It all started with a big bang!!

[Reply #160 on:]

I admit when I first heard about it I was like, "that's it?" But seriously I don't know what I would do without my left hand. Certain self activities would never be the same...

[Reply #161 on:]

If it's just the thumb that cannot be used, you normally adapt to it rather quickly.
(Though the first days are really a pain in the BEEEEP..)

[Reply #162 on:]

She broke her thumb. Now she'll be out for the entire season!

I'm sure that episodes can be adapted to explain why she's in a cast, and it's not like she won't heal.

Am I horrible for suggesting that it wouldn't matter if she left anyway? Sheldon's a much better character without her. She's dead weight.

Plus, it's not as though the show is quite as good as it was when it started. Hmm, I should update my graph.

[Reply #163 on:]

You're aware that unlike the rest of the cast, she actually has a degree in neuroscience, right?

[Reply #164 on:]

Her character just isn't somebody I can feel a connection to. I just don't think that she's a worthwhile addition to the group dynamic. If they wanted an actress with a high-falutin' degree, then why not get one to play Penny or Bernadette? Both of those characters actually bring something extra to the group. Dr. Fowler is just a backup Dr. Cooper, really. They don't need her.

It's like if Planet Express had a spare Hermes on staff, just in case Hermes decided to quit being a bureaucrat and become a wizard or something.

[Reply #165 on:]

That needs to happen. It'd be more interesting than the stuff they've been throwing out there recently...

Oh wait, it kinda already happened (How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove Back). Minus the wizard part.

[Reply #166 on:]

I've found it annoying how Amy has gone from being like Sheldon to being Howard before he met Bernadette, and really, the lesbian stuff with Penny all the time?  ugh.

[Reply #167 on:]

Well, she has to express all that pent-up sexual energy with someone. Sheldon clearly isn't interested, the poor, damaged boy.

[Reply #168 on:]

Sheldon isn't damaged. If anyone is damaged it would be Leonard for having the loveless childhood that he did.

I don't like the Amy lesbian jokes either, they are beyond annoying. But I do like that she is the one who is bringing Sheldon out of his shell.

[Reply #169 on:]

Finally saw the Stephen Hawking ep, was surprisingly decent for a newer ep. Not old standard TBBT, but quite alright. Sheldon's conversation with Stephen Hawking at the end was well done, although I kept thinking of Futurama...

[Reply #170 on:]

I call it a Hawking Hole.

[Reply #171 on:]

So, just watched the season premiere. And -to be frank- I wish I hadn't in hindsight:
What happened:

Show spoiler

- Howard got relationship problems, and is now afraid/henpecked by both his mother AND Bernadette.
- Leonard got relationship problems, and is told by Penny that he is the girl in the relationship for not liking sports.
- Sheldon got relationship problems, but doesn't relly get it.
- Raj is sad because he is lonely.

Erm...science, anyone? (No...a shot of the ISS with Howard showing Bernadette a floating ballpen to distract from her bickering does not count as such...sorry).

The trend unfortunately continues: Not only would the casual "zapp-in" viewer not get that the four are scientists. They do not even come across as smart.
Also, just showing a comic shop is not really a representation of "nerd culture".

I was really looking forward to that episode, hoping that it might turn round to the old scientific/nerdy focus again. But it was a generic sitcom episode, that -by replacing the ISS with a business trip to another continent- could have been used in any other sitcom....

[Reply #172 on:]

Since getting the box set of the first 5 seasons on Blu-Ray I've seen a few more eps. In particular I  really enjoyed the ep where Howard and Raj became goths and Howard almost went through with getting a tattoo, but wimped out and the last minute. I've never seen that ep on TV, I don't know why as others seem to repeated all the time. Seen so many other great eps too, I love this show so much. So funny and entertaining. One of the most re-watchable non-animated TV shows I've ever seen!...

Any opinions on the latest Season 6 eps? I've not seen any yet, but just wondering if the show is slipping more after Season 5 or not...

[Reply #173 on:]

Any opinions on the latest Season 6 eps? I've not seen any yet, but just wondering if the show is slipping more after Season 5 or not...

They still go for the "standard comedy", I am afraid.
The scientific background has been reduced, nerd culture is still "Let us show a comic shop, that is enough", and one episode started with Penny, Amy, Bernadette having "girl talk" about their relationsships.

For a standard comedy, it's still watchable (I assume), but it lost very much of it's uniqueness.

