What Leonard Needs

[themightylin]

I realize I'm probably not going to be very popular for saying this, because it took them so long to get back together, but it occurs to me that Penny may not be the best choice for Leonard. I get the impression that the writers are slowly working up the characters to the point that they'll be better for each other, but I just don't know if it's worth it anymore.

Penny can obviously take care of herself. She might have feelings for Leonard, but she can bounce back any time she wants, (with hopefully better taste in men than she had in the past), and she'll be fine. She might actually do better with a guy who feels like he's her equal.

To gradually turn Leonard into that guy would ruin the character in my opinion. He's timid and passive, and there's nothing wrong with that, as long as the person he's with is sensitive to that.

Of course Leonard has strong feelings for Penny, and is obviously attracted to her physically, but I think he should be with someone who needs him just as much as he needs her. (Maybe Alice can be that girl?)

What do you think? Should Leonard and Penny stay together in season 6, or would they be better off with different people?

Best Answer:

What Leonard needs is something he's never had - unconditional love.

[rickfromillinois]

I agree to a point. I do not believe that Penny is the best choice for Leonard. Amy noted that Priya was a better match for Leonard then Penny is. I am not sure if I totally agree with her but I think that Penny does take Leonard for granted. She has said things on several occasions that indicate that there is not a chance in the world that Leonard would ever leave her. The way that she said it does not indicate that she has total faith in his loyalty but that she believes that Leonard could never do better then her.

Unless the personal dynamic between Leonard and Penny changes their relationship is always going to seem a little off to me.

[Guest I'm not dead Cheryl]

Agree. I used to root for Leonard & Penny in the beginning, but not anymore.

Leonard needs someone who values him, who thinks of him as an equal. Penny doesn't do that, she thinks she is superior, and that is not a good start at all for a healthy relationship.

On Season 6 I really wanna see, either Leonard saying enough and dating someone else, or Penny realizing, once and for all, she is lucky to have a great guy like Leonard in love with her, and start treating him like a human being, not a doormat.

[netmouse]

Leonard needs to find another Doctor Stephanie.

[hot dense state]

I like the cat and mouse, will they won't they, they're on they're off, but they are a doomed relationship ultimately because Penny likes hot guys.

[suezelda]

I don't think Penny and Leonard are right for each other. Leonard is so self obsessed and could do with someone to challenge him. Penny needs someone as hot as she is.

[quietmale]

sorry but leonard self obsessed i cant see it myself.however i have thought for some time penny is totally self obsessed and lets be honest leonard can do better than a wannabe actress with a drink problem and the morals of an alley cat. pennys father realized that leonard was a catch but knows his daughter is more likely to end up bringing up his grandchildren while living in a house with wheels

[rickfromillinois]

sorry but leonard self obsessed i cant see it myself.however i have thought for some time penny is totally self obsessed and lets be honest leonard can do better than a wannabe actress with a drink problem and the morals of an alley cat. pennys father realized that leonard was a catch but knows his daughter is more likely to end up bringing up his grandchildren while living in a house with wheels

I agree. I also don't see where the Leonard being self obsessed thing came from. Penny's father knows that Leonard is Penny's best chance in a mate but she is hardly what Leonard's parents would look for in a wife for him when he got his PHD. His mother does like her but I am not sure that she would say that they should be in a long lasting relationship. Either Dr. Stephanie or Priya would be a better match. I personally liked the comic book/tattoo girl.

That being said, Penny has matured in the last season. Right now my main problems with Penny is her multiple statements about how Leonard would never leave her or do anything to hurt her. The other thing is reaction when he tells her that he loves her. If she objects that strongly to him telling her that he loves her she should break up with him and never go out with him again.

[katiekins1803]

Priya was Leonards best girlfriend i think.

[Im_not_crazy]

Yeh I kind of had the same confusion as well.

-In my opinion, I don't think its right to conclude that Penny does not value Leonard or appreciate him. It's definetly obvious that she is kind of self obsessed and sometimes fails to see the relationship as give and take, its shown through her actions. But I think she may be kind of secretive and be hiding a lot of things from the audience. Therefore appearing as though she does not value Leonard.

