The Most Heartbreaking Moment Of How I Met Your Mother

[@Mr-Bogs]

The scene is very sad in and of itself, but the part that still gets me time and time again is the final line. Marshall painfully saying "I'm not ready for this" always gets the waterworks going for me. Fantastic acting from Jason Segel and props to Alyson Hannigan for giving him exactly what he needed to play off the rest of the scene so naturally.

[@overcomingwithin]

Yeah. Gets me every time. Probably doesn’t help that I probably have a slightly unhealthy fear of that loss

[@bobthedopeman7327]

I literally just commented the same thing. That line has stuck with me all these years.

[@MrGeforcerFX]

reminded me of SLC punk when they find heroin bob dead, Matthew Lillard's character says the same thing and it would always get me at that part.

[@idanlewenhoff2295]

And the silence in the background

[@UndyingRein]

It's pretty realistic. When my dad passed, I was repeating something similar over and over. Shit just puts you on autopilot, and you just can't process anything.

[@LaneyStudios5]

The moment when Alyson is telling Marshal about his dad is so well acted, it's always stood out to me as a highlight of the show

[@lanceareadbhar]

Especially hearing that he didn't know what she was going to say and they used that take. We experienced what Marshall experienced learning that news for the first time. We also witnessed Lily having to share that news with Marshall for the first time sitting on how she was going to tell him. They both broke my heart.

[@hussd21]

That moment really hit me like a gut-punch. I noticed the countdown and knew something big was gonna happen, but I never assumed that Marshal's dad had passed away. That whole season of How I Met Your Mother was an emotional roller coaster. This and when Barney yells at his dad were heartbreaking

[@RobDHamilton]

Harris' delivery of the lame suburban dad line is pitch perfect, you absolutely feel the weight of what growing up without a father did to Barney.

[@Jaclynn9]

I remember my sister and I noticing the countdown and we were so excited to see what it was for... then came the gut punch

[@brandonface917]

"I am not ready for this." That line rings true for many. None of us truly will be, but take your loved ones in your arms and take it day by day.

[@DivinPoonacha]

I remember the first time I watched this episode, I was inconsolably crying

[@ramblingGuy]

I keep watering up every time they show the scene in this video 😢

[@soyentak5076]

@@ramblingGuy same

[@NateRisch]

One of only a couple instances of me crying over a TV show. The entire storyline of his dad passing was so well done. The voicemail segment was as equally, if not more, gut wrenching and amazing.

[@hernanarias2348]

When Barney refuses to talk to his dad saying "I'm never gonna talk to my dad again" and Marshal calmly replies "No Barney, I'm never gonna talk to my dad again", that's a punch to the gut

[@NateRisch]

@@hernanarias2348 oh yes! That was seriously rough.

[@Lucasp110]

My favourite moment was when he wouldnt Go back to NY because he couldnt accept that his dad was gone and he felt lost. And then, finding out his dad also didnt know what he was doing, he kept going and hoping for the best

[@zenagitana]

There are a few episodes in HIMYM that made me heartsick, this being #1. Another was the funeral/voicemail that followed this, Robin finding out she couldn't have kids, and when Ted imagines the whole day just to wish he had gone to the Mother's apartment for those extra 45 days. I'm sure there are more, it's just been a while since I've seen the show.

[@noctap0d]

I cried with all the episodes you mentioned.

[@armadillolover99]

I suspected from the first season that the mother wouldn’t make it to the end, but that “45 days” moment was what confirmed it for me. That realization that I was indeed correct all along did hit me quite a bit.

[@DominickSpano]

This was a great story line, but yes extremely sad. The voice-mail the father left made me cry. Great and melancholy storyline.

[@BigFudge612]

Can’t be the only one that felt the need to call their Dad after they watched this episode the first time…

[@asarishepard8171]

My dad died when I was 8, so no.

[@fukitweball]

Every time I watch this episode. My relationship with my dad isn’t the best and this episode always makes me regret that and want to fix it.

[@305Independent]

You weren't. I did the same.

[@jasonsnitselaar6947]

My dad died 3 months before I watched this episode. I was a wreck following that.

[@BigFudge612]

@@asarishepard8171 I’m very sorry to hear that.

[@mikeyn1986]

ive seen this episode countless times and never noticed the countdown!

