10 HIMYM Exes We Still Miss (And a Few We Don’t)
Spoiler alert–although, if you’ve been watching HIMYM at all lately, you’ve probably heard the phrase “autumn of breakups” 50 million times–last night, Robin finally managed to dump Nick (with a little help from Barney).
âÂÂThe Autumn of Break-Upsâ — As the season of break-ups continues, Ted and Victoria must choose the next step in their long and complicated relationship. Meanwhile, Robin worries about Barney when he chooses a dog to be his wingman, on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, Monday, Nov. 5 (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Pictured: Michael Trucco Photo: Richard Cartwright/CBS é2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Here’s the thing: I was kinda sad. Oddly, the more they showed Nick (Michael Trucco)–and everything they showed was meant to make him look increasingly dumber–the more I liked the guy. (Also, he’s on Revenge right now, playing the scheming older brother of that new partner in the bar–so he had a head start in my book.)
But in any case, it got me thinking about some of the best exes the HIMYM gang has left in their growing-pains-filled wake. Good people like:
10) Henrietta (Catherine Reitman)
OK, not technically an ex, but Henrietta was a smitten librarian Ted had no interest in, yet led on a little anyway–and accidentally proposed to. I enjoy this purely because: do you realize Catherine Reitman also plays Maureen Ponderosa, the girl Dennis accidentally marries in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia?
9) Cindy (Rachel Bilson)
“Big Days” — When Ted (Josh Radnor, right) and Barney argue about who has “dibs” on a hot girl, Ted realizes that she is there with Cindy (Rachel Bilson), a girl he previously dated, on the sixth season premiere of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, Monday, September 20 (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.Photo: Eric McCandless/FOX©2010 Fox Television. All Rights Reserved.
You can’t not root for Rachel Bilson. I was happy to see infamous roommate Cindy come back and find love with her girlfriend in a later ep, and Ted’s just enough of a sensitive dude to feel wistfully happy for her, too.
8) Becky (Laura Bell Bundy)
As the anti-Robin–a giggly, childish, ice-cream-loving kitten–Bundy totally skewered the woman/little-girl complex during her brief time with Ted.
7) Scooter (David Burtka)
You can’t not have a soft spot for someone whose love for Lily was so undying, he slapped on a hairnet and served mystery meat to be close to her.
6) Gael (Enrique Iglesias)
Because this is the most scientifically accurate answer to: “hmm, who would the ultimate rebound be?” Do you, Robin.
5) Quinn (Becki Newton)
She came close. She came real close. Quinn got major points in my book for being a more seamless fit with the gang than most significant others, who sometimes look all wrong in that booth at the bar.
4) Zoey (Jennifer Morrison)
“Natural History” — When, Ted (Josh Radnor, left) and the gang attend a black tie fundraiser at the Natural History Museum, Ted runs into Zoey (Jennifer Morrison) and sees a whole different side of her when she introduces him to her husband, The Captain (Kyle MacLachlan, center), on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, Monday, November 8 (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.Photo: Matt Kennedy/FOX© FOX Television. All Rights Reserved.
Not least because there was actually clothing besides jeans and venues beyond McLaren’s involved, I felt like Zoey-and-Ted was the best romance HIMYM has ever done. Plus, she came with some awesome baggage in the form of The Captain (Kyle MacLachlan), who was lonely, prepped-out perfection.
3) Don (Benjamin Koldyke)
I know this may not be a popular opinion, but I was strongly pro-Don for Robin. Mostly because I loved the realness of how they got together–met at work, had misunderstandings and missed connections, but saw something special in each other.
2) Nora (Nazanin Boniadi)
I’m not trying to mess with the HIMYM endgame cosmos here, but I maintain that the gorgeous, witty Nora was perfect for Barney. She also had the all-time best hair I have ever seen.
1) Stella (Sarah Chalke)
“As Fast As She Can” — When Ted (Josh Radnor, left) runs into Stella (Sarah Chalke) and Tony (Jason Jones, right), his future is changed forever on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, Monday, May 11 (8:30PM-9:00PM) on the CBS Television Network. PHOTO: CBS Screen©2009 CBS BROADCASTING INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Grab. BEST QUALITY
My heart broke right along with Ted’s through this whole saga. And just as was the case with Zoey, a great ex came with her own great ex–I loved Tony (Jason Jones). I’ve never been so invested in that damn yellow umbrella as I was during this whole chapter.
If I haven’t incensed you enough with those rankings, here’s one more disclosure: the top exes I couldn’t wait to see become exes and get off our screens forever were Karen (Laura Prepon, and I think we were supposed to be annoyed by her) and Victoria (I don’t think we were supposed to dislike her, but sorry, I just never saw it). Also, KEVIN. No disrespect to Kal Penn, but he made me want to scratch my eyes out. Exit stage left, please.
Which HIMYM flings did you fall in love with–or want to get rid of yourself, Lily-style?
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