[Reply #174 on:]

I saw an ep of Season 6 on TV last night, the one where Penny doubts her love for Leonard. It was alright, but I see what you mean. It's becoming even more sitcomy, more about relationships and less about cult and geeky stuff. Also Sheldon's hair is starting to bug me. It was still alright though...

[Reply #175 on:]

The episodes that put Leonard and Penny on the back burner are much better. I like this season, I think the recent Will Wheaton one was one of the best that they've ever done.

[Reply #176 on:]

Watched the "Bakersfield Expedition" yesterday.
The last BBT episodes -though still not on par with the early ones- showed a trend towards "remembering the old ways".
So, I was really looking forward to an episode dealing with the four guys preference for costumes.

Show spoiler

The following two main plots were incorporated in the episode:
Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Rash want to visit a comic con, in Star Trek costumes. On their way, they pass a place where some shots were made for the classic Star Trek series, and decided to take some pictures of them. Of course, their car gets stolen, and they find themselves in the desert with just their costumes, having to find a way to get home.
Meanwhile, Penny, Amy and Bernadette cannot understand what the guys find so appealing on comic books. Out of curiosity, they give it a try, and end up in the same sort of discussion, e.g. "How is it possible that Thor's Hammer can only be weld by someone worthy, and how does this judgement work".

It was not really bad, but I could not get into it.
I was especially reminded of a point TNUK onced mentioned, and I think he hit the whole thing extremely precise on the head:
The old episodes showed the nerds having their own strange habits, but also being brillant in the book smart field. You sometimes laughed at them, but mostly, WITH them.
While later, their intelligence is usually not shown, and nearly all the laughter is just aimed AT them.
 
Now, in "Bakersfield expedition", the laughter was once again directed at them. The mishaps were not really something they deservedly brought upon themselves. The humor was "Oh...look at those grown men running around in costumes. Let's have something bad happend to them, because -being nerds- they deserve it".
It's not that the old episodes were rather lenient on the four...yet, they did not have negative things happening to the characters rather randomly. Mishaps were better integrated in the plot, and not just played for their own sake.

The plot with the girls was okay, and covered a theme that was long overdue: Comic books are not really THAT nerdy and crazy. Many of the Superhero Books are not so much different from action movies. And if you watch those, a comic won't be something THAT unusual and crazy for you. It was a bit overdone how the ladies got into that discussion, but -all in all- it worked okay.

But -all in all- the positive or likeable representation from the early days went missing.
The whole mood turned into "Look at those nerds...let's kick them into the balls, they deserved it for who they are". And we have the "Look, a nerd, let's make thim the butt of every joke" in nearly every sub-par frat comedy. Yet, BBT has proven they can do MUCH better than that.

[Reply #177 on:]

I agree Hein. I thought the ending was very...weird when they were at the diner and Sheldon feels even defeated. It's like the one episode few seasons back with Leonard and his former "bully" like trying to make it an after-school special. Besides I don't ever see stuff like that happening (throwing things at people in costumes) - but maybe that's because I'm less than two hours away from San Diego the biggest geek hive of all in the summertime.

I'm disappointed that they didn't actually film at Vasquez rocks. I've been there and that place is awesome! It's not like it's that far from LA anyway, assuming they film there.

[Reply #178 on:]

Besides I don't ever see stuff like that happening (throwing things at people in costumes) - but maybe that's because I'm less than two hours away from San Diego the biggest geek hive of all in the summertime.

Yep. The Star Trek Costumes are in fact not much nerdier nowadays then the comics.
We got used to people putting on a disguise on Halloween (in Germany also on Carneval), there are sometimes theme/costume parties beyond those dates, nearly everyone knows Star Trek...
To cut a long story short: Someone in Star Trek disguise might be an unusual sight, but hardly anything to cause an uproar.

Also, in my time as Stormtrooper, I only experienced positive reactions, people just got curious  which event was supposed to be promoted, wether there is a costume party somewhere nearby, etc... .

I think they covered that theme quite well with the costume party in the comic book store: When Penny held objections against going there in Justice League costumes, that behaviour also picked on her own prejudices to a certain degree.  While Zack had much fewer problems, and represented the more normal/casual attitude:
Nearly everyone knows the famous superheroes (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc...), costume parties are also not something completely unheard of...so, it's not realy big deal to go in superhero disguise.

[Reply #179 on:]

I am not sure if there's already a thread of it.  I was wondering if any of you are fans of the show. I absolutely love it Sheldon and Amy are my favourite characters and couple. Well I really love all the main six characters they are all fun.

