The How I Met Your Mother series finale, often dubbed the “Barney Marathon” episode for its compressed depiction of his life after the wedding, suffers from a fundamental flaw: it tries to cram far too much emotional and plot development into too little time, ultimately undermining the careful character arcs built over nine seasons. It attempts to illustrate Barney Stinson’s post-wedding journey – a journey crucial to understanding his final transformation – but its rushed pacing sacrifices depth and nuance, leaving viewers feeling shortchanged.
The Compressed Timeline: A Narrative Failure
The most significant criticism leveled against the “Last Forever” episode stems from its drastic acceleration of the timeline. While the series excelled at weaving intricate storylines across years, the finale throws caution to the wind, condensing years of events into mere minutes. This “Barney Marathon,” showcasing his failed marriage, womanizing return, and eventual paternal awakening, feels disjointed and unearned.
The Divisive Divorce
The speed with which Barney and Robin’s marriage implodes is perhaps the most egregious example. The entire season built towards their wedding, portraying it as the culmination of years of longing and personal growth. To then dissolve this relationship in a montage, showcasing their professional conflicts and growing apart, feels like a betrayal of the investment the audience made in their happiness. The quick dissolution leaves little room for emotional resonance, making the divorce feel more like a plot device than a genuine character development.
Return to Old Habits
Following the divorce, Barney’s regression into his old, womanizing ways is depicted without any substantial exploration of his underlying motivations. While his past behavior was often played for laughs, the finale attempts to paint it as a symptom of unresolved pain and insecurity. However, the condensed timeframe doesn’t allow for a convincing portrayal of this inner turmoil, making his actions seem opportunistic and shallow. His reverting back to old habits is viewed as a step backwards from his character development throughout the series.
Redemption Through Fatherhood
The birth of Barney’s daughter, Ellie, is presented as a catalyst for his dramatic transformation. While fatherhood is undoubtedly a powerful force for change, the episode fails to adequately demonstrate why this particular event has such a profound impact on Barney. The shift feels abrupt and unconvincing, lacking the emotional depth needed to resonate with viewers. This is where the “Barney Marathon” concept truly fails. While Ellie represents a turning point, the story needed time to show his evolution.
Lost Opportunities and Unsatisfied Expectations
The finale’s rushed pacing not only undermines Barney’s character arc but also squanders opportunities to explore other important aspects of the How I Met Your Mother universe. Ted’s relationship with Tracy, the Mother, is glossed over, and the fate of other supporting characters is relegated to brief cameos.
The Mother’s Untapped Potential
Tracy’s illness and death, while poignant, feel rushed and underserved. After seasons of anticipation, the audience barely gets to know her before she is tragically taken away. This minimizes the emotional impact of her loss and robs the finale of its potential to explore the profound love between Ted and Tracy. The brevity of Tracy’s portrayal felt dismissive to fans who had waited for her reveal.
Lingering Questions and Unresolved Conflicts
The finale leaves many unanswered questions and unresolved conflicts. What happens to Marshall’s career? How do Lily and Marshall cope with Tracy’s death? Does Robin ever find lasting happiness? The compressed timeline prevents these issues from being adequately addressed, leaving viewers feeling unsatisfied. The episode offered a rushed conclusion instead of a well-developed arc for beloved characters.
The Need for Expansion: What Could Have Been
The “Barney Marathon” episode would have benefitted immensely from a slower pace and a more expansive narrative. Instead of trying to cram years of events into a single hour, the finale could have been structured as a two-parter or even a mini-series, allowing for a more nuanced exploration of Barney’s post-wedding journey and the fates of the other characters.
Extended Exploration of Barney’s Transformation
A longer format would have allowed for a more gradual and convincing portrayal of Barney’s transformation. The show could have delved deeper into his motivations for reverting to his old habits, showcasing his internal struggles and the challenges he faces in overcoming his insecurities. It could also have dedicated more time to exploring his relationship with Ellie, showing how fatherhood gradually changes him and helps him find meaning in life.
