Ep 8. The Duel

Ted and Marshall are playing a game of "Who Would Win in a Fight?" which causes Barney to butt in and loudly proclaim his opinion that the true source of all major conflicts and duels throughout history have been caused by unresolved sexual tension. When Ted disagrees, Barney attempts to provoke him into a duel to prove his point, challenging him to slap him in the face. Ted initially refuses, but when Lily reveals that she thinks he's too chicken to go through with it, he accepts the challenge.

Meanwhile, Robin is dealing with feelings of intense jealousy after finding out that her co-anchor, Sandy Rivers, had been invited to a fancy party by their boss, but she hadn't. She enlists the help of Marshall and Barney to teach her the art of "schmoozing" so she can improve her chances of receiving similar invitations in the future. However, things don't go quite as planned when they discover that Sandy was only invited as a joke.

Back at the bar, Ted is preparing for the duel with Barney while Lily and Marshall anxiously watch from the sidelines. When the moment arrives, Ted chickens out and instead agrees to a "slap bet" with Barney - Ted is granted five opportunities to slap Barney as hard as he possibly can at any moment of his choosing, but Barney is immediately granted one free slap in return.

As the episode progresses, the ongoing slap bet becomes a source of tension and excitement within the group. Meanwhile, Robin continues to pursue her quest for schmoozing skills after being humiliated by Sandy, but her efforts only appear to be getting her into deeper trouble. Ultimately, both storylines lead to a climactic ending that will have major repercussions on the group moving forward.

Ultimately, "The Duel" is a hilarious and memorable episode that showcases the series' strong comedic writing and talented ensemble cast. The ongoing slap bet adds a new layer of excitement and tension to the show, while Robin's storyline highlights the struggles many young professionals face as they navigate the often cutthroat world of corporate politics. Whether you're a longtime fan of the show or a newcomer, "The Duel" is an episode that is sure to leave you laughing and hungry for more.