This could be the thing she needs to 'grow up' from. She will soon realize that she may never find a guy who loves her as much as Leonard.

I think the relationship just needs to grow mentally and emotionally, so far we have only seen the sexual side of it and not much of everything else. We have also mainly seen one side of it - Leonard's view. There have been a few instances where we have seen Penny's, like when she played truth or dare with Amy and Bernadette. However at those points, there hasn't been much deepening, Penny got upset and stopped playing truth or dare. This suggests that she is hiding a lot of things.

---

Priya was Leonards best girlfriend i think.

She was closer to his intellectual side, but not really in other ways. She cheated on Leonard and failed to address it until he did. It seems like she mainly wants to have fun and it seems like she does not trust him - telling him to stay away from Penny etc.

The whole introducing him to her parents thing though is quite complicated.

---

sorry but leonard self obsessed i cant see it myself.however i have thought for some time penny is totally self obsessed and lets be honest leonard can do better than a wannabe actress with a drink problem and the morals of an alley cat. pennys father realized that leonard was a catch but knows his daughter is more likely to end up bringing up his grandchildren while living in a house with wheels

That being said, Penny has matured in the last season. Right now my main problems with Penny is her multiple statements about how Leonard would never leave her or do anything to hurt her. The other thing is reaction when he tells her that he loves her. If she objects that strongly to him telling her that he loves her she should break up with him and never go out with him again.

Agreed with your observation on Penny's statements about Leonard. But I truly think there is a secretive side to her, that needs to be explained. Those statements could just be an act or something to cover up her real emotions due to her past experiences.

[Moonbase]

Yeah, Leonard doesn't need Penny. He could find someone else but he doesn't want too. He's certainly determined and has been from the moment he set eyes on her. She's still holding him at arms reach and Prady mentioned she has to grow up, chronologically so who knows how long that will take.

The bottom line is, Leonard knows what he wants and Penny doesn't. In reality, she's just a waitress with no future and very little going for her but she's 'the one' as far as he's concerned and he's going to stick with it. Whether you think he's a fool or not for sticking around, is debatable. We have to give him points for trying. I don't agree over Leonard being self obsessed either, he's way to self depreciating. I also don't think it's just her looks he loves, she has a warm character which would be easy to love.

I really hope in Season 6 that the dynamic of their relationship shifts and Penny shows him some love that isn't just physical. Otherwise he will either have to get the hell out, or accept her running the show and stop fighting her for a commitment. I know that may not suit everyone but Penny's a 'big old 5' after all.

[netmouse]

Maybe Leonard's right hand will call him one day... just like Howard's did.

[Slicknickshady]

He needs Penny.

[Fruit Loop]

He needs Penny.

Penny might not be what Leonard needs, But it is what the show needs. The Penny / Leonard Up & Down romance is what keeps us coming back.

.

[quietmale]

sorry but the leonard/penny romance is not what makes me watch the show but i agree that that the show needs penny untill they find a new one lol the tattooed comic book girl would be perfect so allowing penny to chase the kind of guy she prefers i.e one with the looks,the body,the money sorry but as you may have gathered i have a rather low opinion of penny

[Superlovelexi]

I use to like the relationship more in seasons 1-3, but now I'm so Digging the Shamy! I think Penny and Leonard aren't perfectly suit for one another, but in away that is what makes their relationship problems funny to watch because they just can't get it to gether until the end or maybe never and just keep it going fade to black sort od deal. But, I still think ultimately this is a sitcom so the will they won't they of Penny/Leonard will continue until very last season rather people like it or not. Basically the formula here is Penny +Leonard = ENDGAME!

I'm kind of tired of the way Penny acts like because she's hot young girl she doesn't want to commit to him even though its pretty obvious at times she does sort of love him but is too afraid to say it. I think it comes from not getting enough love from her father and the dumb boyfriends she had before she met Leonard. Her dad loved her, but treated her like a boy, now she wants to be a glamous pretty girly girl actress and things she needs some hot stud guy to complete her transformation, but she needs to get over that and love herself for who she is and love people who love her for who she is that would be real character development rather she becomes a real actress or not is up to the writers.

