<p>Fun thread to read but the controversy confuses me because I loved the finale and am in agreement with Fireandrain and MommaJ. Have watched every episode and this season was so painful (but great to spend time with my dds) and last season was equally so. Thus, the finale, to me, was my reward for enduring episodes of a show that went on two years too long. Years ago DH hypothesized that we’d only see the mother in the last moment of the show and I knew I’d be terribly disappointed if that were the case. Thus, to see the full arc, having Ted and Tracy meet earlier in the season, to see how seamlessly she fit in the circle, etc. and get to see how things worked out in the future was the perfect way to end for me. Sure, I would have liked a few more shots about their life together but time was limited. I loved how the kids gave Ted their blessing (yes, after SIX years – very reasonable and appropriate – I can imagine Ted immobilized with grief for the first year alone) to date Robin. </p>