Stefania

I didn't see this bit of Word of God from Steve himself in the thread yet (I think?), so here's what he had to say about the fort scene and what happened after that: Question: Color me curious and slightly perverted, but do we know what base Sheldon and Amy went to during their little sleepover on The Big Bang Theory a few weeks back? —Tammy Ausiello: You’re disgusting Tammy. Here’s your answer directly from showrunner Steve Molaro: “They remain safely on first base.”

Sheldon "raised his eyebrows" at Amy once before. It's in the episode where Wil Wheaton is a guest in Fun with Flags. I think it's in the opening scene, but I can't check right now.

If that's the case, that hug is going to help me deal with this "delay" a lot better. [emoji24]

This post speaks to me on a very personal level.

I don't even know how to express all the feelings I'm having right now. Sheldon met Amy halfway just like she did. She couldn't bring herself to tell him she loves him and so he said "I love you, too" as if she did. And all the pressure he was feeling about sex came crashing down with the expectations about prom and he was panicking (and not because he doesn't want to or doesn't have urges, we also have that final confirmation now), but she took that pressure off. And it was simply perfect. They are perfect. I... really don't know what else to say. I'm overwhelmed.

I'm wondering if they're reacting to something Raj said in that promo pic? Wouldn't make much sense for Amy, at least, to look the other way mid-hug. *Proton sigh* All I want is Take 2...

Agree to disagree.

Random observation, but I liked how the "Sheldon taking his pants off for Emily" joke played out. Sheldon smiles at Amy while handing her food in a way that says (at least to me): "I get it, but now it's not the time to talk about this" (and of course it isn't, they're in a room full of people that are quite aware of that aspect of their relationship and have joked about it more than once) and then his expression changes to a serious one as soon as he turns away from her. While it was a bit of a recycled exchange, it's nice to see how Jim and Mayim get to play even these minor jokes that are there to fill the time, really.

My guess is that they weren't too convinced on Take 1, then they weren't convinced on Take 2 and maybe they're not even convinced on Take 3; in other words, they'll decide in editing with all the choices available. Or maybe, they're giving themselves a way out in case they're running short on time. I'd rather not have a hug if it's not Take 2, but I'm not sure I understand why they're still so doubtful when it comes to Shamy and physical contact *on screen*. Same old problem. Either way, if they *do* cut it, I hope something physical is coming up during November sweeps. You can't keep these things confined to off screen land forever. Especially not now that Sheldon is more open to physical contact with his close friends and we get to see that on screen. (With that said, I am quite happy with the season so far.) EDIT: Okay, never mind what I wrote, I just read Michy Geary's post. Come on, Take 2!

Not saying it would be inconsistent (or maybe I am, I don't know lol), but ever since Amy hugged Sheldon last time in 6.16 – where he was less responsive than he was two episode before that, 6.14 – he either hugged back or initiated hugs with Leonard, Penny and Professor Proton. And hopefully I'm not forgetting anyone else. Considering how much they are trying to pass off these gestures as "routine" for them now – and people even see them kiss like it's no big deal (even though it all happens off screen) – I think it would be nice to get on screen proof of it. Of course, I'm not implying hugging a friend is like hugging a girlfriend, but, considering how Sheldon is so into it when he kisses her and how much time has passed since we last saw it happen on screen, it would be a nice change and it would provide a contrast for both the other times she hugged him and the way he responds to other people hugging him now.

Completely agree. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to have take one now, in S8. They hug and they hold hands even on hot days, as he said himself in 7.05. And they kissed with Leonard in the room, according to 8.04. It's time to leave unresponsive Sheldon behind. It really is.

Completely agree with this. It's also why I look forward to hearing Jim talk about Sheldon/Shamy, it feels like one of us is talking about it.

That's how you do a *Proton sigh* in style! lol Happy birthday, koops! Have a cake, have some fries, have brownies!

