[s5e17] Of Course -

: 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

: 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.

This guide covers the episode titled " Of Course " from the sitcom How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) . This episode is notable for featuring guest star Jennifer Lopez and focusing on the emotional aftermath of Barney and Robin's breakup. Episode Overview Original Air Date : March 8, 2010. [S5E17] Of Course

: 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.

: Robin feels hurt by how quickly Barney has returned to his playboy lifestyle after their breakup. To get revenge and "break" him, she recruits a no-nonsense self-help author named Anita Appleby (played by Jennifer Lopez). : Emotional recovery after a breakup, the power

: The central hub where Robin confesses her plan to the group.

: 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. This guide covers the episode titled " Of

: The episode was directed by Pamela Fryman and written by Matt Kuhn. Key Locations