Either way Penny won't be able to accept Leonard fully until she accepts herself thats Psych 101! She must realize that she is a cute tomboy whose hottness and youth will one day fade, but love of a guy who would let someone steal his pants just to win back your tv or bring you back a snow flake from the North Pole lasts forever!! She has to get over herself eventually, but the writers are going to drag it out until the end I'm sure so I just laugh at the funny jokes and try not to let their relationship incompatibility bother me too much

Also, I don't like that Leonard sometimes acts spineless and lets her get away with treating him like he's not that hot. Well he was hot enough to land a pretty doctor and a smokin hot lawyer who were both smarter and had more money than Penny does so yeah not buying that crap either. Leonard is a good looking guy imo especially when he gets all dressed up or when he goes shirtless. He may be short, but he's a cute pie and has very muscular chest and arms more so than Howard or even SHeldon some seasons. He needs to stop pushing her for a commitment though that what makes him seem annoying and pushy. And instead he should just let things be enjoy the sex and the carefree relationship or break up with Penny completely which would shock her enough to realize hey Leonard isn't spineless he knows he can do better than me and make Penny realize she's going to lose him for good if she doesn't finally commit. I'd rather watch Leonard go out with other cute smart fun nerd girls who are better suited for him in season six than watch him act spineless nerd who does whatever Penny wants just to hold on to her, but I think that is what will happen regardless.

I'd never buy the whole opposites always attract crap, reality and science has proven couples are more compatible and last longer when they share mutual interests like Shamy or Howard/Bernadette for examples. But whatever happens with relationships on this show I just don't want Shenny together EVER!

And I don't want Penny to end up in a trailer park with Zack or Kurt. I'd rather Penny be with Raj or Stuart than them and I'd rather Leonard be with Stephanie, Alice or a brand new girl than get back with Priya because Priya cheated on him and acted like she was superior too plus Sheldon hated her just like he hated Leslie Winkle.

Leonard is not allow to date anyone Sheldon and guys don't like its part of the guy code of the show imo. The guys have accepted Penny now so Penny is pratically one of them, Sheldon loved Stephanie too and maybe they would accept someone like Alice, but never Priya she maybe Raj's sister, but she was never one of them and always put down their nerd culture (at least Penny tries to embrace it at times) Priya should stay in India forever.

And Leonard and Penny should end up together just like Ross and Rachel did because even though I never really liked Friends it still seems like Leonard and Penny are like the Ross and Rachel of TBBT and that means put them together in the end so this will they won't they nonsense for years and years on end won't feel like one big fat waste of tv time that could have been spent on something funnier. A happy ending is the icing on the cake of sitcom televison. This is NOT one of those artsy emo films or shows where couples can just end up alone in the end realizing they don't need someone to make them whole that is too realistic and not a funny/happy enough type ending for a popular American sitcom.

I still think the best way to end things is with the classic cheesy wedding in Disneyland or Switzerland with Sheldon as best man and Amy as maid of honor cause this is America and no matter how jaded and cynical fans may pretend to be happy endings are a GOOD THING and historically get much highest ratings too so just give Leonard and Penny their happy ending on last episode so people won't feel like they waste years watching a show expecting them to end up together. But, instead Penny ends up in a trailer park or rich actress married to some dumb rich guy and Leonard ends up still alone playing videogames with the guys or with someone like Leslie Winkle cause he thinks she's more his speed that may be more realistic, but its not funny or happy way to go when they've spend so much time on Penny/Leonard dynamic.

The writers won't let the show end that way because Leonard is supposed to be main protaganist whose main goal is to find love with the girl of his dreams which is Penny like it or not. So he must win her heart or perish. Maybe they could get away with just ending it with a time jump into future where they both meet up years later after going their separate ways and rekindle things last minute, but thats been done before too on other tv shows.

