The end is near: the second to last episode of HIMYM aired on Monday (technically there are two episodes still left, but they are parts 1 and 2). For those who have been watching since 2005, it's been fulfilling to finally know a bit about how Ted met his wife, or as Bob Saget would put it "how I met your mother." Only took that guy like 9 seasons, er, years, to tell the story!
In this week's episode, the enduring theme of HIMYM, true friendship, was obvious, as is it is in almost every episode of the show. Storytelling is another strong theme of the show, and this episode did not break away from its old ways (don't change it if it ain't broke). Another issue the episode addressed was how Ted might still have residual feelings for Robin Sparkles. Still. Robin reveals to him early on in the episode that she is going to make a run for it because she wants someone who is going to be there for her, someone who will pull through. Ted, as everyone knows so very well, is that kind of guy. She reveals that her doubts are rooted in the fact that Barney never found her locket. Ted steps outside, saying that he will get her a glass of water, and we see that he in fact has found the locket.
Meanwhile, Lily and Marshall find Barney writing his wedding vows, which are unsurprisingly self-centered and terrible. Marshall begins a seemingly neverending stream of puns circulating around the word "vow," which accumulate at an impressive rate, before Lily puts a stop to it. Lily and Marshall tell him that they should help him write a vow because they are the best at it.
Ted gives the locket to Barney to give to Robin. But lo and behold, Robin knows that it wasn't Barney who found it in Lily and Marshall's basement, but Ted who went to crazy lengths to find Robin's locket. "It really wasn't that much trouble," Ted says. "You always go big for me," Robin says, frowning, as she is having doubts 32 minutes before the wedding.
"You know what legendary means? Not real!" Robin cries in desperation.
"You're the one who always comes through for me, Ted," Robin says. "Maybe I'm making a mistake."
"What are you saying?"
"Maybe I should be marrying you."
There it was, the words that the deep dark part of Ted wanted to hear. But when he actually hears them, Robin and Ted hash out their non-relationship relationship. This is one of the highlights of this episode, because it's an issue that has been lurking in the background for ages. Years, even. Seasons. Ted then goes on a rant about how love doesn't make sense (heard this one before) but the moment right before his rant is realistic and true. People get married to the person in front of them, they love this person, but sometimes there were other people they loved once too. But love as a theory and love as a reality are two different beasts.
Robin comes to her senses and realizes that she and Ted are not in love. So instead she decides to run away on her own. She runs through the wedding area and slams right into a woman who can only be seen falling down. Bob Saget says, "And that's how Robin met your mother."
Lily and Marshall, television's best relationship ever, decide to renew their vows in a touching moment that Barney accidentally sees. He then knows what to say in his vow.
The Mother gets up and realizes that she might be dealing with a runaway bride. She's intuitive, this one. She suggests Robin take three deep breaths before continuing her marathon sprint away from the church. Robin takes her advice and then opens her eyes to the man she was running away from.
In the most romantic thing that Barney has ever said, Barney says to Robin, "I've decided to make only one vow to you. Robin Scherbatsky, from this day forward, I'm always going to be honest with you because I love you." He then admits that Ted is the one who found the locket for her.
Cue the wedding! Only took a full season to get here! Marshall slaps Barney (the final slap!) when he tries to go back to Manhattan for his cornflower blue tie. All the loose ends are getting TIED up (get it?). It really is nearing the end, folks.
"Love's the best thing we do."