[@debuthunter5389]

Yeah, same.

[@CarolineofTheInternet]

This one is heartbreaking. Another that really gets me is the one where they are cleaning out Barney's childhood home. His memories of growing up without a father are reframed and shown again after realizing his mother had been there for him his whole life. It ends with Barney telling his mother that she is his real dad because she was the one who was there. Its such an unexpected moment of growth from a perpetually emotionally stunted character.

[@KaiSchSp]

Yeah, that thumbnail alone made me tear up. This was such a tragic moment.

[@Korncakes1]

Yeah dude, saw the thumbnail and immediately knew what I was in for. Currently crying at work after watching Marshall say “I’m not ready for this.”

[@blazehaze233]

I think HIMYM is one of the few sitcoms that has managed to have dramatic scenes balanced with comedy in a perfect way. My favorite show forever.

[@DeKeofDeKe]

it is impossible to not cry at this scene, even when its just mentioned my eyes just begin to tear up. It's just a perfect scene between Marshal and Lily

[@redpandur3221]

Just by watching this video I teared up again. Because of this episode and the funeral especially I always tell my parents that I love them when I leave home as I want it to be the last thing they hear if I might die/they say it back so it’s the last thing I hear of them. And now anyone that’s reading this, please go hug your parents ❤

[@rossharmonics]

Another very heartbreaking scene is when Tracy says "what kind of mother doesn't show up for her own daughter's wedding". At that moment, we realize something that has not bee said explicitly. She has been diagnosed with a fatal disease.

[@urbOYfREND]

when marshal yells at the sky/god i litteraly cry so much its cathartic

[@Escorducarla]

There are two Marshall and Lily episodes that never fail to make me cry. Ironically, they are at two totally opposite ends of the emotional spectrum, and I think they highlight how well that couple was written when the show was at its best: this one, obviously, and "Three Days of Snow." They had such an earnest and sweet relationship, and Jason Segal and Alison Hannigan played off of one another so well. Season 9 disrupted their chemistry in the worst ways.

[@MiloTheKid5454]

I lost my father when I was 13. He loved HIMYM and so do I. I remember him pointing out the countdown to me when this episode aired. I rewatch HIMYM at least once a year and this episode always leaves me in tears.

[@edd17sp74]

This is one of my favorite episodes of the show. I can remember watching it when it aired, finding it so much fun to spot the numbers counting down. And when Lily delivered the news at the end, I was so shocked. It was such a hard-hitting moment. Marshal was always my favorite character, definitely the funniest character, and, for the most part, I think he’s a great role model. To watch him experience such heartbreak, especially at the end of a pretty funny episode…was heartbreaking to watch.

[@Qrio]

Wow I never noticed the countdown in that episode, I was too busy crying to notice lol.

[@glavintimothy]

Bad news and the episode that follows are my go to episodes when I need a good cry. When marshals standing outside at the funeral in the follow up episode and he’s listening to the voicemail. Going off on all of his friend’s cause he knows that they dont understand what he’s going through, it gets me every time.

[@NicholasNewton]

This episode and The Time Travelers are probably the two saddest for me.

[@ste-fa-no]

Alyson and Jason, both delivering and improvising, make me cry no matter how many times I've seen that scene. 💔 Lily and Marshall are alive characters and I love them ♥

[@idanlewenhoff2295]

The countdown was very cool to notice after the episode And also this is a great example of how sometimes the best reaction is the one you haven't prepared for at all

[@Nerdchacho]

Am I really the only one that didn't spot the numbers in the eps over the MANY times I've seen it - until it has literally just been pointed out to me here?

[@tooru-kun4178]

this episode is stuck so much in me that i can't physically forgets it. I remember the countdown, the dread and the final scene and i will till my death. Simply perfect

[@PurpleSun8933]

I think the heaviest episode was the one where Ted is sitting alone in a bar cuz he has no one to go with on a "robots vs wrestlers" show. He's reminiscing about the past, pushing away the thought that he's alone.

[@Ijusttrollalot]

I still remember when I first watched this scene. I was running on the treadmill and started breathing waaay heavily from all the sudden emotions. Had to stop for a minute to catch my breath.

[@TheeBizzyB]

That was totally brutal. It also hit way different when I rewatched the episode after my dad passed.

