How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) became a cultural phenomenon since its premiere in 2005, which revolves around a series of flashbacks narrated by Ted Mosby to his children in the year 2030, to recount how he met their mother. However, the series finale disappointed many, due to the show’s treatment of Cobie Smulders’s Robin Scherbatsky.
The nine-season series garnered a soft spot in audiences’ hearts due to its intricate narrative, witty humor, and compelling characters. But to everyone’s surprise, Robin’s unfavorable transformation towards the show’s conclusion left many furious.
How I Met Your Mother Gave a Bitter End for Cobie Smulders’s Robin Scherbatsky
In 2014, the nine-season run of How I Met Your Mother concluded leaving many infuriated over the show’s direction, particularly involving Ted Mosby’s on-off love interest, Robin Scherbatsky.
Played by Cobie Smulders, Robin was a complex character, who significantly evolved over the nine-season run. Introduced as one of the lead characters, she built strong relationships with each member of the group, especially with Lily Aldrin and Barney Stinson.
Initially portrayed as a strong and independent woman who was hesitant to commit to relationships, her character significantly evolved, as the series showcased her desire to settle down.
However, in the finale, it was revealed that she broke up with Barney and ended up with Ted after his children had grown up. Many found it as bitter and unlikable with fans on Reddit arguing that the writers did a disservice to both the character and the actress.
The subreddit dedicated to HIMYM is filled with fans expressing their views on Robin’s character development. One user shared,
I hate that they made Robin bitter at the end, to the point her and Lily hardly hang out. Also it makes no sense in terms of the earlier episodes where Ted’s kids draw loads of pictures of “aunt Robin”. If they had to force the original ending they could’ve had her single but living her best life, seeing her friends as well as having her own stuff going on.
Another mentioned,
She should have moved on and be in a place where she just doesn’t see much point in ‘childish’ activities anymore…But no, because they want the ending to be ted ends up with Robin she has to suddenly be in love with him again and want him back.
A third wrote,
If they were gonna be endgame we should have seen them fall back in love, not gotten this awful story about Robin bitterly pining after him for decades.
Fans were unhappy with the fact that she was portrayed as a consolation prize for Ted. There were several inconsistencies when it came to her arc, which seemed unfair.
Fans Criticized Writers for Affecting Robin Scherbatsky’s Arc in How I Met Your Mother
Robin’s ending was quite controversial for audiences who were unsatisfied with her transformation as the show seemingly made her into a bitter and detached person, which was inconsistent with her earlier characterization.
Fans blamed the writers for altering her character arc as they portrayed her as a lonely, career-driven individual who ultimately ends up estranged from her friends. What’s more was the fact that the writers didn’t respect Barney’s arc, who was together with Robin but the duo divorced shortly after their wedding.
Fans felt that this development undermined the growth both characters had undergone, especially considering the emphasis the show placed on their relationship throughout the final season.
As one fan put it, “Barney was perfect choice for her” but the creative choice to completely break his connection with Smulders’s character seemed unpalpable for many.
The final season portrayed the character in a less favorable light, hinting that the writers missed providing a fulfilling ending to Robin, which felt rather forced and rushed.
How I Met Your Mother is available on Hulu.
