What are the best TV shows to watch this Thanksgiving?

How I Met Your Mother season 3 episode 9 — “Slapsgiving”

This episode makes the list primarily because I’m a sucker for a sitcom musical number.

Back when How I Met Your Mother was great, and not remembered for its upsettingly disappointing finale, “Slapsgiving” was an exemplary episode that demonstrated just what the show was about — friendship.

We stayed for the journey, not the endgame. Why else would so many of us have stuck through nine seasons just to hear Ted’s story (especially when Ted is so often The Worst™)?

The dynamics of the group are perfectly epitomized in this episode. We have Ted and Robin, who are trying to negotiate their newfound friendship after breaking up. Lily and Marshall are hosting their first Thanksgiving as a married couple and whilst Marshall is preoccupied with slapping Barney, Lily just wants to have a nice time. Barney’s just being Barney – incredibly deserving of a slap.

Lily and Marshall are, as usual, the glue that holds the gang together. Lily wants to use Thanksgiving to make new traditions with the four people she loves most. It’s a classic addition to the Friends-are-family canon.

Marshall is MVP, though, in this episode, thanks to Jason Segel’s remarkable musical abilities. “You Just Got Slapped” is not only funny, it’s actually a credible song.

It’s super catchy and Neil Patrick Harris’ background singing only adds to its hilarity. “Slapsgiving” itself is a lame idea, but if there is one thing I’m here for, it’s gentle bullying through the medium of song.

Also after this episode, I can’t hear the words major, general or corporal without saluting, so thanks for making me even more of a nerd, How I Met Your Mother. I appreciate it.