HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Season Premiere – The Two Big Reveals Fans Will Be Talking About
September 19, 2011 by Kath Skerry
The following contains spoilers for the season premiere of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. Read at your own risk.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER kicked off its seventh season with two back-to-back episodes, both with surprising moments that will certainly have long time fans talking.
Here’s comes the bride. All dressed in…
Well, I guess we don’t know what the bride was dressed in because we never saw the bride. Hell, we don’t even know who the bride is, but we do know she’s a woman lucky enough (or not depending on your point of view) to land Mr. Barney Stinson.
Yes, Barney Stinson is getting married. When? We don’t know. To who? Not quite sure. We do know that Ted is his best man AND that Ted seems to be pretty chummy with the bride as well.
So who is this mystery woman? More importantly, who do YOU want it to be?
Certainly there is a rather large contingent of fans that hope that Barney and Robin will find their way back to each other. Leading that contingent – Robin Sparkles herself. When Barney and Nora reunited in last season’s finale, Robin couldn’t hide her disappointment, and based on her squeaky high ‘there’s truth in jest’ voice tonight, it seems she’s still wondering if Barney was the one who got away. And just as she was perhaps going to ask him if there was a future for them….
Ring. Ring. Nora’s back.
In tonight’s second episode, Barney was once again reunited with the beautiful Nora. Not since Robin has a woman brought Barney down to his knees. (Well, I’m sure that’s certainly not true, but I’m trying to keep this blog post clean.) Barney is rather taken with Nora and seems willing to do what he must to get her back, even if that means coming clean about past conquests. Yikes!
So is Nora the one that finally captured the heart of Barney Stinson? Or was it his love for Robin that finally made an honest man out of him? I suppose “C: none of the above” is still an option, and with HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER that’s certainly a possibility (anything that perpetuates the dragging out of a storyline is very much on the table.)
So are you rooting for the ultimate Barney & Robin reunion, or do you think Barney & Nora are meant for each other?
Finding out Barney Stinson was getting married should have been the jaw dropping moment of the night, but for me the ‘WHAT THE WHAT?!’ moment came in the final scene of the second episode.
Soon after Ted (for the 756,487 time) declared that he was determined to find his true love, a blast from his past appeared…with some delicious baked goods.
Yes, Victoria is back!
For those of you who haven’t watched HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER from the beginning (or maybe need a little refresher) Victoria was one of Ted’s old girlfriends from way back in season one. They were a pretty great twosome, but things got tough for the pair when Victoria moved to Germany to pursue a baking fellowship. Victoria and Ted tried having a long distance relationship, but that failed when Ted’s old feelings for Robin resurfaced.
Listen, I’m done caring who this mystery woman is that eventually serves as Ted’s baby momma. I haven’t honestly cared about that particular storyline for a long time. But if they want to dangle a carrot in front of me, I’m glad that carrot is Victoria. As we enter the seventh season, wouldn’t it be refreshing if Victoria wasn’t another red-herring. Give the girl a yellow umbrella and call it a day.
Have both Ted and Barney finally found the women they were meant to love? Will Ted and Victoria rekindle their romance?
And since we’re asking questions, here are three more for you: (1) who is “Steph” and why should she and Marshall be together 4-eva? (2) What shocking news does Barney received from the mystery caller in the future? (3) What crisis led to Barney wearing a rubber ducky tie?
These questions and more will (probably not) be answered on this season of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER?
Thoughts on Barney’s wedding? The return of Victoria? Did you love to season premiere episodes? Let us know what YOU think!
Did you know GMMR is now on Tumblr? Yup! Follow us (and reblog us) today!
Follow @GiveMeMyRemote and @GMMRtv on Twitter for the latest TV news. Connect with other TV fans on GIVE ME MY REMOTE’s official Facebook page.
And to be the first to see our exclusive videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/givememyremoteTV
Related Posts
Filed under HIMYM, How I Met Your Mother
I still care who the mom is, and I’m really quite bitter about how they’re going about it (more like how long it’s been going on). But I did and do like Victoria/Ashely Williams. I’ve long since wished for her to be the mother but at this point it’s like Peanuts and the gang and the football is getting mighty annoying.
