The HIMYM writers know how to conclude a season, and this episode is a particularly great example. The ending does not need a synthetic, forced cliffhanger to make you excited for season 3.
Just like in the season 1 finale, things change for our characters, and relationships end. This time, it's Ted and Robin's relationship. I like the way they pulled it off. Their breakup was amicable, yet emotional. Very true to life in my opinion, and well played by both actors. Despite the sad theme of the episode and very much unlike the season 1 finale, it ended on an uplifting high note with the equally funny and beautiful Ted and Barney scene.
Marshall and Lily are adorable, it is great to see them so happy, especially regarding how things ended for them one year earlier. Barney is once again providing the best comedy. He gets teased by Ted and Robin just like the viewer does. And although I know exactly where their story is going when I repeatedly watch the episode, Barney's reaction cracks me up every time. I also like what he said in the end. Ted and Robin were in fact good together. Say what you will about Robin's flaws in couple mode, it was her first serious relationship and she's come a long way since "The slutty pumpkin", when she was completely incapable of being in a couple. For Ted, however, couple mode is the default setting. He is at his best when he is with someone he loves. He is not good at being single. That's what he said in the pilot, and sadly (minor spoiler alert) some of the episodes in later seasons are going to prove him right.
About a more trivial fact: The titles of this episode and the one before that link up with the titles of the final two episodes of season 8, when another big wedding is approaching: Something Borrowed / Something Blue / Something Old / Something New. And every one of these titles can be described as a leitmotif for the events of the respective episode. The "Something Borrowed" is of course the hat Marshall wears at his wedding. Before that, he also borrows a toupee. The title of this episode refers to the blue french horn, the symbol of Ted and Robin's relationship. The titles of the final episodes of season 8 even have ambiguous meanings, but I'll get to that, kids.
At the end of a near perfect season finale, just two questions remain unanswered: Why did Robin just drink water although she agreed with Ted that the open bar helped their situation? And is Marshall ever going to return the hat he "borrowed" from that poor gardener?
Just like in the season 1 finale, things change for our characters, and relationships end. This time, it's Ted and Robin's relationship. I like the way they pulled it off. Their breakup was amicable, yet emotional. Very true to life in my opinion, and well played by both actors. Despite the sad theme of the episode and very much unlike the season 1 finale, it ended on an uplifting high note with the equally funny and beautiful Ted and Barney scene.
Marshall and Lily are adorable, it is great to see them so happy, especially regarding how things ended for them one year earlier. Barney is once again providing the best comedy. He gets teased by Ted and Robin just like the viewer does. And although I know exactly where their story is going when I repeatedly watch the episode, Barney's reaction cracks me up every time. I also like what he said in the end. Ted and Robin were in fact good together. Say what you will about Robin's flaws in couple mode, it was her first serious relationship and she's come a long way since "The slutty pumpkin", when she was completely incapable of being in a couple. For Ted, however, couple mode is the default setting. He is at his best when he is with someone he loves. He is not good at being single. That's what he said in the pilot, and sadly (minor spoiler alert) some of the episodes in later seasons are going to prove him right.
About a more trivial fact: The titles of this episode and the one before that link up with the titles of the final two episodes of season 8, when another big wedding is approaching: Something Borrowed / Something Blue / Something Old / Something New. And every one of these titles can be described as a leitmotif for the events of the respective episode. The "Something Borrowed" is of course the hat Marshall wears at his wedding. Before that, he also borrows a toupee. The title of this episode refers to the blue french horn, the symbol of Ted and Robin's relationship. The titles of the final episodes of season 8 even have ambiguous meanings, but I'll get to that, kids.
At the end of a near perfect season finale, just two questions remain unanswered: Why did Robin just drink water although she agreed with Ted that the open bar helped their situation? And is Marshall ever going to return the hat he "borrowed" from that poor gardener?
