HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Shows the Love
May 20, 2008 by Kath Skerry
It was just this past week that CBS announced the fate of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. Thankfully the news was good and the show will be returning in the Fall. Whew. But I have to wonder if last night’s episode was also written as the series finale in case the news from CBS wasn’t good.
Ted: Ted, the ultimate marrying man breaking up with his girlfriend because she was thinking too far ahead in the future? Where did that come from? Thank goodness that car crash knocked some sense into him. Ted proposing didn’t really shock me but I can’t say that I was expecting it. I like Stella and I like what Sarah Chalke brings to the show. I’m still not convinced she is the mother, but the more I watch Stella and Ted the more ok I am with it. Here’s to hoping we see a lot more of her next season. I mean Ted did propose. But see what I mean about this episode working as the series finale. Although I would be a bit underwhelmed, they could have had Ted propose and cut away to the kids and Danny Tanner saying, “and that’s how I met your mother.” Right?
arney: Glad to see that he was ok despite being almost killed by a bus, and perhaps even more sad that one of his suits was sacrificed in order to save his life. RIP Suit. I’m so glad that Barney and Ted are bros again. Brothers even. But I think what we should be talking about was the glassy eyed way Barney was looking at Robin when Marshall and Lily debated over what Barney saw as important when his life flashed in front of his eyes. Oddly enough it wasn’t boobs, it was Robin. Really? They hooked up once and now Barney is in love with Robin? I’m not sure I see it. I’m not against the two of them as a couple, but I still like Barney as a man whore and I don’t want to lose that. I have a feeling we’ll see a lot of Barney overcompensating for his true feelings next season. Sleep with more women. Be more obnoxious. He’ll basically be doing what he can to keep real feelings at bay.
Robin, Marshall and Lily: “That’s what friends are for” It was so touching the way all of Ted’s friends dropped everything and ran to his bedside when they heard about the accident. Well I guess Marshall didn’t drop everything because he still had that guitar with him. And may I just ask, where does one buy an Aerosmith guitar for Guitar Hero? Are those stickers available? I’d like some. Oh, but back to the show…I agree with Marshall, he has experienced some miracles in his time. The pencil…airport security. That kid has seen it all. Robin is jaded. Perhaps Sir Scatchuan wasn’t a miracle but they exist. You don’t believe me? Here’s a miracle for you – Britney Spears saves How I Met Your Mother. That’s a miracle if I ever saw one.
So now that we know the show is coming back next season, (can I get a holla one final time) there’s a lot to discuss. Will Ted and Stella get married? Is she the mother? Will Barney declare his true love for Robin? Will Lily and Marshall ever move out of Ted’s apartment? (Ok that wasn’t really raised in the finale but I’m still bewildered by it).
Related Posts
Filed under How I Met Your Mother
I agree with you—I’m underwhelmed by the potential of Stella being the mother. Not that I don’t like Sarah Chalke, or her chemistry with Ted, I just think it was all too rushed and slapped together. But, I guess that’s what happens when idiotic networks force creatives into things. I feel like the whole storyline was written out of fear of cancellation.
I do, however, find the Barney/Robin situation intriguing. I’ve always thought that she is pretty perfect for him (the hard alcohol, sarcasm, etc.) but I think you’re right—this is only going to lead to an even more reckless Barney next season. Can’t wait!
I thought Barney had a thing for Robin before he even slept with her and it became more evident the night they slept together. The way he made her feel better was way more than any guy would do for just a friend (at least the way it is normally portrayed on TV). And I just think this is why future Ted refers to her as Aunt Robin, because she married his “brother” Barney.
I like Stella and hope she is the mom, but I am not sure. I would think the kids would have piped up as soon as they heard of Stella the dermatologist and her daughter (their step sister now if they married) and then we would all know. I think it was a good way to close out the show if it wasn’t renewed but I am thinking the Mother is going to be someone else that Ted still hasn’t met. I don’t see Stella out at some St Patricks Day party at some bar…she doesn’t have the time, remember?
I totally agree that the proposal wouldn’t have happened if CBS had done the decent thing and let the amazing creative force behind HIMYM know they were coming back before the season finale was written. I think the writers did an awesome job on this episode despite the threat of cancellation hanging over their heads. With that gone(at least for one more season) I doubt that Ted and Stella get married and am certain that she is not the “mother”. I am overjoyed the show is coming back next season. The pencil bit had me laughing so hard tears were rolling down my cheeks. I loved the way Barney looked at Robin at the end. I think it will be a while longer before he can own up to his feelings for Robin, but who knows with Barney.
I really like Sarah Chalke as well and think she’s great on the show, but I don’t like the idea of her as the mother mainly because wouldn’t the kids already realize she was the mother at this point? And then doesn’t that already answer the question of the show? I realize that the show isn’t really all about how Ted met the mother of his kids, but I still feel like it’s someone else. If it turns out that Sarah/Stella is the mother, though, I guess I can live with that.
I didn’t see all of last night’s episode yet, but I did love the end with Barney looking at Robin… I have wanted these two together since the first season. It may be a little bit rushed but I think it sets up a very interesting storyline for Barney next season as I agree that he’ll probably be trying to ignore his feelings for Robin. I’m sure it’ll lead to some really funny episodes. I can’t wait!
