Why Barney's Relationships with Robin, Nora and Quinn Didn't Work in the Past

They're the Only Girls Barney's Dated Post-Operation-Suit-Up, and There's a Pattern to All of This

 

Now that Barney's back with Robin (and for real), I would like to take a moment to think back to when he had dated other women. The two that come to mind are Nora and Quinn (Shannon's hardly worth mentioning, we know what went wrong), and Barney had been quite serious with these relationships (and breaking many of his rules along the way, like meeting Nora's parents and planning marriage to Quinn). So what exactly went wrong? For me, I see a pattern in these relationships and I'm going to break it down to pinpoint the flaws in each one.

 

Barney and Robin (Season 5 Dating Period)

It took a long while, but in Season 5 Barney and Robin started dating. I thought I might include this relationship because it showed how the two of them weren't exactly committed at the time. For one, Barney had a tough time dealing with his old habits (one night he attempted to sneak out of Robin's room before Robin had to remind him they were dating). They also weren't the best at communication - refusing to acknowledge the nature of their relationship, as well as ignoring problems, which lead to a lot of fights. By the end, Robin's hair was falling out and Barney was gaining weight.

 So why did the relationship end? Simple: with such extreme personalities, they couldn't figure out how to cooperate with each other as much as they would've liked to. Both of them weren't ready to be together. It took them another couple of seasons or so to get back together, and why do I know they are going to work this time? They have experienced and learned more in other relationships - heartbreak, commitment and what it takes to hold on to that special someone. They have matured, especially Barney, and now they are both ready.

 

Barney and Nora

Barney found another lovely person: Nora. Why? Because he couldn't not smile at the mention of her name. Just one problem: Nora wanted a very serious relationship. Barney lied to her at first, but he found out she may be worth holding on to. But he was scared - that scene where he's standing outside a cafe where Nora and her parents are, only to walk away, comes to mind. He was also hesitant to call her. At the end, he cheated on her by sleeping with Robin and when Barney couldn't say it didn't mean anything, Barney and Nora broke up.

Would the relationship have lasted if Barney never cheated? Possibly, I think, although only as a small chance as along as Robin is involved. I have to admit, I liked them together when they were, but Barney wasn't quite ready I think. Nora was sweet and kind, and the problems in the relationship were there because of Barney. So the flaw I think was that Nora was too good for Barney, and Barney realised that Robin, not Nora, was his soulmate.

 

Barney and Quinn

Barney met another person: Quinn. Does the fact that she was a stripper stop him? No. Does the fact that she ripped him off money and his watch stop him? No. Barney was determined to get Quinn, and they do become boyfriend and girlfriend, and they even get engaged. But because they were so similar in manner, they didn't trust one another and once they realised this, they broke up.

I have to get this off my back: I didn't like them together at all. Yes, they were very similar, but Quinn reminded me more of Early Barney than the Barney she was dating, and that's why they didn't work: Barney had finally matured significantly (he realised he wants to spend the rest of his life with her and proposed to her), but Quinn wasn't good enough for him. Did she even repay him the money he lost to her? And the fact that stripping bothered her boyfriend wasn't enough for her for a while. She was a tad insensitive, and that's why I didn't like her. If they were to work as a couple, she needed to mature. Dating someone who is very similar to you is not necessarily a good thing - there's always something missing that you or your partner can't fill, and in this case it was trust.

 

So in my opinion, Barney's relationships followed a pattern:

1. Both aren't ready yet.

2. He isn't ready yet.

3. She isn't ready yet.

4. They're both ready.

 

I know many of you will disagree. Many fans out there like Barney/Quinn; I'm just stating my opinion. The phrase I used "not good enough" is a bit rash and over the top in this post I know, but I can't really say it in other words. But seeing this pattern, it really does enforce the importance of timing in HIMYM.

 

Robin: "If you have chemistry, you only need one other thing"

Ted: "What's that?"

Robin: "Timing... but timing's a b****"
 

(Quote from S7X01 "The Best Man")