For a while now, people have been claiming that the plot, humor, and mojo in general of How I Met Your Mother has been slowly but surely disappearing. Here’s why I obscenely disagree. With highlights from the stunning last episode, of course.

  • Plot: The past week’s episode may not have seemed like a complete stunner, I was in absolute internal tears. If you really look at it, great steps were taken in the plot, characterization, and future storylines. Ted’s finally gotten over Robin. And although it seems like this Ted/Robin plot has been dragged out over 7 seasons, it does take long to lose a great, possibly prosperous love. Ted is virtually in the same place as he was in Season 1. Many things have happened, of course, but Ted was by definition still a single man pining for Robin,  his best friends Marshall and Lily were still deeply committed, and all Ted wanted to do was move on with his life into finding the perfect woman. And after finally accepting that him and Robin will never work out, Ted stops carrying that old flame that seemingly would have never burned out, and actually can accomplish moving on with his life and finding that woman. Remember when Victoria visited and told him she expected problems with him, Robin, and Barney? This was it. Last episode’s happenings was an integral point in our narrator’s life. He finally has some closure on his eventually-doomed relationship with Robin.
  • Humor: I know I’ve said this already in the “TV’s favorite scenes this week” post, but Barney dancing to Single Ladies was probably the most flawless thing I’ve laid eyes on this week. And Marshall and Lily’s bets? Amazing. Sure, HIMYM has developed a slightly more serious tone, but with the characters maturing, the storylines must too.
  • Mojo: This season admittedly does feel different than others. There’s a fear about Marshall and Lily moving to Long Island, and with the impending birth of their child, it’s natural to worry that the group might lose it’s magic. Change can be scary for a television show, but I’m trusting Carter and Bays. They’ve carried us this far.

Now I’m not saying that Season 7 is the best season yet, because not even I believe that. But I honestly think that (with Zoo or False being the exception) HIMYM can’t have a devastatingly terrible episode. And the same goes for seasons.