The Ducky Tie is the third episode of the seventh season of How I Met Your Mother. The four friends, Marshall Eriksen, Lily Aldrin, Ted Mosby and Barney Stinson, are meeting at Marshall's favorite Japanese restaurant despite Barney's dislike of Japanese food. The friends discuss Ted's recent encounter with his ex-girlfriend, Victoria, and Barney's curiosity about Lily's changing body due to her pregnancy.
Barney and Robin decide whether to keep their one night stand a secret from Nora and Kevin. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang goes to a "-palooza" concert.
The rest of the gang tries to intervene when Barney announces Quinn's moving in with him. Meanwhile, Ted and Robin clash over subletting Quinn's rent-controlled apartment.
As Barney gets ready for his wedding, a flashback to Punchy's wedding has Robin wrestling with whether or not to reveal she still has feelings for him and Marshall and Lily trying to keep their pregnancy secret.
Ted, Marshall, and Barney get together to watch the Star Wars trilogy and imagine where they may be three years from now. Meanwhile, Barney and Quinn move in together.
Ted and Barney considers the pros and cons of raising a baby together. Meanwhile, Robin hopes to dissuade Marshall and Lily from moving to Long Island.
Barney tries to get Ted out to make every night legendary. Meanwhile, Marshall obsesses over determining about whom Lily had a sex dream, and Robin gets a crash course in overnight fame.
Kevin is aghast at the gang's meddling when Ted decides to go on a date without looking her up on the Internet. Meanwhile, Marshall and Lily confront whether to learn the sex of their fetus.
The baby shower makes Marshall realize just how close fatherhood is for him. Meanwhile, Ted dates a slew of girls, all of whom bring up memories of Robin.
Marshall tailgates at his father's grave to keep a tradition alive. Ted and Barney start their own bar. Robin's pressed into service when Sandy is too drunk to be on the air.
A weekend Vermont vacation with Marshall and Lily sees Robin and Kevin discuss getting serious. Meanwhile, Barney meets a girl who seems to know his moves before he makes them.
Ted takes his architecture class on a field trip. Meanwhile, Marshall feels Garrison is too soft in his legal dealings, and Robin starts dating her former therapist.
Lily and Marshall's plan to officially move to the suburbs hits a snag when Lily's father refuses to leave. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang hits a strip club.
Ted's spat with Garrison Cootes, Barney's encounter with a crazed divorcée, and Mickey's basement apiary all throw kinks into Marshall and Lily's housewarming party.
Ted finally meets the mystery girl from the slutty pumpkin costume. Meanwhile, Barney is stunned to discover he's part Canadian, and Lily's pregnancy affects her thinking.