5.12: Shiny Trinket Maneuver (Jan 12th 2012)

[cbolt]

Well threelions hate to see you go so bye-bye yes Amy was in the main story but it wasn't all about Amy like they had earlier in the season and it isn't friends quit comparing to the gold standard of tv comedy, and we have to remember the writers don't follow the previous episodes or back stories so we shouldn't be surprised that Bernadette has a diffent story about being with children.

They're either hinting at penny/Sheldon possibly getting together or leaving it up to a possibility if it ever happens when their scenes, but this needs to be a prority for every episode a penny/Sheldon scene they're comedic gold.

[jexasaurus]

Sorry Wayelrob but it's WRONG. They are NOT spelled correctly. There is only one way to spell English words correctly. When you change the spelling to reflect a mispronunciation you start to end up with a mess. Americans have changed apologise and put a "z" in it to match a mispronunciation. English is full of French and Nordic words which are meant to be pronounced the original way. Coupe is French and is pronounced coopay not coop. That's where a chicken lives. It's really annoying and more so when Sheldon does it. He's a pedant and would get these things right.

Every language evolves and simplifies over time. Always. There's not a single exception. Listen to Old English to Middle English to Early Modern English and possibly that might make sense. It may not always be pretty, but there is nothing you can do. As far as dialect goes, that's just nonsense. Go to ANY English-speaking nation and I promise from one region to another you would potentially be able to find hundreds of slight variations on the same damn sentence. I could go on about language for days, but I shan't.

---

You know, I've decided I'm just gonna sit back & believe the writers know what they're doing. They're not always perfect, but it is still The Big Bang Theory. There have always been mistakes and inconsistencies throughout the series. It's nothing new.

I think I've heard a few other people say they really didn't like Amy's reaction because it was too over the top, but I thought that was part of its charm.

I thought this was a pretty solid episode. I got some good laughs and both of the plots were good.

One thing I worry about is Sheldon not being...Sheldon anymore. But, as I said, I will simply have to trust the writers.

Also, Sheldon + Penny = brother/sister relationship.

Sorry for the rant in my previous post. I want to continue it, because I've a lot more to say, but this is simply not the place.

[Aviodingtherealworld]

Though this was another Shamy episode there were atleast parts of story lines with other main characters (the poor dove in the pan). Again I was glad to not see Penny getting drunk and I was happy to see Leonard really doing some work. We don't know what work and he did talk about it but he wasn't obessing about girls or a new girlfriend.

I think Sheldon was a little out of character at the restaurant but it did lend the show to some funny scenes. I like that he went for a walk in a video game instead of an actual walk that seemed very Sheldon like and that conversation between him and Leonard was quite humorous. My favorite parts were the virtual alcohol is not the answer and when Sheldon ask Leonard if he want anything and Leonard response about not getting anything because he was playing Grand Theft Auto later

I'd definitely say I enjoy this episode over all.

[Tripper]

"The Shiny Trinket Maneuver" was watched by 15.93 million people, up by 1.9m from the last original episode. The Big Bang Theory scored a 9.4/15 rating in households and received its largest audience since November 3, 2011. In the important adults 18-49 demographic, The Big Bang Theory scored a 5.2/15 rating, up from 4.6/14 on December 8, 2011. This was The Big Bang Theory's best performance in the 18-49 demo since November 17, 2011. In the adults 25-54 demographic, the show scored a 6.9/17 rating, its highest rating since March 8, 2010. The Big Bang Theory finished first in slot by all key metrics and was the most-watched and highest-rated show of the night.

http://the-big-bang-theory.com/story/1659/Episode-512-Ratings/

[kctobyjoe]

I am wondering about Sheldon's new shirt; CANNOT locate it

APPEARS to be a modified 'take off' on a Space Invaders tee

or is it???

ANYONE?

kctobyjoe at Comcast dot net

[wayelrob]

Sorry Wayelrob but it's WRONG. They are NOT spelled correctly. There is only one way to spell English words correctly. When you change the spelling to reflect a mispronunciation you start to end up with a mess. Americans have changed apologise and put a "z" in it to match a mispronunciation. English is full of French and Nordic words which are meant to be pronounced the original way. Coupe is French and is pronounced coopay not coop. That's where a chicken lives. It's really annoying and more so when Sheldon does it. He's a pedant and would get these things right.