[@JM-us3fr]

I only remember a handful of pivotal moments from this show, but this one sticks in my mind better than any other. It’s such a tragic moment for such a beloved character

[@shandalikechandelier]

This scene still gets to me! Just now when he says; "My dad's dead?" my eyes start welling up. I lost my mom in 2018 and this is the most realistic depiction of an adult losing a parent they have a great relationship. It absolutely sucks!

[@reberrabon_bon]

Words cannot express how much this scene broke me. And still breaks me.

[@Odysseus38]

I cry everytime I watch this episode and the count down always kills me

[@baconboy1547]

This one is really sad but the funeral where he gets the voicemail from his dad makes me bawl

[@stevendchu]

Season 6 marked a big turning point for HIMYM. What's not mentioned here is that this moment also tied into Barney's entire arc this season, which was essentially forcing him to grow up and face his issues. They teased this earlier when James found his dad, but without Marshall's dad dying, we never get Barney meeting his dad and probably one of the only moments IMO that can match this one in terms of emotion. "If you were gonna be some lame suburban dad, why couldn't you have been that for me?"

[@s1ckboirari]

The next episode, where the gang is all at his Fathers funeral is one of my favourites, watching everyone do whatever they can to make Marshall smile or give him some sort of closure that even tho they're his best friends, they can't its only when he hears the voice message his dad left that he's able to swallow the massive pill that is the fact the man who raised him and was always cheering for him no matter what is now gone. The Dad stuff always hit home with me, I'd give anything to just spend 30s with him again

[@MrChromeblue24]

Love the show... this episode alone speaks for itself. 😢 I couldn't leave the house one day just having the episode in the background and I teared up. Even with just that little anticipation got me all messed up because it was similar of the way I heard the news of my father's passing. I can now watch it with more ease but still a powerful scene. ❤

[@kevinphandy2]

Dude, just watching this video had me tearing up again.

[@AmaraJordanMusic]

I loved introducing my husband to the show. We still talk about scenes all the time (one word: skittles). But my Mom was dying of cancer, in her last weeks when this episode came around. I saw the countdown start and the whole episode I was kind of upset, knowing what was coming, just like IRL we knew what was coming with my mom, but there wasn’t anything we could do. The thing with the voicemail also really got me too. My husband said it if upset me, we could skip it or watch it a different time. But honestly, it helped me work through some of what I was feeling. I was in the “My parent is my best friend,” camp. I had the same illness she did. She showed me how to… live with it, despite it, through it. She was literally ride or die. It was a loss of astounding proportions. Sometimes we need fiction, art, to give us an outlet. I wasn’t ready to cry about my mom directly. But on that rewatch at that moment, I was ready to cry for Marshall, and my husband was there for me.

[@JVR10893]

The following episode, “Last Words”, is the episode that took this from a show I love to my favorite sitcom of all time.

[@LynnMoth]

I remember crying like a baby during this scene. I felt so connected to him in that moment as I had lost my dad when I was young. He was so relatable and it felt nice to be seen and feel less alone in my journey of grieving my father.

[@Garabeto]

I actually felt most heartbreaking the next episode, with the voice mail, how he actually fought to the idea of listening to the audio or not, then when the stress made him, he exploded and no one knew what to say, he was letting all his anger get out only to hearing the last words saying “I love you”, it almost felt like his dad spirit actually coming back after watching him like that to calm his son

[@305Independent]

I've watched that episode maybe 10 times and I NEVER noticed the number countdown thing 🤯

[@tylerhackner9731]

This was heartbreaking

[@arminxvs3372]

"I'm not ready for this" This line hits every man when he puts himself in that situation. Are you ever ready for such a news? 😢

[@jrgalioto]

Since October 2015, this has been the most difficult episode to rewatch.

[@muffen5148]

The first 5 secs of this video literally just made me tear up-that episode and the one where Lily left and left Marshall on the steps of the apt in the rain with the engagement ring crush me

[@TWMY14]

that scene gets me every single time. This show is absolutely phenomenal, despite the rough ending.

[@Samurai196]

This episode hit my Daddy-issues square on the jaw.

[@jordibarguno]

The most heartbreaking episode was the finale. After 9 seasons to get such a dumpster fire of a finale was truly heartbreaking.

