- Ted discovers that his parents are keeping a secret from him after his dad acts as Barney's wingman, and Marshall and Lily intentionally try to get each other sexually aroused.
- In 2030, Ted has a prominent photo in his house of him, his four friends and his parents at his parent's thirtieth wedding anniversary brunch. Ted invited his old fashioned and non-communicative parents, Alfred and Virginia Mosby, to New York for a visit for the occasion. They all look very happy in the photo. But Ted tells his children the not so happy back stories behind the happy faces in the photo. Marshall and Lily were still trying to figure out their relationship following their break-up. Their measures to one up the other in a sexual manner ended up with a few unusual results. The evening before the photo was taken, Barney and Alfred went out for drinks. Barney's stories to Ted later about what happened that evening made Ted's relationship with his father on tender hooks. And before Robin met Ted's parents, Ted told her that Virginia would imply incessantly that she wanted whoever Ted's wife to be to start a family soon. But as Virginia seemed to imply the opposite to Robin, Robin began to wonder - really to fume - what it was about her that Virginia hated so much as to not want Robin to bear Ted's children.—Huggo
- Ted's Parents come to visit for their 30th anniversary and cause problems between Robin and Ted, while Marshall and Lily try to make each other jealous, and Barney tries to impress Ted's parents, all culminating in a chaotic Brunch resulting in Ted's parents to reveal a family secret.—Matt O.
- When Ted's parents, Alfred (Michael Gross) and Virginia (Cristine Rose), come to New York, their visit culminates in a brunch during which everyone is mad at someone else. Lily and Marshall are fighting, Ted is talking to Barney about killing someone, while Robin is telling Virginia to reveal something. Virginia causes a waitress to drop some plates, and Future Ted proceeds to explain events prior to this moment.
Marshall and Lily Future Ted explains that his parents never talked about unpleasant, uncomfortable & emotional or in any way real things. Ted's mother invites Lily to dinner that evening, after having invited everyone else, and Lily asks Marshall if he would be uncomfortable if she came. Marshall foolishly says that he and Lily are now like brother and sister; angered, Lily wears a tight, sexy dress to dinner and calls Marshall's attention to her breasts. Marshall gets back at Lily the next day, at brunch, by flaunting his calves. They then have sex in the bathroom, which causes them to begin arguing about who tried to seduce whom.
Barney Barney is excited to meet Ted's parents for the first time, but is a little put off when Ted says that he has told nothing about Barney to his parents. Turns out Ted only talks to his father about baseball and nothing else. Barney insists he is Ted's best friend, even though Ted slips in that Marshall is his best friend and not Barney. Also, when Robin says that no parent would be comfortable with a person like Barney as their child's friend, Barney goes out of his way to be super nice in front of Ted's parents. He totally eclipses Robin to the extent that Ted's parents don't even notice her. Robin had made reservations at San Marino, but Barney suggested Casa A Pezzi, which serves the best salmon risotto anywhere, which Virginia loves. Robin tells Barney she is Ted's girlfriend and even she is not trying that hard, but Barney says girlfriends are like a flu: out of the system after a couple of weeks in bed.
Alfred and Virginia are both charmed by Barney (he plays the piano and asks/tells delightful stories.. He takes Virginia for morning service at the local church), and Alfred even becomes Barney's wing-man for the night (He tells stories about how Barney rescued him from a burning building, while losing his dog in the process). Alfred ends up making out with Wendy the waitress, and Barney shows the photo of Alfred and Wendy (Charlene Amoia) kissing Ted. Ted angrily decides to expose his father at brunch. Barney says 83% of the people married more than 6 months have an affair on the side. Ted says Barney always uses 83% in made up statistics.
Ted and Robin Robin is about to meet Ted's parents for the first time and Ted gives her all necessary pointers. When Virginia approves their decision of taking things slowly (not wanting to get married very soon and all that.. She wants Robin to focus on her career), Robin thinks that Virginia does not like her. Virginia tells her the real reason for her aloofness: she got married too soon and was unhappy in her marriage. She then reveals that she and Alfred have been divorced for some time and have not told Ted. Robin asks her to reveal the secret to all. The focus then goes to the waitress with the broken dishes.
When Ted's father calls the waitress at brunch 'sweetheart', Ted confronts his father about kissing Wendy the night before. Ted is surprised at his mother's lukewarm response to the revelation, finally causing both the parents to admit being divorced ten months ago after a two-year separation. They also find out that Ted's father set up his mother with her new boyfriend, Ted's old orthodontist Frank.
Ted is dumbfounded, but Robin is happy that Ted's parents like her. Soon, Ted forgives his parents. Virginia says Alfred is a head in the clouds romantic, and she is much more down to earth. They are like Ted and Robin. Virginia didn't want kids, and didn't even want to date Alfred in the beginning. She gave in, only after months of Alfred badgering her. Their story mirrors Ted's and Robin's.
Meanwhile, Marshall and Lily apologize to each other for acting so childishly. After brunch, Ted asks his parents about his grandmother, who has not answered his calls; both his parents look uncomfortable and change the subject, leaving Ted shocked again at the implication of her death.
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