I was so THRILLED to see Victoria. She’s my favorite of Ted’s exes. I doubt she’s The Mother…but she should be!
I also really love Nora/Barney. I’ve never really seen the “They are so meant to be” of Robin/Barney so I wouldn’t hate if Nora was his bride. But I don’t think Ted and her would be close enough for her to be asking to see him the day of her wedding.
I’ve been a fan of Barney and Robin since 1×14 (Laser tag and battleships!) so I will feel REALLY cheated if it’s not her he’s marrying, (or since he appears to be having jitters, ends up with) Other than that, so, so pleased to see Victoria back because she is pretty amazing and I really don’t care who the mother is anymore!!
While it would make absolutely no sense for Victoria to be the mother (why not say it then?), I would absolutely not mind if they did a bait-and-switch and made it her anyway. She was always my favorite Ted pairing!
One possibility that just occurred to me. Perhaps Barney is marrying Victoria. I don’t think Nora would ever get to the point of needing to talk to Ted but Victoria might want to ensure he’s okay right before she walks down the aisle.
I didn’t really see the Robin and Barney pairing either. They are too much alike to really be compatible.
Holy crap. Victoria? I doubt that it’s her but I’d be so pleased if it were. Of all of the girls Ted has been with, she always seemed like the perfect “one” for Ted.
I think Victoria has always been a fan favourite and it makes sense that they (finally) brought her back…even if it’s for nothing more than to get the bad taste of Zoey out of our mouths!
HOLY CRAP…@Jim Mosby! How the hell are you?!
SPOILER ALERT! I am friends with spoilers and there might be some hints to future S7 events, so don’t say you weren’t warned.
I have (yet) no theories about Steph, or the mystery call, or the ducky tie.
1. I only started watching the show this year, since in my country it has not been shown…and won’t at least for one more year. But I finally saw a few S6 episodes in the spring, and fell in love with the show right away. I watched all six seasons during summer and found my new favorite TV show. Since Friends. I absolutely love that there are so many similarities and parallels (I know many Friends fans who dislike the show for the very same reason I like it).
2. I was not surprised about the end of the 1-hour premiere, because I knew that Victoria was coming back, though I had somehow remembered in happened in ep 3 or 4, but my jaw didn’t drop. And being one of the people, who liked her in S1, I’m glad she’s back. Though I believe their bringing back many of Ted’s old girlfriends… To be honest I’ve only liked Victoria and ‘coat check girl’, all others I haven’t liked with Ted. Most of the others I haven’t even liked as characters. And there is some logic to the theory that the mother is someone we’ve seen in S1, because they couldn’t have been certain the show would get renewed. Unlike most fans I’ve seen guessing, I do not think the mother is Carly, Barney’s half sister (was it her that Ted bumped into at the St. Patrick’s day event?) I do think they might have changed the mother/story after they got renewed,… I do believe that there is a reason behind why Ted started the story with the day that he/they met Robin. Part of me believes that it’s probably because she plays an important role in the story. If he hadn’t met her, he wouldn’t have been at her wedding, and hadn’t met the mother. That’s what I like to believe. But if I’d have to guess, I’d say the mother will be the “perfect match” from S1, whose face we or Ted never saw, but I can picture them writing the show/story so that it all ties back to the beginning of the story/show.
3. Speaking of Ted. I am not interested in who the mother is, either. I don’t think I would be, even if I’d started watching back in 2005. It’s just interesting to see Ted as the narrator. I kind of like this form – that one of the characters is sort of telling the story… his memories, and we then see the events (unfold).
4. What I am interested in, is however “who is the bride?” One question about the article though – was it a surprise to anyone who has seen season 6 (ep 6×01 and 6×24 when parts of the day of Barney’s wedding were shown) that it was barney whose wedding it was going to be. The wedding where we should all meet the mother.
5. Now to the mystery bride and Barney’s wedding. I’ve posted my thoughts and theories over the summer, here are some of them:
5.1. Even though they could introduce new character(s) and wife candidates, I’m certain that the bride in that wedding is either Robin or Nora. I actually see that barney is a lot like his father, and I don’t see him marrying any woman whom he doesn’t know well, and hasn’t known for a while. That rules out new candidates, because the wedding is definitely happening in the next few years in their time. I hope the bride turns out to be Robin, just because I like her, alone, and with him. And even though it has been said that Barney & Robin are both super awesome, and similar in many ways, and two awesome-s cancel each other out sometimes, I think they work very well. And I hope the writers think so too. I know that the writers are taught to not give the reader what they want, but instead make them be on the edge of their seat all the time…and such, and turn the cards totally around, and use elements of surprise, not give the expected outcome. But then again, I don’t think all writers use this as a rule of how they write their story. I have a feeling HIMYM is one of those.
