And that kids is how Carter Bays and Craig Thomas made millions of people scream at their TV’s because all this time Robin (Cobie Smulders) is who Ted (Josh Radnor) ends up with.
When a shows finale rolls around hundreds of articles always pop up about how it was a wonderful, groundbreaking, and life changing show. I hate when these articles pop up and I hate that I am writing one right now. You see, I hate these articles especially now because they are about one of my favorite shows of all time, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. From the title alone viewers knew the Carter Bays and Craig Thomas comedy would be special. We knew why Ted (Josh Radnor) was telling us this story. We knew how it would end, with Ted meeting the woman of his dreams, or so we thought.
To be completely honest I started writing this article a couple of weeks ago. I had this idea of what the finale would be and basically how I hoped it would end. After watching the series finale last night I deleted 75% of the article I had already written. I don’t know what to write now. I really don’t, and it’s not because I have writers block or because I am not familiar with HIMYM, but because I literally have nothing to say. From the first episode they established that Robin would never be anything more than Aunt Robin, and I loved that. I loved that because in the pilot it is very clear that they are not meant for each other, they are two completely different people. In last nights finale I felt really mad, but then I felt kind of happy.
I think the whole point of this show was for Ted to not only tell his kids about how he met their mother (Cristin Milioti) but also how he met and held onto his friends. This show wasn’t just about the mother it was about his journey, it was about the relationships he made while getting to the mother. She was always there, living her life; while Ted was living his with the people he loved most. In a strange way (please don’t hate me) I kind of really liked the ending.
In a weird way it was kind of genius that Carter Bays and Craig Thomas built up all these seasons to Ted and Robin ending up together, I hate that they had to make the mother die in order for that to happen, but I do think it was a brilliant idea. It sort of made sense, even though Tracy (The mother) loved Ted, her soul mate was Max, and she is with him now. It was only fair that Ted got to be with the girl he spent so many years trying to win over. If you go back and watch the pilot you can see it in Ted’s eyes, he loves Robin, he really does. I think that’s why even though I loved Robin and Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) together I am okay with the fact that Ted and Robin end up together.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER did everything a great finale should do. It should let you know that the characters we’ve loved and cherished over they years are okay. We invest so much time in this relationship with these characters that we know will inevitably end. In the end we just want to know that they are happy. Say what you want about the finale but this episode did that. Lily (Alyson Hannigan) and Marshall (Jason Segel) have a growing and amazing family and are the happiest they’ve ever been. Barney found the meaning of his life, loving his daughter, Ellie and being the best person he can possibly be for her. And Ted, although he didn’t end up with the mother he ended up with the woman he really never stopped loving, Robin. Now, just because Ted did love Robin I don’t think he loved her while he was with Tracy, I genuinely think Tracy was the person Ted was meant to spend his life with. But, things happen and I feel that a part of him always loved Robin, and a part of Robin always wished she had married Ted. I am completely aware that not many people (basically no one) will agree with what I am saying but that’s okay. Don’t get me wrong I wanted Ted to end up with the mother and Barney and Robin to end up together, but things don’t always end how you want them to. All we can do is watch our favorite episodes and remember the show for what it was and what it’s given us over the years.
I’m pretty certain Bays and Thomas will never read this, but if they do I would like to tell them thank you. Thank you for making a show that I can show my children someday. Thank you for making a show with so much heart and love that it captivated us week after week. Thank you for making my favorite half hour of television of all time (Slap Bet). And thank you for not making Ted end up alone. He was extremely annoying at times but if he would have had to live the rest of his life alone I don’t think I would have ever been able to watch a rerun again. All good things must end, HIMYM wasn’t just good, it was legendary. The highest of fives to you both! But seriously, what about the pineapple?
Victoria Nelli loves TV so much that she is paying $30,000 a year to learn about it in College. When she’s not learning about TV she enjoys writing about her favorite shows, interviewing anyone in the industry that will let her, and ranting about how underrated Parks and Recreation is. She is very much aware of her Netflix addiction, and no she will not be seeking help anytime soon. You can follow her on Twitter @VictoriaNelli