I'd rather then they make a clean break immediately and have both Penny and Leonard start dating brand new characters that fans get a chance to fall in love with and become major staples of show for last few seasons so that if they end up with these new characters people will feel like its okay because they are better suit for them than they are for each other, but I can just hear the fans on this board complaining now about how there are already too many characters and enough boring relationship drama and they don't want new people taking up more screentime which is precious yada yada yada...and if that is your argument than i refer you back to my original formula Penny +Leonard =ENDGAME!

[themightylin]

... [Penny] has a warm character which would be easy to love.

See, I keep hearing that, and I think that was intended at the beginning, but her character has evolved. She's more abrasive, even violent at times, and the only person I ever see her being truly sensitive to anymore is Amy, -never Leonard. At best, what Leonard gets from her is 'We'll have sex when I want to, we're going out when I say we are, I somewhat condescendingly accept that you're a nerd, and you can pay for dinner.'

---

... I'd rather Penny be with Raj or Stuart than them and I'd rather Leonard be with Stephanie, Alice or a brand new girl than get back with Priya because Priya cheated on him and acted like she was superior too plus Sheldon hated her.

Leonard is not allow to date anyone Sheldon and guys don't like its part of the guy code of the show imo. The guys have accepted Penny now so Penny is pratically one of them, Sheldon loved Stephanie too and maybe they would accept someone like Alice, but never Priya she maybe Raj's sister, but she was never one of them she should stay in India forever.

I totally agree. No more Priya. I think the actress was darling, but the character was arguably worse than Penny for Leonard. Will somebody just accept the poor guy as he is? Penny wants him to be more assertive like her, Priya wanted him to be more distinguished like her.

I married a nerd with a heart of gold, they're great! (He's actually watching Young Justice right now behind me) lol

Stephanie or Alice seem like the best options we've seen. And Sara Rue actually lost a lot of weight. It might be interesting for her to come back onto the show with looks that easily rival Penny's.

[Superlovelexi]

Yes, I think Stephanie would be great for Leonard, but I still think even if Stephanie came back as a hot thinner doctor with a heart of gold, Leonard would still be looking over his shoulder at Penny while he hugs Stephanie. *sigh* Its like that old saying the heart wants what the heart wants. It was established in Pilot episode that Leonard wants to have babies with Penny, smart and beautiful babies with her. Not Stephanie or Alice or Priya or Leslie or any other girl they bring in. He will always harbor feelings for Penny and I'd pity any girl especially STephanie if she gave her heart to Leonard again just to catch him with Penny one night after a drunken Halo game or kissing him in the hallway because Penny won't let another girl take him away from her even if when they are together she acts like she doesn't know where this is going. Sheldon said it best once in season 5. "OH PLEASE EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE THIS IS GOING!" lol that was a great line its like writers know fans are tired of their will they won't they nonsense and have made mocking it part of the humor of the show.

I also think Sara Rue is going to be on a new show with Reba called Malibu something this fall so she probably doesn't have the time to do TBBT But I definitely agree No Priya and Yes bring someone in like Stephanie to make Penny realize that Leonard can do better so she better stop stringing him along and say I LOVE YOU already.

[BangerMain]

Yes, I think Stephanie would be great for Leonard, but I still think even if Stephanie came back as a hot thinner doctor with a heart of gold, Leonard would still be looking over his shoulder at Penny while he hugs Stephanie. *sigh* Its like that old saying the heart wants what the heart wants. It was established in Pilot episode that Leonard wants to have babies with Penny, smart and beautiful babies with her. Not Stephanie or Alice or Priya or Leslie or any other girl they bring in. He will always harbor feelings for Penny and I'd pity any girl especially STephanie if she gave her heart to Leonard again just to catch him with Penny one night after a drunken Halo game or kissing him in the hallway because Penny won't let another girl take him away from her even if when they are together she acts like she doesn't know where this is going. Sheldon said it best once in season 5. "OH PLEASE EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE THIS IS GOING!" lol that was a great line its like writers know fans are tired of their will they won't they nonsense and have made mocking it part of the humor of the show.