I think you are missing the point. He would not have gotten it any other way than they way it was. He got it correct for this country. He would have learned to spell those words the way we spell them here. And yes some words are pronounced incorrectly. Sort of like a Brit saying filet (fill et) instead of (fi leh) which is correct. Just depends on where you are.

[Convict13]

I do hope we get to see that pocket watch again though.

[Tripper]

In the final ratings, The Big Bang Theory was adjusted up a tenth in the adults 18-49 demo to a 5.3/15 rating. Total viewers were adjusted up to 16.13 million, giving the show its largest audience since March 8, 2010 and ranking it as the third most-watched episode of the show ever.

[Beecharmer]

I thought this episode was so-so. I liked the first scene with Howard demonstrating the magic tricks but I was a little upset that Raj got so few lines in this episode. He was barely in it. I liked all the Leonard stuff. I too caught the mistake about Bernadette's mother running a daycare and how they stated in this episode that her mother went to work. I was disappointed 'cause if you're a writer for a show, shouldn't you know the show's history? All you've gotta do is watch the episodes once to avoid these silly mistakes.

Howard/Bernadette I liked but I find Howard's mother is starting to annoy me. I think she's overused.

Sheldon...the usual. Amy... well,I didn't mind one thing about her in this episode. She was straight to the point about being upset that Sheldon ignored her accomplishment. Straight to the point without being creepy or weird, so I liked that part. However, I found the reaction to the tiara was well...stupid. I actually rolled my eyes. I think I would have had more respect or liked Amy more if she just cut straight to it and ask Sheldon where she stood in his life.

Maybe it's just that I've seen friends have a boyfriend do or say something rude or act as selfishly as Sheldon did, and the boyfriend buys them a present and the girl is okay with it. Weeks or months later, he repeats the situation, it becomes a cycle or gets worse then it ends up with the girl being walked all over. Her emotions, ambitions, life...all of it gets put second.

I know it's just a show but I see this so often now that I just can't stand seeing things on tv which basically show that you can just buy a woman's affections. And I think because Amy is so smart, I expected more from her. I remember watching Bones once and Temperance was talking to a woman who admitted to being in a relationship to get gifts from her boyfriend. Temperance then called her a prostitute & it was actually pretty funny. I sort of hoped Amy would have said something along the same lines. It would have been more in-tune with someone so intelligent like her.

Yeah I know it may seem I'm reading too much into this but this is what I felt before I had time to think about it. But my opinion remains the same. Amy's reaction to the tiara wasn't funny, I found it annoying & I also felt it would be out of character for someone so smart to let Sheldon bribe her in that way.

[Aevitas]

While I do agree that it also bothered me that Amy was so easily swayed by the gift, I think it may have been the only option at this point in time. I need to back up a bit further and explain myself. Sheldon did try to give her emotional support and apologize before giving her the gift, but since he's Sheldon, he can't fake being supportive enough to convince a girl as smart as Amy. And on that note, knowing Sheldon, he can't change who he is overnight, so he can't be honest about being proud of Amy's accomplishments. So that leaves them at a stalemate here, unless they just leave the tension floating in the air between them past this episode (which we know wouldn't happen because it would then become inconsistent in later episodes).

Now, think back to the beginning of Season 4, when both Sheldon and Amy were just fine as being friends and felt no need to take their relationship to the next level. By mid-season, when Amy was being sexually aroused by Zack, Sheldon was combating notions of jealousy and Amy was experimenting holding hands with Sheldon. The progression of their emotions is rather slow because they are both unsure of how to proceed, and we finally see the end result in Season 5 of them both agreeing to be labelled as boyfriend/girlfriend. We may not be used to this speed because Leonard, the star of romance and drama in this show, is always ready to head to the next level of a relationship whenever he gets the opportunity. (or just end up in the sack)

Now, regarding this episode, it's possible that the writers end this scenario in this manner because Sheldon and Amy are still at a premature stage in their new relationship. Sheldon may take the easy way out of an argument now, but perhaps later on, he can actually muster up genuine care and support for Amy that would feed a healthy, growing relationship. But seeing that Sheldon takes a long time to change and evolve due to his consistently selfish nature, it isn't realistic to expect him to care for another human being so quickly. As for Amy's reaction to the gift, I'm not thrilled with it either, but I guess I can stretch the logic that Amy has always wanted to feel pretty because she's had a low self-image her entire life, and a gift that makes her feel pretty gives her a moment of happiness that would allow her to react the way she did.

