How I Met Your Mother - Part 4

[Nathan]

Can anyone re-watch the show, listen to all the life lessons Ted talks about, before he met the mother, knowing everything he says is just a way to get his kids on board, of the idea of him dating Robin?

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Can anyone re-watch the show, listen to all the life lessons Ted talks about, before he met the mother, knowing everything he says is just a way to get his kids on board, of the idea of him dating Robin?

That is not his intent. Why are you even suggesting it is? His intent, is different that what he is subconsciously doing, different then what his kids knowing their father better then he knows himself.

 

[Drizzle]

So, how many of us are still excited for "How I Met Your Dad"?

If it gets picked up, "How I Met Your Dad" will go the same way that "Joey" did. It'll probably get a season or two and die out. Actually on second thought, it may not even get that far. At least "Joey" had someone who was on the original show, plus the ending for "Friends" had a much better reception.

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

No. I think it undermines Ted, as well as the entire series.

The whole nine years isn't so much "How I Met Your Mother" so much as "Please Let Me Ask Out Robin, I Mean C'mon, Your Mom's Dead And Everything".

I'd have rather the episode end the series with the TM exchange.

 

[Sawyer]

So, how many of us are still excited for "How I Met Your Dad"?

*raises hand*

 

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

I still don't see how the finale invalidates the show...

 

[Nathan]

That is not his intent. Why are you even suggesting it is? His intent, is different that what he is subconsciously doing, different then what his kids knowing their father better then he knows himself.

Even if it's just subconsciously, that's what it basically boils down to. Sitting his kids down to talk about how he met their mother, yet barely talking about her. Instead going on, and on, and on, and on about Aunt Robin.

 

[Sawyer]

That is not his intent. Why are you even suggesting it is? His intent, is different that what he is subconsciously doing, different then what his kids knowing their father better then he knows himself.

Thank you! I think alot of the finale haters are projecting some sort of malicious intent on to Ted, when at least most of it is unnecessary.

 

[Dark Raven]

Can anyone re-watch the show, listen to all the life lessons Ted talks about, before he met the mother, knowing everything he says is just a way to get his kids on board, of the idea of him dating Robin?

I never got that impression. Also, the kids said the mother barely featured. But she did. She punctuated the series at its most poignant moments and cast a long shadow over it. If the kids learnt anything, it should be that Robin was a bad match for Ted.

And sure, Tracy has been gone 6 years, but the kids come off rather insensitive and unfeeling after a story like that. They should be more moved and appreciate what their father went through and how much their mother really meant instead of so enthusiastically encouraging Ted to go and date Robin.

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

I still don't see how the finale invalidates the show...

Penny: "[This is NOT about how you met mom. This is about you having the hots for Aunt Robin]".

 

[DarthSkywalker]

*raises hand*

No. I think it undermines Ted, as well as the entire series.

The whole nine years isn't so much "How I Met Your Mother" so much as "Please Let Me Ask Out Robin, I Mean C'mon, Your Mom's Dead And Everything".

I'd have rather the episode end the series with the TM exchange.

And how exactly do you arrive at this?

I still don't see how the finale invalidates the show...

I don't either. Not saying it was great. I don't think it was. But it in no way invalidates or undermines the series.

 

[SpideyFan866]

I still don't see how the finale invalidates the show...

Neither do I.

The only thing it really undermines is the Barney/Robin relationship, which became a main focus of the show, if not THE main focus, in the last 4 seasons.

 

[LostSon88]

I always thought, the kids were too old to still be calling their dad's friends "aunt" an "uncle", anyway

I don't see how there's an age limit to that term. I'm 28 and I still call my parents friends "Aunt/Uncle" just as they refer to me as their nephew. Just as I refer to my friends kids as my "Nieces/Nephews".

Granted it is essentially just a term of endearment but I dont see it changing just be because they get older. Maybe that's just me...

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Penny: "[This is NOT about how you met mom. This is about you having the hots for Aunt Robin]".

And this should have been very clear after the mother was not a part of the main cast until the end, and the story always went back to Ted and Robin.

 

[Nathan]

Robin was initially a great character, but the writers managed to turn her into one of the least likable females on TV. At least for me. Things with Veronica got ruined because of Robin. Barney's relationship with Nora got wrecked, again because of Robin. Then the writers make us fall in love with the Mother of Ted's children, only to kill her off in a montage, to make once again way for Robin.

So many great girls came and went, but in the end, it's all about Robin. Which would have been ok, early in the show's run. But at a certain point, I was done with Robin. And I was hoping, so was Ted.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Robin was initially a great character, but the writers managed to turn her into one of the least likable females on TV. At least for me. Things with Veronica got ruined because of Robin. Barney's relationship with Nora got wrecked, again because of Robin. Then the writers make us fall in love with the Mother of Ted's children, only to kill her off in a montage, to make once again way for Robin.

So many great girls came and went, but in the end, it's all about Robin. Which would have been ok, early in the show's run. But at a certain point, I was done with Robin. And I was hoping, so was Ted.

