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5.15 The Friendship Contraction (Feb. 2)


Tripper

How do you rate this episode?  

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  1. 1. How do you rate this episode?



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I also liked that the writers were mindful to make sure Leonard mentioned the lack of glow in the dark paint on the apartment floor.

Score 1 for continuity :)

I can see that conversation in the writer's room. Really whose going to remember the escape routes? And then the realisation that they will at Comic Con.

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I am in total agreement that Jim Parsons is brilliant, but I don't like the weight gain. It looks like he's been to the gym, his arm muscles are well buff.

haha As if Jim Parsons would go gymming. Might be putting weight on because he knows the show is on a downward spiral?

People kep mentioning the Croc Dundee reference, I must have missed it and will watch again. This episode I think should have been number 100, it's better than the last 5.

So what does parson going to the gym have anything with the way the show is going? Yeah the show is on a downward spiral(sarcasm) becausse shows that have the ratings they have and beat american idol are on a downward spiral.

He could beat me in an arm wrestle, and that is not right...! I like his form stringy, pale and Sheldon.

I love this show, but I despise reality TV. I don't watch it, so don't care what the hell it rates.

But do I know the pressure our show has, to compete with this nonsense. I hope TBBT will keep it's heart true and realise it a culture. Culture lasts the rest evaporates in time.

Well idol has been number 1 forever so the fact that TBBT beat out idol says something, not sure about the show needing to keeping true or compete with nonsense whatever that means, it's the same show, did you expect it to be every episode be about the guys and penny eat Thai food and debate sci fi every episode it had to evolve from that.

Where the hell did that come from? of course not!

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haha As if Jim Parsons would go gymming. Might be putting weight on because he knows the show is on a downward spiral?

People kep mentioning the Croc Dundee reference, I must have missed it and will watch again. This episode I think should have been number 100, it's better than the last 5.

So what does parson going to the gym have anything with the way the show is going? Yeah the show is on a downward spiral(sarcasm) becausse shows that have the ratings they have and beat american idol are on a downward spiral.

He could beat me in an arm wrestle, and that is not right...! I like his form stringy, pale and Sheldon.

I love this show, but I despise reality TV. I don't watch it, so don't care what the hell it rates.

But do I know the pressure our show has, to compete with this nonsense. I hope TBBT will keep it's heart true and realise it a culture. Culture lasts the rest evaporates in time.

Well idol has been number 1 forever so the fact that TBBT beat out idol says something, not sure about the show needing to keeping true or compete with nonsense whatever that means, it's the same show, did you expect it to be every episode be about the guys and penny eat Thai food and debate sci fi every episode it had to evolve from that.

Where the hell did that come from? of course not!

Huh?

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Why would anyone say the show is in a downward spiral? I have many complaints about the writing and, "plot line," but the show is enjoying the highest ratings it has ever had. That is what the business is about. Their position is very secure.

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How does any of you know if Jim goes to the gym do you follow him around all day, maybe he goes to stay in shape there's numerous forms of exercise.


Why would anyone say the show is in a downward spiral? I have many complaints about the writing and, "plot line," but the show is enjoying the highest ratings it has ever had. That is what the business is about. Their position is very secure.

I don't know why anyone would say that either about the decline of the show makes me wonder what they're watching.

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I think that Sheldon believes what he does, such as the emergency test, getting all the emergency packs ready etc is not just for him, but for his friend too. So he could possibly feel that Leonard isn't grateful for all the things he does for him too if it came to that.

I agree with this. Since he clearly thinks that such drills are necessary, from his perspective Leonard is just whining about essential precautionary measures which he himself has planned so painstakingly, and which would protect Leonard too. He's not doing those things to be mean or annoying, he does have his own Sheldon logic behind it.


I can see that conversation in the writer's room. Really whose going to remember the escape routes? And then the realisation that they will at Comic Con.

Lol, remembering Prady's comment. Comic Con does seem to be a reality check for them. :)


How does any of you know if Jim goes to the gym do you follow him around all day, maybe he goes to stay in shape there's numerous forms of exercise.


I don't know why anyone would say that either about the decline of the show makes me wonder what they're watching.

Actually Jim says in interviews that he works out pretty regularly, though not in a gym (he has a treadmill at home). Specifically he talks of doing what he can to combat 'age-related fat issues'. The consequence of his efforts seems to be a certain amount of buffing up! (And he's definitely looking good as himself, I must say, even if there are complaints of Sheldon no longer looking like a praying mantis).