[@DwideShrude]

This scene is so powerful that I don’t need to watch the buildup, just seeing that 10 second clip in this video put that lump in my throat again. This is why HIMYM was so good, it was so creative in its story telling and knew how to deliver comedy and then tragic loss all within the same episode without it feeling forced.

[@mayktg]

I'm still recovering from it...

[@she-hulkSMASHES]

That scene broke my heart. “I’m not ready for this” was so spot on.

[@giorgiox97]

Already knowing all of these infos, it was a pleasure to re-hear those in this video, nice one

[@bsears693]

The first time watching, I immediately noticed the countdown(well, maybe around #47) but I was super excited for the big news thinking full force it was gonna be something great! Then when the news was revealed, I went from a super high and excited anticipation to rock bottom feeling. That fast change of emotion is what I think helped push this episode to be so impactful. Made it feel more real to me

[@gaboalvarez9655]

To me the most heartbreaking episode is Season 8, Episode 20: "The Time Travelers". The final scene where Ted realizes he's alone really hits me hard every time I watch it

[@joshfactor1]

i think some people might argue it was actually when dr. x was all alone

[@emotea597]

Literally cried watching this video, well done

[@toshibavoodoo]

WOW!! Didn't know about the count down.... need to rewatch. Great video!

[@lanceareadbhar]

This episode broke me and most sad moments in media don't get to me. The juxtaposition of the episode with the silly countdown, to the guy punch of a scene, to learning later that Jason Segel had no idea what she was going to say, it just hit me so hard that I felt so bad for Marshall in that moment.

[@JennaLeigh]

"I am not ready for this.........." Wow. Seeing this the first time was devastating. Sitting here today watching it, on the anniversary of my mother's passing, I realize that all these years later, I'm sill not ready. ❤

[@eschelar]

This scene was what made the real difference for me when I was sort of on/off watching big bang and himym at the time. It was so powerful that I literally have never been able to watch another episode of the absolute trash that I've come to see big bang as. Easily one of the most powerful moments in anything I've ever watched on tv. I felt it softened the blow for what was to come later, which shows how the show creators had a point that was greater than a contrived tearjerker. I actually never noticed the countdown, although I was likely doing other stuff while the show was playing. And it wasn't something I was in a rush to watch again. The idea of death as a part of life put this show on a shelf above most shows I have watched and definitely the best comedic show I've ever seen.

[@ajiteshudayagiri5144]

Symphony of illumination really is probably the best episode of how I met your mother

[@Jerds]

I have watched this show all the way through 8-10 times and I never noticed the count down in this episode

[@RToroX86]

Alyson’s performance in that scene was so good too. It felt real.

[@jqowens777]

Great episode just like Fry and his dog on Futurama !

[@bobthedopeman7327]

I would have known without the thumbnail just by reading the title. I knew what episode you were going discuss. When Marshall says, "I'm not ready for this.." In a breaking voice... it really kills me. Because i knew that's what I would say.

[@ajg8722]

The episode with Barney’s dad. That was sad too. At the end and when Barney says he’ll never talk to his dad again and Marshall’s like nah I’ll never talk to my dad again, you still can.

[@noahhurst1021]

I do think that “Bad News” is a heartbreaking episode, but for me, the most heartbreaking line was,“All that is 45 days away. But I’m here now, I guess, because… I want those extra 45 days. With you. I want each one of them.” This was from episode 20 “Time Travelers” in Season 8.

[@SupremeOverlord24]

"Look around Ted. You're all alone."

[@Azarathification]

This is one that definitely only hits hard on a rewatch, but when rewatching you realise all the signs were there of how it was going to end. The first time just seems romantic.

[@watsupchick3251]

Episodes like are why how I met your mother is my favorite show. I think the following episode where they’re at Marvin’s wake and funeral is just as heartbreaking

[@Xgxor]

This scene hits so damn hard for me now since my Dad passed away of a heart attack in September '21. Miss you Dad ❤️

[@ModernGameChangers]

This scene hold a special sadness for me. The morning after we decided to take my father off life support and allow him to pass this was the episode that popped on. I was in the middle of a rewatch of the series and did not realize this was the episode next up when I woke up. It was within an hour of me getting the news.