5.2. Maybe it’s because I don’t believe in love at first sight, and many things that Ted for example believe in, I did not take the quotes from 7×01 and 7×02 plus the S6 Nora episodes as proof that he loves her. I’m hearing him say it, I’m reading it from articles and comments, but I don’t see it or feel it when watching the episodes. So to me the heart-stopping, and saying that if it’s real, then you’ll know pretty quickly, were not about how B/N are a real option. Though a part of me is scared that they will take the story there, and I personally believe it would be sad, because in that case all of S4 and S7 would be pretty much a waste of building the B/R story line. Why put so much effort in writing and showing all that, and re-visiting the romance when it won’t lead anywhere for them together?
5.3. I pretty much dislike the will they-wont they dynamic, and breaking up a couple to reunite them again later in the series, and also changing every character who is mentally single and doesn’t want to be a parent, to grow to be a character who wants all that, but in this show I am surprisingly OK with the changes in both Barney and Robin. For Barney a lot of the so-called growth came from being with Robin, plus meeting his father. For Robin the most significant part is probably going to be Nora.
5.4. Barney Stinson is going to marry a tie. No it’s not a tie between two women, it is a metaphor. He clearly cares about the tie. Though he’s doubting if he chose the right tie. And what goes well with a tie? A suit. In 4×24 Barney makes a speech about suits. Only… the suit is… Robin. He clearly cares about the suit. And if you remember, in episode 100 he chose the suit(s). So if the suit is Robin, then he’ll ultimately choose…Robin. because to me all other options are just not logical. (I agree with those who say that Nora has no backstory, and therefore I don’t take her as a serious, permanent part of the group.
REASONS WHY I BELIEVE BARNEY MARRIES ROBIN
a) Barney and Ted talk in codewords. When they talk about suits, they’re talking about Robin. When they’re talking about ties, they’re talking about…Robin. Ted and Barney using suits and attire as code words to talk about girls/Robin.
b) Barney (and Robin) have revelations in the backseat of a cab/car. In 6×04 they have a meaningful discussion in Ranjit’s taxi about him not listening to her, and this time she doesn’t give him a second chance to listen. But he does anyway – he let’s her win. In 6×21 he realizes that maybe he does want to settle down and maybe he’s met the right girl already, when he’s talking with his dad. I am certain he’s talking about Robin. In season 6 finale (6×24) Barney and Robin have a conversation in Ranjit’s cab, and confess that they did have feelings for each other.
c) What season 7 premiere showed us is that what Barney went through in season 4, Robin will go through in season 7. In season 4 Barney said he’s quoting Ted when he said “I love you”. In season 7 Robin pretends to be help Barney talk another girl into giving him a chance, when she really is talking about herself and him. Season 4 was Barney secretly in love with Robin, but afraid to tell her. Season 7 will be about Robin secretly in love with Barney, but afraid to tell him. In both cases the person who knew the secret… Lily. I like that.
d) How awesome was it that they finished each others sentences! And how and why would Barney say about Nora that he wants them to give it ANOTHER try. There’s no previous relationship between them.
e) The phone conversation in 7×01 with Barney & Robin kind of talking about Nora, when they both probably meant the two of them is a direct parallel to 6×24 dialogue when they were talking about Ted, when they were actually talking about them – in the scene with the orchid.
f) It’s all about timing. And chemistry. I have to believe that this time their timing will be right. I don’t agree with those people who say that because B/R were “miserable”the first time, that’s how it’ll be this time/forever. In their case I believe that the things we heard in 7×01 about having chemistry and just needing right timing, was about Barney/Robin.
g) As much as I often get bored when writers use a character to voice another character’s feelings and thoughts – to read another character, I liked what Lily was doing in S7 premiere. I might be wrong, but I like how they’re using Lily’s sixth sense to read the other characters, like Barney. And in this show I agree with “Lily”.
