Ted has been taking a stroll down "How I Met Your Mother" memory lane. This season he's dated two new "mother" candidates, but he's also mixed and mingled with a few old loves. He's on a "green" dating spree. He's reducing, reusing and recycling his old flames. Is Ted simply killing time or is he clearing the way for a new love?
Ted reduced his guilt over dumping Victoria
Victoria left Ted behind to go to cooking school in Germany. She wanted to become a great pastry chef, and Ted promised to wait for her. Unfortunately he'd always had a thing for Robin, and when she summoned him one night, he went for it. He knew he was cheating on Victoria but that didn't matter.
That was years ago, but in the Season 7 episode, "Ducky Tie," Ted got his chance to make things right. He spotted Victoria at the Architect's Ball and followed her home. He washed her dishes and apologized for his bad past behavior. That wasn't much, but it was enough to make amends and reduce his Victoria guilt before saying a final goodbye.
Ted reused the Slutty Pumpkin
Ten Halloweens ago Ted got the hots for a sexy lady dressed as a Jack-o-lantern. She had holes cut out in all the right places; thus the name, "Slutty Pumpkin." He lost the candy bar with her phone number on it. After that, it took 10 years to find her. She'd been looking for him as well; and in the episode, "The Slutty Pumpkin Returns," Ted finally got his Slutty Pumpkin redo.
Unfortunately the reunion was bittersweet. Ted didn't like the way she kissed... or the way she kept saying the word "caress." She didn't like the way Ted touched her or held her hand. Neither of them had guts enough to break it off, so when Ted said "I love you," they had sex instead. The reunion fell apart very quickly; but at least Ted got his long awaited second chance, and he finally got those Slutty Pumpkin desires out of his head forever.
Recycling Robin
Robin's been a part of the "How I Met Your Mother" gang since the beginning. Her romance with Ted died long ago, but he keeps recycling their relationship into something new. She's been his friend, lover and confidante. She's been his roommate at least twice. In the episode "Ducky Tie," Robin was Ted's date for the Architect's Ball. Now that she's seeing Kevin, Ted has taken on the role of jealous ex-boyfriend. Their relationship is ever-changing, but they're always together. Is there a chance that he'll recycle their relationship into a lifetime partnership? You never know.
So what does it all mean?
You know how some people like to clear away the old to make way for the new? That's what Ted is doing. He's making amends, clearing up old fantasies and reevaluating old flames. When "the one" comes along, he'll be ready.
Who will be Ted's next recycled relationship? It could be Stella. It could be Amy or even Zoey. Ted's got years of past issues to resolve, but when he does, he'll be ready for when the right one comes along.
