How I Met Your Mother - Part 4

[Teelie]

And hopefully by this point in the future they'll have effective allergy treatment for Ted.

 

[Lily Adler]

I'm also kind of sad we didn't get a "Have you met Ted?" line in there somewhere.

 

[TheVileOne]

Kind of glad I didn't get into this show now.

 

[Wolfwood]

And one more thing...I think it's messed up Ted kept that stupid blue french horn all those years.

Okay, I'm done.

I like to imagine that Ted hung it over his bed when he was with Tracy and it just sat there, looming over them during every marital act.

I also found it kind of funny that they really tried to age Ted up a bit, but Robin stayed forever young.

 

[Webfoot Hero]

I have no problem with how they ended it but how they got there this season to me was a wasted opportunity. The mother/Tracy was a perfect fit into the group and I would have liked to see it explored more than it was. To kill her off (which I'd been feeling for much of this season and part of last season) with barely any sendoff basically marginalized her completely. I would have like it better had they made the wedding only like the first couple episodes and then used the rest of the season to show the different stages Ted and Tracy's relationship and the rest of the gang moving on with their lives. It would have made the revelation of her being dead that much more emotional and I think easier for people to agree with how Ted moved on with Robin. There was just so much potential this season that got wasted due to a poor plan by Bays and Thomas.

 

[BatLobster]

Ehhh.... "In love with" is a bit strong. Remember, that was coming from, what, a sixteen year old girl?

I think the only true mistake on the part of the writers was how they played that final moment between Ted and Robin. The blue french horn bit. I think it was a misstep to have a reunion between two much older adults, one now widowed and in his 50s, essentially mirror an attempt to woo a girl that he made in his 20s. That I didn't like so much, but the rest... I dunno. It kind of makes sense to me. These aren't the same 20/30 somethings that could never make it work, that were never on the same level. These are now adults in their late 40/early 50s. They're in a new stage of their lives. The way I look at it, it's not a "By Golly, she's right, I AM IN LOVE WITH HER! Robin!!! I think I love you, lets get married and you can be the stepmother to my kids and we can live happily ever after together!!!!" It's more of a "Hey, I don't know where this is going to go, but... I don't know, maybe it'd be fun to hang out with her again, just the two of us. Like old times." It showed so much of how all their lives were changing over the course of this finale, one of the big ones to me felt like it was a lack of Robin. They all went in mostly different directions over the years, and only kept in touch for the big stuff. It makes sense to me, that after all these years, after the loss of his wife and a fairly lengthy gap of time without her, he just kind of wants to reconnect and have Robin be a part of his life again. It's not a "I'm in love with you! I've always been in love with you!!!". It's not a "Haaaaave you met me? Alright, lets have sex now."

It's a "Hey, we haven't done anything just the two of us lately. I guess I'll see if I can get a laugh out of her with this thing (the blue french horn)." I don't see it as some massive betrayal towards the Mother at all, or Barney for what it's worth. There's nothing about Barney and Robin's marriage falling apart after three years that surprises me. It happens, and with those two characters in particular, it's not a huge shock that it happened. But it's not like Ted heard about the divorce and "Holy ****, they're breaking up for real, get me in there.... awww ****, I've got this wife and kid as a weight around my neck, dragging me to the bottom." He loved The Mother. He was in love with her. Eventually making an attempt to reunite with Robin doesn't negate that at all. I mean, did we just completely forget "How the Mother Met Me"? She was totally in love with Max, and spent the better part of eight years shutting herself off from romance. With the kind of man we know Ted Mosby to be, I don't for a second believe he would've behave any differently. It's not like he was twiddling his thumbs for six years thinking "How can I make this work for me? How can I end up with Robin?" He's not Barney. I think the story he's been telling the kids is a classic case of Ted's heart and Ted's brain never quite moving at the same speed. Ted's brain might have thought it would be fun to tell his kids about his late twenties/thirties and how he eventually met their mom, but I think his heart was acknowledging that after six years, he didn't want to be alone anymore. The Mother wouldn't have wanted him to be alone anymore. And instead of doing the whole dating scene that he suffered through and eventually became fed up with ALL over again, yes, his first thought is Robin. Sketchy? Maybe. Malicious? Not so much.