Six?
1.1 Original main characters

    1.1.1 Leonard Hofstadter
    1.1.2 Sheldon Cooper
    1.1.3 Penny
    1.1.4 Howard Wolowitz
    1.1.5 Rajesh Koothrappali

1.2 Additional main characters

    1.2.1 Leslie Winkle
    1.2.2 Bernadette
    1.2.3 Amy Farrah Fowler
    1.2.4 Stuart Bloom

I assume you don't mean Stuart or Leslie in your short list of six. Which means you forgot Raj!. Which makes you like all the ladies.

[Reply #180 on:]

I lost count I meant to say the main 7.

Leonard
Sheldon
Howard
Raj
Amy
Penny
Bernadette.

There might be an additional main character, might be Lucky who is Raj's social awkward date. She might end up as his girlfriend. I do like Stuart and they should bring back Leslie

[Reply #181 on:]

Raj's date is like tumblr in a bottle.

[Reply #182 on:]

I Did not read this but have a feeling what going to happen 

Shamy Spoiler!

[Reply #183 on:]

If that was this last week's episode, I missed it but it seemed good.

[Reply #184 on:]

No The spoiler is going to be on the upcoming episode so you haven`t miss it which is a good thing. 

[Reply #185 on:]

The last two Big Bang theories showed a refreshing  "Back to the roots" trend:

"The Proton Resurgence":
The episode's two plots showed the difference between classic and new Big Bang Theory:

Plot A: Leonard and Sheldon hire "Professor Proton" (a physician having done a kid's show on TV) to do such a nostalgic show for them. The plot features a traditional scientificially-nerdy focus. Also, with just the main characters Leonard, Sheldon and Penny, not too much relationship drama and whatnot. Writing on Sheldon was great on that one: On the one hand, appearing weird and strange to outsiders, yet showing again a "nice guy" quality (which imhO can make some of the show's best scene's when served in appropriately small doses.)

Plot B: Howard and Bernadette do some dog sitting for Raj, loose the dog, making Bernadette question how she could ever be a good mother. The key solution was that her ability to turn into a huge bitch is some needed quality, because it got them out of Raj being mad at them. Erm...yeah...whatever.  Unfortunately, just ordinary sitcom material.

Fortunately, Plot A was the dominant one.

[Reply #186 on:]

Based on your reaction to this episode, I looked for clips of this on Youtube. Based on those, I am going to watch Season Six. However, this poses a problem for me: I don't remember where things were at when I broke off watching it, and must therefore start again from the beginning.

It's going to be quite some time before I get to the episode I want to watch, and I am resigned to suffering some disappointment and/or boredom along the way. But I shall do so, in order to properly appreciate an apparent late-run good episode (since I have no other novelties for the moment, and need something to distract me from the series of unending calamities that are queuing up to fall upon me right now).

[Reply #187 on:]

Based on your reaction to this episode, I looked for clips of this on Youtube. Based on those, I am going to watch Season Six. However, this poses a problem for me: I don't remember where things were at when I broke off watching it, and must therefore start again from the beginning.

You don't really have to.
The information "Howard and Bernadette are married now" and "Raj has a little dog" is all the background information you need for that one.

(Well...at least for the Proton episode. The complete season 6 might require some previous season knowledge).

[Reply #188 on:]

My favourite episodes would have to be THe Love Spell Potential where they all  (apart from Raj because he was on a date with Lucy) were playing Dungeons & Dragons and the gang were questioning and playing around with Sheldon and Amy's relationship. Sheldon and Amy's relationship conversation in the bedroom was sweet which ended them playing their version of their (sex) Dungeons & Dragons role play blowed me away even though they never had a physical sex with each other they still made their fans jump up for joy. 

So this really questions me.  When are they going to have sex and if that happens with the show get ruined? 

[Reply #189 on:]

They might never have sex. I for one am quite pleased that there is finally an openly asexual character on television whose orientation is both freely acknowledged and treated in an accepting manner.

It is conceivable that they may, however. Amy clearly desires a sexual relationship, and it is not unheard of for Sheldon to step out of his comfort zone to please someone he cares about. So long as it doesn't involve that person -- or anyone else -- sitting in his spot on the couch.

[Reply #190 on:]

They might never have sex. I for one am quite pleased that there is finally an openly asexual character on television whose orientation is both freely acknowledged and treated in an accepting manner.

Unlikely. The showrunners are likely to cave in the next season, and do so under the pretence of giving Sheldon "character growth". Having caught up on the show over the last couple of weeks, I think that it's definitely changed direction compared to the first season, and the endgame would seem to be to have all of the characters finally becoming completely "normalised", with all of their unique or geeky personality traits and enjoyments having completely vanished in favour of doing things like having regular sex and shopping for furniture. Which is somewhat disappointing, really.

