So...HIMYM was kind of lame last night. I can't help but think that if they'd done this kind of episode in season 4 or 5 it would have been an instant classic but with the current writers and story structure it just came off as slapstick and goofy instead of fun and new. It doesn't help that this exact same story happened on Friends back in the 90's and it pretty much defined modern sitcom structure for stuff that's wacky as well as well done. I think the show may be on its last legs, and beyond visibly.

The Death Song of Uther Pendragon

This episodes rests largely on the shoulders of Bradley James, Colin Morgan, and Anthony Head returning for a guest appearance as Uther, and I can say that it is one of the best yet.

On the anniversary of his coronation, Arthur is missing his father. WIth the aid of a magical horn given to him by a woman he saved from burning at the stake, he summons Uther's spirit in order totalk with him again ... but the meeting does not go as Arthur expects. Uther critcizes his son's decision to knight commoners and marry a servant girl.

Over the next few days Uther's spirit haunts the castle, endangering Gwen and Percival's lives and causing chaos. Finally Arthur and Uther confront each other in the throne room; Uther accuses Arthur of letting everything he had built crumble to dust and claims he will not be respected, but Arthur replies that the throne is his now, and he will not let himself be driven by fear as Uther was. Perhaps most shockingly the former King then knocks Arthur out - and Merlin steps in to warn him away. Uther derides Merlin as a mere serving boy, but something unexpected happens...

Merlin reveals his magic. Calmly, without a trace of fear, standing proud and tall, he declares, "Even when you were King, there was magic at the heart of Camelot."

Uther is furious and subsequently attempts to kill Merlin, but Arthur intervenes and blows the horn to send the spirit back to the world of the dead.

An incredible episode. Though Arthur didn't learn the truth this time, at least Uther finally did, and I get the feeling that Arthur might find out before season's end.

that the things being fed body parts are the aliens

the thing in the room is an alien. I think its an experiment by the doctor gone wrong. I actually think the things in the woods are to.