I’m so happy about the possible Barney/Robin developments. While I at first thought it was a bit sudden, upon some deeper thinking I realized that Barney has probably had a thing for Robin for awhile. I mean, he’s watched her Robin Sparkles video about a 1000 times. WHy would he do that unless he had feelings for her? I mean I’m all for the mocking of friends but watching a video 1000 times is a bit obsessive unless there are deeper feelings. At least in my opinion.
I also like Sarah/STella as the mom. While it does feel rushed, due to her not being available because of Scrubs (which is fine in my book because Scrubs needs her) I still think they make a good couple. I also think that yeah, the kids would have figured it out. BUt I noticed the past couple of weeks they didn’t really show the kids when Danny Tanner was talking to them. Maybe they’re going to phase them out, since they haven’t really talked at all this season.
I just think it was a great episode to end the season (wouldn’t have made me happy if it was the series finale). Lots of hilarious potential for next season!
I absolutely love the Stella character and hope that Sarah Chalke joins the cast full time when Scrubs finishes shooting (which apparently will be this summer or early fall from what I’ve heard.) She is a perfect fit for the cast and I can’t imagine anyone else in the role. Can’t you just see her at the bar with the rest of the gang?
I’d also be fine with her as the mother. Since Robin isn’t the mother (and obviously Lily isn’t), at this point in the show, any new character introduced as the mother will feel a bit manufactured.
I wasn’t all that happy with this episode, though, because as GMMR wrote, Ted’s decision to break up felt really weird and was never really explained. While I liked the proposal at the end, I didn’t think that the show really brought the funny this time. When this show is on, it’s probably the funniest (or close to) funniest show on TV.
As a season finale, it was legen…wait for it….hope you are not lactose intolerant…dary. More on that later.
As a series finale, praise be to Swarley that we have another 24 episodes or so coming up.
Pre WGA strike, I had this horrible vibe about the show, I was convinced it was going into the crapper and would be canceled. I was doing everything I could to not start sending nasty letters telling Carter Bays to get with the program. They had a good thing going up until then. I cannot count how many times I’ve said to GMMR “HIMYM is fading fast” or “HIMYM is done after this season, this sucks.” Post WGA strike, the show hit it’s season one and early season two stride again, thus I fell in love with the show all over again. I am very excited for the show to be returning.
So, lets break down the season finale.
– I’m glad to see Barney and Ted bro’s again. I knew that could not last…but….it felt uncomfortable having those two angry at each other.
– Barney’s true feelings for Robin are no surprise. Ever since their Laser Tag outing many episodes ago, I saw that look in his eyes. I saw a bit of jealousy in his eyes when she and Ted were together. No lie. I can’t wait to see how they portray an in love Barney as we know he’ll keep up that tough exterior for a while longer. IMHO, those two are perfect for each other in so many ways.
– I’m glad to see that Ted and Stella seemed to have worked things out. Obviously we don’t know the answer to Ted’s proposal, so things may not be as worked out as we think they are. I’m not convinced that Stella is the mom. If she were, 1) the kids would know their mom was a doctor. 2) they would know about their older step/half sister. 3) The kids look nothing like Stella. Stella seems to be another cute blonde filler, much like Cupcake Girl. Wonderful sweet girl. Not the one though.
– Sir Scratchwan. Hilarious. Ok so I love a good Canada joke. That is what makes this show so strong.
– I loved the way everyone dropped everything and ran for Ted.
Next season is going to be great I think. I hope to see them back in the saddle and I hope to be back here writing recaps after a season hiatus.
Love Robin/Barney. I also think he’s had a thing for her for quite a while. Should be VERY interesting to see where this goes!
I like Stella, but I don’t think she’s the mother.
I love Robin/Barney and have wanted it to develop more since season one!
As for Stella being the mother — meh. Interesting option, but no thanks.
Well, at least we got one proposal this season 🙂
I think she’ll say no, that it is too soon. Love Sarah/Stella but she is not the mother for all of the great reasons already posted.
I like Barney liking Robin and it could be fun to watch if they have him do what you suggest, GMMR. I love me some Barney and don’t want him to change too much, but I like the glimpses of humanity that they have him show. I will love forever his trip out to SF to bring Lily home.
I really enjoyed the season finale – i just got into this show recently, and i wouldn’t mind Stella being the mother. The only thing is that in past episodes Ted would tell his kids about meeting their mother through the yellow umbrella and none of that happened so far. So, while Stella might be the mother, i wonder if the writers still want to explore that storyline.
Laura,
Thank you for stating what so many others of us missed. The yellow umbrella is still missing from the puzzle.
It can’t be her imho.
I’m more excited about finding out all about Ted’s 31st birthday. The goat, which they’ve mentioned in other seasons, and that Robin is living with him – would Stella approve?!
i would love it if stella was the mother, but she can’t be! ted’s done much more than meet her now. i mean, it’s called “how i met your mother,” not “how i proposed to your mother.” so the mother can’t be anybody who’s met ted before. plus, they keep hinting at the yellow umbrella. stella never had a yellow umbrella (that we know of). oh, and there’s the fact that stella already has a kid, and ted’s kids would already know if they had a half sister.
and oh my god, the pencil thing nearly killed me. i laughed SO hard. (=