How I Met Your Mother star Cristin Milioti feels the hatred to her character fate by fans is justified 

How I Met Your Mother is one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time. The show follows Ted Mosby (played by Josh Radnor) as he narrates to his children the story of how he met their mother. When Cristin Milioti was introduced as Tracy McConnell, the long-awaited Mother, some fans were thrilled, but many were disappointed.

While the introduction of the Mother brought excitement, her character’s story arc did not satisfy everyone. Fans had waited eight seasons to meet her, only to find her time on screen was limited. Despite Cristin Milioti’s charming performance, the ending left many viewers feeling let down, and the actor thinks that reaction is justified.

How I Met Your Mother built up the Mother’s role for years

The character of Tracy McConnell did not appear until the end of season 8. By then, viewers were already emotionally invested in the main cast. This made it difficult for fans to feel the same connection toward Tracy in such a short time. Cristin Milioti only became a regular in the final season of How I Met Your Mother. With limited screen time, it was hard for fans to truly get to know her. Many felt that her role deserved more depth and development.

When it was revealed that Tracy had died, the fan reaction was intense. People felt cheated after spending years hoping for a happy ending. Instead, the Mother they had waited to meet was already deceased in the story by the time the show came to an end.

The way the show was going, it seemed that the entire point of How I Met Your Mother was leading to Ted and Tracy’s love story. The twist ending, where Ted returns to Robin, shocked longtime fans. It seemed to go against everything the show had built up.

In a recent Variety interview, Cristin Milioti addressed the backlash. She said,

''Yeah, they didn't like that. I think it's indicative of people caring. It was nice, because I'm not in it that much. Certainly, people's love for that character was a huge compliment, but that's also a testament to what they set up. I also think finales are hard. I definitely understand why people were upset, but I also admire them for sticking to their original plan.''

Milioti’s words show she understands why fans were upset. She also points out that strong reactions mean people truly cared about the story. At the same time, she respects the writers for following through with their vision.

The ending hurt fans who were emotionally invested in Tracy's journey. Learning that she died before we could see her more as the titular mother felt unfair and rushed. Many viewers wanted more time with her character and a better conclusion to her story.

Throughout How I Met Your Mother, the show often suggested Robin and Ted weren’t meant to be. So when they reunited in the finale, it felt confusing and out of place. However, even with her short time on the show, Cristin Milioti left a lasting impression. Her portrayal of the Mother was heartfelt and memorable. This made the twist ending even harder for fans to accept.

Today, Cristin Milioti continues to have a successful career, like her roles in Black Mirror and The Penguin. Still, her time on How I Met Your Mother remains a major point in her career. The love fans had for her character shows how important the story was to them.

The series finale remains one of the most debated in television history. While the ending didn’t satisfy everyone, it proved just how invested viewers were. And Cristin Milioti understands that their anger came from a place of genuine love for the show.

How I Met Your Mother is streaming on Hulu.

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