How I Met Your Mother is one of the most beloved sitcoms that has ever made its way onto televisions across the world and for good reason, as it is a very well rounded show.
The one thing that most viewers tend to disagree on is the ending of the show and how Ted ends up with Robin. The writers spent much of the series showing exactly why the two could never work together, and yet others argue that may be why they are perfect for each other. As the old saying goes love can conquer all, this article takes a look at both sides of the debate.
Never Work: Difference On Kids
Ted and Robin have always had a very different opinion on having children, making it a major roadblock in their relationship the first go around. Robin stands very firm in not wanting to have kids and Ted has always wanted to be a father to at least two kids, ideally a boy and a girl. This is a huge reason that the two could never work, as this is a major life decision to disagree on.
Perfect: Sense Of Humor
The inside jokes that the pair have are known throughout the fandom and are, frankly, not that funny from an outside perspective.
But Ted and Robin just have the same sense of humor that is quirky and generally speaking just what you see in a couple. From saluting phrases like 'General Knowledge' to the rest of their inside jokes, they're definitely the only ones laughing. Seems like the exact type of quirks that the perfect couple does all the time while hanging out with their Friends.
Never Work: Too Much History
When you have been through the types of ups and downs that the two have been through, sometimes there is just too much baggage for the relationship to function. Fans could argue that just one breakup and Robin hooking up with Barney would be enough for the relationship to no longer work. It did not end there at all though; the backslides, the broken hearts and unrequited "I Love Yous" made this a sealed deal for most viewers of the show. There is just too much history between the pair for a workable relationship to ever be realistic.
Perfect: Supporting Each Other
It seemed that no matter what was going on between the two, they were always there to support one another. Ted was there for Robin when she needed someone to help her find her something old and he put up Christmas lights to cheer her up. Robin was there to support Ted during his small business start-up, and they were not together during any of this either. Fans can clearly see that they supported each other whether they were just friends, or in a relationship, and that is because they are perfect for one another.
Never Work: Ted Is A Player
A man who spends most nights at a bar hitting on women and hooking up with them running plays... this is not just Barney, but also Ted. Ted is a player and likes to be single whether viewers notice it at first, or not until later when the writers address it.
Robin also dates, but we do not see her hooking up like crazy the same way Ted does. Viewers need to remember this story is told from Ted's point of view and he is an unreliable narrator, so he is may even be hooking up with more women than he lets on. How could he work with Robin when all he wants to do is date every woman he sees?
Perfect: Fighting For Happiness
Both of these people are willing to fight for what the want, doing whatever it takes. The first episode had Ted stealing THE blue french horn for Robin in the name of love, that type of stuff does not happen unless you believe it is perfect. Robin also shows she is willing to fight for it by metaphorically showing her teeth when Ted begins dating Victoria and she clearly displays a dislike to her. This continues throughout the series, showing a willingness to fight for a love they truly believe in.
Never Work: Barney
After Robin first hooked up with Barney, things were never the same, not just with Ted and Robin but with the whole group. This shifted the dynamic as now there was a sort of love triangle that previously did not exist. Robin had true feelings for Barney and it went both ways with them developing a real relationship. When it did not work the first time, Ted expressed feelings again, but Robin did not reciprocate them as she clearly still loved Barney. Barney and Robin got married and those types of deep feelings don't really go away.
Perfect: Kids Approval
In the very end we see Ted's daughter give him approval for dating Aunt Robin because they can tell that he loves her - and it's okay, Mom has been gone for a long time.
This is a big deal for Ted who has not dated since his wife passed and there is only one other woman that he was truly in love with in his entire life. But Ted Mosby does nothing small, stealing THE blue french horn again and showing up outside of Robin's apartment with it mirroring a shot from the pilot. The writers do a tremendous job giving this couple the perfect ending.
Never Work: Robin's Jobs
Robin's job is very demanding and means that she has to travel a lot, even after the storybook ending it may be hard if she does not change to some sort of anchor job. Robin is well respected in her field, and has always wanted to do more, travel more, and make her career a huge part of her life. This seems like a roadblock that may not work for Ted and Robin going down the line.
Perfect: Timing
The timing for Ted and Robin to finally make it work and get together could not have been better. Robin did not want to have to raise kids and now she does not have to worry about that as she is already Aunt Robin to Ted's kids. Robin has traveled a lot and Ted has already met the titular mother of the show who has since passed. Robin and Ted get the happy ending that fans are very divisive on, and yet it is very neat and perfect.