‘How I Met Your Mother’ season 9 spoilers: Flashbacks galore over wedding weekend

As shocking (and like “24”) as it may seem, the rumors are true: “How I Met Your Mother” really is going to try to tell the entire journey of Barney and Robin’s wedding weekend over the span of 24 episodes. What is worth noting here is that this is not the first time that such a format has been attempted for a wedding-themed TV show: In 2007, ABC aired 12 episodes of a comedy entitled “Big Day,” only for it to be canceled due to low ratings.

However, this version of the CBS sitcom is far different than that. Why? We already know the characters, their journeys, and what they are hoping to get in the end. Plus, we know that Ted Mosby is finally going to fall for someone not named Robyn, and she will be played by Cristin Milioti (who may even be a series regular moving forward).

One way in which the show is going to be able to handle this practically real-time format? Think in terms of flashbacks and time jumps. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, executive producer Carter Bays suggested that plenty would be coming up:

“There’s a time jump of some sort in every episode of this show, so you can rest assured the premiere will be no different … That being said, this next season in particular will feature some of the most non-linear episodes we’ve ever done.”

There are still countless little loose ends that need to be properly tied up, and this season should provide the chances to do that. Our personal favorite is that the slap bet has yet to be completely fulfilled, and if Marshall slaps Barney in the face while giving his vows, it could very well be among the most legend-wait-for-it moments that this show (or any other) has ever made.

Want to read more on the Mother’s role in the upcoming season? All you have to do is check out this delightful (and scoop-filled) article over at the link here.

Photo: CBS