The biggest problem Leonard has is Penny will not let go of him now. After the Priya near disaster, she won't let another woman get a chance at Leonard and she knows (and seems to brag) that her hold on him is absolute. A woman like Stephanie would be perfect for him but he will not defy his cheesecake goddess.

I also think Sara Rue is going to be on a new show with Reba called Malibu something this fall so she probably doesn't have the time to do TBBT But I definitely agree No Priya and Yes bring someone in like Stephanie to make Penny realize that Leonard can do better so she better stop stringing him along and say I LOVE YOU already.

Since Penny will grow up a bit in season six (we hope), let's see if the writers will allow Leonard to show some assertiveness and stop cringing in fear at any frown that Penny gives him. At the moment Penny has no fear of another woman and scoffs at the notion that there is another female that has that much game.

[rickfromillinois]

Frankly I never cared much for Stephanie. I thought that she was pretty needy and controlling. I liked the comic book girl allot more. I also like Priya who seemed to me at first glance to be much better suited for Leonard then Penny. That is not to say that if Penny would make some attitude changes towards Leonard I wouldn't prefer her. I am not saying that she should kowtow to him but I think that she should treat him as an equal in their relationship. I think that if she realized that Leonard does have other options then her and more importantly, that she actually loves Leonard, then I think we would see a big change in the way she treats Leonard.

One thing that I want to add though, I don't think that it is out of line for a woman to sometimes tell guy that she is going with that he needs to make some wardrobe changes. As in everything, it can be overdone, but there are some guys, including myself, who sometimes needs someone to tell them that they need to wear something else or that it is time to buy some new clothes. Maybe that was one of the reasons I stayed in the Army so long. Everyday that I worked I knew exactly what to wear. The rest of the time, T-shirts and blue jeans.

[Superlovelexi]

Yes, I think Stephanie would be great for Leonard, but I still think even if Stephanie came back as a hot thinner doctor with a heart of gold, Leonard would still be looking over his shoulder at Penny while he hugs Stephanie. *sigh* Its like that old saying the heart wants what the heart wants. It was established in Pilot episode that Leonard wants to have babies with Penny, smart and beautiful babies with her. Not Stephanie or Alice or Priya or Leslie or any other girl they bring in. He will always harbor feelings for Penny and I'd pity any girl especially STephanie if she gave her heart to Leonard again just to catch him with Penny one night after a drunken Halo game or kissing him in the hallway because Penny won't let another girl take him away from her even if when they are together she acts like she doesn't know where this is going. Sheldon said it best once in season 5. "OH PLEASE EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE THIS IS GOING!" lol that was a great line its like writers know fans are tired of their will they won't they nonsense and have made mocking it part of the humor of the show.

The biggest problem Leonard has is Penny will not let go of him now. After the Priya near disaster, she won't let another woman get a chance at Leonard and she knows (and seems to brag) that her hold on him is absolute. A woman like Stephanie would be perfect for him but he will not defy his cheesecake goddess.

I also think Sara Rue is going to be on a new show with Reba called Malibu something this fall so she probably doesn't have the time to do TBBT But I definitely agree No Priya and Yes bring someone in like Stephanie to make Penny realize that Leonard can do better so she better stop stringing him along and say I LOVE YOU already.

Since Penny will grow up a bit in season six (we hope), let's see if the writers will allow Leonard to show some assertiveness and stop cringing in fear at any frown that Penny gives him. At the moment Penny has no fear of another woman and scoffs at the notion that there is another female that has that much game.

Yes I'd like to see Leonard man it up some more in season six not just with Penny but also with Sheldon. If Leonard wants respect he's got respect himself not be a pushover all time. Sure its funny sometimes, but othertimes its annoying and makes him look pathetic. i love Penny, but she's not the hottest chick in world and she needs to get over herself somewhat and let Leonard be "The Man" so to speak. Its like what Bernadette said about Howie once "I'm much smarter than him but its important to protect his manhood." Penny seems to enjoy crushing Leonard's manhood at times and other times she seems to whine that he's not "man enough" well you can't have it both ways. If she wants him to be more assertive than she needs to not put him down so much.

