Was it indeed legen—wait for it—dary. Legendary?

After watching sitcoms like “Friends”, “The Big Bang Theory”, and “The Office”, I decided it was finally time to check out this cult TV show. A show that not only brought fans plenty of laughs and memorable characters but also left many divided with its controversial ending.

As we know, when "Friends" ended, it left a primetime slot open on the network that needed to be filled. Enter the decision to create a new sitcom revolving around a father telling his kids the story of how he met their mother. Over nine seasons, we follow the life of Ted Mosby and his friends while being kept in suspense—we don’t know the mother’s name or even what she looks like. This setup meant that every new girlfriend of Ted’s had the potential to be “the one”.

The show checks all the boxes of a classic sitcom: a tight-knit friend group (Ted, Robin, Marshall, Lily, and Barney), a primary location for most of the action (the bar, Ted and Marshall’s apartment), and a familiar episode structure (a central plot with one or two subplots that either influence or branch off from the main story). Of course, there’s plenty of humor, with characters dealing with everyday challenges, trying to figure out life and love. Barney, in particular, stands out as a fan favorite, thanks to Neil Patrick Harris’s charisma and his character’s quick-witted, over-the-top jokes.

What truly makes this sitcom my fav is how it balances humor with heartfelt moments. Unlike some comedies that solely rely on jokes, How I Met Your Mother manages to touch on deeper themes of love, loss, and personal growth. For example, remember Marshall’s journey of coping with his father’s death was both relatable and moving, adding an emotional depth that sets this series apart from its peers.

As with any sitcom, the opening theme song is crucial (think of the iconic songs from “Friends”), and “How I Met Your Mother” doesn’t disappoint. The creators chose an excerpt from “Hey Beautiful” by The Solids, a decision that turned out to be pure gold. Millions of viewers found themselves humming the catchy “pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-paaa” along with the opening credits. Honestly, the soundtrack alone deserves high praise.

The show starts strong, with an engaging storytelling style, clever humor, and great performances. But by seasons six and seven, the comedic tone begins to shift into melodrama. The mystery surrounding the mother loses its spark, even as Ted inches closer to meeting her. The characters, while fully developed by this point, achieve their goals and settle into their lives, leaving little room for growth. The jokes feel less funny, plot twists become predictable (and occasionally disappointing), and the romantic charm of the series starts to fade. All of this culminates in an ending that split the fandom into two camps: some claim it’s one of the worst finales in TV history, while others argue that its bittersweet tone reflects real life—that things don’t always end perfectly.

Despite all of this, the series remains legen—wait for it—dary. Legendary!