Before they broke up, Ted and Robin used to share a running
joke that involved both of them saluting every time someone would say a word homonymous
to a military rank used before another word in a sentence, such as 'general
knowledge'. But now, as Future Ted points out, being around each other is
difficult and since their breakup, whenever there would be a moment to use the
joke, they would simply look at each other, remaining silent. So, naturally, when
Ted and Robin are the only ones to show up at Robin's place to make Thanksgiving
pies, things get awkward between the two. And it gets worse when Ted realizes they
are making a pie for Bob, a guy Robin has started seeing lately. Later, they decide
not to see each other again after the Thanksgiving dinner because things are
just too weird between them.
The next day, the gang gathers for the big holiday, or the
two big holidays, as Marshall told Barney earlier he would use his third slap meant
for Barney on Thanksgiving, precisely at 3 p.m. – jokingly referring to the event
as 'Slapsgiving'. Barney, admitting that actually knowing when the next slap
would occur is far worse than not knowing, is being terrorized by Marshall up
to the point when Lily decides there would be no slapping anyone on
Thanksgiving.
When Bob mentions the words 'major buzzkill' over the dinner,
both Robin and Ted salute without hesitation, realizing they can stay friends
with each other. Future Ted tells his kids that they had a wonderful dinner and
it has since become a tradition for them to meet on Thanksgiving every year. Barney
proceeds to taunt Marshall, making Lily go back on her word in the last seconds of the slap countdown, and she tells Marshall he can slap Barney.
Marshall happily does so, and then sings a song composed by himself called 'You
Just Got Slapped'.
At the end of the episode, the group is cleaning up and Ted utters a
phrase 'major clean-up' causing everyone to salute. When Robin uses 'general
idea' a while later, it's apparent that the joke is now going to stick with everyone.
Despite being vastly commercialized, holidays like
Thanksgiving are quite important nowadays because they allow us to gather
together and share a few moments with our loved ones. They are possibly even
giving us a chance to reconcile, similarly to this episode.
On the other hand, though, I believe that holidays shouldn't give you an
excuse for not caring about others during the rest of the year. Sure, some people
may simply get overwhelmed with work, school, and whatnot, and forget about everything
else easily. And I guess for those people, every holiday counts. Especially one
like Thanksgiving. But really, do find time for those you care about, even when
there isn't a holiday going on at the moment. Because at the end of the day,
you never know what holiday is going to be your last.