But I think the problem is Penny is still young and really doesn't know what she wants or even worst she does know exactly what she wants but she's pretending she doesn't just to be selfish. She's making the mistake of thinking she can string Leonard along until she's ready for a full commitment cause she's the type of girl who likes her freedom and doesn't want the full commitment yet. But also wants Leonard to pine after her too and beg for her love so she can feel better about herself.

Its like she's the stereotype of what a player guy is like in relationships and he's stereotype of what a needy female is like in a relationship. But, time to let those stereotypes die and mature both characters so they don't turn fans against the relationship all together permanently.

[rickfromillinois]

Yes, I think Stephanie would be great for Leonard, but I still think even if Stephanie came back as a hot thinner doctor with a heart of gold, Leonard would still be looking over his shoulder at Penny while he hugs Stephanie. *sigh* Its like that old saying the heart wants what the heart wants. It was established in Pilot episode that Leonard wants to have babies with Penny, smart and beautiful babies with her. Not Stephanie or Alice or Priya or Leslie or any other girl they bring in. He will always harbor feelings for Penny and I'd pity any girl especially STephanie if she gave her heart to Leonard again just to catch him with Penny one night after a drunken Halo game or kissing him in the hallway because Penny won't let another girl take him away from her even if when they are together she acts like she doesn't know where this is going. Sheldon said it best once in season 5. "OH PLEASE EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE THIS IS GOING!" lol that was a great line its like writers know fans are tired of their will they won't they nonsense and have made mocking it part of the humor of the show.

The biggest problem Leonard has is Penny will not let go of him now. After the Priya near disaster, she won't let another woman get a chance at Leonard and she knows (and seems to brag) that her hold on him is absolute. A woman like Stephanie would be perfect for him but he will not defy his cheesecake goddess.

I also think Sara Rue is going to be on a new show with Reba called Malibu something this fall so she probably doesn't have the time to do TBBT But I definitely agree No Priya and Yes bring someone in like Stephanie to make Penny realize that Leonard can do better so she better stop stringing him along and say I LOVE YOU already.

Since Penny will grow up a bit in season six (we hope), let's see if the writers will allow Leonard to show some assertiveness and stop cringing in fear at any frown that Penny gives him. At the moment Penny has no fear of another woman and scoffs at the notion that there is another female that has that much game.

Yes I'd like to see Leonard man it up some more in season six not just with Penny but also with Sheldon. If Leonard wants respect he's got respect himself not be a pushover all time. Sure its funny sometimes, but othertimes its annoying and makes him look pathetic. i love Penny, but she's not the hottest chick in world and she needs to get over herself somewhat and let Leonard be "The Man" so to speak. Its like what Bernadette said about Howie once "I'm much smarter than him but its important to protect his manhood." Penny seems to enjoy crushing Leonard's manhood at times and other times she seems to whine that he's not "man enough" well you can't have it both ways. If she wants him to be more assertive than she needs to not put him down so much.

But I think the problem is Penny is still young and really doesn't know what she wants or even worst she does know exactly what she wants but she's pretending she doesn't just to be selfish. She's making the mistake of thinking she can string Leonard along until she's ready for a full commitment cause she's the type of girl who likes her freedom and doesn't want the full commitment yet. But also wants Leonard to pine after her too and beg for her love so she can feel better about herself.

Its like she's the stereotype of what a player guy is like in relationships and he's stereotype of what a needy female is like in a relationship. But, time to let those stereotypes die and mature both characters so they don't turn fans against the relationship all together permanently.

I think that we have been seeing Leonard's self confidence grow and I think that we will continue to see it. I also think that we have seen Penny becoming more mature. I think that the main problem with the Penny/Leonard relationship is that Penny will have to come to the realization that she more then just likes Leonard. It seemed obvious when Leonard was with Priya that Penny was in love with Leonard. So either she was just jealous or she really does have strong feelings for him. She just has to come to the realization of which it is and act on it. If she was just jealous then she needs to stay away from Leonard. If she has strong feelings for him she needs to accept it. If she doesn't, I think there may come a time when Leonard will decide that things with Penny aren't going anywhere and will be tempted to look elsewhere. Whether it will be with Comic/Tattoo girl or Priya, or perhaps someone else, I don't know. I do hope it wouldn't be Stephanie. They way it ended with her made her seem to be pretty needy and controlling, even borderline whackjob. At any rate, I think that it will occur to Leonard that there are other good looking women who would be happy to be with him and he doesn't need to act so desperate.

