Shelter Island (How I Met Your Mother)

Did You Know?

• Craig Thomas praised guest star Jason Jones in an interview for Television Without Pity.
• The series co-creators thanked The Daily Show for its coverage of the 2008 election.

Plot

Marshall, Lily, and Barney are hanging out at MacLaren’s when Ted and Stella walk in. Stella is furious because her sister is taking over her dream wedding on Shelter Island, marrying a vegan guy Stella can’t stand. Ted and Stella go talk to the sister, who reveals her fiancé has taken off with someone else. Ted and Stella then share what each believes is a clear wordless exchange, but they completely misinterpret each other.

Ted thinks he’s just agreeing to pick up the dinner tab, but Stella tells her sister they’ll take over the entire wedding and all its plans so nothing goes to waste. Back at the bar, Barney is weirdly encouraging about Ted getting married. He confides to Lily that this will be a perfect chance to hook up with Robin, who’s been living in Japan but has said she’ll come back for the ceremony. Robin’s job in Japan has turned into a ridiculous joke, with her chimpanzee co-hosts getting way more screen time than she does, which really bums her out.

The day before the wedding, the whole crew heads to Shelter Island and discovers the venue is a yoga resort that only serves vegan food and non-alcoholic drinks, which is a letdown. Stella learns that Robin has been invited and gets angry and uncomfortable because Robin is Ted’s ex. She says her own ex, Tony, would be the last person she’d want at her wedding to Ted, and she asks Ted to uninvite Robin. Barney calls Robin.

She hasn’t actually left Japan yet, but he lies to the others, saying she’s already on the plane. Stella then tells Ted that Tony won’t bring their daughter Lucy to the wedding. Ted decides to go see Tony and try to change his mind. Meanwhile, Barney runs into Stella’s sister, who makes a pass at him.

Barney tries to stay loyal, thinking about Robin. Ted manages to convince Tony to let Lucy come, but after Tony breaks down crying about losing Stella to Ted, Ted feels sorry for him and invites him to the wedding too. At the venue, Stella is upset to see Tony show up, and Robin’s arrival only makes everything worse.