How I Met Your Mother certainly takes its time in bringing Ted together with the titular Mother (Tracy), but along the way, fans are left wondering if any of his relationships might be 'The One'. Even his times with Robin were played as though they might be endgame, and the two clearly had the biggest build-up over the course of the series - which paid off, with the final reveal that she wasn't the mother, but was his last 'true love'.
While some other relationships were clearly also crafted with care to build up over time, a few of the HIMYM romances weren't quite so beautifully built. Whether they were dropped in without a lot of preamble, or the characters just didn't suit each other, these left fans stunned that the show would try and make these relationships work.
Robin & Nick
Robin first meets Nick back when she was dating Ted, so nothing happened, but Robin had a small crush on him. When they meet again years later, Robin still has a crush on Nick, and the feeling is mutual, but due to a little sabotage from Ted, they are unable to make it work. However, narrator Ted tells fans that this was not the end of Robin and Nick's story. Out of nowhere, at the beginning of season 8, it is revealed that Robin and Nick are dating, and have been for quite some time.
This was a shocking revelation to all the fans who did not even get to see how the two reconnected in the first place to begin their relationship. Nick isn't around for long, but the reveal that he and Robin are together, after years of setup, was one of the more surprising moments in the show. Of all of Robin's long-term relationships in the show, hers with Nick would classify as the least memorable.
Ted & Zoey
The relationship between Ted and Zoey was certainly messy from the start. They both share a love for classic architecture, notably in the Arcadian. However, they are on opposing sides in the discussion of whether to knock it down or not. If that wasn't enough of a red flag, Ted also finds that Zoey is married. While there are feelings for her, they decide to be friends. The two eventually decide to give dating a shot once Zoey gets divorced, but it doesn't ever really work.
The relationship between Ted and Zoey was certainly messy from the start. Even as a couple, they could never stop arguing with one another, especially when the topic of the Arcadian would be brought up. The two could never get past this original conflict, leading to their breakup. Zoey was always a better foil to Ted than she was a girlfriend, so fans were surprised when the show decided to go in this direction with these two.
Barney & Nora
After his breakup with Robin, Barney went back to his old ways of dating around, a role everyone was used to. That was until Nora came into the picture after the two meet on Valentine's Day. Though Nora would reject him countless times, she eventually agrees to go out with Barney, a decision she would soon regret. Barney lies about wanting to settle down, and when he tells Nora, they break up early in their relationship. Though they do get back together, Barney has to work hard to make things right with Nora, a task he fails at when he sleeps with Robin, thus officially ending their relationship.
After showing Barney can have a legitimate relationship during his time with Robin, no one was surprised to see Barney try dating someone else. However, it never really made sense for Nora to be the woman for him to try again. The two were never a good fit, as Nora seemed to never really fully trust Barney, something that she ended up being justified in.
Ted & Victoria
Back in season one, after a romantic meet-cute at a wedding, and Ted searching for and finding her after, the two break up. Victoria accepts an opportunity in Germany she can't pass up, and they try long distance, but it doesn't work, as Ted is still in love with Robin and not willing to stay loyal to Victoria while she is gone. Fast forward six years, Ted is at an architecture event, and none other than Victoria appears to be the baker of this event, just like the first time they met.
Victoria was the first relationship that Ted had during the run of the show, and since it started back in season one, fans of course assumed that it was not going to last. Fans couldn't believe that after all these years, and a messy breakup, Ted would see her, and eventually date her again. It may have been done to make fans think that she was "the one" for Ted, but once again it turned out to be a ruse.
Robin & Don
A key to a successful newscaster is having a strong co-anchor, someone you can count on to help set you up for success. Robin thought she was getting that when Don was brought in to co-host with her, but to her displeasure, Don was as far from professional as you could get. Between not taking the job seriously, and using crass methods to try and sleep with her, Robin couldn't have been less interested in Don as a person.
One of the most important things in this world to Robin is her career as a respected newscaster, as she claws her way up the ladder throughout the show. For someone who takes her career so seriously, fans would have thought how Don acted would have been enough for Robin to never want to work with him anymore, let alone eventually date him. The two weren't together that long, but Don could have done a lot of damage to Robin's career, so for her to forgive him was incredibly out of character for her.
Barney & Robin
Barney and Robin started to develop more than a friendship and eventually began dating. While the two had much in common, they break up when they realize that neither of them truly believes that they are ready for a relationship. They stay friends for a while, but the attraction is always there, leading to the two not only getting back together but getting married.
Fans were stunned that the two friends known for their fears of commitment were willing to commit to marriage, even if it was to each other. Considering that the whole final season was centered around their wedding, fans assumed they would end the show still married, but they had other plans in mind. The two divorce, leaving fans wondering why even bother having the two get together in the first place.
Ted & Robin
No fan was surprised when Ted first professed his love for Robin shortly after meeting, as Ted was desperate for love. Fans certainly weren't surprised when the two ended up together in the finale of season 1, as the writing was on the wall. Fans weren't even surprised when the two broke up at the end of season two, as we have known since the pilot that Robin wasn't going to be the mother. What fans of the show were surprised by was that in the finale, it is revealed that after Tracy's death, Ted and Robin seemingly end up together.
How I Met Your Mother is the story of Ted finding the woman of his dreams, and fans waited nine seasons for her to finally be revealed. The reveal throughout the final season, from the flashforwards of them together, to the official meeting at the train tracks, was executed beautifully. Doing all of that, just for Ted to end up with Robin at the end was a surprise that no one seemed to want.