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Let's Break Down That Major HIMYM Cameo In The HIMYF Finale

It's about time one of the OGs showed up!

by Dylan Kickham
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It may have taken all of Season 1, but How I Met Your Father finally brought back one of the original How I Met Your Mother stars in its season finale. Cobie Smulders reprised her role as Robin Scherbatsky to give Hilary Duff’s Sophie some much-needed relationship advice.

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As HIMYM fans know, Robin was a core member of the MacLaren's crew for all nine seasons of the CBS sitcom, from 2005 to 2014. Her HIMYF cameo provided some key takeaways and references for fans.

Robin is the perfect person to give Sophie advice — she knows Sophie’s will-they-won’t-they struggle with Jesse all too well. Her biggest piece of advice: “Timing is everything,” a clear allusion to her happy ending with Ted that will come in the future.

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Interestingly enough, Robin hasn’t actually had her romantic reunion with Ted yet during her talk with Sophie. Her HIMYF cameo takes place in 2022, eight years before Ted asked her out again in the 2030-set HIMYM finale.

Robin hints at the fact that she’s not with anyone during her chat with Sophie. “I have been married, I’ve been single, I have been everything in between,” she says, suggesting she’s not married at the time. She also doesn’t appear to be wearing a wedding ring.

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Ted does get a big shoutout in Robin’s cameo. As Sophie bemoans Jesse’s premature “I love you,” Robin one-ups her by saying, “I once had a guy say ‘I love you’ on our first date.” (In case you forgot, Ted professes his love for Robin in the very first HIMYM episode.)

Robin didn’t just give Sophie dating tips; she also taught her how to order her favorite drink. In HIMYM, Robin was known for downing Scotch whisky, but Sophie is more of a margarita girl. However, Sophie decided to give whiskey a try to help drown her sorrows.

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The cameo also provided some insight into Robin’s career. The HIMYM finale already confirmed Robin became a hugely successful TV anchor by 2030, but Sophie fangirling over her revealed she’d already achieved her newswoman fame by 2022.

Robin wasn’t the only major HIMYM cameo in that finale scene. Sophie stumbled into the original sitcom’s iconic hangout spot MacLaren's Pub, which served as HIMYM’s main setting for all nine seasons.

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All episodes of How I Met Your Father Season 1 are streaming on Hulu. Season 2 is in the works.