[Martian Girl]

Liked the episode.

This was actually the first time when I felt sympathy towards Bernadette. I mean, I didn't dislike her, but her moments of sweet outnumbered those of snark so much that it usually made me forget she's at least as intelligent as Howard - and, what is more important, she seemed to me utterly conservative, always-doing-what-girls-always-do. Now it turns up she doesn't like children. IMO it makes her more of a geek and a human being. (Maybe I'm saying it only because I don't like children myself. Hope not )

And I really liked the Shamy part, especially Sheldon's rant about carbon in the jewellery shop (reminds me of some fragments of 'Blindsight' by Peter Watts). And even though I can see inconsistence in Amy's behaviour, I think it's completely coherent from a psychological point of view: she is a neuroscientist (so she knows bribing one's girlfried with jewellery after a fight is silly) but she's also a first-time girlfriend (so having been given a tiara from her boyfriend makes her feel like a princess - probably the first time in her life). Sad and funny at the same time, as usual when Amy comes into view - I think that is why I like her so much as a character.

If it comes to details, I didn't like the conversations between Howard and Raj (maybe the writers should consider making a special Raj episode to highlight his positive features, as too often he is shown as simply stupid and annoying). But on the bright side - there was more geekery than is usual for the 5th season (although not much science, apart from Sheldon's disgust with the idea of magic tricks as a way of entertaining children - so Sheldoney).

[wayelrob]

If it comes to details, I didn't like the conversations between Howard and Raj (maybe the writers should consider making a special Raj episode to highlight his positive features, as too often he is shown as simply stupid and annoying).

Sorry, can't think of a single positive feature that Raj possesses. They have turned him from shy introvert into a backstabbing, whining, obnoxious delusional. I can't stand the character anymore.

[PBJ]

I mostly enjoyed the episodes. I can see most of the points made on here though, why people aren't liking it. I do think the key is keeping it nerdy and sciency and not too heavy on romances and the like.

[BlueRose]

Much love for this episode! Sheldon and Amy were so cute, and I can't wait to see stuff like this, but like many of the people on this forum, I was a bit upset that Amy was so easily swayed by the gift, bu it was so cute :D ♥

[TheProfessor]

Another "Meh" episode. But this season, that has been about as good it gets. *sigh*

I keep hoping and hoping that things will return to Seasons 1 - 3 greatness, but I am losing hope for that. I won't stop watching, but I have noticed that I delete the program from the DVR every week - something I never did in the past.

We still have Modern Family, thank goodness it has not "jumped the shark" - yet.....

[Aviodingtherealworld]

Another "Meh" episode. But this season, that has been about as good it gets. *sigh*

I keep hoping and hoping that things will return to Seasons 1 - 3 greatness, but I am losing hope for that. I won't stop watching, but I have noticed that I delete the program from the DVR every week - something I never did in the past.

We still have Modern Family, thank goodness it has not "jumped the shark" - yet.....

I unfortunately have a bit of the same feeling. All the old episodes I want to re-watch, and when I see them on I'll stop and watch but the new ones, if they're repeating I find something else to watch

I like BBT and I keep hoping it will go back a little but I'll keep watching even if it's not at its peek performance for me

[Skydancer]

Im giving it one more shot and then im ditching the show. Its not funny anymore and its so far away from the awesome first few seasons that I dont know if itll ever make it back. Sad really.

[Beecharmer]

Im giving it one more shot and then im ditching the show. Its not funny anymore and its so far away from the awesome first few seasons that I dont know if itll ever make it back. Sad really.

They way I see it is if you haven't liked the entire season then watching more episodes is kind of a waste of your time. For me, I'm fairly new to the show, watching old episodes from DVD's people have loaned me and then I've been watching all the new episodes. I haven't felt like I've wasted a lot of time yet since I'm skipping over commercials and it's only been an interest of mine for the past six months.

It's like seeing a completely different show though, from old episodes to new ones...and I've actually been debating lately whether or not to bother watching anymore either. Last episode was better than the one before it but still it was only so-so.

