The final season of “How I Met Your Mother” is rapidly approaching its dramatic close. There’s still so much ground to cover and so little time remaining. The Mother has yet to meet every member of the gang. Barney and Robin still havn't tied the knot and more friends and family continue to pour into the wedding. Fans expected a dramatic ending, but these final episodes are shaping up to be an emotional thrill ride. How can the producers squeeze so many farewells and conclusions into one finale? There’s just so much we have to learn. Perhaps most importantly, how Marshall and Barney resolve the Slap Bet.
At least TheSlapBetCountdown.com gives us a timeframe. The site reveals that Marshall will slap Barney once again on the January 13 episode, titled “Slapsgiving 3.” Not the most subtle title.
Marshall only has one slap remaining after winning a bet with Barney back in Season 2 over Robin’s big secret. Barney thought her secret was about her role in a porn movie. He was wrong. Marshall got to slap Barney as hard as he could across the face five times without warning him until the end of time. He delivered four before winning two additional slaps when Barney refused to wear the Ducky Tie. So far, he’s slapped Barney six times, leaving room for one.
The slap is one of the many loose ends dangling over Season 9, and with the series finale on the way, it’s about time they pick up the pace.