March 31st 2014 saw the end of a sitcom that has graced our screens for nearly a decade. When the first episode aired on Sept 19th 2005, who'd have thought that nine years later we'd be looking back on some great times that include a pineapple incident, a slap bet, a goat, robots vs wrestlers, a butterfly tattoo, one special bar and five friends. Last night the finale aired, but how did things end for Ted and the gang?
SPOILERS - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
As a ridiculously huge fan of HIMYM I cannot lie, I am slightly disappointed by the final ever episode of the long-running show. The final episode goes on to highlight the big moments following Barney and Robin's wedding; and there are plenty of ups and downs, but mainly downs.
Lily and Marshall: The pair move to Italy for a year after the wedding. On their return to New York Marshall goes back to work in corporate law, hating his working life until he gets offered his dream job of a judge in 2018. The couple finally move out of the apartment above the bar and also get pregnant with their 3rd child.
Barney and Robin: This is a real sad point of the episode. After their wedding the couple struggle with the requirements of Robin's job, the constant moving that comes with following international news results in divorce. Following the divorce Robin continues with her job and ends up distancing herself from the group, whilst Barney goes back to his bachelor days, completing the 'perfect month' only to find out he has got one of his many one-night stands pregnant. After the birth of his daughter, Ellie, Barney seems to dampen his need to go out and pull women as he has a more important female in his life.
Ted and the mother: Finally we see the couple we have been waiting nine years for. The mother, who we find out is called Tracy McConnell, is now part of Ted's life and we see her become one of the group; indulging in traditions such as their annual Robots vs Wrestlers night. We see Tracy get pregnant and make Ted's dream of a family come true. However, we find out that in 2024 Tracy becomes ill and eventually passes away, leaving Ted a widower.
2030: Ted has finished telling his story and his children see right through him with his daughter Penny saying, "You made us sit down and listen to this story about how you met mom - yet mom was hardly in the story. No, this is a story about how you are totally in love with aunt Robin." And that is what this whole show has apparently really been about and the finale ends with another final romantic gesture from Ted, bringing the Blue French Horn back to Robin.
What is so disappointing about this episode? For me, the worst part of the finale was Barney and Robin's divorce. In episode 22 of the final season we see the couple tie the knot and then within 15 minutes of the next episode it's all up in smoke. Then, with the revelation of the mother's death comes the obvious reality that Ted and Robin will end up together after all. Now, this would have been all fine if the show had only ran for a few seasons, yet this was not the case. Seasons 8 and 9, up until last nights episode, created a change in the character relationships which resulted the viewership being invested in Barney and Robin's marriage for the long haul. Furthermore, I personally think that by the time everyone had met the mother and seen her for the majority of the final season, we just wanted to see her and Ted together. Nobody was invested in Ted and Robin anymore because Robin's relationship with Barney worked so well.
I just felt that the final episode lacked any real joy from the main characters. Even when discussing Ted and Tracy's wedding we are aware that Robin has grown apart from the group. The whole 45 minute finale just seemed quite depressing, I'd rather of seen the celebration of the big events rather than focus on sad changes.
I will always remember this show for its comedic genius, its weird and wonderful story and its brilliant characters. I thought nothing could replace Friends but How I Met Your Mother has been a show I have grown up with and respect in itself. I will 100% be watching this show in years to come despite the nature of its ending.
J.Henderson.
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