Hopefully the next episode will redeem itself. *Keeping fingers crossed*

[mmj86]

Just watched it and it's not a Shamy as I expected. One other thing is that they are not Koala Bears, they are just Koalas they are not a bear, Sheldon would know that.

Touche!

Did anyone notice that Sheldon looked considerably buff compared to his usual extremely lean/skinny structure? (may be intentional to suppliment the new romantic angle of the character). He also reminded me of the Sheldon in episode one. I'm so glad he's speaking relatively normal again and not with that high pitch, squeeky, nasal, childlike voice he puts on.

[ganzzz]

I have to say, towards the best of the season. Not like s1-3, but better. The Penny and Sheldon in the jewerly was just like me when I was young, and I went to the shop with my 'big' sister to buy presents for christmas. You don't know what a women wants. But since Amy is (just like Sheldon) sometimes (emotionally) a kid, this makes her happy. Reminds me of the trains with Sheldon. And so they are finally making a understanding person for Sheldon, as long as they keep him a social problem.

[Martian Girl]

Did anyone notice that Sheldon looked considerably buff compared to his usual extremely lean/skinny structure? (may be intentional to suppliment the new romantic angle of the character).

Skinny is beautiful. Period. And this is not only my opinion, but also the belief shared by an authority on how the mind works - Amy Farrah Fowler, PhD

[Zazzles]

Better than The Speckerman Recurrence, but I give it a solid meh. Bernadette seemed way out of character. I did laugh when she did the "I got my eyes on you" thing, though.

[netmouse]

Well, yes - I doubt someone remembers me, but I decided to come back!

Heya /wave welcome back :D

I lol'd a number of times during this ep.

Loved Bernadette and Howard's magic show and related to Sheldon's Red Dead Redemption woes.

Solid episode. Amy's reaction to the tiara was pretty funny.

[simonsayz]

Well, yes - I doubt someone remembers me, but I decided to come back!

Heya /wave welcome back :D

I lol'd a number of times during this ep.

Loved Bernadette and Howard's magic show and related to Sheldon's Red Dead Redemption woes.

Solid episode. Amy's reaction to the tiara was pretty funny.

i cracked up on the Amy's reaction.. and Bernadette was funny with the kids

i got my eyes on you!!!

[horizonrusted]

I had a good time with the episode, especially Bernardette verbally smacking the one kid during Howard's magic act ("You got rocks in your ears, kid?"). And Sheldon in the jewelry store becoming infatuated with the railroad pocket watch when he is supposed to be getting Amy an 'I Apologize' present--Sheldon and his trains again! And Amy breaking into song mid-way through her tirade to Sheldon as she takes the tiara out of the bag just put me onto the floor. Though I'm still catching up on the series via syndication, it's become 'must see' for me on Thursdays. Where the heck have I BEEN the last five years, LOL?

I was about to write every word you wrote, but I thought I should read through the posts so as not to repeat & there was your post. However, I would add that the expression on Bernadette's face when she said "not him" after Howard reassured the kids that they were all getting cake is a fine example of why Melissa Raunch is a GREAT addition. That's not a funny line necessarily, but she had me roaring with her delivery. To amend your post further, the black actor playing the boy at the party was a great bit of casting; Sheldon & Penny's interaction at the jewelry store was a great one-on-one for those two; "even if you have kids there's no guarantee you're gonna like them" off the dust jacket of Leanord's mom's last book.

---

Just watched it and it's not a Shamy as I expected. One other thing is that they are not Koala Bears, they are just Koalas they are not a bear, Sheldon would know that.

Touche!

Did anyone notice that Sheldon looked considerably buff compared to his usual extremely lean/skinny structure? (may be intentional to suppliment the new romantic angle of the character). He also reminded me of the Sheldon in episode one. I'm so glad he's speaking relatively normal again and not with that high pitch, squeeky, nasal, childlike voice he puts on.

A hit series can do a lot for one whose appearance suggests the cliche starving actor. Although this added weight seems to have come with an unwelcomed friend, namely the acne on Jim Parsons face which the writers were considerate enough to subtely lampoon in "the Friendship Contraction"... anyone wanna take Sheldon to the "dermatologist?"