Episode no. Season 3Episode 18 Written by Jamie Rhonheimer Original air date May 5, 2008 | Production code 3ALH18 | |
"Rebound Bro" is the 18th episode of the third season of the television series How I Met Your Mother and 62nd overall. It originally aired on May 5, 2008.
Contents
Plot
Ted decides it is time for his relationship with Stella to take the next step. She is reluctant and tells Ted a secret: she has not had sex in five years. When Stella comes over on the night that she was meant to have sex with Ted, Marshall and Lily accidentally reveal they know her secret. Stella is upset that Ted betrayed her trust and breaks up with him.
Barney tries to find a "Rebound Bro" to whom he can be a wingman to help him get casual sex with women. He misses Ted and puts applications up on his blog. Receiving few responses except for an enthusiastic proposal from his colleague Randy, Barney resorts to calling up old friends and previous wingmen. After many unsuccessful attempts, he decides to be the "Bro" to Randy and give him a chance. Randy hasn't had sex in thirteen years and Barney is repeatedly unsuccessful at getting him together with a woman, since Randy is uncomfortable with talking to women, and gets nosebleeds whenever he gets an erection. Barney is unsuccessful until he enlists Robin's help to make Randy comfortable with small talk with women, telling Robin that he may have a sex tape with her to convince her to come and help Randy. Barney discovers that Randy was a police officer, but was fired for incompetence. Barney knows being in the 'force' impresses women and finds a woman who takes Randy home with her.
Stella comes to Ted's house and admits that she broke up with him because she was afraid it was getting too serious and she was looking for a reason not to get too close. Ted and Stella's relationship goes even further than expected as Ted meets Stella's daughter and gets to know her. Stella tells Ted that her sister is still in town and can take care of Stella's daughter. Stella and Ted rush to a motel, where they consummate their relationship. When Ted jokingly picks up the phone to tell Marshall and Lily about it after the deed is done, Stella pushes him off the bed in a lighthearted manner.
Critical response
Donna Bowman of The A.V. Club rated the episode A−.