Robin and Barney are two of the main characters in the popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Their relationship has had many ups and downs over the course of the show’s nine seasons, leaving viewers to wonder – do Robin and Barney ever sleep together?
Robin and Barney’s Relationship History
When we first meet Robin and Barney in season 1, they are platonic friends and part of the same friend group along with Ted, Marshall and Lily. Barney takes an immediate interest in Robin, often using cheesy pick-up lines on her to no avail. Robin generally finds Barney’s sleazy womanizing habits off-putting.
It isn’t until season 3 that Robin and Barney have their first one night stand. They agree it was a mistake and don’t pursue a relationship. However, it becomes clear they have chemistry. Over the next few seasons, there are several instances where it seems Robin and Barney may get together, but the timing never seems quite right.
In season 4, Barney declares his love for Robin but she doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. She begins dating Ted but later breaks up with him.
At the end of season 4, Barney is hit by a bus while trying to visit Robin. They share a romantic moment in the hospital when Robin tells Barney she came to see him because she has feelings for him.
Do Robin and Barney Sleep Together in Season 5?
Season 5 teases the idea of Robin and Barney becoming a couple. In the season premiere, Lily locks them in Robin’s bedroom in hopes they’ll confess their feelings for each other. While they don’t immediately get together, they share a kiss.
Later in the season when Robin’s boyfriend breaks up with her, she tells Barney “I should have picked you.” Barney responds that they don’t work as a couple but invites Robin to be his “bro” and wingwoman.
Robin accepts and they form a strong friendship, at times using each other to make romantic partners jealous. They are protective of their special bond. While they grow closer and clearly care for one another, Robin and Barney do not sleep together during season 5.
Robin and Barney’s Friends with Benefits Phase
In season 6, Robin and Barney try out being “friends with benefits.” They set ground rules about keeping things casual with no commitments or romance. However it soon becomes apparent one of them has deeper feelings.
When Robin begins dating a man named Kevin, Barney struggles seeing them together. Robin tells Kevin she can’t go exclusive with him because of her complicated feelings for Barney.
Later in the season, Barney confesses to Robin that he wants to get back together. Robin gently turns Barney down, telling him she values his friendship but just doesn’t feel that way about him.
While Robin and Barney have an “on again off again” physical relationship during this time, it is not an official romantic coupling.
Do Robin and Barney Finally Get Together in Season 7?
The dynamic shifts between Robin and Barney again in season 7 when Robin discovers she still has feelings for Barney. She breaks things off with Kevin and makes several attempts to tell Barney how she feels.
Meanwhile, Barney begins dating a stripper named Quinn. This makes Robin jealous and competitive for Barney’s affections. In the season finale, Robin finally admits to Barney she loves him. Barney appears to reciprocate her feelings and they kiss.
However, in a surprise twist, Barney proposes to Quinn in the final moments of the episode. This shocking cliffhanger left fans wondering – will Robin and Barney ever align romantically?
The Wedding Season – Robin and Barney’s Romance
Season 8 centers around Barney and Robin’s wedding weekend. Through flashbacks, we learn after Barney’s engagement to Quinn dissolved, he and Robin officially became a couple.
They enjoy a passionate, devoted relationship which leads Barney to propose to Robin. She happily accepts. It seems they are finally getting their timing right.
As their wedding approaches, Robin has cold feet due to unresolved feelings for Ted. However, she goes through with marrying Barney. The season culminates with their wedding ceremony – Robin and Barney are now husband and wife.
Married Life and Divorce
Robin and Barney’s marriage only lasts three years. In season 9, despite their love for one another, it becomes clear Robin’s globe trotting career and Barney’s scheming lifestyle are incompatible. After an amicable divorce, they go back to being good friends.
Conclusion
Robin and Barney’s relationship follows a slow burn with years of missed connections and false starts. But yes – the two do finally sleep together and even get married during the course of How I Met Your Mother. However, their romance ultimately doesn’t last, reverting to the friendship and mutual understanding that defined their early dynamic.
| Season | Do Robin and Barney sleep together? |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | No |
| Season 2 | No |
| Season 3 | Yes, one night stand |
| Season 4 | No |
| Season 5 | No |
| Season 6 | Yes, “friends with benefits” |
| Season 7 | No, but they kiss |
| Season 8 | Yes, they get married |
| Season 9 | No, they divorce |
Robin and Barney’s Key Moments
- First meet as friends in Season 1
- Have a one night stand in Season 3
- Barney declares love for Robin in Season 4
- Robin and Barney kiss in Season 5 but don’t pursue a relationship
- Robin and Barney have a “friends with benefits” arrangement in Season 6
- Robin admits she loves Barney in Season 7 finale
- Robin and Barney get engaged in Season 8
- Robin and Barney get married in Season 8 finale
- Robin and Barney divorce in Season 9