Summary
The cancellation of its spinoff series, How I Met Your Father, has only added fuel to the fire of discontent surrounding the already controversial ending of How I Met Your Mother, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of many viewers.
How I Met Your Father held the promise of revitalizing the franchise and delivering a gratifying conclusion. However, it abruptly ended after only two seasons, leaving viewers with an unexpected cliffhanger.
The cancellation of How I Met Your Father not only undermines the franchise's standing but also implies that the creators may have lost their touch, particularly in light of the ill-fated spinoff, How I Met Your Dad.
The series finale of How I Met Your Mother, which aired nine years ago, remains one of the most controversial in television history. What was once a captivating and intriguing premise, with Ted Mosby narrating the tales of his friendships and his quest to find true love, has now been marred by an even more disappointing ending. The show, which ran for nine seasons, kept viewers eagerly tuning in each week to uncover the identity of Mosby's future wife.
Given the extensive build-up, it was only natural that some fans would feel let down when the mother's identity was finally revealed. However, the dissatisfaction reached far beyond a minority of viewers, as many felt that the ending of How I Met Your Mother not only fell short but also tarnished the entire show. Criticism centered around the undoing of the characters' stories, particularly the dilution of Ted and Tracy's first encounter, as their meeting was swiftly disregarded in favor of reuniting Ted with his former love interest, Robin.
How I Met Your Mother's Ending Woes Look Worse After HIMYF's Cancellation
The announcement of the spinoff show, How I Met Your Father, raised hopes among viewers of the original series. They were eager for this new show to rectify the previous disappointing ending and provide a satisfying conclusion. Unfortunately, HIMYF was cancelled after only two seasons, leaving the father's identity forever undisclosed. Due to negative reviews and failure to live up to its predecessor, the spinoff met an untimely demise. Consequently, the show now ends with an unintended cliffhanger, leaving audiences uncertain about Sophie's romantic fate with Jesse or Sid. Instead of improving the dissatisfaction caused by the conclusion of How I Met Your Mother, How I Met Your Father only worsened the situation. A satisfactory ending to the spinoff could have positively influenced the legacy of the original show. However, both the original series and its spinoff have left audiences unsatisfied, compounding their disappointment.
With How I Met Your Father viewers feeling like they never got a proper conclusion to the show, it seems like a cruel and ironic twist of fate that the spinoff did not even get the chance for a proper sendoff. When audiences think of the franchise, instead of reflecting on all of the positive aspects, it becomes difficult to recall anything other than the unsatisfactory conclusions both shows had. Despite the spinoff failing to capture the original show's positive elements, it now resonates with its most disappointing one.
HIMYF Was A Perfect Chance To Redeem The Franchise After HIMYM's Ending
Did the spinoff fail to deliver a memorable conclusion as well?
If Hulu hadn't canceled How I Met Your Father after only two seasons, it could have been the perfect opportunity to redeem the franchise. One of the main criticisms of How I Met Your Mother was that Ted and Tracy's story felt rushed and unsatisfactory. The spinoff could have addressed this by taking its time with the ending and honoring the main characters' journeys throughout the show. It could have followed a similar approach to How I Met Your Mother's alternate ending.
The alternative ending of How I Met Your Mother, which was initially released as part of a DVD set, is far more satisfying than the one that aired. In this conclusion, Barney and Robin, as well as Ted and Tracy, remain happily married. It also includes the long-awaited moment of Ted and Tracy meeting at the train station, a pivotal event for the series' audience.
The unreleased ending serves as evidence that simplicity can often be superior. This straightforward conclusion felt more natural to viewers and preserved the integrity of all the characters. How I Met Your Father had the potential to demonstrate that the franchise had learned from its mistakes and acknowledged the frustrations expressed by its viewers.
How I Met Your Father Getting Canceled Tarnishes The Franchise Even More
In addition to bringing back Robin and Barney, How I Met Your Mother could have also reintroduced Ted, Lily, and Marshall in Season 3. By including these character cameos, the show could have offered viewers valuable insights into the lives of the original group and provided emotional solace for the ending. Witnessing the characters thriving, financially stable, and applying the lessons they had learned throughout the series could have served as a soothing remedy for the audience's disappointment.
Formerly known as a clever and captivating series, boasting compelling plotlines and a cast that exuded undeniable chemistry, How I Met Your Mother succumbed to a regrettable conclusion that left its devoted fan base disheartened. The writers' apparent lack of direction and their failure to understand what would truly satisfy audiences diminished the show's standing. Moreover, the swift cancellation of How I Met Your Father further damages the franchise's reputation, reaffirming the belief that it has lost the secret formula for success.
The spinoff's disappointing conclusion is amplified by the fact that another potential spinoff, How I Met Your Dad, never materialized. CBS had announced How I Met Your Dad before the original show had ended. It was intended to be a female-centric version of the original, created by the same team. The pilot episode was filmed and it seemed like the show was a sure thing. However, the network requested a redo of the pilot, which the creators and production company declined, resulting in the show not taking off.
This initial disappointment was followed by the unsatisfying ending of How I Met Your Father and the cancellation of How I Met Your Mother. Each of these events tarnished the franchise's reputation and left viewers frustrated. HIMYM had the potential to reverse this disappointment, but it was abruptly cancelled, preventing that from happening.