The 'decline of the show' is - fortunately - only happening in some people's minds, so far.

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Repeated from other threads: I have added the episode poll to the the thread. Before Christmas we were adding polls to the episode threads as they aired, but I completely forgot about it over the Christmas break. I'll add polls to all the episodes I missed and try get back to adding them each week as the episodes air.

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Not very pleased with this episode as it does not follow the mythology of the roommate agreement.

The agreement was drawn up before they were friends and Leonard having to drive, pick up dinner, bathroom regulations and the rest were terms for him living there. Indeed in the episode where Priya challenged the agreement Sheldon ended up closing loopholes in it.

Now they could have gotten around this by simply having Sheldon state that he had put this 'escape hatch' into the agreement for his own use but they didn't.

There are a lot of things that the writers can slide with but Sheldon's quirks are really the structure that the show hangs on and the roommate agreement has been a central plot point in too many episodes - and too important to who Sheldon is -to play so loose with it.

What Skoogy said.


For the most part, this episode was uninspired. The one line that stands out is the reference to the glow-in-the-dark emergency aids which were removed because they were "wildly carcinogenic." The rest of the episode was blah. I mean "Fruit Loops"? That's the best they could come up with? I think the writers would do well to remember that Sheldon would be and IS in real life, obnoxious. Therefore there's a fine between what's funny & what's annoying. I'd say they lost sight of that line with this episode & with this season in general.

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Been catching up on S5 and thought this was so far the best ep I've seen Loved the "Village People" line & knew it would be a great one to watch. Kudo's to the writers for mentioning the escape arrows, as I was looking for them instantly as lights went down in the room.

Thought Sheldon was a right smuck trying to get somebody to drive him to the dentist. But that's what his character is & has been from the start...

Can't wait to see how "Leonard"s day will work out in the future :)

As I also noticed that Jim looked more buffed, I agree with Pomita that he does look better this way, not a skinny version of a praying mantis like she mentioned haha

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As I also noticed that Jim looked more buffed, I agree with Pomita that he does look better this way, not a skinny version of a praying mantis like she mentioned haha

There have been complaints that he doesn't look like a proper Sheldon any more, even if he looks better. Now is it possible that Sheldon has incorporated a private exercise routine into his schedule, perhaps with an unconscious urge to look good for his 'girlfriend'? ;)

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As I also noticed that Jim looked more buffed, I agree with Pomita that he does look better this way, not a skinny version of a praying mantis like she mentioned haha

There have been complaints that he doesn't look like a proper Sheldon any more, even if he looks better. Now is it possible that Sheldon has incorporated a private exercise routine into his schedule, perhaps with an unconscious urge to look good for his 'girlfriend'? ;)

Well, if he started out as a buffed Sheldon, they probably complain that he became to skinny if he looked like the Sheldon we started out with originally...

I like your thoughts about why he would look different :)

Also people have to realize that because he is an actor in a series, the only time he would be able to do any new stuff in theater or perhaps a movie would be in TBBT 's down time. Maybe this is a result from preparing for a part in another show or movie that we have no knowledge about...yet.

Or he just wants to look better!

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Jim mentioned on The Ellen Show the other day that this upcoming birthday is sort of a big deal for him, because he knows the next is his 40th, he also has mentioned many many times that he likes to use his treadmill each morning re-reading through his lines, and he has bought himself an elliptical machine(which would explain the very buffed arms). He goes to bed at 8pm, he doesn't drink, he no longer smokes, he knows which vitamins are good for your hair and nails, and he takes his own lunch to work (so he can monitor what he eats). So he takes care of himself. He has got Harvey coming up soon, but I can't see him needing to buff up for that, I think he just is taking his fitness a little more seriously. Anyway I think he looks great with a little more weight, not skinny like he was in 2010.

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Jim mentioned on The Ellen Show the other day that this upcoming birthday is sort of a big deal for him, because he knows the next is his 40th, he also has mentioned many many times that he likes to use his treadmill each morning re-reading through his lines, and he has bought himself an elliptical machine(which would explain the very buffed arms). He goes to bed at 8pm, he doesn't drink, he no longer smokes, he knows which vitamins are good for your hair and nails, and he takes his own lunch to work (so he can monitor what he eats). So he takes care of himself. He has got Harvey coming up soon, but I can't see him needing to buff up for that, I think he just is taking his fitness a little more seriously. Anyway I think he looks great with a little more weight, not skinny like he was in 2010.

Yes, he seems to be pretty fitness-conscious, and add to that being 'obsessed' about turning 40. :)

Good boy, Jim!