First of all, thank you for the report, Kazzie! I was not expecting Shamy this episode and I wasn't too far off (in fact, I woke up late because I was having a dream about them! lol Talk about a one-track mind). However, I like the small things and, while it isn't the best out of the four so far, that doesn't mean it's bad. Far from it. Leonard's comment goes hand in hand with what he said last episode (and other stuff during the years), so I'm not surprised. As we were saying for 8.03, Penny understands their relationship more than he probably ever will. It would have been hilarious to see his face while they were kissing – though I do understand the writers if they want to keep kisses for Shamy a special occasion or something to be shared on screen only with the two of them. Actually, never mind Leonard, I want to see PENNY fangirl while they kiss! Also yay for the fact that these two are kissing and kissing a lot and when their friends are in the room. Gosh Sheldon, what a hippie you have become. Which actually brings me to my next point: with Shamy, it's always going to be the apparently – only apparently – small things that make a difference. See Sheldon wanting to ask Amy about money (and good for Amy for giving her blunt opinion but not denying him, as far as I understood) or that smile that he gives her with that line. It's a bit of a shame that we won't know about the car scene in 8.03 until the episode airs, but if that's how they want to portray sex jokes with them from now on, it's not a bad road to take. A smile can change the mood of the scene. I may add, they maybe started noticing that people weren't so willing to take jokes at Amy's expense anymore. Maybe. I have no idea where this will lead us, but truth be told I don't really mind at the end. I was satisfied last episode, I am still satisfied. Now, I'll go hibernate while we wait for the season premiere and the next taping.

Do you remember if this scene happened before or after Sheldon says to the other guys that he would "ask his fiance/wife first" before spending his money? Thank you.

What I think is making me particularly positive is that – imo – it's been a while since I've read a report that just makes me go: "Yes, *that* is Shamy!" and, if things keep going this way, I might come out of these first episodes feeling as satisfied as I haven't been in a long time. Even if nothing "important" happens during November sweeps, if I have to be completely honest. Of course, these are just the first three episodes out of a whole season and everything could happen between here and the season finale, but it makes me feel hopeful because it's been a while since I've read this Shamy and it's been a while since I've read this Amy. Meaning, I am positive that the writers know what they're doing (famous last words, TPTB? ). I think I've said this before, but more than the big events, I'm interested in seeing all the little things that are shown to us, the day to day interactions, etcetera. Plus, I'm actually kind of glad that things got resolved in a way that give you a hint or a glimpse of how things are working out (the whole Date Nights thing) without a turn for the drama. If anything, the lighthearted mood I'm gathering from these first three episodes feels like fresh air, and that is also something I really needed to see, especially for Shamy.

Bottom line is (and hopefully I'm not going to repeat what Marina and koops said before me) that Amy *is* happy of her relationship and what they have and that's all she expressed in that same episode (the RelAg, the comfortable hours of silence, the parallel activities). They are happy. This is not the Amy we have known in the past two seasons that was secretly (or not so secretly) complaining about something Sheldon didn't do or say and so on. What we have been presented for the whole episode is what works *for them* and probably no other couple on the planet. And that's okay. They didn't get a 8.2 score out of thin air. When she looked at Lenny, that was Amy having a romantic fantasy of what her own relationship could be. Or what her relationship could have as a plus. But, as the episode did a very good job of pointing out (finally, and I hope they keep going this way), is that not every couple needs the same things to work nor they work the same way. Sheldon had a point. Not necessarily meaning Amy doesn't have one with her desires, but I think sometimes you need to take a step back and look at things with a clearer mind. Yes, words are nice (and Sheldon is perfectly capable of romantic gestures), but that's not what would "make her happy". She seemed perfectly content of her superior relationship up until she saw Lenny acting all lovey dovey. And I think another point of the episode is: just because your relationship is presumably "missing" something, that doesn't mean it doesn't work.

