In 2005, How I Met Your Mother viewers were introduced to an unforgettable cast of deeply lovable characters. We followed Ted’s quest for love, Lily’s struggle to become a painter, Barney’s evolution from playboy to fiance, and Robin’s devotion to her career. While each main character has no shortage of endearing quirks, there is one person whose goodness made him stand out from the rest: Marshall Eriksen, played by Jason Segel.
Over the course of the show’s nine-season run, Marshall evolved from a goofy law student to an (albeit, just as goofy) family man and judge. Marshall is not perfect — no one is. However, compared to his bar boothmates, he is arguably the most loyal and dependable.
Here are 10 times when Marshall was the absolute best character in How I Met Your Mother.
When He Took Robin To His Favorite Minnesota Bar
In season four’s episode “Little Minnesota,” Robin tells the group how homesick she is for Canada. Marshall understands the feeling well. On more than one occasion, he references his love for his home state of Minnesota. He realizes that Minnesota and Canada are not so different, which inspires him to take Robin to his favorite Minnesota-themed bar, Walleye Saloon.
Robin loves the bar and even pretends to be from Minnesota herself so she can fit in with the crowd there. Of course, it all goes downhill from there; Robin upstages Marshall by beating his high score on Fishermen’s Quest and steals his story about the 1999 NFC championship game. Eventually, he outs her as a Canadian.
Regardless of the outcome, Marshall’s sympathy for Robin’s homesickness and his willingness to share his special place speaks volumes.
He Really Loved His Fiero
During the first two seasons of the show, Marshall’s Pontiac Fiero was almost a character of its own. In fact, some fans would argue that the Fiero is just as much a symbol of the show as the yellow umbrella and blue French horn. During episode 17 of season two, Marshall’s beloved Fiero breaks down and the group has to say goodbye.
They take turns exchanging stories about the Fiero and looking back at the role it has played in their friendships over the years. Marshall’s relationship with his car — and, by extension, what his car represents to him — is something many viewers relate to.
When He Forgave Lily
At the end of season 1, Lily leaves Marshall to pursue an art fellowship in San Francisco. Marshall was devastated — and so were fans. From the beginning, Marshall and Lily’s relationship was one of the best parts of the show.
Marshall went through the typical stages of grief that one experiences after a breakup, including denial, depression, and anger. He refuses to even leave the apartment for 40 days. When Lily comes back — and crashes Marshall’s first attempt at a date since her departure — Marshall forgives her for leaving and their relationship resumes.
When He Met Lily At The Airport
In season four, viewers learn that Marshall and Lily have a tradition. Each time Lily returns home after a trip, Marshall greets her at the airport, where Lily gifts him a six-pack of beer from the place she traveled. After the mutual decision to end this ritual, both Marshall and Lily have second thoughts. Lily rushes to find souvenir beer to bring home to Marshall, while Marshall and Robin brave a brutal snowstorm to meet Lily at the airport.
In the end, Marshall and Lily have a tear-jerking reunion at the airport — complete with a marching band — proving that their love for one another is as strong as ever.
The Entire Slap Bet Saga
Season two introduces viewers to the Slap Bet, one of the show’s most memorable storylines. After Barney and Marshall make a bet about Robin’s past and Barney loses, Marshall gives him the option to accept 10 slaps at once or agree to 5 slaps delivered separately, at Marshall’s discretion. Barney chooses the latter.
Marshall takes his time delivering the slaps, often taking years in between each one. The Slap Bet is responsible for some of the show’s best episodes, including “Slapsgiving.” And let’s face it — Barney usually deserved the slaps.
When He Invited Mickey To Thanksgiving
Yes, Marshall should have asked Lily before inviting her estranged father to Thanksgiving in season five. That being said, it turned out to be one of the best things he ever did for Lily. After spending her entire childhood — and much of her adulthood — being constantly let down by her father, Lily is ready to write him out of her life completely. After Marshall invites him to Thanksgiving, Mickey and Lily are finally able to have a fresh start as father and daughter.
Over the next several seasons, Lily and Mickey rebuild their relationship and Mickey goes on to become a huge part of Marvin’s life. Who knows what Mickey and Lily’s relationship would have been like had Marshall not intervened?
When He Took On Gruber Pharmaceuticals
One of Marshall’s defining traits is his love for the environment. After all, it’s what inspired him to study law. After graduating from law school, Marshall’s career takes him to unexpected places. For a while, he works as a corporate lawyer, defending the very types of people he used to fight against. After several career changes and a severe bout of disillusionment, Marshall’s fire is reignited during a trial with Guber Pharmaceuticals, a company responsible for dumping dangerous chemicals into Frog Lake.
In the courtroom, Marshall competes against his former friend, Brad. Marshall wins the case but is ultimately defeated when Gruber Pharmaceuticals is only responsible for paying 25 thousand dollars, rather than 25 million. Afterward, Brad takes Marshall to brunch to apologize and tells him that it’s people like Marshall who deserve to sit behind the judge’s bench. This inspires Marshall to become a judge himself.
Every Time He Got Drunk
Despite his reoccurring sweeping declarations to never drink again, Marshall gets hilariously drunk at different points throughout the show. Viewers get to see drunk Marshall flirt with himself and try to fight himself. Plus, there’s Beercules, Marshall’s streaking alter-ego.
If there is anything funnier than sober Marshall, it’s drunk Marshall.
His Belief In Legendary Creatures
If there is anything to be said about Marshall, it’s that he is unfailingly authentic. He demonstrates this each time he defends his belief in the existence of almost every legendary creature, including Bigfoot (not to be mistaken for Russel Brand).
In a season three flash-forward easter egg, viewers learn that Future Marshall eventually confirms the existence of his favorite legendary creature, The Loch Ness Monster.
All Of His Relationships Are Goals
Yes, Marshall and Lily’s relationship is one of television’s best romances. But Marshall’s relationships with the other people in his life are equally inspiring.. He is a dedicated son, a caring brother and a fiercely loyal friend. For example, Marshall and Ted’s relationship is one of the strongest relationships on How I Met Your Mother. They met in college and, despite their differences, became best friends, roommates, and the best men at each other’s weddings.
How I Met Your Mother is full of quality characters, but Marshall Eriksen is among the best.