h) Plus Ted being the best man. He has double reason to be the best man in the future wedding. Both Barney and Robin have asked him to be the best man.
i) Robin made Ted promise only one thing – not to cry during the wedding toast. And what does Barney ask him – if he’s going to cry during the toast?
j) Plus it would make more sense for Lily to be the bridesmaids (that sure looked like a bridesmaids dress) in Robin’s wedding, than in Nora’s. Sure both could ask, but it would just make much more sense.
k) And how could I forget that Robin is the only woman that Barney has gotten on one knee for. Not once. But twice already! In season 4 (Possimpible) and in Season 7 (Best Man). And since third time’s the charm, then I’m betting the third time will be real, and he’ll ask the question, and she’ll say yes. And they’ll have a big chuck wedding, and then they’ll move to another state, and start a B&B. And perhaps we’ll also see Barney’s fantasy — them running in slow motion towards each other…. *wink*
THAT’S TOO MANY DIRECT HINTS FOR BARNEY CHOOSING ROBIN. AND THE FUTURE WEDDING BEING BARNEY’S AND ROBIN’S.
If it isn’t then I don’t understand why would the writers waste two seasons (S4 for Barney and S7 for Robin) to make them come to a realization and eventually… speak out and then nothing works out…again. Why re-visit the old romance in such a large scale and add all these hints and everything only for him to choose the other tie and for her to have the feelings again only for them to be a passing phase. And I’d be a little bit sad that they’d waste time for such story lines and building the relationship…the possibility…only to not make it happen. To me it makes no sense. That they’d do it. But then again it is TV, and I can’t rule anything out.
Though a part of me ‘fears’ that he’ll first think of marrying the other tie, but Marshall’s slap or Lily’s comment (Really? You’re gonna go with that tie?) will slap some sense back into him, and choose the right tie. But I would be even okay with that — if he’ll eventually choose the right tie. Though I’m not particulary thrilled that he’d
a) first think about marrying someone else, and then on the last minute make the ‘right’ decision and marry Robin
b) get cold feet and question if Robin’s the right tie
but I’ll take it.
Busier than a mosquito at a nudist colony – how are you doing my long lost friend?
Drop me a line sometime. Yep, still read here as often as I can 🙂
I really like Victoria, she the best girlfriend ted had. I must say, the mother should be better than Victoria at least, and should be prettier than Cindy (rachel bilson). That is pressure, but I guess they’ll work it out.
Anyway as for Barney and Robin, I like them together, but I always thought Barney would be kinda cute with someone like Lily, I mean Lily got Barney to re-decorate his apartment and replace his star wars statue, she also got Barney to willingly replace porn with books(after only a few days). I dunno but that episode where they live together, was just so natural and easy, and not complicated, just fun.
Anyhow i know Marshall and Lily are perfect for each other, and they should keep it that way. But if ever Barney will end up with someone, I hope she’ll be just as cute and sweet as Lily. And no I do not mean Nora. I still largely prefer Robin and Barney, than Nora and Barney.
But you know what they should keep- they should just keep Barney single a little while longer. He will be the Barney we all know and love, but if he’s married, we’ll see less of those crazy stuff he does. Which is a bummer.
If Barney does marry someone other than Robin, I hope she finds someone too, It’ll be sad if she won’t. And for the record, It will be better if Robin marries before Barney does. But maybe they are getting married to each other. Still, Barney shouldn’t be married before Ted, that is just ironic.
Anyway for last, I know it’s a totally weird ship (not to mention impossible) but…
In a weird way I still think Barney and Lily kinda works. She’s cute and sweet and somewhat romantic. Barney is the opposite basically, so he needs a push. But unlike Nora, Lily can be a bit manipulative like Barney is, so they can handle each other. And they’re friendship is so cute, and they look cute together in that episode where they kissed. Anyway I know this is never gonna happen and Lily belongs with Marhsall.
But if ever Barney doesn’t marry Robin, then I hope he’ll end up with someone like Lily. (and no I don’t mean Nora)
Ok so,it can’t be Nora. I watched further. And.. Barney breaks up with her because he cheated on Nora with Robin so… Hints lead to Robin.