In the season premiere this year, the one with Rachel Bilson returning.
There were flash-forward scenes of a wedding, and the possible impression that it was supposed to be Ted’s wedding, and that Mom was Rachel’s friend at the bar, who he was angling to get an introduction to. (Since we already knew that Mom is Rachel’s roommate.)
But then, it turned out that the friend was somebody different, who Rachel made a move on in front of Ted, and they ended up together and adopting a daughter. “No, that girl wasn’t your mother, but she became somebody’s mother. They both did.”
And then the voice-over told us that it was at the wedding that he finally met Mom.
(Good thing for preview - I almost submitted with ‘season finale’ in place of ‘season premiere.’ Of course, that just means that I’ve missed an even more foolish mistake somewhere…)
Okay - so we just don’t know *which *wedding, right? We’re currently assuming it’s “college buddy”, but could very well be some other random wedding. My guess: Ted starts getting it on on the side with Zoey, who drags him out to a string of social engagements, one of which is a wedding. Hilarity ensues as he tries to convince people he and Zoey aren’t an item (for fear of being turned into bait by The Captain).
The original assumption was that it was Punchy’s wedding, but at the end of the last episode, Robin asked Ted if he would be her Best Man, should she ever get married.
Do you really have to ask? An unexpected (and competely needless to the storyline) death, the most egregious example being Wash in Serenity. I can’t forgive him for that one.
That makes no sense, because Lily and Marshall were at the wedding. Marshall was also wearing a tux, indicating he was in the wedding party, too. And I’m pretty sure Lily’s dress was of “bridesmaid” quality.
So there’s no way it’s just some random Wedding Ted is dragged to. From what we know so far, it is most likely either Punchy’s, Robin’s, or Barney’s (though there’s certainly reason enough that those two could be one in the same.)
It seems unlikely that it would be Punchy’s, to me, because he is Ted’s high school friend, not college. Punchy is just acquaintances with Marshall and Lily, so there’s no reason for Marshall to be in the wedding party, and generally it’s a little bit gouache to wear a tuxedo to a wedding if you’re not in the wedding party (with some exceptions made for evening weddings, which this wasn’t.)
In that episode, there was a “longing stare” that Barney gave Robin when she changed out of her sweats into a sun dress, and couple that with Robin saying Ted could be her “best man” leads me to think her and Barney tie the knot.
Speaking of Barney, has it been hinted that he’s even still alive in 2030? I always get the impression that while Ted’s kids are very familiar Robin they don’t know Barney first-hand. I don’t recall any flash-forwards with an old Barney like there’ve been with Marchal, Lily, & Robin.
The scene on the porch wasn’t a proper flash forward. IIRC, it was Lilly imagining the future. ie: Robin had passed the “would she be welcome at our beach house in thiry years” test. Evil Donna did not.
Sorry LOL I’m gonna have to be one of those “Countdown?” people. I’ve since looked it up, but I have to admit the countdown completely went unnoticed by me. I do remember thinking it was odd that they focused on the beer can in his Dad’s workshop, but then later I just figured it was foreshadowing that he was in bad health.
The end had me tearing up.
I loved the Barny doppelganger. The return of the sensory Deprovator 5000 and the wacky Robin flashbacks were a nice touch. What’s up with glasses Robin! Still sexy but a very different look. I’m starting to believe the whole Clark Kent / Superman disguise…
Also, Punchy lives far away, and his and Ted’s hometown is far away. There’s no reason for Punchy to have his wedding in NYC, and it would be a strangely huge coincidence for the Mother who also lives in NYC, to be at the same random out of state wedding.
You know, usually I’m pretty good at spotting actors, but I had no idea Kyle McLachlan plays The Captain until I read that interview. I didn’t even get a “hey, i know that guy” vibe from him.
I always get the impression that while Ted’s kids are very familiar Robin they don’t know Barney first-hand. I don’t recall any flash-forwards with an old Barney like there’ve been with Marchal, Lily, & Robin.