The How I Met Your Mother finale caused quite a stir, and as a result of its divisive finish, an alternate ending will be coming out on DVD. The show's executive producer, Carter Bays, has announced that a different ending will be available in the DVD set of the complete series that's coming soon.
Like his co-creator Craig Thomas, who took to Twitter to thank fans and explain the show's ending, Bays also used his Twitter account to share the DVD news. Using several tweets, he said, "First of all I want to say thank you for the lovely messages from everybody who loved the #HIMYMFinale. If you didn't like the finale, I guess that happens. We tried something and it didn't connect with you. I hope we're still friends."
First of all I want to say thank you for the lovely messages from everybody who loved the #HIMYMFinale.
— Carter Bays (@CarterBays) April 4, 2014
If you didn't like the finale, I guess that happens. We tried something and it didn't connect with you. I hope we're still friends. — Carter Bays (@CarterBays) April 4, 2014
He continued, "So anyway, here's a bit of news. 16 days ago today we were in the HIMYM edit room, trying to decide between two different endings. We only shot one script, but through edit room magic we had two possible outcomes for the series. We chose the ending we chose and we stand by it. But we loved the other version too. We're going to include that version on the Complete Series DVD as an alternate finale to How I Met Your Mother."
So anyway, here's a bit of news: 16 days ago today we were in the HIMYM edit room, trying to decide between two very different endings.
— Carter Bays (@CarterBays) April 4, 2014
We only shot one script, but through edit room magic we had two possible outcomes for the series. — Carter Bays (@CarterBays) April 4, 2014
We chose the ending we chose and we stand by it. But we loved the other version too.
— Carter Bays (@CarterBays) April 4, 2014
Bays, who served as showrunner with Thomas during the entire series' run, also shared a photo of the upcoming DVD set. It had the caption, "The #HIMYM Series DVD Collection comes out this fall, and it's full of other cool stuff. Here's what it looks like."
The #HIMYM Series DVD Collection comes out this fall, and it's full of other cool stuff. Here's what it looks like: pic.twitter.com/bsRNHNAUkG — Carter Bays (@CarterBays) April 4, 2014
"Also, we're editing How I Met Your Dad right now and I think it's great. Greta Gerwig is about as delightful as it gets. And lastly, thank you again to everyone who has made #HIMYM a part of their lives. You mean the world to us," he concluded.
Also, we're editing How I Met Your Dad right now and I think it's great. Greta Gerwig is about as delightful as it gets.
— Carter Bays (@CarterBays) April 4, 2014
And lastly, thank you again to everyone who has made #HIMYM a part of their lives. You mean the world to us. — Carter Bays (@CarterBays) April 4, 2014
In the controversial last episode of the nine-year show, Ted finally met the Mother under the famous yellow umbrella, they fell in love, had kids and lived together for years, and eventually got married. The Mother then became ill, passed away, and the series ended with their kids encouraging Ted to get back together with Robin. He showed up at her apartment with the blue horn that started the series, and that was it.
Josh Radnor, the show's lead actor who played Ted, said that he already knew about the ending since the first season. Bays' announcement tells of a very different ending, but as to whether or not it will please fans that didn't like the first ending is another matter.