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Jim mentioned on The Ellen Show the other day that this upcoming birthday is sort of a big deal for him, because he knows the next is his 40th, he also has mentioned many many times that he likes to use his treadmill each morning re-reading through his lines, and he has bought himself an elliptical machine(which would explain the very buffed arms). He goes to bed at 8pm, he doesn't drink, he no longer smokes, he knows which vitamins are good for your hair and nails, and he takes his own lunch to work (so he can monitor what he eats). So he takes care of himself. He has got Harvey coming up soon, but I can't see him needing to buff up for that, I think he just is taking his fitness a little more seriously. Anyway I think he looks great with a little more weight, not skinny like he was in 2010.

Both the treadmill & eliptical machines are cardio which contribute to a lean physique not a buff one. I would suggest that Jim has developed a penchant for Sheldon's one time favorite, the Big Boy Burger. I would also guess that he hasn't limited himself to one per week. But I'm not complaining! I love seeing Jim & Shelly filling out so nicely!

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As I also noticed that Jim looked more buffed, I agree with Pomita that he does look better this way, not a skinny version of a praying mantis like she mentioned haha

There have been complaints that he doesn't look like a proper Sheldon any more, even if he looks better. Now is it possible that Sheldon has incorporated a private exercise routine into his schedule, perhaps with an unconscious urge to look good for his 'girlfriend'? ;)

Well, if he started out as a buffed Sheldon, they probably complain that he became to skinny if he looked like the Sheldon we started out with originally...

I like your thoughts about why he would look different :)

Also people have to realize that because he is an actor in a series, the only time he would be able to do any new stuff in theater or perhaps a movie would be in TBBT 's down time. Maybe this is a result from preparing for a part in another show or movie that we have no knowledge about...yet.

Or he just wants to look better!

Well if he was buff from the start people would complain that he didn't look like a nerd.

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I also liked that the writers were mindful to make sure Leonard mentioned the lack of glow in the dark paint on the apartment floor.

Score 1 for continuity :)

I can see that conversation in the writer's room. Really whose going to remember the escape routes? And then the realisation that they will at Comic Con.

*writers minds* Oh those Comic Con fans notice everything!

Lol :icon_cheesygrin:

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  • 3 weeks later...

Leonard: You know what, I am sick of the roommate agreement. It’s ridiculous. I’m your roommate, not your chauffeur. You know, I had better things to do yesterday than drive you all the way to the "good" model train store in Garden Grove because the one in Pasadena has "gotten too big for its britches."

Sheldon: Well, it has. Ask anybody.

Local perspective: The Pasadena model train store is called "Whistle Stop" and it has been there for many years and is completely decked out with all kinds of memorabilia on the walls. It's almost like a museum, which is very cool to peruse. I wonder what the owner thinks to having his store "maligned" on the air! LOL

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  • 1 month later...
  • 7 months later...

whilst i enjoyed this episode my favorite scene was the following

when Sheldon said to Amy " your my girlfriend and your not going to cater to my every need" and Penny saying " thats not what girlfriends are for, though you dont use them for what they are for" and then the reaction of everybody to that was brilliant and totally spot on

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  • 1 month later...

I don't know why they do episodes like this and show no progress in characters...cause at the end of the episode it did not look like Sheldon and Leonard are friends...in fact they looked like a bully and a wimp

 

I had two main problems with this episode

  

- Neither Sheldon nor Leonard change . We are never given proper information about why Sheldon cannot take care of himself . So it always looks like he is a man-child who needs someone to chauffeur him around . This would be better to see if we get to Sheldon admitting some of his fears but we get none. So , When Penny goes awwwww and tries to push Leonard to help Sheldon , it feels undeserved , as Leonard is never shown any kind of thankfulness. And it is also clear that if someone else had taken the chauffeur duty (stuart) Sheldon would not have even considered going back to  Leonard as he would have found another weak willed friend to chauffeur him around.. It would have been so nice if Sheldon had shown some genuine affection for Leonard but we get none... And Penny going awwwww also reflects badly on her because in the initial scenes she clearly did not want to chauffeur Sheldon around..so she will not do it ...but Leonard has to do it.

 

- Another problem - The writers clearly feel that Sheldon being callous leads to more comedy and he is a better character like that. And he really is. But if this is the case Sheldon should not be the object of sympathy . And Leonard reflexively , is never given a backbone. He clearly should not have settled for "Leonard's day" if all he was being given was a crummy card

 
Edited by vasu

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