The second episode of "How I Met Your Mother", starts with an opening credits sequence that was missing from the pilot. It shows what appear to be the central characters Ted, Marshal, Lilly, Barney and Robin enjoying a night out (Probably at their favourite hangout 'Maclarens')
Plot In A Paragraph: Ted finds out from Lily that Robin likes him and Ted tries once again to get the girl, by throwing a party at his and Marshall's place, but it turns into 3 parties in 3 nights, when Robin fails to show for the first 2. Meanwhile, Lily has become extra affectionate to Marshall in the bedroom, but he is worrying about finishing a huge paper he has to write for law school, that is due soon.
Ted (Josh Radnor) comes off hopeless (a hopeless romantic, but still hopeless) Marshall (Jason Segel) is the patient best friend, who eventually loses his temper. Robin (Cobie Smulders) is someone I can't decide on. Since her picture is in the opening credits, I'm guessing she is going to be around for the shows duration (or at least for a long time) but I'm not sure I get Ted's obsession with her. The two characters who come off best in this episode are Lily (Alyson Hannigan) and Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) who is again wearing suits for the entire show.