What can I say, I just finished watching this show probably for the 5th time. Yes, all seasons, right from season 1 through to 9. This, along with "The Big Bang Theory" is my go-to definition of simple fun. I can just switch the show on when I cannot find anything interesting to watch or have limited time to kill and always end up having a good laugh. More than Big bang, this show get a bit emotional, but it balances it well with a strong dose of humour and "Barney". This guy is simply ingenious. Can you just recollect the number for gorgeous females we got introduced just because of his character. From Katy Petty to Britney to Nazanin and Becki Newton. It was a visual treat watching all these gorgeous females with hilarious characterisation.
And then the friendship, they stand with each other through thick and thin. It is heart-warming watching all the emotional stuff which they go through. Marshall, for always being the ideal boyfriend and husband. Lilly for being the sane one where other characters could always count on. Robin for bringing the charm this show needed, Ted for being the hopeless romantic and Barney, for just being Legend...wait for it...Dary!! Legendary!!
Some scenes/episodes had a lasting impression on me that I watch them over and over. Like Marshall, prepping for the Marathon OR Stella watching StarWars, Lilly regretting her bad decisions OR Robin for Robin "Sparkles". Ted for honestly trying again and again for true love, Barney for the ultimate show-down from his play book, "The Robin". This show is really a roller-coaster ride of fun and emotions.
And finally when the mother gets introduced in the very last season, she really is everything which the show was building up to and more. "Cristin Milioti" was excellent as the Mother! The way they switch times-lines back and forth with the mother was simply heart-warming! Which brings me the biggest, unforgivable flaw of the show!! The way they ended it. It really makes no sense of everything the show built up to, especially throughout the last season! It was like the makers thought, "Lets just throw everything out of the window and opt for a finale purely on shock factor!!" Ok, if this was a horror show or a thriller, it makes sense. But come one, this is Mother we are talking about and it ends with a twist! The alternate ending would have made this show simply perfect, but what's the use. People consider original ending and not stop in the last minute and watch the alternate ending on YouTube. Which is exactly what I strongly suggest everyone, who has not watched the show, to do. Watch until the end and simply watch the alternate ending on Youtube. It will be the perfect and most satisfying conclusion for this great show.
Other than the hugely messed up ending, this show has few other minor flaws. It goes on for way too long at times, also some episodes feel hugely padded out. Like a whole episode dedicated to the "Slap-Bet" or stopping abruptly with the Mother's story and giving us a whole episode of "Gary Blauman"!!!??? I mean the character who plays Blauman is real-life Robin's husband. Sure if they had to include him, they should have done a guest appearance, not dedicate a whole episode for him. At least they show conclusions of several other prominent characters in this one, which is the best part of it.
But yes, omitting the ending, these are minor flaws of a great, thoroughly enjoyable show. And "How I met Your Mother" will always hold that special place in my heart... for all those countless moments of fun, laughter and emotional-doses which the show provided.