Only thing worse than the show itself is this sanctimonious review.

Too many holes in that theory.  20 years from now Ted (who is from 3 years after the kids on the couch in 2030) sure didn't sound like that was the case.  In fact, he confirmed that he was still married earlier in this same episode.  If the writers intended the mother to have died, they'd probably been a bit more tidy…

Why is 20 years from now Ted joking about being married and wearing a wedding band with present day Ted if his wife died three years before?

Right.  And Barney being Barney would lie to present Ted and Barney about it for effect.  As a magician everything he does is based on misdirection an deceit.

Didn't they even call him "Mexican wrestler Ted?"

Your writing was fine.  I did however think the show advanced the story.  It portrayed being alone and watching your friends pair off quite well.  It was an interesting way to do it as well, since watching Ted sad and alone for 20 minutes would be pointless.  Also we are introduced to Louis who may well play a role…

Doubt it.  Why would he say "end of MY days" rather than "end of YOUR days" if it was the case?  It seems to me like a fan theory in search of evidence more than anything coming from the show itself.  The reason he is telling the story in such excruciating detail came from Season Three where the fact that his parents…

Happens all the time with popular television.  One of Alyson Hannigan's first credits is as one of Becky's random friends in Roseanne.

I think they will introduce her either to end this season, or likely to open the next.  The show has always kept up with a current timeline so if they wanted to introduce her to close out the series they would have probably had the wedding set for 2014.  I think they'll most likely end this season with the shot from…

My prediction: they show the wedding up until the reception on the Monday before with the last scene being what they previewed today.  The Season 9 premier they finally reveal the mother.  Also Ted doesn't get to talk to her at the wedding and first actually meets her when he sees her again on the subway platform.

I think you are right.  Presumably Season 9 will be about Ted and the Mother given that they presumably meet at the end of this Season.  It's a big ask, though, for the writers, and the actors that play Ted and the Mother.

I think getting season 9 confirmed has helped too.  It clarifies the time frame to wind down the series.