Ep 1. Do I Know You?

Ted Mosby is at MacLaren's Pub with Marshall and Barney, discussing the upcoming wedding of Punchy, an old high school friend of theirs. Ted sees a woman across the bar and realizes she looks familiar. As he approaches her, she reveals herself to be Stella, the dermatologist who removed a tattoo from his lower back. She has relocated to New York and they catch up over drinks.

Meanwhile, Robin has returned from a trip to Argentina with Gael, her new boyfriend who doesn't speak a lick of English. Lily is suspicious of him and starts to interrogate him relentlessly. While Robin goes to the bathroom, Lily drugs Gael's drink with a truth serum and he reveals that he is a conservationist, loves French cinema, and Robin's cooking is terrible. When Robin returns, she is enraged and breaks up with him, prompting a confused Gael to leave.

Back at the bar, Ted has an enjoyable conversation with Stella but is hesitant to ask her out because of his recent string of failed relationships. Barney takes it upon himself to coach Ted, encouraging him to use cheesy pickup lines and act confident to win Stella over. Ted follows Barney's advice and asks Stella out, but she turns him down, revealing that she has also had a string of failed relationships and wants to take it slow.

Marshall is trying to prepare for the bar exam but is constantly distracted by Barney, who is gleefully tormenting him with tricks and games. Ted realizes that Barney's behavior is a result of him being upset about his recent breakup with his girlfriend, Robin, whom he still loves. He confronts Barney about his feelings for Robin and suggests that he tell her how he feels. Barney is initially resistant to the idea but eventually takes Ted's advice and confesses his love to Robin, who reveals that she does not feel the same way.

The episode ends with Ted and Stella agreeing to go on a proper date, but as Ted leaves the bar, he sees his ex-girlfriend, Robin, sitting alone at a booth. As he hesitates outside, trying to decide whether or not to speak to her, the episode ends.