Controversial Opinion – Why How I Met Your Father is better than HIMYM

When How I Met Your Father premiered on Disney+ Hotstar in January, it was apparent that the audience would compare it to its predecessor, How I Met Your Mother. After all, sequels, spin-offs and reboots aren't always well received. But you know what, we feel the reboot is actually better, contrary to the negative reviews that dismissed the show. Now, this may be our 'desiness' speaking, but before you decide to throw a 'tantrum' (get it?), hear us out.

Reversed gender roles

While both Ted and Sophie are hopeless romantics looking for “the one”, Ted’s dating history comprised over 30 (almost interchangeable) women. If Ted did not, Barney stepped in to sexualize his dates. Remember the first question Barney asked about women? (we’re keeping it PG 13, but you can type 58008 on a calculator and turn it upside down to find out). But with HIMYF’s strong emphasis on Sophie, tells us that we can expect to see women being portrayed as more than just sexual objects.

An immigrant's America

HIMYM, Friends, Modern Family – all the greatest sitcoms of their time had one thing in common – the primary characters were predominantly caucasians dating caucasians. It was as if other races never existed or the makers were too conservative to actually venture into an inter-racial relationship on TV. Notably, their career and love life problems also were similar, and dare we say, superficial. The HIMFM gang reflects a contemporary depiction of America, rife with immigrants. There's the desi dude Sid, the charming Brit bloke Charlie, the gorgeous Latina, Valentina, and our favourite from the lot, Vietnamese-American gay divorcee Ellen, all trying to find love and make it big in NYC.

Not thank you, gay jokes

Speaking of Ellen, her mostly fruitless attempts at finding a girlfriend make for a fun watch. She's not the butt of gay jokes (remember the ridicule Marshall earned for his love for pink cocktails or Robin and Lily's kiss on HIMYM). This, despite the fact that Barney had a gay black brother, James. At least with HIMYF, it is fascinating to see the women try to find love, fail at it, and pick themselves up again. It is a level playing field that allows us to root for Ellen as much as we do for Sophie or Valentina in their quest for love.

A desi dude who's not a nerd

As desis, we're all annoyed with the trope of nerdy Indians and Asians. I mean, does every Mindy Lahiri or Raj Koothrapali have to be a doctor or a scientist or an engineer? Granted, HIMYF's Sid moved to the US to study medicine, but he soon realised his calling, dropped out of medical school, and made the bold move of investing in his own a bar. What's more, he hires the British I-move-to-different-countries-for-women Charlie as his bartender. How's that for colonial role reversal?

While both HIMYM and HIMYF are stories about a dysfunctional group of friends, we surely prefer the reboot a lot more. It reflects modern problems, including the challenges (cue The Tinder Swindler) and also negotiates the challenges and joys of dating today in a more realistic manner.

You can watch HIMYF on Disney+ Hotstar.