I really liked this season of HIMYM it took the characters to places where we've never seen them before and it was still as funny as ever but there was just a little magic missing from this season which would make it a great season.
I think what this season will be remembered for will be the episode Bad News a truely unique episode with a heart breaking ending (those who've seen it will know what I mean)...this really was HIMYM at it's best a really funy episode but one that isn't afraid to shock us and lead us to a dramatic place we've never really experienced before and this is something that continues for the rest of the season with episodes like Last Words and Legendaddy. It really is refreshing that a show is still able to explore different sides of these characters six seasons in. (especially Marshal and Barney)
Bad News aside HIMYM still produces some extremely funny episodes such as: Subway Wars, Natural History, Glitter, Blitzgiving (Aw Man!) to name a few and it is these episodes that you buy the boxset for because they are funny no matter how many times you watch them.
Also, Ted finally gets a long term love interest for the first time since Stella and it is nice to see the old romantic Ted back in HIMYM after he has been treading water for a bit.
Now why this season only gets 4 stars, the main reason for this is the character Zoey...I personally really like her and thought she was a good addition to the show however during the end of the season she did become more grating and she was someone that divided opinions between HIMYM fans...although she did give us the Captain!!! She is definately a character that will be remembered in HIMYM's history but maybe not for the right reasons.
Also, I would really like to see Robin be given a more meaningful storyline as on a lot of occassions it doesn't seem like she is doing anything...yes she has a Robin Sparkles episode and there is a story about he getting a new job but it just isn't enough.
However, this is still a really good season of HIMYM, it'll make you laugh and it'll make you cry and it's nice to know that the show isn't afraid to take us to new places...however a couple of character missteps have meant this only gets 4 stars...although I can't wait for season 7!!