The finale of “How I Met Your Mother” remains one of the most controversial in TV history. Twelve years after its conclusion, Neil Patrick Harris stands by the divisive ending, despite its backlash from fans and critics alike. Narrated by the late Bob Saget, the sitcom followed the story of Ted Mosby as he recounts how he met the mother of his children, with the central question being, “who did Ted end up with?”
The final season of the show in 2014 brought the revelation fans had been waiting for, along with the fates of the main characters. Harris, who played womanizer Barney Stinson, defended the finale on the “How We Made Your Mother” podcast, explaining that the ending stayed true to Barney’s character and resisted the temptation to tie up everything in a perfect bow.
Critics and fans alike criticized the finale for undoing years of character development and subverting expectations. The reveal that the mother, Tracy McConnell, played by Cristin Milioti, had passed away years prior due to an illness left many devastated. Additionally, the twist of Ted’s children urging him to reunite with Robin, played by Cobie Smulders, despite the series’ emphasis on their mismatch, added further disappointment.
Despite the backlash, Harris argued that the finale made sense in bringing the characters back to their original roots. The resolution may not have been what fans hoped for, but it stayed true to the show’s themes of love, loss, and friendship. As with all great TV shows, the ending of “How I Met Your Mother” sparked debate and discussion among viewers, cementing its place in television history.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.