Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders) is a memorable part of How I Met Your Mother. The TV reporter is a tomboy who speaks her mind and fits in with the rest of the gang right away. Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) falls for Robin right away, but regardless of their relationship status, she continues to hang out with Lily (Alyson Hannigan), Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), and Marshall (Jason Segel).
Ted and Robin don't always treat each other well but countless fans have shipped them. It's fascinating to take a look at the evolution and transformation of Robin's character over all nine seasons of HIMYM.
Changed: She Doesn't Want A Serious Commitment, Then Changes Her Mind
In the season 1 episode "Purple Giraffe," Ted realizes that he and Robin are on totally different pages about what they want out of a relationship. While he feels an instant connection and swears she's his soulmate, she doesn't want to get serious about anyone. The other characters often insult Robin's sex life, which is mean and unfair, as there's no reason why she can't live her life the way that she wants to.
Eventually, as HIMYM goes on, Robin changes her tune about romance. She gets serious with Barney and later it's implied that she will end up with Ted.
The Same: She's Always Stubborn
From pursuing Barney and continuing to pine after him when they break up to her determination to do well at work, Robin is a super stubborn person.
Thankfully, this is something that stays the same about her, as fans would hate to see her lose her passion for life and her belief in herself.
Changed: She Moves To Japan
In the fourth season episode "I Heart NJ," Robin makes a change in her career and moves to Japan. Up until this point, Robin's reporting jobs had all been pretty silly so fans understand this decision, even if it's sad to imagine Robin living away from the gang.
Robin gets a job in Japan and tries it out. She moves back to New York not very long after that, as it just doesn't feel like the right fit.
The Same: She's Forever Embarrassed By Robin Sparkles
It turns out that Robin was a famous pop star when she was younger and had a hit song called "Let's Go to the Mall."
This is something that always humiliates this character, as she doesn't want to go to malls anymore and she can't believe that she sang such a silly song. The others tease her a lot about her pop singing past, and every time, it's clear that Robin is really upset about it.
Changed: She Actually Stops Being Friends With Everyone
Fans have mixed feelings about the series finale and one sad moment is when Robin decides to stop being friends with everyone.
She explains to Lily that it's too difficult because she loves Ted, and it's clear that it's very awkward between Robin and Barney, too. This is such a big change since it was hard to imagine the gang ever splitting up like that, since they hung out so often and loved each other so much.
The Same: She Doesn't Have Tons Of Girlfriends
Robin and Lily have a sweet friendship and in the sixth season episode "Broken Code," Lily starts worrying that Robin doesn't hang out with a ton of girlfriends.
It's true that while Robin had some friends who are women before her time with this gang, she doesn't have girlfriends besides Lily during all nine seasons of HIMYM. It doesn't seem like she feels the need to bond with others.
Changed: She Questions Her Stance On Having Kids
In the season seven episode "Symphony of Illumination," Robin is told by a doctor that she won't be able to conceive. It's hard for her to get this news and causes a spiral of anxiety. She figured that she didn't want to start a family but now that she can't conceive naturally, she wonders about her future, making this another change that the character goes through.
Every season of HIMYM has tragic scenes and this is definitely one that made viewers cry.
The Same: She's A Proud Canadian
Once HIMYM let fans know that Robin is from Canada, her nationality is the source of many jokes. Some are funny and some are a bit much, but it's something that stays the same from that point on.
Robin gets dual citizenship, but she never stops being Canadian as she doesn't give up that part of herself, and she always has a lot of pride about her background.
Changed: She Marries Barney, Then Gets Divorced
Robin and Barney get married in the final season of the show, and this is a big change for both characters, as they were often single and struggling to find love (or in Barney's case, jumping into bed with a lot of people). Robin is a relatable character as she has insecurities and doesn't think she'll ever want to get married at all.
Things change for Robin again when it's revealed that she and Barney get divorced. It's always sad when a beloved TV couple splits up but in this case, it seems like the right decision for both of them.
The Same: She Doesn't Stop Loving Ted
Fans who are torn between Barney and Ted as perfect partners for Robin have to admit that Robin always carried a torch for Ted.
Even though these two stay broken up for a long time and stay friends, they definitely share something special. She doesn't seem to have as much chemistry with Barney and it just doesn't feel like the right fit for either one of them. Ted and Robin's love story is complete when the two characters reunite in the series finale.