It seems like everything is ending in the realm of television these days. Showtime’s “Dexter” concluded its eight-season run just last month, and around the same time the critically-acclaimed “Breaking Bad” wrapped up its five seasons.
I’m still not over “The Office” closing its doors way back in May. I miss those irrelevant rants from Creed and uninspired looks to the camera from Jim.
Now, I’m currently in the process of saying goodbye to yet another beloved show of mine: “How I Met Your Mother.” The hit CBS comedy is ending with nine seasons under its belt next year, and so far it seems as if it’s going to be a bittersweet ride.
The show has definitely petered from its initial laugh-riot demeanor and evolved into a sitcom with a serious side.
But “HIMYM” has always been a show about romance. Ted, our protagonist, has been patiently searching for true love in this _lengthy_ detailed journey told in flashbacks. Even though it’s not the same show it once was, that doesn’t mean the quality has wavered. These most recent seasons have given us some of the most poignant episodes to date. (Warning: spoilers ahead!)
The characters are no longer cartoonish punchlines, but instead real people with real emotions. Barney, especially. He’s transformed from a smooth-talking playboy into a loving fiancé.
In May, we were thrown the biggest game changer of the entire series of “HIMYM.” We. Met. The. Mother.
Yes, the elusive, titular character was revealed in a touching final scene at the end of the eighth season. Thankfully, rumors of the actress being a well-known one were put to rest when Cristin Milioti, a fresh face, was seen in the coveted role.
I highly respect this choice: we saw the mother for the first time, essentially, just like Ted will. It’s poetic in a way.
Now we’re a few weeks into the final season and viewers are beginning to realize that just because the mother has entered the story, that doesn’t mean she’s going to monopolize it.
While I secretly hoped we’d see her and Ted dancing around each other, missing a confrontation by a few seconds, it’s better that the writers are sticking to what this show has really been about: the gang.
The rest of the final season will pan out hour by hour until we reach Barney and Robin’s wedding, which will take place in the fictional town of Farhampton. It’s definitely an unusual and risky way to conclude the series, but I have utter faith that the writers will stay true to the show.
I like how these episodes are intricately paced and planned out in typical “HIMYM” fashion. It’s a series of connecting dots, which is a strategy this show often uses to pull at our heartstrings in epic, nostalgia-filled ways (Barney’s proposal to Robin, anyone?).
We’ve only seen a few episodes of the final season, but already we’ve witnessed our beloved characters in their simplest forms. In the third episode, Ted revealed a list he made of all the things he wants to do before he leaves New York for Chicago.
Of course, the most Ted-centric items were listed like saying goodbye to the Empire State Building and correcting street graffiti grammar — I would totally fix “your” and “you’re” too, Ted. That is just the worst.
In the fourth episode, we saw Lily unleash her raging jealousy over Robin befriending a fellow female hockey fan. Their dynamic is always entertaining in the weirdest ways.
It’s a tad irking that the gang is away from their home fronts of MacLaren’s Pub or the iconic apartment. But to make up for this loss of familiarity we’re treated to meticulous, sentimental storylines that will lead up to the biggest moment in Ted’s life.
It will definitely be a tough goodbye when the show wraps up in 2014, but I say we should focus on what a great ride this has been. And let’s be thankful we didn’t have to listen to this story like [Ted’s kids](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvGINTSU2AI) had to.