And then lets not forget the format of this series. This story of how he met their mother has really been more about growing up with these friends of his, and a TREMENDOUS amount of it has been about his relationship with Robin, whereas the Mother has factored in very little. I'm not necessarily saying it's right, but they've been laying down those breadcrumbs that maybe this story was more about him airing his feelings/reminiscing about his relationship with Robin than anything.

Listen, the execution.... alright, there were some issues there, but I don't take any offense to the intent behind it. I think they could've stuck the landing a little more if they had a bit more time. It was like we were seeing the edited down version of something better. There were story beats that should've been explored and moments that they could've let breathe a little more, and they would've been much better off for it, but their objective here... I'm at peace with it. I don't LOVE it. But it makes sense to me.

I don't know, for all I know this stream of consciousness bit of posting from me has been practically unintelligible, but that's how I feel at the moment. I'm gonna sleep on it.

Okay, so I gave up posting on SHH! for Lent (but have been allowing myself to lurk), but I am breaking it for this one and only post. It's just been too excruciating for me to stay out of this one, given the reaction.

Sawyer, your post summed up my feelings to a T. I didn't LOVE this finale, but it sure as hell made a LOT of sense to me. I'm kind of surprised by the amount of vitriol being spewed, but then again...I guess I'm not.

I just want to add a few things. First of all, I am going to come clean. I have been a Ted/Robin shipper from Day 1. The "Aunt Robin" twist in the pilot only made my mind, like many others', conceive of possible ways for them to end up together in the end- with this exact ending no doubt being one of them. The show told us repeatedly that we couldn't have something, which inevitably only made (some of us) want it more.

Now, to be fair, because the show ran so long and they thoroughly explored avenues like Barnie/Robin, they were inevitably going to split people into different camps. And truthfully, even as a Ted/Robin shipper, I myself had made peace with Robin simply being the one that got away and nothing more, multiple times. The desire to see them together did dull as the series wore on. But there was also no denying for me that anytime their will they/won't they storyline returned, my interest in the show increased. That was honestly the real the hook for me all along. And all along, I felt in my gut that the "How I Met Your Mother" title was meant to mislead...because why the hell spend so much time telling his kids about his love saga with Robin?

And I completely agree- this is not a "my heart pines for Robin always, your mother was just a temporary substitute"...not by a looong shot. Ted legitimately moved on from Robin in every way he possibly could. He rejected her attempt to run off with him at the wedding. Ted and Robin are different people who are in need of a fresh start in that final blue horn moment. I don't really have much to add here because I think you summed up this aspect perfectly.

And finally...I think it's interesting that a lot of people argued that killing The Mother would be too dark an ending for the show, and now undoubtedly many of the same people are saying there wasn't enough grieving in this episode. I thought they handled it fairly tastefully. I didn't need to see Ted sobbing at her grave. THAT is what would've been too heavy. Rather than going for melodrama, they approached it logically. The kids are basically the audience's POV. So the nonchalant way he "announced" her death isn't about downplaying her importance, it's about being an authentic and true moment between a father and two kids who lost their wife/mother 6 years prior. On top of that, they've been dropping hints and preparing us for this for the past two seasons. Ted's tears a few episodes ago DO have weight and meaning. But I'm glad the tears were kept implicit for this finale. Made it more bittersweet than simply depressing. Tracy dying was a gutpunch, no doubt, but it was one that I think we were being groomed for. This wasn't even a twist for me so much as it was the natural and inevitable conclusion based on everything that was on the table.

So yeah, IDK. Guess this will go down as extremely divisive, to the point that it sours some people on the show. I think that's too bad. Like others, I agree that the decision to focus the final season on the wedding weekend might've been the real issue here and more time to flesh out some of the stuff in this finale could've led to a different, more accepting reaction from people. But taken at face value, this is the finale that me watching Seasons 1-5 would've loved to see and for a show that is so based around themes of nostalgia..it seems kind of appropriate in that sense.

 

[batdude]

You know, I could have lived with this if say, Robin and Barney had broken up for a real reason other than the internet not working in a hotel room. There are a lot of reasons this marriage might have not worked pick one. Tracy's death was pretty obvious if Ted and Robin had to get back together. Oh and I wish we had seen what number 31 looked like

 

[SpideyVille]

I kinda wish they would have gotten a little darker and shown Ted after Tracy's death, that way we could root for him to end up with someone that we knew would care for him and his kids the way he deserved.

