Season 6, episodes 13 & 14

Even though they aired on two separate weeks, this pair of episodes truly felt like a two-parter of how-is-this-a-comedy? gut-wrenching moments. And it all was fantastic. In one corner you had the episode with an ominous countdown that hinted of unfortunate news to come, but we all assumed it had to do with Marshall and Lily's ability to conceive. So when Lily stepped out of a cab and told Marshall his dad had died of a heart attack, we were stunned and cried right along with the devastated couple. That moment set viewers up for an emotional and heartfelt follow-up the next week that had the gang traveling to Minnesota to support their friend in one of the worst moments of his life. How I Met Your Mother is a show about the relationships — platonic and otherwise — and it was in this incredibly difficult character moment that we were reminded that friends who make you laugh are important and those who can be there when you cry are priceless. —Sandra Gonzalez