Barney freaks out when Marshall bequeaths a "slap bet" slap to Ted and Robin. Meanwhile, Lily's estranged father shows up for Thanksgiving.
When Ted attends his mother's wedding, he is extremely disturbed by her overly affectionate relationship with her fiancé, which forces him to think about his own life and make an impulsive decision.
Robert finds himself choosing between three women.
Thanksgiving with Marshall's family is especially stressful for Lily because she thinks she may be pregnant. Elsewhere, Robin, Barney and Ted spend the holiday volunteering at a homeless shelter.
When Marshall and Lily fear they will never get pregnant, they see a specialist who can hopefully help move the process along. Meanwhile, Robin starts her new job.