How I Met Your Mother is really something special.  It’s a show where all the writers, actors, and production team seem to really like the characters, and do their best to keep the show as grounded in reality and in these five people as possible.


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I love that Marshall and Lily are allowed to be married and happy.  Marshall doesn’t have to flirt with a fellow lawyers, and Lily doesn’t have to be baby crazy for this couple to be interesting.  They struggle with problems common to all young, married (or engaged) couples: How do we merge our lives and maintain our individuality?  How do I make the right career move for myself and my future family? (highlighted in season three episode six, I’m Not That Guy)  How do I reconcile my childhood dreams with the harsh realities of everyday life?  Lily wanted to be a painter–she left Marshall and went to San Francisco to do so.  Watching her realize that coming home to marry Marshall and continue teaching kindergarten was the right choice has been something I can really relate to.  Life often turns out differently than we’d expected.

Robin’s career struggles are fantastic as well.  I love that Robin is ambitious and driven and doesn’t allow her personal life to dictate her career, and that the other characters are completely accepting of this.  Ted may not have liked this particular attribute of Robin’s, but he never ran her down for it.  Ted and Robin realized that Robin’s career goals and wish to travel were incompatible with the kind of relationship Ted wanted to have, and they broke up amicably.  In my experience, breakups often happen like this.  No one did anything wrong, no one is to blame.  People just grow apart.

Barney is a character that, in the hands of an lesser actor, could be difficult to watch.  But as played by Neal Patrick Harris, he’s never quite irredeemable, and is a man I am glad to watch Robin date.  I love that these two are figuring out ways to be together and still remain true to themselves and the people they’ve been over the past four years.

And Ted.  Ted is a great example of what it’s like to date outside college.  You have some relationships, you go on some dates.  If you’re looking to get married, you look hard, and it’s discouraging when you don’t find who you’re looking for.  That’s why I love the central conceit of the series.  I’m never in doubt that Ted IS going to find the right woman for him, that she’s getting to him as fast as she can.

The writing for this show is among the most solid on television today.  The writers pay such attention to continuity, which makes this show even more rewarding to rewatch.   The cast is phenomenal, and seem to be real friends.  In short, HIMYM cast, crew, writers, and production team…..I think I’m in love with you.

Disagree?  Agree?  Think Two and Half Men is way better?  You’re wrong, but tell me why in the comments.