But in everything we've seen for the past few seasons, its hard to think that Robin could ever be that woman, even though they tried to plant those seeds with the last episode and some stuff in this episode. It's like they made her do what Ted was originally trying to do, where he was going to disappear because he couldn't stand to see Robin with another man. It just feels like there was so much that was left out.

 

[Sawyer]

I kinda wish they would have gotten a little darker and shown Ted after Tracy's death, that way we could root for him to end up with someone that we knew would care for him and his kids the way he deserved.

Yeah, that's why it almost felt like we've been deprived of some sort of extended cut. They didn't let the moment/reveal breathe. It jumped from that to Ted's daughter playing matchmaker in, like, three seconds.

But in everything we've seen for the past few seasons, its hard to think that Robin could ever be that woman, even though they tried to plant those seeds with the last episode and some stuff in this episode. It's like they made her do what Ted was originally trying to do, where he was going to disappear because he couldn't stand to see Robin with another man. It just feels like there was so much that was left out.

People evolve and change with time. Robin in her late 40s could want different things than Robin in her early 30s. And Ted may very well be the same. He might not have the same vision for a future with Robin in his 50s as he did when he was a younger man, saying he wanted things that would send her running for the hills.

 

[Steyin]

I don't have the strength or patience to type up how utterly upset and pissed I am about this finale. I mean, I get it, but its not what I wanted nor really expected. Sadly it does taint the whole series now for me. A shame really.

 

[Sawyer]

Looks like Ted got Robin. Tracy got Max.

That's actually kind of a nice way to think about it.

 

[Avangarde]

Despite the over critical pessimism of some here, I for one enjoyed the ending. I was always hoping that they would show the kids reaction to the end of the story, but what I wasn't expecting was the twist with Robin. It was perfect how Ted got his kids and got Robin as well. We were all lured into a false sense of security and they fooled us. Any series that can manage to pull the wool over my eyes is a plus in my books.

 

[Loki882]

Not if the "twist" is stupid, artificial, and does a disservice to the characters and the premise of the show in the first place. No, "pooling the wool over our eyes" does NOT automatically make it GOOD. It has to be a GOOD twist, and this wasn't.

 

[Sawyer]

As melodramatic as I find some of the finale hate... at least I get it. I get where it's coming from. It's not like LOST all over again, where a HUGE amount of people ****ting on it were just wrong about a lot of that stuff. "THEY WERE DEAD THE WHOLE TIME!!!" No, they were not dead the whole time. They were in an afterlife scenario for less than half of the final season. And you can get the **** over it.

This finale... I can get it. We've been on this Ted/Robin rollercoaster too long for me to not understand why people would be pissed. Not to mention that the execution could've just been LOADS better.

 

[Loki882]

Yeah, that's why it almost felt like we've been deprived of some sort of extended cut. They didn't let the moment/reveal breathe. It jumped from that to Ted's daughter playing matchmaker in, like, three seconds.

People evolve and change with time. Robin in her late 40s could want different things than Robin in her early 30s. And Ted may very well be the same. He might not have the same vision for a future with Robin in his 50s as he did when he was a younger man, saying he wanted things that would send her running for the hills.

Yes, people do change, and this finale crapped all over that notion. Barney growing up and actually falling in love (even burning the play list), NOPE. His marriage fails, he goes back to his old ways, and knocks some random woman who we know nothing about and don't care about up. The entire buildup of his relationship with Robin, focusing the entire season on their wedding, pointless. Ted growing up and finally letting Robin go, then meeting the woman of his dreams, NOPE. He strings her along for five years, then she dies and we never get to see him really greave, and then he goes back to the women whom he was pining over in the pilot episode. People try to justify this by saying that "people change" and that's precisely why this episode DOESN'T WORK!! They DIDN'T really change at all.

 

[LostSon88]

Having had a few hours to think about it i'd say my biggest gripe is as others have said, the overall execution of it all.

Ted ends up with Robin in the end? Fine. But don't gloss over the one character you've spent an entire season (and series) building up only to casually mention her death and have Ted outside Robin's window within a 3 minute timeframe. It's a total slap in the face of the character they've established and the fans grew to love with such a throwaway ending to her character.

In a perfect world? I would've established Tracy's death around the halfway point and show older-Ted and older-Robin and the dynamic between the two during that time in their lives. Ted mourning the loss of his beloved wife and Robin being a lonely 40-something single. All they needed was one scene to establish some sense of where their relationship was at in that point of time. THEN, cut to the first meeting of Ted and Tracy and eventually the scene of Ted and his kids and go from there.

