Ep 5. Field Trip

In How I Met Your Mother season 7 episode 5, titled "Field Trip," the gang embarks on a journey to a courthouse in New York City for Marshall's hearing. Marshall and Lily are back together, and they have decided to get a joint mortgage to buy their dream home. However, the couple's dreams are shattered when Marshall's old boss presents him with a job offer that he cannot refuse. The job requires him to move to Rome, which poses a significant threat to his future with Lily.

Barney comes up with a solution to help Marshall deal with his dilemma. He suggests that Marshall employs the same interviewing techniques that he used to get his job at GNB to interview his potential future employers in Rome. On the other hand, Robin, Ted, and Barney evaluate the jurors in Marshall's case to determine the verdict. They develop a scoring system to help them rate each juror based on their behavior and characteristics.

During the field trip, Marshall is devastated when he discovers that Judge Fudge, who has been assigned to his case, has a miserable reputation when it comes to the decision-making process. The gang devises a plan to help Marshall win the case by bribing Judge Fudge with a strip club gift certificate. However, the plan backfires when Judge Fudge refuses to be bought and becomes even more determined to convict Marshall.

The rest of the gang goes out for lunch, leaving Marshall and Lily behind to discuss their future. Lily admits that she may not be able to handle the long-distance relationship if Marshall moves to Rome. Marshall is faced with a difficult decision, choosing between the love of his life and fulfilling his career aspirations.

Meanwhile, Ted's obsession with the jurors gets the best of him. He becomes determined to find out which juror gave Marshall a guilty verdict and goes to great lengths to figure it out. Through flashbacks, we see how Ted was convinced that one of the jurors matched his ex-girlfriend's looks.

As the day comes to an end, the gang returns to the courthouse for the verdict. They all hold their breath as the judge announces his decision. Will Marshall be found guilty or not guilty? Will he choose his dreams or Lily? The suspenseful episode concludes with a surprising twist that leaves the gang and the viewers in shock.

In "Field Trip," the writers masterfully balance humor and drama, keeping the audience engaged and entertained throughout the entire episode. The storyline of Marshall's career decision creates a relatable and emotional conflict that resonates with the viewers. Overall, the episode is a great addition to the series and showcases the exceptional writing and acting that has made How I Met Your Mother a beloved show among fans.