Their clever use of euphemisms
This is one of those times we remember where Ted telling the story to his children becomes imperative.
Eating sandwiches meant smoking weed throughout many points in the series, particularly during flashbacks to Ted, Marshall and Lily’s experience in college.
Playing the bagpipes was code for having sex in season 5, episode 9, “Bagpipes.”
Lawyered.
Marshall begins the series as a law student who is worried about papers and exams and graduates to become a lawyer who struggles (briefly) with the ethical and environmental implications of the various companies and corporations he works for. But none of that has stopped him from bringing some hard truths down on his friends by ‘lawyering’ them and giving permission to every fan to use this as a valid close to any argument.
The Mother’s mysterious identity
Some would argue that the secrecy became grating and/or irritating, but we’d argue that it was all in good fun. This is, essentially what kept viewers hooked for eight and a half seasons, at least until we got to X episode during this current season, neatly tying up all those coincidental events that put Ted and the Mother in the same vicinity over the years. Since the season 8 finale, we’ve gotten to know the mother both as a person and as Ted’s wife. So, what is your verdict about her? Is she the perfect woman for Ted Mosby or did he make a mistake letting one of the numerous women (Robin) slip through his fingers?
The adventures they had
Here is a very brief list of the crazy hijinks the gang got themselves into. Want an exhaustive list? May I recommend all 206 episodes?
Searching for the perfect burger
When you live in New York City, restaurants are constantly opening and closing. Marshall once visited a nondescript burger joint and subsequently forgot its exact location. Years later, hundreds of burgers later, he, with the help of his friends and Regis Philbin, finally finds it.
Plot-wise, it was a pointless second episode of season 4, but it just highlights the more realistic side of their friendship. It’s about indulging your friends on their ridiculous quests and proved that the show didn’t have to rely on the dramatics of relationships, or even their careers, to be entertaining.
Leaping off buildings
This event, found in the season 4 finale “The Leap,” did have more meaning than running around the city looking for a hamburger joint. Granted, this was also the episode Ted was attacked by a goat, but the gif below does an apt job of explaining the metaphor behind Ted’s, and the rest of the gang’s, leap from one building’s roof to the next.
Slap bets
Has there been a more creative and season-spanning gag throughout any other show in recent history? The Slap Bet kept Barney and viewers alike on our toes for seven seasons (the first slap bet was in season 2.) Marshall has always had a few slaps saved in the bank, so he could dole one out for the tiniest of reasons, or allow his rage to build – both of which he has done throughout the show.
New as of the penultimate episode of ‘HIMYM’: The final slap was delivered to Barney as he stands at the alter waiting for Robin to walk down the aisle. That’s it, he’s free from ever worrying about being slapped (from Marshall, under the conditions of the Slap Bet) ever again.
The heart of the show: Their friendship.
Let’s be real. They could slap themselves silly, but when push comes to shove, How I Met Your Mother wasn’t about Ted retelling stories to his kids about his mother, it was Ted navigating his 20s and 30s with four friends in New York City. It’s not Friends where they just drank coffee… they preferred beer instead. But really, it was more poignant than other comedy shows that have come before it, and arguably will be more memorable than many shows that come after.
They all drifted together and apart over the years, but, as Ted says, “our booth was wherever the five of us were.”
There is so much more we could say about this show that we didn’t even touch on: the many guest stars, the string of women Ted dated (much less the women we saw with Barney), the way New York City was at times the sixth main character, and even people beyond their friend group. Ranjit, James and Marshall’s entire family, all characters we loved and we’ll miss.
As Barney said this season: “Remember, nothing is truly legendary unless your friends are there with you to experience it.
Kids, that’s the story of why we loved How I Met You Mother.
Thanks for being legendary.
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