Pretty much everything has been said and it's hard to come up with anything new, really, but I just wanted to share my excitement for this episode. It's incredible to think that I was so completely disillusioned with the state of the show at the end of S7 and they made me change my mind with just three episodes – and what episodes! It's like a Christmas miracle out of season! (Too hippy dippy?) I am so happy and satisfied with this. The couple of weirdos is back in town! I think this episode highlighted the differences between the two couples and their mechanics quite well. In regards to Shamy, knowing that Sheldon is bragging about a (very) high score is great, knowing that he's making up for the Date Nights he missed is even more great, getting all these great comments from Amy about the "even better than hot, binding" Relationship Agreement, the way they are so in synch and share hours of comfortable silence together doing parallel activities (and better than toddlers!), the fries, the avocado, I'm rambling, send help... That 8.2 shows just why they are the Shamy and what makes them the couple they are and - most importantly - why they are a happy couple. Amy may still desire conventional romance as something to try because others do it/to give it a try, but their score - and this whole episode, and others before - show just how much of a perfect match they are despite the underlying physical issues, which I really don't mind are set aside for a bit. On that note: 1) hooray, not everything revolves around physical contact and sex and 2) there's always time to make things better without turning a whole relationship sour. Not to mention, they are indeed kissing a lot these days. So... I'm sure we'll have a Shamy focused plot soon and sweet things are probably in store for sweeps or whatever, but all in all... not bad. At all. This ship is sailing strong. (I am becoming a hippie. It's all Shamy's fault.)

Happy Taping Day! Have a great one, Kazzie.

New one-shot! Shamy as per usual. The Vanilla Exposition

Thank you for your reviews, I like feedback of any kind and it's very much appreciated.

I was waiting for your post (do I sound like a stalker yet? ), koops, and I absolutely agree with you. I'll look forward to this episode; it's not Shamy-heavy, but it's what I want to see when their relationship is not the "star" of the plot, so I'm very happy indeed. Also, Amy was on point this episode and that makes me extra happy. It just hurts that we'll have to wait two weeks (?) for another taping now, no. Thank you Jiab for the report, it's very much appreciated!

Happy Taping Day! Looking forward to this one even more than the premiere. I'd like to join in with what everyone else is saying: this threads brings analysis, laughs and feels all in one neat package and that's why I like it. Too sugary? Oh well, Shamy does that to you.

While an ongoing story arc is not something the show has really done recently (I'm specifically referring to the second half of S4 and S5, those two seasons had plots that were told over multiple episodes) and it's more of a "broad strokes" kind of storytelling, based on what Molaro has said one can assume that Sheldon's journey is going to have some sort of impact during the season – on that, I very much agree with koops that it's better to actually see it develop on screen, rather than off. On that note, I consider his journey a "failure" in the sense that he wanted to think things through and possibly come back with a clearer mind, but that's not the impression I got from the taping report. Realizing that not running away from problems is not a solution, though, is also a valuable lesson and probably one he can put to use in his own relationship with Amy (and others). Plus, having a cliffhanger without any kind of resolution is not something I would suggest to any show that *has* an ongoing plot (TBBT definitely has more than one, I think, and those are its relationships like koops noted). Last year, Molaro said that Leonard's journey was going to mainly effect Sheldon and Penny's relationship, and I think we can agree that was highlighted all throughout the season. This year, he said there would have been no point in Sheldon going away if it wasn't going to have some sort of effect on him. We wrapped up the "train plot" itself in the episode they just taped, but I suspect we're going to see the rest of it in the next 23 episodes, little by little. Not incredible, black and white changes (as some maybe were expecting, but everyone is free to expect what they want in the end), but small steps little by little. That's my hope, anyway.

I'm enjoying the conversation and I agree with many points, please never stop. As far as I'm concerned, I'm feeling pretty relaxed after - what I consider - a disaster of a finale. All things considered, they managed to tie up the plot with a grace I honestly wasn't expecting while answering to a doubt most of the Shamy crowd had about 7.24: "What about Amy?" Possibly even more than that, the report reads lighthearted to me, which wasn't the case many times last season. Good. Drama for the sake of drama is not something I want. So as I was saying yesterday on other platforms, while I believe that there's always room for improvement (premiere included), this first report + Molaro's words make me feel cautiously optimistic for what's to come. Call me naive but I'm enjoying this moment after spending the hiatus mourning and wondering about the fate of not only Shamy, but the show as a whole.