HIMYM: I hope you're all happy now

"How I Met Your Mother" spoilers coming up just as soon as I moisteurize...

See? Thomas and Bays care about you people. They care about the "Slap Bet" fans worldwide. They gave you a payoff within seven episodes, and in a completely surprising and yet totally appropriate setting. So here's the deal: I don't want to see another slap for at least a season, if not until the series finale -- which will hopefully be many, many years from now. I like the idea that Barney is deep into middle age -- if not moving down to Del Boca Vista -- and he still has at least a slap or two hanging over his head.

A very strange, very funny, very "HIMYM"-y episode. Another random fear (Lily's hatred of "moist"), more legalese (the friends making rulings for each other, with Marshall's pants the highlight), Canadian mockery (though does that chain really exist?), twentysomething etiquette (Barney's explanation of favors that should no longer be asked at their age), Marshall's unrelenting enthusiasm (in this case for audience participation), and a novel comic device (the dogs-as-exes). Maybe a little too much Ted and Robin for my tastes, but splendid overall.

And, again, did you see the slap? Awesome. Unbridled awesomeness.