I think that's probably my biggest gripe of the finale. After such a buildup to a great character they gave her such a b.s. ending.

I really don't see why they couldn't have made this finale just a tad longer. Or if anything, sacrificed one of the filler episodes earlier this year for more time.

 

[Sawyer]

Yes, people do change, and this finale crapped all over that notion. Barney growing up and actually falling in love (even burning the play list), NOPE. His marriage fails, he goes back to his old ways, and knocks some random woman who we know nothing about and don't care about up. The entire buildup of his relationship with Robin, focusing the entire season on their wedding, pointless. Ted growing up and finally letting Robin go, then meeting the woman of his dreams, NOPE. He strings her along for five years, then she dies and we never get to see him really greave, and then he goes back to the women whom he was pining over in the pilot episode. People try to justify this by saying that "people change" and that's precisely why this episode DOESN'T WORK!! They DIDN'T really change at all.

Barney changed. Just because it wasn't Robin that brought about true change in him doesn't mean that he wasn't changed.

And Ted/Robin? They were at a completely different stage in their lives by the end of the episode than they've been in the course of the series. If I order a pepperoni pizza at age 20 and then order a pepperoni pizza again at age 40, does that mean I haven't changed as a human being? Just because I enjoy pepperoni pizza?

I think a large part of this is that it's a hard thing to sell in A.) such a short period of time, and B.) in sitcom form.

 

[LostSon88]

Sorry, last one, lol.

Another thing I didn't like was how gung-ho the kids were to have Ted ask out their Aunt Robin.

I mean, I get that its been 6 years since their mother passed away and that they want their dad to move on but their giddyness over the whole thing was a little over the top.

"Oh you're totally in love with Aunt Robin!"
"Oh she's amazing!"
"This whole story is about how much you're in love with Aunt Robin!"

I understand wanting your father to be happy and move on but jeez, how about we dial it down a notch? She was your mother.

Luke and Penny were practically throwing the condoms at Ted.

 

[Sawyer]

Yeah, Penny seemed a little too eager for that. She must be a shipper.

 

[universeman]

Well at least we got TBBT to look forward too.

 

[Avangarde]

Not if the "twist" is stupid, artificial, and does a disservice to the characters and the premise of the show in the first place. No, "pooling the wool over our eyes" does NOT automatically make it GOOD. It has to be a GOOD twist, and this wasn't.

Well they're not going to call the series "How I Met Your Step Mother", after all the kids may very well call Robin mum so really it's a little more accurate than you think. Considering the actors that played the kids were filmed years ago revealing the twist long before we knew, shows that the creators knew where they were going and had years to plan it, it's not like they had to try and piece together some sort of conclusion out of 8 years worth of stories.

 

[LostSon88]

That, Modern Family, Community, New Girl, Parks & Rec and of course i've got my "Friends" reruns.

Of all the shows i've watched in my life, I can confidently say that only 3 had Series Finales that lived up to the legacy of their shows.

The Office and ER had perfect finales. FRIENDS was great, but not perfect.

HIMYM? Pfft...

 

[3dman27]

Wasn't this ending planned along though? Assuming they filmed the scenes with the kids back when they were filming season one.

I heard on wkmg the cbs affiliate news during an item on the finale the kids scenes were pre taped during seasons 1 and2 so as the child actors wouldn't outgrow their roles

 

[LostSon88]

Yeah, the ending was filmed years ago.

BUT if the creators knew this was where they were gonna go then they could've done a better job at establishing Robin as the woman he ultimately ends up with the past few seasons as opposed to building up Tracy as such an amazing fit for Ted only to kill her off and have Ted go running back to Robin at the end.

It really does feel like they gave us the finger. Haha.

Again, its all about the execution. And I feel like they failed…miserably.

 

[Sawyer]

That, Modern Family, Community, New Girl, Parks & Rec and of course i've got my "Friends" reruns.

Of all the shows i've watched in my life, I can confidently say that only 3 had Series Finales that lived up to the legacy of their shows.

The Office and ER had perfect finales. FRIENDS was great, but not perfect.

HIMYM? Pfft...

An ending is a hard thing to pull off. If I didn't love Game of Thrones/ASOIAF so much, I'd actually want to see that series totally botch the ending as karmic retribution for all the **** GRRM has talked about some other finales.