I have a (most-likely) far-fetched theory about 'the Mother', we've already met her, it's Ashley Williams, who played to the girl who owned the bakery that Ted tracked down after their 'date' of sorts at that wedding. I always thought those two had way more chemistry that Ted & Robin and I was suprised when they wrote her out of the show. I used to watch "Good Morning Miami", which was a God-awful show, just to see Williams. And even I was glad when they cancelled that show!

Silverstone's casting serves two purposes: She could be the mother if the show isn't renewed, and it will bring some people to the show. It has been all over the tv press today, a little over a week before the March 17th premiere. It certainly doesn't hurt.

As far as Robin goes, Future Ted established that Aunt Robin went on to live in many different parts of the world. I'd hate for that to happen much on the series since it would mean Cobie Smulders wouldn't be around. But
they already did the Argentina thing, which was the first country Future Ted listed. I think it's no big deal to have Robin around. In fact. she probably central to the plot. I think she has to play an important role in Ted meeting the mother, otherwise why would they start the series with Ted and Robin?

I can't see how they will ever get Ted in a relationship with the "Mother" if he keeps hanging out with Robin the way he does. The way they're going, I can't even begin to imaging HOW Robin eventually simply became "Aunt Robin." I can't imagine how Robin and the Ted's future wife would ever stand to have each other sharing Ted in their lives.

I think "Aunt Robin" needs to move very far away first, before the "Mother" shows up for real.

mother= wendy the waitress.

I highly highly doubt she is the mother. If you remember a few episodes back (though it has been a few months now), Ted was going on and on about the Laser Tattoo removal doctor and how he went on a "date" with her. Despite the fact that she tells him he can't date her right now due to regulations, he also implies that this isn't the last time he sees her and will eventually date her some. If Ms. Silverstone is playing a doctor, this is likely that person.

Yeah I agree with others. I could see the mother being someone we don't really know. Maybe he could be dating someone right up until the end, break up with her and then bump into the mother and say "And that kids, is how I met your mother"

I still say they're divorced in the future.

The end of the series has always seemed to be that moment when Ted and the Mother get married. They have showed the scene several times now. This seems to be the big debate going on as to whether they should show Ted and the Mom's relationship leading up to their marriage, or just show her then it's over. I think it would be much more interesting if they did the former. The latter would be the equivalent of Ross meeting Rachel and then poof, show's over. I agree with some though that Bay and Thomas need to start planning an ending every single season just in case the show gets cancelled. With what just happened to Las Vegas over at NBC, and the dismal numbers Jericho is putting out, they need to have some semblance of finality to the show so the fans don't get burned by CBS.

Boy am I glad I haven't been watching THAT show!

The shows name is "How I Met Your Mother" not "When Your Mother and I Were First Dating."

The best thing they can do is keep writing a funny show and on the last episode just stick a shot of Ted having a "lightning bolt" moment with any actress be she a name actress or someone that just looks the part.

With this method they can put it in the can and have it ready if the get canceled when they aren't i production.

I think that whenever the "mother" is finally revealed that it will be in the last 30 seconds of the last show of the series.

Until then it is all just advancing the plot and giving us lots of laughs.