Rachel, Joey, and Ross inFriendsweren’t the worst love triangle in sitcom history, despite what many believe.Ross and Rachel’s relationship inFriendswas a major storyline in the show, even though the pair were only officially together for just over a season. However, their romance often went back and forth throughoutall 10 seasons ofFriends.
The stories that saw Joey and Rachel’s romance blossom are typicallyepisodes ofFriendsaudiences skip during a rewatch. While this sudden change in dynamics received a huge amount of backlash from viewers and the cast, it wasn’t the worst example. The worst love triangle in sitcom history was actually Robin, Ted, and Barney inHow I Met Your Mother.
The Robin, Barney, & Ted Love Triangle In HIMYM Was Worse Than Joey, Ross, & Rachel In Friends
Even thoughJoey and Rachel’s relationship storyline inFriendsdidn’t feel like a love triangle at a glance, if you add Ross’ reaction and the fact Emma wasn’t very old, it very much was. Rachel and Joey’s romance was (and still is) one of the most hated pairings in sitcom history by itself, but it also made the on-off relationship between Rachel and Ross even more complicated.
However, the Robin, Barney, and Ted love triangle inHow I Met Your Motherwas worse. It’s not unusual for a member of asitcom love triangleto eventually move on or step aside for their rival, but inHow I Met Your Mother, Barney and Ted competed for Robin’s affections right up to the end.
HIMYM’s Love Triangle Was Dragged Out For Too Long
The main issue withHow I Met Your Mother’s love triangle was that it went on for ages, to the point that certain seasons or story arcs became frustrating to rewatch. From the momentBarney and Robin’s relationship inHow I Met Your Motherbegan, it was clear that the group’s dynamic would never be the same again.
That’s why it was so aggravating when Ted announced he was in love with Robin again after she ended things with Kevin. While Ted always had underlying feelings for Robin, this proclamation of love seemingly appeared out of nowhere, and it didn’t make a lot of sense.
Ted even tried to nudge Robin towards a possible recollection in the lead-up to her wedding, and although he attempted to do it in the most respectful way possible, it was baffling how little he thought about what she or Barney actually wanted. All three members of this love triangle made bad decisions, but Ted was the reason why it carried on for so long.
Why HIMYM’s Robin & Friends' Rachel Deserved Better
Both of thesegreat female TV characters deserved better. Rachel shouldn’t have had to deal with Ross’ insecurities and disrespect. What didn’t help, either, was that Ross tried to create love triangles with anyone he saw as a threat to him and Rachel.
If Rachel had been able to explore her connection with Joey properly, they probably still would’ve come to the same conclusion. However, Rachel deserved the opportunity to discover that by herself, and one of the reasons why she and Joey decided to be just friends again was because of Ross.
Robin was deserving of a better outcome, too. Ted’s actions may have started as romantic, but his inability to let go of a relationship they both knew wouldn’t be their end goal ended up causing more havoc in Robin’s life than it was worth for her. He was always lovestruck, but none ofTed’s girlfriends inHow I Met Your Motherever compared to Robin.
Barney didn’t help either, granted. However, at least Barney genuinely knew what Robin wanted and didn’t ignore the parts about her that didn’t fit with his plan to find “the one.”
The worst love triangle in sitcom history wasn’t inFriends, it was inHow I Met Your Mother. Barney, Ted, and Robin’s love triangle not only dominated the whole show, but it was the reason whyHow I Met Your Mother’s finalewas so controversial.
How I Met Your Mother
Cast
How I Met Your Mother is a television series that follows a father telling his children about his past. Released in 2005, it explores his experiences and adventures with four close friends, leading up to meeting their mother, as depicted through a series of flashbacks.
Friends
Friends is a television sitcom that debuted in 1994, revolving around six young New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood. The series highlights their friendship as they support each other through personal and professional challenges, encapsulating the ups and downs of life in a comedic and relatable manner.
