In an episode full of "Miracles," How I Met Your Mother delivered laughs, car crashes, and surprises.
The season finale of How I Met Your Mother came complete with car crashes and cliffhangers. In the end, fans ponder if Stella is the mother they have been waiting to meet.
The Future of Us
When Stella invites Ted to her sister’s wedding six months away, he panics. He feels that her expectations for the relationship are too high, and to be a “good guy” he ends it. She jumps up from the table saying, “we’re good,” and walks away leaving Ted to his guilt.
Ted explains to his disappointed friends that it would be unfair to stay with her while he questions the future of the relationship when she needs stability. He doesn’t want to lead her on, or worse yet, lead her daughter on.
This scenario is surprising since he worked so hard to win a date with her. In previous episodes, he appears to be whole-heartedly in the relationship. What changed? Did Barney’s rules work their way into Ted’s reasoning?
The Cab Ride that Wasn’t
The finale opens to Ted explaining that his life changed based on the cab ride he chose. Viewers expected to catch a glimpse of Ted’s elusive future wife, but instead saw a car speeding towards Ted’s taxi. Robin, Marshall and Lily rush to his bedside only to find him not only unscathed, but also happily eating a cup of red Jell-o.
Ted insists that he made a tremendous mistake, and has to find Stella to apologize. The hospital won’t release him until a doctor has reviewed his test results. Somehow, Stella finds Ted in the hospital and they both confess their love for one another. All is right once again. That is, until Lily blurts out that she was glad Ted and Stella were back together. Apparently, Stella didn’t realize they had ever broken up. In a fit of embarrassment and rage, Stella ends their relationship once again, making the accident seem less miraculous.
Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street
When Barney learns of Ted’s accident, he drops everything to run to the hospital. Obstacles befall him, and he finally decides to set out on foot. Just as he nears his destination, he is hit a by a bus. Ted, who is still in the hospital waiting on test results, receives a call from the hospital informing him of Barney’s accident. Barney is badly injured, and fans can’t help but pity him as he describes the pain of seeing his suit cut away. Ted and Barney renew their friendship with Ted saying that they are more than friends; they are brothers.
Cliffhanger
The hospital finally releases Ted and he seeks out Stella at Kiddie Funland. He hands her an orange kangaroo from the grab machine and apologizes, explaining how he has changed since the accident. He then admits to trying to win a fake diamond ring from the grab machine. Stella raises an eyebrow in surprise, and Ted leaves viewers with a stellar cliffhanger- he proposes.
Back at the hospital, Lily tells Barney that Ted saw the people he loved just before the car crash. Barney looks in Robin’s direction and agrees. Could Barney be harboring real feelings for Robin, or did he see all his friends during his near fatal accident?
Will Stella accept Ted’s proposal? Is Stella the mother of Ted’s future children? Will Ted get back together with Robin? Is Barney secretly in love with Robin? And finally, how will fans survive the summer without the answers to these crucial questions?
