The final episode of How I Met Your Mother is one of the most controversial sitcom finales in television history. While some fans hated the way the show ended, some fans thought it was heartwarming to end it the same way the show had started. The long finale episode had multiple time-jumps with the culmination of the 9 seasons long show in the imaginary future of 2030.
The final goodbye to the gang of How I Met Your Mother was a rollercoaster of emotions. There were many tearjerkers, heartbreaking, and hilariously comical moments in the final episode that have withstood the test of time. However, these were just some of the most memorable.
Ted And Barney's High-Five
Barney's high five game is legendary. It was only appropriate to end the show with the highest of high fives. Barney calls for everyone to gather outside as Ted was planning to get on the train to leave for Chicago the next day.
Whilst everyone else engages in very emotional goodbyes, Barney suddenly remembers the fact that once Ted leaves, he won't have anyone to high-five anymore. And so they proceed to do the one last ultimate high five. It is completely worth it and hilarious to watch it happen and their reactions after it happens as well.
Barney And Robin's Divorce
The fact that an entire season was devoted to the wedding of Barney and Robin, whose divorce is announced 10 minutes into the final episode was quite heartbreaking for fans. Especially for those who liked the couple and wanted them to go the distance, their divorce seemed extremely abrupt considering their relationship. But the show made its point that even when so much investment is put into things, sometimes they just don't work out.
The Photograph At The Booth
Tracy managed to convince Robin to show up for her wedding, and it was the first time in a while that the entire gang was there. When Tracy brings the camera to take a picture of them at their booth, it is a momentous occasion.
For fans of the show, seeing the 5 of them smiling, ear to ear, while sitting in the bar where they spent a large part of their lives, was indeed a very special moment from the finale episode. And now, it was cemented in a photograph for all eternity too.
Marshall Becoming A Judge Finally
When Marshall turned down his judgeship to go to Italy along with Lily, he had to return to corporate law upon his return. He truly hated his job but made an effort to be positive about it. When he finally does receive the call to become a judge again, the whole gang (except Robin) is there to celebrate it with him.
Ted and Lily who had planned to turn in early so they could help put their kids to sleep also decide to stay till late to celebrate this moment. It's such a nice reminder of the ways in which they used to celebrate the little and big things that happened in their lives.
Ted’s Wedding Day
One of the most emotional moments during the finale episode is when Ted's wedding actually comes to fruition. Lily's toast is a tearjerker and watching Ted and Tracy exchange vows finally is an incredibly special moment for fans.
Ted's romantic pursuits had formed the heart of the show, and seeing it come to a conclusive end, with him marrying the mother of his children, was an extremely pivotal moment for the entire show.
Barney Meeting His Daughter
When Barney's debauchery is brought to a standstill with him getting someone pregnant, it is still made clear that Barney has no intentions of changing his ways. He is literally pushed into meeting his daughter for the first time by his friends.
But when he does meet his daughter, it's like a switch went off in him. He completely owns his role of being a dad and turns around. He accepts this responsibility and is a completely changed man since.
Ted’s Re-Proposal
The final episode of How I Met Your Mother is filled with big moments as well as small ones. Ted re-proposing to Tracy is a small moment. It isn't a big dramatic one at all. But it is incredibly sweet, romantic, as well as pragmatic. Ted's re-proposal to Tracy signifies the love and bond between them and the maturity that has come with age. It is an incredibly cute moment in their love story.
Lily And Robin's Conversation
When Marshall and Lily throw a Halloween party to celebrate an end of an era (as the gang prepares to say goodbye to the apartment), Robin turns up to everyone's surprise. But Robin is met with an incredibly busy Lily, an ex-husband hitting on other women right in front of her, and an ex-boyfriend with the love of his life. It's not exactly heartwarming or pleasant for Robin to be there and she explains this to Lily.
Lily is heartbroken because she thinks it's the end of their friendship, but Robin assures her that they still have great things going on in their life - they just had a lot more responsibility now. Robin's monologue truly signifies the end of the era of How I Met Your Mother.
The Kids Calling Out The Obvious
After Ted finishes his story of how he met the mother of his kids, they are quite underwhelmed. They point out the obvious that even though the story was about how he met their mother, their mother had hardly featured in the story.
It was mostly a story about how Ted loves Robin, and never really stopped loving her. And they called him out on that. It was an incredibly satisfying moment because the kids echo what the fans are thinking.
Ted At Robin’s Window
The very first episode of How I Met Your Mother had Ted at Robin's window, in a suit, with the blue french horn that he had stolen from the restaurant where they had their first date. And she is at the window with her many dogs.
In the final episode, How I Met Your Mother comes full circle by replicating the same moment. Ted is once again at Robin's window with a blue french horn and Robin is in her apartment's window with her many dogs. Although it wasn't exactly what the fans wanted, it was clever of the writers to come back around.