[Reply #191 on:]

knock knock!! penny penny penny? WHAT!?!

[Reply #192 on:]

Unlikely. The showrunners are likely to cave in the next season, and do so under the pretence of giving Sheldon "character growth". Having caught up on the show over the last couple of weeks, I think that it's definitely changed direction compared to the first season, and the endgame would seem to be to have all of the characters finally becoming completely "normalised", with all of their unique or geeky personality traits and enjoyments having completely vanished in favour of doing things like having regular sex and shopping for furniture. Which is somewhat disappointing, really.

This is pretty much what killed the show for me. Less science and geeky humor, too many unnecessary characters, and the dumbing down of characters to appeal to a wider audience. It's losing what it made it so unique in the first place.

[Reply #193 on:]

They might never have sex. I for one am quite pleased that there is finally an openly asexual character on television whose orientation is both freely acknowledged and treated in an accepting manner.

Unlikely. The showrunners are likely to cave in the next season, and do so under the pretence of giving Sheldon "character growth". Having caught up on the show over the last couple of weeks, I think that it's definitely changed direction compared to the first season, and the endgame would seem to be to have all of the characters finally becoming completely "normalised", with all of their unique or geeky personality traits and enjoyments having completely vanished in favour of doing things like having regular sex and shopping for furniture. Which is somewhat disappointing, really.

Good point.
Yet, I have been thinking that aspect through. And -tbH- I can see that a "balance" might be difficult to achieve:
- You once put it rather well "In the beginning, we often laughed WITH them, and it turned more and more into a laughing AT them" (do not know your exact quote, but that was the point).
- I agree that the "laughing AT them", turning them the butt of nearly every joke does not work too well. We can have the nerd/geek portrayal as pathetic looser in every sub-par frat comedy. Big Bang can do better, MUST do better and should portray some likeable qualities.
- Many scenes/plots are based on the conflict between their geeky ways and the "normal" world. Yet -in order not become complete losers and the butt of every joke- they have to succeed in the "normal" world occasionally, by mastering that normal world occasionally and therefore obviously getting more normalised.

So, the problem is:
They have to gain some "normal world" qualities (to avoid being turned into complete losers) and also have to keep enough geeky/nerdy ways for the show to uphold it's theme. This balance will be more and more difficult to achieve in the long run.

I must say they handled that aspect with Sheldon very well. He still seems arrogant/uncaring/not getting the obvious things. Yet, there's a rare occasional admittance that he tries to change his ways to a certain degree and works on himself. His progress being rather slow will allow that character to remain rather stable.

The most negative one was Howard for me. From the wannabe Playboy to the Henpecked husband, in every way outperformed by his wife. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn...There is hardly a cheaper/older trope in comedy, and BigBang does not need another of those characters.

[Reply #194 on:]

I think they have normal world qualities. Sheldon can still be caring when he wants, even though it's usually followed by an arrogant statement. Leonard's probably the most relatable out of all the characters. He's smart, but not stuck up about it, he's open minded, and besides the whole " really smart" thing, he's normal. I don't think Howard has very many normal world qualities, but Raj is pretty normal when he's not shy. I don't think it would be too hard to keep the normal qualities in the characters in the upcoming season, because besides Leonard and Penny, the other characters don't have many characteristics that keep them normal, so the writers don't have as many of those characteristics to worry about writing for.

[Reply #195 on:]

*Bump*

I stopped watching this show regularly after Season 5. How was Season 6? I'm thinking about watching the show again, but only if they're still producing quality episodes (although I think the show was at its best during the first three seasons).

[Reply #196 on:]

I love Sheldon, he is so funny.

"So I was already for the game, I had all my football gear," He says, talking about a football T-shirt and hat.

Cant remember all of it, but he did say something about him and his football gear, atleast I think it was football. 

[Reply #197 on:]

I watched the Season 7 premiere yesterday, and it was pretty funny. I especially liked the part in which Wolowitz and Raj were...yeah.

[Reply #198 on:]

I watched the Season 7 premiere yesterday, and it was pretty funny. I especially liked the part in which Wolowitz and Raj were...yeah.

I haven't watched it yet, but I DVR it, so I'm planning on watching it.

[Reply #199 on:]

I haven't watched it yet, but I DVR it, so I'm planning on watching it.

I'm sure you'll like it. It was a two-part premiere (but you probably knew that already).