted and Barney start checking out the club scene with their friend Robin, whereas Lily and Marshall try to participate in some more "grown-up" activities, as they draw slowly nearer to their wedding.

The Slutty Pumpkin
E6
Guide

E6. The Slutty Pumpkin

22m Oct 24, 2005

Ted makes his yearly pilgrimage to the rooftop Halloween party in search of a girl dressed as a pumpkin who he met years ago. Meanwhile, Robin struggles her new boyfriend because of her independent ways.

Matchmaker
E7
Guide

E7. Matchmaker

22m Nov 7, 2005

When a matchmaker with a 100% success rate turns Ted away because he is not compatible with any of the available women in her database, he is still determined that he is going to find his match. Meanwhile, Marshall and Lily are obsessed with ridding their apartment of a critter.

The Duel
E8
Guide

E8. The Duel

22m Nov 14, 2005

As Lily officially moves into the apartment, Ted feels like he is being edged out of the mix by his engaged roomies. Ted and Marshall each want to keep the place, so they settle it like real "grown-ups" -- launching into a sword fight.

Belly Full of Turkey
E9
Guide

E9. Belly Full of Turkey

22m Nov 21, 2005

Ted and Robin are surprised to run into Barney when they volunteer at a homeless shelter on Thanksgiving. Lily is on the brink of freaking out when she goes to Thanksgiving dinner at her future in-laws house.

The Pineapple Incident
E10
Guide

E10. The Pineapple Incident

22m Nov 28, 2005

After being forced into knocking back 5 shots so he will stop thinking, Ted goes on a partying rampage. The next morning, he wakes up with a woman -- and a pineapple. The gang tries to piece together the night and figure out who the woman is in his bed.

The Limo
E11
Guide

E11. The Limo

23m Dec 19, 2005

Ted rents a limo to take the gang out to sample five New Year's Eve parties in a quest to find the perfect celebration.

The Wedding
E12
Guide

E12. The Wedding

22m Jan 9, 2006

Robin accepts Ted's invite to a friend's wedding, but thanks to Ted, the couple may never make it down the aisle.

Drumroll, Please
E13
Guide

E13. Drumroll, Please

22m Jan 23, 2006

Ted finds a new woman at the wedding. They want to remember the evening so they don't exchange last names or numbers; but Ted takes a big fall when he tries to find out her name.

Zip, Zip, Zip
E14
Guide

E14. Zip, Zip, Zip

23m Feb 6, 2006

After agreeing to take things slowly and not have sex for a month, Ted and Victoria decide that they have waited long enough.

Game Night
E15
Guide

E15. Game Night

22m Feb 27, 2006

A mysterious tape arrives for Barney from one of his numerous ex-girlfriends, and the entire gang watches it. But, in order for them all to find out how she broke Barney's heart and made him into a suit-wearing bachelor, everyone must share their most embarrassing moment.

Cupcake
E16
Guide

E16. Cupcake

22m Mar 6, 2006

Things are going great with Ted and Victoria's relationship, but when Victoria is offered her dream job, the couple have to make serious relationship decisions. Meanwhile Marshall and Lily set out to purchase their wedding outfits and find out that none can afford what they bought.

Life Among the Gorillas
E17
Guide

E17. Life Among the Gorillas

22m Mar 20, 2006

Marshall interns at the corporation where Barney works and Lily finds that he is becoming a shallow jerk as he tries to fit in with his crude fratty coworkers. Meanwhile, Ted feels guilty when he receives several gifts from Victoria (Erika Singh) while he hasn't sent her anything.

Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M.
E18
Guide

E18. Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M.

22m Apr 10, 2006

Robin, who is very lonely, asks Ted to come over to her apartment after 2 A.M., but he isn't sure if he wants to go as he has a phone call on the way over with his friends, and with Victoria on his mind

Mary the Paralegal
E19
Guide

E19. Mary the Paralegal

22m Apr 24, 2006

Robin is nominated to receive an award for a news report and everyone needs a date to take to the show. Barney introduces Ted to Mary as a date that Ted can take to the show. Originally Ted is opposed to the idea of just trying to save face in front of Robin but when she shows up with a date he changes his mind. Robin asks Mary lots of questions, and Ted begins to really like Mary, despite her occupation.

Best Prom Ever
E20
Guide

E20. Best Prom Ever

22m May 1, 2006

Lily, Barney and Robin attend a high school prom to scout out a potential band for Lily and Marshall's wedding reception. In order to get in Lily and Robin pretend to be the dates of two kids who were going alone. Ted and Marshall are back at the apartment where they are preparing the invitations to be sent out.

Milk
E21
Guide

E21. Milk

22m May 8, 2006

When a matchmaking company calls Ted claiming they have found his soul mate, he is forced to postpone his date when Lily asks for his help.

Come On
E22
Guide

E22. Come On

22m May 15, 2006

Ted tries to keep Robin from going on a camping trip so that she can spend time with him. Barney enlists the help of an old flame to perform a rain dance. At the same time Marshall finds out about Lily's interview for the fellowship in San Francisco.

Other Seasons