And this is why I am not a fan of the execution. If they had put the final season together correctly, it would be clear that it wasn't "All about Robin". Not for Ted. It was all about Tracy, but she is now gone. The series is him coming to terms with that and his feelings for Robin in the wake of it. Hence all the failed relationships. All the takes on love and what it means.

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

And this should have been very clear after the mother was not a part of the main cast until the end, and the story always went back to Ted and Robin.

So the premise of the series, as presented with the title "How I Met Your Mother" and in the first episode with "This kids... Is how I met your mother" is erroneous. Because as the writers displayed- it's not about that, it's about Ted loving another woman.

Even Smallville had a better ending, because they really drill it in that the series isn't about Superman, it's about how he becomes Superman, as soon as he is, it's over.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

So the premise of the series, as presented with the title "How I Met Your Mother" and in the first episode with "This kids... Is how I met your mother" is erroneous. Because as the writers displayed- it's not about that, it's about Ted loving another woman.

Even Smallville had a better ending, because they really drill it in that the series isn't about Superman, it's about how he becomes Superman, as soon as he is, it's over.

Did he not meet their mother? If you want to go literal with it.

If this show was simply about him meeting their mother, it wouldn't have started so long before, it wouldn't have all those storylines that clearly have nothing to do with it. It wouldn't have been an ensemble show where the happenings of the others matter just as much as Ted's love life, which had little to do with Tracy.

I know people dislike it, and I don't think the execution was good. But the final conversation makes it pretty plain.

 

[Matt]

So the premise of the series, as presented with the title "How I Met Your Mother" and in the first episode with "This kids... Is how I met your mother" is erroneous. Because as the writers displayed- it's not about that, it's about Ted loving another woman.

Even Smallville had a better ending, because they really drill it in that the series isn't about Superman, it's about how he becomes Superman, as soon as he is, it's over.

I think this is the problem with the blue French horn. Ted shouldn't have showed up at her apartment with a French horn. He should've thought about it, but ultimately just called Robin. That would've shown growth. That would've created a lot less ambiguity as to whether Ted was in love with Robin, on some level, throughout his marriage. It would've signified that Ted is no longer obsessed with finding love...no longer defining himself by who he is with (which is something he has done throughout the show from Karen to Zoey to Robin to Victoria).

Instead, it is just Ted, now an adult rather than a 20-something kid, content with who he is, wanting to spend some time with someone who was at one point very dear to him and see where it goes. No pressure. No need to say, "I love you," on the first date. Ted, no longer needs to find the one because he already has and Robin who has never been interested in finding the one can just enjoy her relationship with Ted for what it is. It wouldn't be so grand, it would just be two adults enjoying one another's company at a different stage in life.

I feel like that is where Carter and Bays were trying to go, in which case it is a great ****ing arc for Ted. But I feel like the blue horn kinda undermines that. Instead, it is just another grand romantic gesture that says, "OMGZ! I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH ROBIN!"

I think that is why I am having so much difficulty with the ending. I think a more subtle approach, to the same ultimate ending, would've made a word of difference.

That being said, the ending is not nearly as terrible as some are acting. The ending, in a way, perfectly completes Ted's story arc. But it also does not do so in a perfect manner (or anywhere close to it). So I disagree that the show "outgrew," its ending. It is still the logical end point for Ted. But the show failed to conclude the arc as effectively as it could.

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

Did he not meet their mother? If you want to go literal with it.

Literally, he does meet the mother, but despite saying this is the story of how I met your mother, it's not that story.

f this show was simply about him meeting their mother, it wouldn't have started so long before, it wouldn't have all those storylines that clearly have nothing to do with it. It wouldn't have been an ensemble show where the happenings of the others matter just as much as Ted's love life, which had little to do with Tracy.

Despite everyone seeing the ending coming a mile off, I was hoping it would all come down to the fact that the story of how Ted met Tracy could be traced back to when Marshall and Lily got engaged.

I know people dislike it, and I don't think the execution was good. But the final conversation makes it pretty plain.

In terms of Ted's character, it's not the worst move they could have made, but everything else. Nah, it's very low-tier.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I think this is the problem with the blue French horn. Ted shouldn't have showed up at her apartment with a French horn. He should've thought about it, but ultimately just called Robin. That would've shown growth. That would've created a lot less ambiguity as to whether Ted was in love with Robin, on some level, throughout his marriage. It would've signified that Ted is no longer obsessed with finding love...no longer defining himself by who he is with (which is something he has done throughout the show from Karen to Zoey to Robin to Victoria). Instead, it is just Ted, now an adult, content with who he is, wanting to spend some time with someone who was at one point very dear to him, and see where it goes.

I feel like that is where Carter and Bays were trying to go, in which case it is a great ****ing arc for Ted. But I feel like the blue horn kinda undermines that. Instead, it is just another grand romantic gesture that says, "OMGZ! I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH ROBIN!"

I think that is why I am having so much difficulty with the ending. I think a more subtle approach, to the same ultimate ending, would've made a word of difference.

