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The Big Bang Theory: The Gorilla Dissolution

“So, I’m like a bran muffin.”

Well, that didn’t feel at all weird. This was an episode about everyone moving on to the next stage of life, except that maybe moving on isn't the best idea. Or, at least the best idea right now.

Howard and Bernadette have been married for a while, so having a baby is the next obvious step. They got some practice this week with Howard’s needy mother, but in the end, they ceded the responsibility to someone else. Team Putz is not ready for parenthood. We’re going to skip over the “humor” about “someone from a third world country who is used to suffering and unpleasant smells” and move on.

Raj and Emily have taken their relationship to the next step and, finally, slept together. Before they get there, however, Raj has to see her with another guy and spend some time with Sheldon. The other guy thing was silly. If Emily really didn’t want to date her tattoo artist, all she had to say is that she has a boyfriend. Moving on again.

Sheldon is truly growing. He is still asking the inappropriate questions; he is still completely narcissistic; but, he is trying. I liked the way he talked to Raj and thought his advice about Raj learning to be comfortable alone was good. Once again, we’re going to skip over the inherently racist tea “humor” and move on.

Just last week, Penny and Leonard were talking about how they were not ready to be engaged. Now, they are. Huh?

Penny has spent a great deal of time this season fretting. Trying to figure out what to do with her life, Penny is realizing that she will never be a star. Like any dream held on to for years, it’s not an easy one to let go. Now, however, the truth is staring at her. She’s even been fired from the set of Serial Apist 2: Monkey See, Monkey Kill. A true low point.

On the set, the film’s director doesn’t believe that Leonard is Penny’s boyfriend because “she is too hot for him.” I am so very tired of this idea and even more tired of Penny’s not defending Leonard. It jumped out at me even more because the remark came as a result of Leonard leaping to her defense.

After a couple of beers, she and Leonard return to her apartment where she has an epiphany. Penny doesn’t need to be a famous actress; all she needs to be happy is Leonard. The smart decision is to move on with her life and marry this man.

My initial reaction was much like Leonard’s. He is too good a man to be a “bran muffin” and I felt that Penny is, once again, latching onto something, anything to have meaning in her life. Leonard and Penny have had this conversation too many times. This time, however, Penny convinces Leonard that she is serious and he accepts. Or, rather, he tells her, “I guess I’m in.” Even I was wondering if they were engaged or not.

To be fair, this felt like the right way for these two to become engaged. They have danced the dance for a while now, so the anticlimactic aspect of it worked. Having said that, the fact that Leonard had an engagement ring in his wallet and got down on one knee was a fantastic moment. It made me smile, and the hopeless romantic in me may have welled up.

I know that I am meant to be excited that this couple who have been dancing around each other and this commitment for so long have finally made it. I’m not. The relationship still feels oddly one-sided and I’m not convinced that if something better (like a real acting job) came along, Penny wouldn’t jump.

For now, however, Penny’s got her ring and they are engaged. I must admit that I am looking forward to seeing Sheldon get this news next week. Moving on…

ChrisB is a freelance writer who spends more time than she ought in front of a television screen or with a book in her hand.

1 comment:

  1. The Leonard/Penny engagement just seems certain to fail. Leonard even knew it would, that Penny was reacting to losing her last resort acting job, but he said yes anyway.

    Loved Wil Wheaton again. It's so fun that he's playing himself, sort of.

    ReplyDelete

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