[@PizzaHutCEO]

“I’m not ready for this” hits so so hard. I’m currently not ready for this 😭

[@MultiSaintsfan123]

Ive always felt the next episode was more heartbreaking. When he's lashing out at the universe because his Dad's last words were a pocket dial.

[@Luke-2954]

This scene always kills me, I saw it for the first time shortly after losing my mom so it hit really close to home and never fails to make me cry, same with the episode "Game of Tones" from Futurama where Fry gets some time with his mom again

[@D2theJ26]

That scene hit me right in the feels. Reminds me of when I first found out my dad died

[@dandeve]

Even thinking about the first time I saw this episode has me sitting here crying! Powerful performance.

[@rossharmonics]

I love your takes on HIMYM. How about doing one on the last episode when Ted finishes his narrative. In that scene, he says something like "you missed the whole point". This amazingly ironic statement is also multi-layered. Along the way of Ted's giving the narrative, what did his children think was going on? What was his motive in telling the story? What was the TV audience reading into the story?

[@Shivas-cj7vr]

For anyone at Nerdstalgic reading this right now. I love your content. Pat yourself on the back and give the person next to you a hug.

[@drixy1495]

Honestly one of the only scenes in a sitcom that can make me tear up every time i watch it

[@ScrewlooseStudios]

I was quite pleased with myself when I first saw this episode because I spotted the countdown straight away, but it might have made the revelation hit less because I was specifically waiting for something big to happen and was so I didn't experience the sucker punch they were going for.

[@vadalia3860]

You were supposed to be expecting something to happen but the writers intended the audience to think that it was something else (if I'm remembering right I think it was supposed to be a pregnancy announcement since they'd been trying for a baby)

[@stevendchu]

@@vadalia3860 Yes up until that point Marshall and Lily were trying to have a baby, and the plot of that ep was actually that Marshall found out he didn't have problem with this sperm.

[@Colancio]

This was the only episode that really broke me into pieces, following with the funeral one. I only fear one day in my life and that's the day I have such news.

[@moshecohen127]

still gets me everytime, probably the most worked up i get from a sitcom. or that one episode of scrubs....

[@honestyisbetter]

when watching i never noticed the countdown but had a subconscious feeling of foreboding

[@ciaranclark8312]

Was watching this episode recently and I noticed the countdown to the bad news of Marshall’s dads death and it made it even more sad for me. Great level of detail in the sets and props though.

[@codyc0313]

This one is the most heartbreaking, but a close second is ted’s speech to the mother during the last robots vs wrestlers episode, where it first hinted at the fate of the mother

[@Bobbytheman98]

Marshall’s Dad plays Patrick Star btw. Legend.

[@coleG112]

“I’m not ready for this” from HIMYM and “…Where do you think we are?” from Scrubs are two of the hardest hitting lines of dialogue in any content ever, frankly.

[@AqueleRod]

And here I am crying again with this scene...

[@masterslayerable]

I think the only episode that comes close to this heartbreak is episode 20 of season 8 I believe, when Ted goes to look for Tracy before he met her and we first have it confirmed that the Mom is already dead when he is telling his kids the story. It always made sense but if Im not wrong thats the first time we find out for sure in the show. And that scene was so unbelievably good

[@dannygillmor2337]

"Not today, I wasn't." Love that answer.

[@kingofmutliverse]

The crazy thing they had a count down

[@vlind16]

Watching this scene the first time hit hard. Rewatching it a few years later forgetting this scene was there after losing my dad had me blubbering. Great acting to make this so realistic

[@miracufelix]

The "I'm not ready for this" hits the hardest. Also I think it's so devestating, because of the high feelings minutes before. Just makes the drop down way more far than it would be, if the whole tone of the episode was already kinda sad.

[@Chalo122790]

Ha jokes on you i never noticed the countdown until you siad it hahaha

[@db1872]

I found out my dad died a few months ago. We hadnt talked in 30 years. I remember watching this scene so many years ago but now, it just hits even harder.

[@tanvisharma-eo2ne]

Jason Segal did such a good job.

[@robertvanek1933]

"Even the least eagle eyed viewer will notice it" I have never once noticed that.

[@stephenoakley9724]

It was such a a fun episode counting down to such a heartbreak!