Deeper Dive into Ted and Tracy’s Relationship
The finale could have also benefited from a more extended exploration of Ted and Tracy’s relationship. By showcasing their love story in greater detail, the show could have deepened the emotional impact of Tracy’s death and made Ted’s decision to return to Robin feel less jarring. More time devoted to Tracy’s character would have made her passing feel more impactful and less like a plot point.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What exactly is the “Barney Marathon” in the How I Met Your Mother finale?
The “Barney Marathon” refers to the compressed timeline in the How I Met Your Mother series finale, “Last Forever,” where significant events in Barney Stinson’s life after his wedding, including his divorce, return to womanizing, and the birth of his daughter, are rapidly depicted in a montage-like fashion.
Why do many fans dislike the way Barney’s character was handled in the finale?
Fans often dislike the finale’s portrayal of Barney because it feels rushed and undermines his character development throughout the series. His divorce from Robin, his regression into old habits, and his sudden transformation into a devoted father all occur too quickly, lacking the necessary emotional depth and nuance.
How much time is actually covered in the “Barney Marathon” portion of the episode?
While difficult to pinpoint an exact duration, the “Barney Marathon” covers approximately two to three years of Barney’s life, from immediately after his wedding to Robin to the birth of his daughter, Ellie. This timeframe is compressed into just a few minutes of screen time.
What are the specific criticisms about Barney and Robin’s divorce?
The main criticisms surrounding Barney and Robin’s divorce are its abruptness and lack of emotional investment. The entire final season built towards their wedding, making their subsequent divorce, which occurs within a few minutes of the finale, feel like a betrayal of the audience’s expectations and a disservice to their characters.
How did the show try to justify Barney’s return to his womanizing ways?
The show attempted to portray Barney’s return to his womanizing ways as a coping mechanism for dealing with the pain of his divorce and his underlying insecurities. However, due to the compressed timeline, this justification felt unconvincing and shallow to many viewers.
What role does Ellie, Barney’s daughter, play in his character arc?
Ellie, Barney’s daughter, serves as a catalyst for his transformation from a commitment-phobic womanizer to a loving and devoted father. Her birth is presented as the turning point in his life, helping him find meaning and purpose.
Why do some critics argue that the finale failed to adequately address Barney’s insecurities?
Critics argue that the finale failed to adequately address Barney’s insecurities because the compressed timeline didn’t allow for a deeper exploration of his internal struggles. The episode simply alluded to his insecurities without providing a convincing portrayal of his journey towards overcoming them.
What alternative approaches could the writers have taken to handle Barney’s story in the finale?
The writers could have adopted a slower pace and a more expansive narrative, such as a two-part finale or a mini-series, to allow for a more nuanced exploration of Barney’s post-wedding journey and the fates of the other characters. This would have provided more time to develop his transformation and address his insecurities.
Was Barney’s ending satisfying to fans? Why or why not?
For many fans, Barney’s ending was not satisfying. His character’s rapid swings between womanizer and devoted father felt unearned, and the dissolution of his marriage to Robin, which the entire final season built towards, felt rushed and unsatisfying.
How did Neil Patrick Harris feel about Barney’s ending?
Neil Patrick Harris has publicly expressed mixed feelings about the ending, acknowledging the fan backlash while also defending the writers’ creative choices. He’s stated that he understands why some viewers were disappointed but also believes the ending was true to the overall themes of the show.
Did the show hint at Barney becoming a father earlier in the series?
While there weren’t explicit hints about Barney becoming a father earlier in the series, there were subtle moments showcasing his potential for caring and nurturing, particularly in his interactions with children and his genuine affection for his friends. However, these moments were often overshadowed by his womanizing antics.
Ultimately, what is the biggest takeaway from the criticism surrounding the “Barney Marathon” episode?
The biggest takeaway is that rushed storytelling can severely undermine carefully constructed character arcs and emotional investments. The “Barney Marathon” episode serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of pacing and allowing characters sufficient time to develop and evolve authentically. The show’s attempt to quickly resolve years of character development ultimately backfired.