Ted dated several different women before he met the titular character of How I Met Your Mother. Most of his love interests weren't right for him in the long run, and there were good reasons why the relationships ended. Ted had a lot of flings over the years, but Zoey was one of the few characters that stuck around.
Zoey and Ted challenged each other intellectually, and there was never a dull moment when they were together. They aren't the most popular couple in the series, but there are positive aspects of their relationship that were overlooked. However, arguments can also be made that Ted and Zoey were doomed from the start.
Best: They Were Friends First
The best romances are often rooted in friendship, but Ted was so determined to find "the one" that it wasn't something he often experienced. He jumped straight to the point whenever he met someone he was interested in, which prevented him from really getting to know them.
Since Zoey wasn't initially a viable option for Ted, there was no pressure on the relationship. They were able to be their true selves without the fear of rejection. They already knew many of each other's strengths and weaknesses before they fell in love.
Worst: They Fought Constantly
Disagreements are a part of life, and even people who love each other are bound to fight on occasion. Not only did they fight much more often than a stable couple would, but the way they spoke to each other was also hostile.
They didn't settle their disputes in a healthy way, and from what viewers saw, they spent more time arguing than they did enjoying their time together. Their behavior made it difficult to believe that they could ever be happy in a long-term relationship.
Best: They Had The "Enemies To Lovers Trope"
"Enemies to lovers" is a popular trope among fans. There's something inexplicable about watching two people who can't stand each other, fall in love over a gradual period of time. While Ted and Zoey aren't classified as a slow-burn relationship, they don't get together right off the bat.
They become friends in the middle of the enemies to lover phase, even though they're fighting for two different causes. Ted had never dated someone who he genuinely disliked for so long, and it allowed him and Zoey to become accepting of each other's flaws beforehand.
Worst: Zoey Betrayed Him
In Zoey's defense, Ted did go back on his word, but there's no arguing that what Zoey did was much worse. She wasn't just attacking the project by playing her recording of Ted, but she was putting his entire career on the line. Most bosses don't take too kindly to being called "winners and gonads," but Zoey didn't appear to care.
It was bad enough that she manipulated him into saying what she needed to hear, but she didn't delete the recording after everything they'd been through as a couple. Zoey's betrayal was proof that she would always put her pride above him.
Best: They Had Incredible Chemistry
As Robin said in the show, "If you have chemistry you only need one other thing. Timing." Ted and Zoey had sparks flying between them, while one of the biggest arguments against Ted's relationship with Robin is that there was no chemistry there at all.
There's a lot of lip-locking in a show that focuses so heavily on finding love, and Ted and Zoey's first kiss managed to be one of the best. Out of all the arguments that can be made against them, a lack of passion wasn't the problem.
Worst: Their Friendship Started With A Lie
First impressions are important and Ted didn't make a great one on Zoey. He lied to her about being a vet, and even signed her petition to save the Arcadian. Zoey had no idea that he was the head architect of the project and she was right to be angry when she found out.
Trust plays such a big role in relationships that starting one with a lie isn't a good sign. Zoey did end up becoming the more untrustworthy of the two, but Ted was the one who laid the groundwork.
Best: It Was Well-Developed
Zoey and Ted weren't rushed, which can't be said for the rest of Ted's relationships. They got to know each other bit by bit, and their friendship evolved into something more over time. A romance like theirs is a rarity in How I Met Your Mother, which is what makes it so refreshing.
There were plenty of obstacles for them to overcome in the early stages of their friendship and it all felt very real. They were built from the bottom up, rather than starting at the top just to come crashing down.
Worst: They Couldn't Support Each Other
Couples don't always have to agree, but they do have to support each other. They need to have their partner's best interest at heart and have each other's back. After seeing how much the Arcadian meant to Zoey, Ted decided to stand by her.
Before he gave his testimony, Ted realized that Zoey would never do the same for him. Zoey was always going to prioritize her causes, and take advantage of Ted's kindness. She never even commented on how impressive his design was. Ted needed someone who would put him first, and that wasn't Zoey.
Best: She Was Beloved By The Gang
Ted's friends are his family, and it's important that can at least tolerate someone he could see a future with. If the gang is disapproving of Ted's relationship, it's usually for a good reason. At the end of the day, they just want him to be happy.
Earning the gang's approval was never a problem with Zoey, and she befriended Lily while Ted was still her nemesis. They hung out without Ted when he and Zoey weren't on good terms, and while this was a questionable thing for his friends to do, Ted didn't have to worry about them all getting along.
Worst: Zoey Was Already Married
There was a reason why Zoey and Ted were just friends for so long. Zoey was married to The Captain, a rich, older man who seemed to genuinely enjoy Ted's company. Zoey clearly wasn't happy with her husband, but it didn't change the fact that she was already married when she met Ted.
Ted and Zoey never did anything until after she and The Captain separated. However, it was obvious the two had feelings for each other, and if The Captain had known, he probably wouldn't be happy with how much time they were spending together.