Well put. I understand why they added the blue french horn. It seemed to be more for Robin's benefit then Ted's, but I can see how it undermines Ted. I like the idea that someone stated earlier. Tracy's lost one was her "one" Tracy was Ted's "one" and Ted was Robin's "one". That didn't keep them from loving others.

That being said, the ending is not nearly as terrible as some are acting. The ending, in a way, perfectly completes Ted's story arc. But it also does not do so in a perfect manner (or anywhere close to it). So I disagree that the show "outgrew," its ending. It is still the logical end point for Ted. But the show failed to conclude the arc as effectively as it could.

Completely agree. As I have been saying, the concept and idea are very sound. Strong even. It is the execution that hurts it.

Literally, he does meet the mother, but despite saying this is the story of how I met your mother, it's not that story.

Was it ever though? That is kind of the point.

Despite everyone seeing the ending coming a mile off, I was hoping it would all come down to the fact that the story of how Ted met Tracy could be traced back to when Marshall and Lily got engaged.

But is that not ignoring the show for your own personal feelings on it? I understand that you don't like it, and you are completely entitled to that. But that doesn't invalidate the ending from a storytelling standpoint.

In terms of Ted's character, it's not the worst move they could have made, but everything else. Nah, it's very low-tier.

What do you mean here by "everything else"?

 

[Matt]

Well put. I understand why they added the blue french horn. It seemed to be more for Robin's benefit then Ted's, but I can see how it undermines Ted. I like the idea that someone stated earlier. Tracy's lost one was her "one" Tracy was Ted's "one" and Ted was Robin's "one". That didn't keep them from loving others.


Completely agree. As I have been saying, the concept and idea are very sound. Strong even. It is the execution that hurts it.

I get why they did the horn also. This show is all about call backs and the French horn is the ultimate callback in the show's mythos. But I feel like its addition really shorted Ted and a simple phone call would've gotten the point across and made his final arc that much stronger.

However, I disagree with the idea that Ted wasn't Tracy's one. Granted, we don't know much about Tracy, but I feel like her boyfriend who died is more her Robin. Ted and Tracy completed each other. At least that is the vibe I got.

BTW, one thing I feel really slighted about...there should've been a funeral scene. Just one last time, showing the gang together, showing how much they support Ted...even though they drifted apart, they are still there for him. We should've gotten to see that.

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

I think this is the problem with the blue French horn. Ted shouldn't have showed up at her apartment with a French horn. He should've thought about it, but ultimately just called Robin. That would've shown growth. That would've created a lot less ambiguity as to whether Ted was in love with Robin, on some level, throughout his marriage. It would've signified that Ted is no longer obsessed with finding love...no longer defining himself by who he is with (which is something he has done throughout the show from Karen to Zoey to Robin to Victoria).

Instead, it is just Ted, now an adult rather than a 20-something kid, content with who he is, wanting to spend some time with someone who was at one point very dear to him and see where it goes. No pressure. No need to say, "I love you," on the first date. Ted, no longer needs to find the one because he already has and Robin who has never been interested in finding the one can just enjoy her relationship with Ted for what it is. It wouldn't be so grand, it would just be two adults enjoying one another's company at a different stage in life.

I feel like that is where Carter and Bays were trying to go, in which case it is a great ****ing arc for Ted. But I feel like the blue horn kinda undermines that. Instead, it is just another grand romantic gesture that says, "OMGZ! I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH ROBIN!"

I think that is why I am having so much difficulty with the ending. I think a more subtle approach, to the same ultimate ending, would've made a word of difference.

That being said, the ending is not nearly as terrible as some are acting. The ending, in a way, perfectly completes Ted's story arc. But it also does not do so in a perfect manner (or anywhere close to it). So I disagree that the show "outgrew," its ending. It is still the logical end point for Ted. But the show failed to conclude the arc as effectively as it could.

If it were just him deciding to meet up with Robin, yeah I could buy that. They try to show Robin as the endgame, but

Years previously- Ted and Robin can't be together because Robim wants to travel the world, job comes first, so can't marry.

What changed?

Robin actually does travel the world now, career is still first hence never seeing her friends, and the breakdown of her first marriage... Oh and Ted also has some kids now, too.

And killing the mother with a montage? It was all just so rushed and, the "reward" wasn't worth it.

 

[ЯɘvlveR]

So, how many of us are still excited for "How I Met Your Dad"?

Not unless she ended up number 31, probably not.

 

[Matt]

If it were just him deciding to meet up with Robin, yeah I could buy that. They try to show Robin as the endgame, but

Years previously- Ted and Robin can't be together because Robim wants to travel the world, job comes first, so can't marry.

What changed?

Robin actually does travel the world now, career is still first hence never seeing her friends, and the breakdown of her first marriage... Oh and Ted also has some kids now, too.

And killing the mother with a montage? It was all just so rushed and, the "reward" wasn't worth it.

Robin doesn't seem to be traveling the world anymore. Her being on the bus, having an apartment in Manhattan with dogs, implies to me that she put down roots. My guess is she is now an anchor on WWN or something to that extent. It wasn't explicitly spelled out, but the dogs certainly imply as much.