On "The Rebound Girl," Marshall and Lily's usual role as the show's top couple was challenged by Ted and Barney. Baby brain consumed the two buddies as they discussed taking their bromance to a whole new level. 

While Marshall and Lily waited for the universe to weigh in on their big decision, Barney and Ted made the right choice in the end by acting like responsible adults and a pair of true friends. The scenes leading up to their decision to wait for the "real thing" were a tremendous blend of comedic exchanges fueled first by their frost-brewed logic and concluding with a more sobering and sentimental blend of realizations. 

Barney delivered side-splitting laughs and, in the next breath, tugged at our heart strings here, telling Ted, for example, just how tough it can get to wait for the real thing.

We were also treated to another drive-by cameo from James who, along with his husband Tom, made the most of the short time they shared the screen with Barney and his friends.

A wise man once said, "When someone asks you if you're a god, you say yes!" That same man, Ernie Hudson, was wise to say yes to a guest spot on this week's episode because Marshall's Ghostbusters-themed flashback could have even made Janine smile. 

Having held my tongue through countless knocks on my home state of New Jersey, I would have appreciated hearing Robin give a few more examples from her list of fun facts about Long Island. 

Two totally unrelated scenes worthy of applause included Ted's Different Strokes reference and Lily's decision to have an epidural only after watching Marshall try to squeeze his huge head through the narrowed kitchen doorway at their apartment. Despite great moments like those, I initially gave tonight's episode a slightly lower rating.

As it ended, I was left frozen at the plate, totally fooled by that last curveball Robin threw at us, not sure what I was supposed to feel. I eventually opted for five stars after thinking about just what it was we were treated to here. I guessed my reaction was similar to what Lily must have felt after one of her "weird pregnancy dreams." I'm sure the one that featured Robin as a naughty cop had Lily a bit confused at first, but as we saw in the scene at her and Marshall's apartment, something about it stuck in her head and she rather liked it. 

Just when we thought we had single Barney back, it looks like he may find himself a dad after all. That is, of course, if the baby is even his. I'm sure Barney's little guys, not the suit or ticket ones, are strong swimmers, but Kevin did not look like he was going anywhere any time soon. What did you all think? I look forward to your comments and watching the gang play the dysfunctional family feud in upcoming episodes.

Like this week, I'm sure it will make for some pretty unforgettable quotes.