'How I Met Your Mother' finale: Guess who's getting married!

When EW spoke with How I Met Your Mother star Alyson Hannigan last week, she warned us that her show’s sixth finale would leave viewers wanting more: “I think the fans will be really happy because it will be satisfying and frustrating all at the same time, which is what you want out of a season finale,” Hannigan explained. You weren’t kidding, sister. [Note: Spoilers ahead!]

In typical HIMYM fashion, the last moments of tonight’s episode answered one question while raising several others. (This really is the Lost of sitcoms, isn’t it?) You may recall that Season 6 began by flashing forward to a wedding at which Ted will act as the best man. And, as we learned this evening, one of the people getting married at that wedding is none other than an apparently reformed Barney Stinson. I’d insert a Liz Lemonian “Twist!!” here if this revelation had been more, well, revelatory, but I think it’s safe to say that a lot of fans saw it coming. (After all, the groom was basically guaranteed to be either Barney or Punchy, and who really cares about Punchy?)

But here’s where things get interesting: The identity of Barney’s future bride-to-be is still a mystery. Chances seem good that she’ll turn out to be either Robin, who’s clearly still got feelings for our pal Swarley, or Nora, who resurfaced tonight right after Robin and Barney flirted with, then abandoned, the idea of getting back together. Of course, she might also be a character who hasn’t been introduced yet, or even a character we already know but who hasn’t been on the show in awhile — Britney Spears’s Abby, perhaps?

Knowing Craig Thomas and Carter Bays, we can expect this matter to be settled in a timely fashion. [Pause for laughter, followed by resigned sighs.] In the meantime, let’s speculate: Who do you think will become Mrs. Barney Stinson? And what did you think of the finale’s other revelations — namely, Lily’s pregnancy, Marshall’s possible new job, and the long-awaited return of Ranjit?