Well clearly, the makers of How I Met Your Mother read my recap last week, as for the first time in a couple seasons, we had some serious progression not only with the mother, but with the potential identity of Barney’s wife to be.

The show starts with a subtle bombshell as it opens with Ted saying “I love you” for the first time to the mother, who is only seen from behind. After this scene, he reveals that the last time he said I love you to someone was when he told Robin I love you last week. What this means is that, while Ted clearly can still go on a handful of dates with any number  of ladies, the next serious girlfriend for Ted will be the mother. That is a big relief, as this means no more Zoey’s in the future.

The episode itself was a great one in its own right.  Robin has to leave for Russia for work shortly after the roof scene, leaving Ted to call Marshall for advice. After flashing to Long Island, we see Barney attempting to find a sex tape that he thinks Lily and Marshall made. After looking under the bed, Barney finds a box called “Long Term Bets”, with one of them being Lily betting that Ted and Robin won’t end up together.

This further adds on to my dislike of Lily’s character. She was already on my bad side after the porch episode, where they showed her breaking up several of Ted’s past relationships, including his with Robin.  Now it’s not revealed whether the bet was made before or after their breakup, but its still ridiculous to make bets like that with people’s love lives on the line. Marshall is one of my favorite TV characters, and while Lily has her moments, he deserves better. But I digress.

As the show goes on, Ted figures out that Robin is still in love with Barney, who says its not possible, revealing for the first time to anyone that he and Robin slept together, which is why he broke up with Nora. However, she stayed with Robin, which to Barney showed that she didn’t love him anymore. Despite this, there seemed to be small indications here and there that Robin and Barney would be getting back together.

I would be happy if that happened. I thought they worked well together, and was really dissapointed/upset when they broke up, especially so soon into season 5. I think they are a case of one being the only person that could handle the other, and that in their own weird way, they would live happily ever after.  So here is hoping that she is the mystery bride. If it does turn out to be Robin, I could see them rushing that through in time for this season’s finale.

The episode wrapped up with Marshall telling Robin that despite Ted saying he is ok, he clearly isn’t, and telling her that she needs to move out, which she ends up doing.  After that, Lily tells Marshall to pay up for the bet, but Marshall responds by saying “not yet”. While this does leave it open for Ted and Robin to still get back together, I feel pretty comfortable saying that this is the end of them, but I guess you never know with this show.

One last note: they didn’t specify where Robin would be moving to. I know that she had her apartment before when she was with Don, but I’m interested to see if she ends up back there, or if she goes somewhere else. Barney’s couch perhaps? I mean….one can dream right?