How I Met Your Mother Series Finale Ratings Hit All-Time High—How Many Tuned in?

The longrunning CBS sitcom's final outing, which drew a strong response on social media, attracted 12.9 million viewers and a 5.3 rating in the adults 18-49 demo

Ted's final story was also his most listened to.

Along with bringing in millions of hate-fueled tweets, How I Met Your Mother's series finale also attracted millions of viewers, delivering the sitcom its highest rated episode ever. Can you say legen—wait for it!—dary?!

The CBS comedy's swan song garnered 13.1 million viewers, which is the most-watched episode in HIMYM's nine-year run. The finale also scored a 5.4 rating in the adults 18-49 demo, also a series-high. Hey, let's all meet at MacLaren's for a drink, CBS is buying! (OK, probably not, but still, let's go!)

After the controversial episode, co-creator Craig Thomas took to Twitter to address the fans.

Thank you all. I mean it: Every possible reaction to the last 44 minutes...thank you all..." Thomas tweeted. "The fact that we have been a TV sitcom that has received this much passion from fans, for 9 years (not just tonight)—thank you. We wrote a comedy with dramatic elements till [sic] the very end. Thanks for taking that ride with us."

So why was the finale so darn controversial? Spoiler warning! Though we saw Ted and the Mother get married, the theory we all hoped would be wrong turned out to be true as she ended up dying...and Ted eventually ended up with Robin, who divorced Barney just three years after their wedding.