- Ted and Barney run into their future selves as they debate whether to go to "Wrestlers vs. Robots," while Robin and Marshall argue over who gets credit for a new drink at McLaren's.
- In April 2013, Ted is feeling all alone with Marshall and Lily preoccupied with their family, Robin and Barney planning their wedding, and Ted without a significant other in his life. Barney asks Ted if he would like to go see "Robots Vs. Wrestlers Legends". Ted decides against it. Ted is visited by future versions of Barney and himself, who try to convince him to go or not to go with current Barney to the event. The visit by these future versions of Barney and himself, who have the knowledge of what happens in the future, eventually opens Ted's eyes to why he has really received these visits. Meanwhile, Marshall embarks on a battle with Robin as Robin has received credit at MacLaren's for a cocktail he created, while Lily vows to stay neutral in their battle.—Huggo
- At MacLaren's, Ted passes up Barney's invitation to watch Robots Versus Wrestlers: Legends (Elderly wrestlers fighting old time robots in a wheelchair accessible ring) because he has to prepare for class. Barney claims he will regret this in 20 years, and Ted is then shocked when likenesses of Barney and Ted from 20 years in the future appear and try to convince him. Ted is happy that the 20 years from now Ted is not bald. 20 years from now Ted convinces present Ted that the night will be awesome, and Ted is ready to leave. A Ted from 20 hours in the future warns present Ted that he will enjoy the event at the expense of a massive hangover and a sprained wrist. Plus, Ted will smoke half a pack of cigarettes. 20 hours from the future Ted, smacks present Ted on his head and asks him not to go. 20 years from future Barney says that it is a day of pain for a lifetime of memories. Present Ted is convinced about going, but a Barney from 20 minutes in the future holds back the group long enough to see a woman enter the bar; the coat-check girl, whom Ted had not seen in seven years. Ted prepares to talk to her but is stopped by her future versions-one who grew sick of Ted and a version very much obsessed with him. They inform Ted the relationship is doomed, mainly due to his previous failed relationships, and Ted lets the woman walk out of the bar.
Meanwhile, Marshall brags about a fancy cocktail drink he had invented called the Minnesota Tidal Wave and attempts to order one at the bar. He is shocked when Carl the Bartender (Joe Nieves) calls it The Robin Scherbatsky; it is named in her honor because she had ordered it several times. It is also on the bar menu. Marshall is annoyed and challenges Robin to a dance-off, but Lily forbids it as Marshall's dancer's hip is worse than ever. Marshall attempts to get back at Robin by writing her name and phone number in a men's bathroom stall, but Robin promptly goes in to erase it. She then heads into the girls' bathroom, implying she has written Marshall's number in there. Nervous about entering the ladies' room, Marshall eventually goes in to find a long message by Robin stating the adverse treatment she endured from her father-it's actually a prank to force Marshall to hide in a stall when a woman enters. Marshall attempts to leave, scaring women from the bathroom out and humiliating himself. Lily lets Marshall and Robin dance off.
Ted returns to Barney, who reveals that the entire cocktail story happened five years ago, and Ted is actually sitting in the bar alone; his friends were too busy to go to Robots Vs. Wrestlers, and Ted is preparing to head to the event alone (echoing "Robots Versus Wrestlers", in which Barney is upset because he feels the group is growing apart). Future Ted states if he could relive the events of that night, he would have instead visited his apartment, his friends, and most importantly, the mother (who was actually living several blocks away at the time). Future Ted imagines himself running through the streets before knocking on the mother's apartment door. Ted introduces himself, telling her how much he loves her, that they will meet in 45 days, and he would give anything to spend that extra time with her.
The episode concludes with Ted, Barney, and the future versions of themselves singing an Acappella version of Billy Joel's The Longest Time
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content