Ep 14. Slapsgiving 3: Slappointment in Slapmarra

As the story of How I Met Your Mother draws to a close, the gang gathers together for one last slap bet. It's been years since Marshall won the right to slap Barney five times as part of a wager, but he's saved his final two slaps for something special. And that special moment has arrived.

But this time, there's a twist: Marshall has decided to transform his slaps into a mystical martial art that he learned while traveling through Asia. The gang is skeptical, but he insists that it will make the experience even more special.

As the gang gathers around, Marshall begins to tell the story of his journey to "Slapmarra," a hidden martial arts temple where he learned the art of the slap. Like any good martial arts story, it involves a wise instructor, a dangerous rival, and lots of intense training. The guys are initially dismissive, but as Marshall launches into the tale with gusto, they find themselves drawn in.

As Marshall tells the story, the show takes on a different visual style, with washed-out colors and stylized martial arts scenes. It's a fun and unexpected shift, and it helps to make the episode stand out from the rest of the series.

As the story unfolds, we see Marshall and his instructor (played by the always-great Ernie Hudson) embarking on a series of missions to retrieve different pieces of the "Slap of a Million Exploding Suns," a legendary weapon that can deliver the ultimate slap. Along the way, they encounter a rival slap fighter named "The Slap of a Thousand Exploding Suns" (played by Marshal Manesh), who is determined to defeat them and claim the weapon for his own.

It's a silly and entertaining story, and the cast really throws themselves into the martial arts scenes. Jason Segel, in particular, gets to show off some impressive moves.

But as the story winds to a close, it becomes clear that there's more to Marshall's journey than just a funny story. As the gang realizes the true meaning behind Marshall's quest, they're reminded of just how far they've all come over the course of the series.

As the episode comes to a close, Marshall finally delivers his final two slaps to Barney, and they're as spectacular as he promised. It's a satisfying climax to a great episode, and a fitting sendoff for one of the show's most iconic running jokes.

Overall, "Slapsgiving 3: Slappointment in Slapmarra" is a standout episode of How I Met Your Mother. It's funny, inventive, and surprisingly emotional, and it's a great example of how the show could still surprise us even in its final season. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just looking for a fun episode to watch, it's definitely worth checking out.