The ending of How I Met Your Mother is undeniably divisive. The core decision to kill off Tracy, “The Mother,” and ultimately reunite Ted with Robin, after a decade of romantic teasing and the apparent dissolution of their relationship, was a narrative gamble that many viewers feel did not pay off. In short, the finale prioritized surprising viewers over honoring the established character arcs and emotional investments of its audience.
The Fallout: Why Fans Were Disappointed
The initial outrage following the airing of “Last Forever” on March 31, 2014, was palpable and well-documented. It wasn’t simply that Tracy died, although that was a significant point of contention. It was the perceived betrayal of the show’s underlying premise: the meticulous, years-long journey to find and marry the titular mother.
The final season, which dedicated almost entirely to Barney and Robin’s wedding weekend, suddenly felt inconsequential. Their divorce, revealed swiftly in the finale, erased the emotional investment in their seemingly perfect match. This accelerated narrative, crammed into a single episode, felt rushed and unearned, leaving many viewers feeling cheated. The show dedicated seasons towards Robin and Barney realizing they belonged together, only to rip that apart within minutes.
Furthermore, the focus abruptly shifted back to Ted and Robin, resurrecting a romantic narrative that had seemingly been laid to rest. The years spent emphasizing Ted’s growth and maturity, particularly in his relationship with Tracy, were undermined by the suggestion that Robin had always been his true love. This narrative choice, while perhaps adhering to the show’s original conception, ignored the substantial character development and romantic closure Ted had found with Tracy.
Addressing the Controversy: A Look at the Creator’s Intentions
While the backlash was widespread, it’s important to understand the perspective of creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas. They had planned the ending, including Tracy’s death and Ted’s reunion with Robin, since the show’s inception. They even filmed scenes with Lyndsy Fonseca and David Henrie (Ted’s children) during the show’s second season, anticipating a nine-season run. This pre-determined ending, while strategically planned, seemingly left no room for adjusting the narrative based on evolving character dynamics and audience expectations.
The intention, according to Bays and Thomas, was to depict life’s unpredictable nature and the enduring power of first loves. They argued that Ted’s journey was about finding himself and realizing that Robin, despite their numerous failed attempts, was ultimately his soulmate. However, this rationale failed to resonate with many viewers who felt that Tracy’s character had brought a sense of peace and fulfillment to Ted’s life that was more satisfying than a reunion with Robin, especially after Robin’s emotional unavailability and career focus were central conflicts in previous seasons.
The Alternate Ending: A Glimpse of What Could Have Been
The negative reaction prompted Bays and Thomas to release an alternate ending on the Season 9 DVD. This version omitted Tracy’s death and focused on Ted finally meeting and marrying her. It offered a more optimistic and satisfying conclusion for many viewers, reaffirming the importance of Tracy and the message that true love can be found outside of initial, perhaps idealized, notions of romance. While not entirely changing the finale, this ending allowed for a more fulfilling ending for Tracy and allowed more development for her and Ted’s relationship.
FAQs About the HIMYM Finale
Here are some frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the controversy surrounding How I Met Your Mother‘s finale:
1. Why did they kill off Tracy, “The Mother”?
The creators have stated that Tracy’s death was always part of their plan, intended to illustrate the cyclical nature of life and loss, and to emphasize the theme of enduring love in the face of tragedy. They wanted to portray Ted’s journey as one that ultimately led him back to Robin, his original romantic interest.
2. Wasn’t the entire final season dedicated to Barney and Robin’s wedding? Why did they get divorced so quickly?
The decision to dedicate an entire season to the wedding only to dissolve their marriage in a matter of minutes within the finale was a major point of contention. The creators argued that it was meant to showcase the complexities of relationships and how even seemingly perfect matches can ultimately fail. However, many viewers felt this was a disservice to the characters and the emotional investment in their relationship.
3. Why did Ted end up with Robin after years of them trying and failing?
The creators aimed to emphasize the idea that some loves are destined to endure, regardless of the challenges and setbacks. They wanted to portray Robin as Ted’s ultimate soulmate, someone he was always meant to be with. This decision, however, overlooked Ted’s personal growth and maturity in his relationship with Tracy.
4. What was the point of the show being called How I Met Your Mother if she dies?
The title, in hindsight, can be seen as misleading. While the show was ostensibly about Ted’s journey to find his wife, it ultimately became a broader exploration of friendship, love, and loss. The creators argued that Tracy’s role was pivotal in Ted’s journey and shaped him into the person who was ultimately ready to be with Robin.
5. Did the actors know about the ending from the beginning?
Only Lyndsy Fonseca and David Henrie, who played Ted’s children, knew the broad strokes of the ending, as they filmed reactions early on. The rest of the cast were likely informed closer to the filming of the final season.
6. Was there an alternate ending filmed?
Yes, an alternate ending was filmed and included on the Season 9 DVD. It omitted Tracy’s death and showed Ted and Tracy living happily ever after, offering a more positive conclusion for those who were disappointed with the original finale.
7. How did the cast react to the backlash?
The cast generally expressed support for the creators’ vision, while acknowledging the divisive nature of the ending. They encouraged fans to respect the choices made by the writers, even if they didn’t agree with them. Some of the cast, like Neil Patrick Harris, have acknowledged the ending was polarizing but stand by it as a reflection of life’s unpredictable nature.
8. Could the ending have been changed based on fan feedback?
Due to the pre-determined nature of the ending and the fact that scenes had been filmed years in advance, changing the finale significantly based on fan feedback was unlikely. The show also wrapped filming entirely before the last episode aired, so reshoots weren’t an option.
9. What is the biggest criticism of the finale?
The biggest criticism revolves around the perceived character assassination of Tracy and the erasure of her significance in Ted’s life. Viewers felt that her death was unnecessary and undermined the emotional connection they had formed with her character.
10. Did the creators ever address the fan criticism directly?
Yes, Carter Bays and Craig Thomas publicly addressed the criticism, acknowledging that they understood the disappointment and defending their creative choices. They emphasized that they stood by the ending they had envisioned from the beginning.
11. How does the ending impact the overall legacy of How I Met Your Mother?
The controversial ending undeniably impacted the show’s legacy, creating a lasting debate among fans. While some view it as a bold and poignant conclusion, others see it as a misstep that tarnished the show’s overall quality. Regardless, it has cemented How I Met Your Mother as a topic of conversation and debate within the television landscape.
12. Looking back, could the finale have been improved?
Many believe that the finale could have been improved by dedicating more time to Tracy’s character and her relationship with Ted, and by handling Barney and Robin’s divorce with more nuance and sensitivity. A slower pace, allowing the audience to process the major plot developments, could have mitigated the negative reaction. Ultimately, a greater emphasis on honoring the established character arcs would have likely resulted in a more satisfying and less controversial conclusion.
A Final Verdict
The How I Met Your Mother finale remains a significant point of contention in television history. While the creators’ intentions may have been noble, the execution failed to resonate with a large portion of the audience. The decision to kill off Tracy and reunite Ted with Robin, coupled with the rushed resolution of Barney and Robin’s relationship, ultimately undermined the emotional investment that fans had made in the characters and their individual journeys. The ending remains a cautionary tale about the importance of respecting character development and audience expectations in long-running television series. While some appreciated the intended realism of life, the vast majority of fans found the ending unsatisfying.