[s5e17] Of Course Link

: Where Robin and Anita first meet and bond over their mutual distaste for Barney's behavior. "How I Met Your Mother" Of Course (TV Episode 2010) - IMDb

: Emotional recovery after a breakup, the power of saying "no," and the realization that friends might be struggling even when they seem okay. Character Arcs & Plot Points [S5E17] Of Course

: The episode was directed by Pamela Fryman and written by Matt Kuhn. Key Locations : Where Robin and Anita first meet and

: Robin admits to Anita that she isn't handling the breakup well. Anita agrees to help by subjecting Barney to her "seventeen 'no's" rule—systematically rejecting his advances to break his spirit. Key Locations : Robin admits to Anita that

: Barney eventually realizes how much he has hurt Robin. The episode ends with a rare moment of genuine vulnerability from Barney as he tries to make amends by arranging a special "Super Date" for Robin and her new love interest, Don. Production Highlights

: Barney is obsessed with "conquering" Anita because she is the only woman who consistently tells him no. His pursuit leads him to agree to an elaborate, multi-stage date that tests his patience.

: The rest of the group (Ted, Marshall, and Lily) eventually realize that Robin has been suffering in silence while Barney flaunts his new flings. This leads to a moments of guilt, particularly for Marshall, who realized he had been encouraging Robin to "keep up" with Barney's antics.