How I Met Your Mother 'Vesuvius' Review: Is HIMYM about to end in the most depressing way possible?

For 20 minutes, I was ready to write this review of the latest How I Met Your Mother Season 9 episode and call "Vesuvius" a decent episode that was a bit of a step back from the last few installments. Then, the ending came. And bow I'm officially terrified of the series finale of this show.

In case you haven't figured out what I'm referring to, it's the moment when The Mother, in reference to Ted's story about Robin's mother showing up at the wedding, says that it's not much of a surprise because "what kind of mother wouldn't be at her daughter's wedding." And then Ted starts to cry. And then it hits you: holy crap, The Mother might actually be dead.

Now I hope, dear readers, that the show its just trolling us, that Carter Bays and Craig Thomas are aware of the fans' passion and the popular theory that The Mother's death is the reason for Ted's nine-year story to his children and that the co-creators decided to go this route just to throw everybody off the scent. But what if they're not? What if this is the endgame for HIMYM?

Consider what The Mother said to Ted earlier in the episode. She doesn't want him to be somebody who lives through his stories. She wants him to realize that life goes forward. Why else would she be saying these things unless she knew was not going to be about for much longer?

In a way, it would make sense. There has to be some reason behind Ted's telling the story, and the Mother's death would be the best and most obvious one. It would also explain why his kids are actually listening to this story instead of abandoning it halfway through like any other teenagers would.

But part of me wonders if the Mother's death would cheapen the entire series. We've been able to put up with all of Ted's misery and heartbreak because we know that he finds the love of his life in the end. So does it make the show more beautiful or less worthwhile if Ted loses that love? Maybe it's both, I don't know.

There are three new episodes left until the series finale, so maybe we'll learn more in that time. But it wouldn't surprise me after this episode if Bob Saget's voice tells us how and when the Mother passed away in the final episode. It would certainly be a depressing way to end the show, but let's face facts. How I Met Your Mother has always excelled with its dramatic moments, so would a tearjerker ending really be the worst way to end it?

I realize I didn't talk much about the rest of the episode, but the ending really was the most significant moment. Not much else happened, as we just inched our way a bit closer to the wedding. Robin's mother showed up, which should be an interesting development in the final few episodes.

Okay, I'm gonna go have a glass of Glen McKenna to calm my nerves.

Notes and Quotes

-       There was definitely some funny stuff in this episode, so let's lighten the mood a bit. And we'll start here: SWARLEY!

-       The Wedding Bride Too! Chris Kattan!

-       After all that stuff with the suits, Barney went and broke out the belts. Ted was this close to getting out of there.

-       Also, Sue Tupp? Genius.

-       I understand Robin isn't the girliest girl. But in what reality is a bride just chillin' and watching a movie HOURS before her wedding? She's still got a ton of stuff to do!

-       As I was about to close this review, my girlfriend off-handedly says, "What if Ted is the one who's dying?" Sigh...damn it...