Chapter 20 — Showdown (Game Shows, Gags & Growing Pains)
Ted Mosby believed game shows were about luck.
Barney Stinson believed game shows were about destiny.
And Ivar Scherbatsky? He believed game shows were just another stage where people revealed their cracks.
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Barney's Big Reveal
At MacLaren's, Barney slammed down an envelope.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have been chosen as a contestant on The Price Is Right!"
The gang cheered — until Barney added:
"And Bob Barker… is my real father."
The table went silent.
Ted blinked. "You… think Bob Barker is your dad?"
Barney nodded proudly. "He is. This is destiny. This is closure."
Robin muttered, "This is delusion."
Megan smirked. "Correction: this is content."
Yvonne added: "And we're not missing it."
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The Game Show
The gang piled into the studio audience.
Robin hid under her scarf, muttering about secondhand embarrassment.
Megan shouted, "Pick the blender!" whenever Barney hesitated.
Yvonne leaned into every sarcastic cheer.
Then the announcer's voice boomed: "Barney Stinson, come on down!"
Barney strutted onto the stage like a god.
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Ivar's Subtle Move
Backstage, before the show, Ivar had a quiet word with a producer. A discreet exchange of money ensured one thing: Barney would win something.
"Why bother?" Megan had asked.
Ivar smirked. "Because crashing is funny. But humiliation leaves scars."
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The Chaos
On stage, Barney treated every item like a test of destiny.
"A set of patio furniture? That's proof Bob wants me to relax!"
"A jet ski? Proof Bob wants me to live!"
Ted buried his face in his hands. "This is painful."
Robin muttered, "You're telling me."
Finally, Barney spun the big wheel. It clacked dramatically… and landed perfectly.
Barney whooped. "See? It's genetic destiny!"
Megan shouted, "Or basic physics!"
Yvonne added, "Correction: bribery."
Robin's eyes flicked to Ivar, who sat calm, sipping coffee. She narrowed her gaze. "You did this."
Ivar smirked. "Correction: I fixed this."
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The Aftermath
Barney stormed back to the booth later, clutching his winnings.
"Proof. Bob's my dad."
Marshall tried to be kind. "Maybe he's just… you know… not."
Lily added softly, "But you've got a family with us."
Barney waved them off, grinning at his blender like it was holy relic.
Ivar leaned in. "You don't need Bob Barker to be your father, Barney. You just need to admit you've always been looking for someone to tell you you're enough."
Barney went quiet, too quiet. Then muttered: "Still… pretty good blender."
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Closing Beat
By the end of the night:
Barney was still delusional, but with new kitchenware.
Ted and Robin bickered over whether enabling him was cruel.
Megan and Yvonne roasted Barney's "game show destiny" until he sulked.
Marshall and Lily watched quietly, knowing he'd never really admit his loneliness.
And Ivar? He sat calm, letting Barney have his win.
Because sometimes the only way to heal a wound… was to let the bandage be ridiculous.
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End of Chapter 20.
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👉 Next is Chapter 21 ("Something Borrowed") — Marshall & Lily's outdoor wedding disaster (rain, chaos, last-minute fixes). Do you want Ivar to quietly save it from collapse (while Megan and Yvonne have fun with the drama), or let it spiral closer to canon before he steps in?