HIMYF Showrunners Discuss Barney’s Implied Major Life Shift – Looper

Ending a series is never easy, but “How I Met Your Mother” had an impressive level of divisiveness when the show concluded in 2014. Though the titular Mother (Cristin Milioti) was ultimately revealed, Ted (Josh Radnor) never really changes, and he goes back to Robin (Colbie Smulders) once again. 

After spending the entire final season on Barney and Robin’s wedding, fans lamented that the couple did not stay together in the final episodes. And unfortunately, it looks like that is how “How I Met Your Father” showrunners are going to let it stand. Introducing Barney again could be a way to at least take some of the sting out of that finale, but understandably, Isaac Aptake and Elizabeth Berger remain respectful of the final episode with Barney’s inclusion.

“[I]t’s finding that balance of paying tribute and honoring the character, but also not getting wildly specific in ways that don’t really feel appropriate for us to do,” Berger explained. “Yeah,” Aptaker agreed. “We’re not trying to upend the ‘How I Met Your Mother’ finale. It did leave [certain] holes, but it took those characters through this [period of] time and covered a lot, so we’re not trying to upend anything there.” Anyone hoping for some wild midlife affair between Barney and Robin is unlikely to see it. We all have to make peace with Barney owning an SUV like the suburban dad he now is.