(S01E22) Life's short, guys. You only get one chance; don't have any regrets. As per the spoilers, in this last episode, we got both the surprise hookup, and the twist no one saw coming. Both were heartbreakingly perfect. Between this and the absolute perfection that was The Office's finale, this is the season for love ... or mistakes and heartbreak; it all depends on how you look at it. As finale's go, I haven't been this excited to see next season since I saw Ross get off the plane with Julie. What's going to happen next year? Will anything ever be the same? Wait, what happened last night? On with the show!The episode starts with Ted letting Lily, Marshall and Barney know that he's going to give it one last try for Robin, and like I'm sure most of us were feeling at this point, they all conveyed their hesitation. It hasn't worked the past ten times, why would it suddenly work now? Mostly because Ted won't take no for an answer this time. After Robin shoots down his first attempt, he literally changes the world through sheer willpower and makes it rain. I've had my worries about Robin and Ted being together, but during the John Cusack homage with Ted standing under the window in the rain, it just felt right. We all know they won't be together forever, we all know it's not going to last, but for the first time in a long time, I can't wait to see the rest of their story, and now I have to wait. That's exactly what a season finale should do.
Can a couple really know who they are together without fighting? From personal experience, I'm going to say "no". Disagreement is as much a part of a relationship as happiness is. Lily's worries, concerns and hesitation toward her upcoming nuptials reached a deciding moment in their lives. I honestly didn't think they would break Marshall and Lily up, but I think it will work out for the best. Even though I've doubted it the past couple of episodes, thinking back over this year, Marshall and Lily really are perfect for each other, and I think Lily is going to remember that as well. We're going to have something to root for and hope for next year. The season opened with Marshall's proposal to Lily, and that kicked Ted's urge to find his dream girl into high gear, so it's going to be an interesting contrast and reversal between the two friends as Ted has to balance his newfound relationship with the needs of his best friend.
When the last scene took you from the heights of Ted's happiness to the depths of Marshall's sadness as he sat alone on the steps with Lily's ring, this show cemented it's greatness. I don't think there has been a show like this on the air for quite a while. "With it's great characters and healthy look at love and relationships today, I think this is going to speak volums to the generation it's supposed to. It's fast and furious yet tender and sweet, supplying "awwwws" and laughs. I can't wait to watch everything unfold and to be your guide throughout." That's from my review (complete with a spelling error) from the first episode all the way back in September, and it still holds true to this episode (by the way, read the reader comments). Thanks, for letting me be your guide.
Barneyisms of the Week:
That wasn't me, that was the universe.
Ted, you're forcing me to be the voice of reason and it's not a good look for me!
So much of your mom in you.
Ted this is funny. Still funny. Still fu- and now it's sad.
This is my last regular review for TV Squad (don't worry, you'll still be seeing me around), and I've had an absolute blast here. I personally could not ask for a better job. I'm almost positive at some point in my life some authoritative figure asked me if I thought I was going to be able to make a living from watching TV. Well, guess what? Like I said in the very beginning, life's short, if you have the blessing of actually knowing what your dreams are, go for them. Whether it's making a living by sitting on your ass, or finally talking to that special someone, there's only one way you can really know how they'll turnout, and as Ted showed us tonight, you don't have to take "no" for an answer. As you guys know, I like to take the stage and tell my own story in my reviews, so here's my season finale. Right now I'm writing this review at 3:30 in the morning waiting for my friends to welcome their first child into this world. The first page of another chapter. As for the girl that I've talked about from my own life from time to time on here, I've decided life's too short to wait. On with the show!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-16-2006 @ 6:59AM
chris said...
did we ever really find out who those kids are that grown up ted was talking to? i am trying to remember back through the season and i honestly dont think so. he just kept referring to them as "kids". not his "kids" but just kids.
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5-16-2006 @ 7:00AM
chris said...
just wanted to add: does anyone know what song was being playing towards the end? the show does pick out some great music.
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5-16-2006 @ 7:02AM
jaybee said...
Just one more step toward my theory that the "mother" of the title is Lily!
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5-16-2006 @ 7:53AM
Lauch said...
