Ep 11. Bedtime Stories

In How I Met Your Mother season 9 episode 11, entitled "Bedtime Stories," the gang gathers at Marshall and Lily's apartment for a night of storytelling. Marshall is determined to get his son, Marvin, to fall asleep and has been telling him elaborate bedtime stories to do so. The rest of the gang decides to help out by taking turns telling their own versions of classic fairy tales with a unique HIMYM twist.

The episode features three different storylines: "Little Barney and the Three Beers," "The Mosby Kids and the Creepy Uncle," and "The Adventures of Poor Lily and the Three Jerks." Each story is hilariously reimagined with the characters of HIMYM filling the roles of classic fairy tale characters.

In "Little Barney and the Three Beers," Barney becomes the main character of the classic tale of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." He stumbles upon the home of three women and proceeds to use his classic "Playbook" moves on each of them. Meanwhile, Robin portrays Goldilocks herself and attempts to catch him in the act.

"The Mosby Kids and the Creepy Uncle" takes the role of "Hansel and Gretel," with a twist. Ted becomes the "Creepy Uncle" who lures his own children, played by Marshall and Lily's daughter, to his apartment. As the story progresses, the kids use their wit to outsmart their father and escape his clutches.

Lastly, "The Adventures of Poor Lily and the Three Jerks" is a retelling of "Cinderella." Lily becomes the main character, Cinderella herself, and the three jerks are replaced by three of her old high school friends who continuously bully her. However, with the assistance of her fairy godmother, played by Barney, and her Prince Charming, played by Marshall, Lily finally stands up to her bullies and finds her own happily ever after.

Throughout the episode, the stories are interrupted by brief glimpses of the present day, where Marshall attempts to get Marvin to sleep and the rest of the gang chimes in with their own opinions and critiques of each other's stories.

"Bedtime Stories" is a heartwarming and hilarious episode that showcases the unique storytelling abilities of the HIMYM cast. The classic fairy tales with a HIMYM twist provide plenty of laughs while still tugging at the heartstrings. It's a unique episode that shows off the show's creativity and writing prowess.