What really made me mad, was that I had to find out what happened in last night's episode because of the President. My DVR only got the first 12 mins of the episode.....right as Robin told Ted it wasn't going to work and that she was going camping with her work. It was right about then that my DVR asked me if I wanted to keep it or delete it...THE END. And I would've been sitting there watching this episode live, but work called and I was unable to. Stupid Presidential speech botching my love of TV....why...I oughtta smack my DVR (and I almost did)
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5-16-2006 @ 8:04AM
diane said...
on how i met your mother... the woman ted ends up with that is the mother can not be lilly.. because when the grown up ted talks he refers to her as Aunt lilly
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5-16-2006 @ 8:10AM
Chris W said...
Ryan,
I've enjoyed reading your reviews and commentary for the few shows that I actually watch. Good luck with everything you do in the future. Cheers!
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5-16-2006 @ 8:11AM
KMF said...
I started watching the series late but it's quickly become the one sitcom, aside from Scrubs, I refused to miss. The season finale was one of the best episodes I've seen. I didn't think it'd be possible, because I didn't think I'd get that attached, but I am actually a little upset Lily and Marshall broke up, and I do like Ted and Robin getting back together even if it may or may not work out. It does give us something to root for next season. I like your personal season finale, hope to find out what happens next season.
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5-16-2006 @ 8:30AM
eugene said...
i could've sworn (haven't gone back to look) that we were promised that the mother would be revealed by the end of this season. i don't care if i'm wrong as i thoroughly enjoy the show and would be happy if it was just ted's chronicles of his premarried life.
i think lily-marshall ends sappily (marshall going to SF for lily for awhile or something).
ryan, no more tvsquad? so does that mean next season someone else will be doing the HIMYM recaps?
(btw, the rain dance woman was smoking)
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5-16-2006 @ 8:50AM
Jon said...
The song was "This Modern Love" by Bloc Party
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5-16-2006 @ 9:03AM
Paxtrix said...
I think that the music that chris was referring to was "This Modern Love" by Bloc Party. I love the group and this worked perfectly to solidify the show. :)
In addition, the girl eugene was referring to is Amy Acker, I believe. She played Fred in Angel, so this is the second Buffyverse person to appear in the show, You know besides Alyson Hannigan. :)
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5-16-2006 @ 9:10AM
faultier said...
#2: Bloc Party - This modern love
brilliant episode, can't wait till next season
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5-16-2006 @ 9:23AM
ladytonya said...
Just a suggestion on the DVR problem - when I saw that the president would be speaking last night I set everything to record the show that followed. Glad I did, or I would have missed several things! Sometimes, DVRs are great but there are still a few kinks in the technology that need to be worked out.
Great write-up! I can't wait for next season to begin!
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5-16-2006 @ 9:55AM
Rosemarie said...
I love the show.Did anyone notice Lily(allison hannigan)The weatherman her real life husband And the rain dance girl are all from buffy the vampire show/angel.Lily was (willow)Weatherman was wesley and raindance girl was (fred).I though it was cute.Is allison pregnant in real life?Maybe it was the dress.
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5-16-2006 @ 9:59AM
Rosemarie said...
This site shows pics of allison and wesleys wedding.http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-main.html?2003-01/13/13.00.tv
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5-16-2006 @ 10:22AM
Tammy said...
I love this show. It's one of the few sitcoms I actually watch and care about. They really put out a great season and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. Yes it was a John Cusack moment at the end and I thought the same thing. I loved the vet when she told Robin "nobody does that."
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5-16-2006 @ 10:53AM
A Boy Named Mole said...
One of the Best Episodes of the season, the producers are huge Buffy fans and it comes across in their choice for guest starring roles.
Great Great Great!!
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5-16-2006 @ 11:20AM
George said...
I believe the only thing the writers/producers have said is that we'd *SEE* the mother before the end of the season. It's a character we've already met, or seen in the background. And how interesting that Amy Acker, who's in need of a new gig now that Alias is done, was brought in for a one-off character. Hmm.
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5-16-2006 @ 12:10PM
shawn said...
acker isn't it, for that matter they should just reuinte the angel/buffy casts on this show. can you imagine spike v barney
i can
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5-16-2006 @ 1:20PM
MrAkai said...
Going with Chris #1's comment, maybe she's Aunt Lilly (or Aunt Robin even) because the kids are Ted's neice and nephew.
"Ohhh what a twist" M Night Shalaman (or at least Seth Green as M Night)
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5-16-2006 @ 1:36PM
Anonymous Eric said...
Thanks for turning me on to a great show Ryan, and good luck with yours.
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