[SydNC]

This is what has to happen:

Penny: I love you Leonard.

Leonard: Thank you.

[BangerMain]

This is what has to happen:

Penny: I love you Leonard.

Leonard: Thank you.

LOL!!!

If only Leonard was enough of an SOB to say that but if the writers are true to his character, he will dance for joy.

Still, Penny is going to say ILY, most likely this season and if she has put him though enough hell before hand it would be a good cliffhanger to wait for his answer in season 7.

[Superlovelexi]

This is what has to happen:

Penny: I love you Leonard.

Leonard: Thank you.

That is what happens in my latest fic Cooper Fowler Proposal:icon_cheesygrin: Did you read it?

---

Yes, I think Stephanie would be great for Leonard, but I still think even if Stephanie came back as a hot thinner doctor with a heart of gold, Leonard would still be looking over his shoulder at Penny while he hugs Stephanie. *sigh* Its like that old saying the heart wants what the heart wants. It was established in Pilot episode that Leonard wants to have babies with Penny, smart and beautiful babies with her. Not Stephanie or Alice or Priya or Leslie or any other girl they bring in. He will always harbor feelings for Penny and I'd pity any girl especially STephanie if she gave her heart to Leonard again just to catch him with Penny one night after a drunken Halo game or kissing him in the hallway because Penny won't let another girl take him away from her even if when they are together she acts like she doesn't know where this is going. Sheldon said it best once in season 5. "OH PLEASE EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE THIS IS GOING!" lol that was a great line its like writers know fans are tired of their will they won't they nonsense and have made mocking it part of the humor of the show.

The biggest problem Leonard has is Penny will not let go of him now. After the Priya near disaster, she won't let another woman get a chance at Leonard and she knows (and seems to brag) that her hold on him is absolute. A woman like Stephanie would be perfect for him but he will not defy his cheesecake goddess.

I also think Sara Rue is going to be on a new show with Reba called Malibu something this fall so she probably doesn't have the time to do TBBT But I definitely agree No Priya and Yes bring someone in like Stephanie to make Penny realize that Leonard can do better so she better stop stringing him along and say I LOVE YOU already.

Since Penny will grow up a bit in season six (we hope), let's see if the writers will allow Leonard to show some assertiveness and stop cringing in fear at any frown that Penny gives him. At the moment Penny has no fear of another woman and scoffs at the notion that there is another female that has that much game.

Yes I'd like to see Leonard man it up some more in season six not just with Penny but also with Sheldon. If Leonard wants respect he's got respect himself not be a pushover all time. Sure its funny sometimes, but othertimes its annoying and makes him look pathetic. i love Penny, but she's not the hottest chick in world and she needs to get over herself somewhat and let Leonard be "The Man" so to speak. Its like what Bernadette said about Howie once "I'm much smarter than him but its important to protect his manhood." Penny seems to enjoy crushing Leonard's manhood at times and other times she seems to whine that he's not "man enough" well you can't have it both ways. If she wants him to be more assertive than she needs to not put him down so much.

But I think the problem is Penny is still young and really doesn't know what she wants or even worst she does know exactly what she wants but she's pretending she doesn't just to be selfish. She's making the mistake of thinking she can string Leonard along until she's ready for a full commitment cause she's the type of girl who likes her freedom and doesn't want the full commitment yet. But also wants Leonard to pine after her too and beg for her love so she can feel better about herself.

Its like she's the stereotype of what a player guy is like in relationships and he's stereotype of what a needy female is like in a relationship. But, time to let those stereotypes die and mature both characters so they don't turn fans against the relationship all together permanently.

I think that we have been seeing Leonard's self confidence grow and I think that we will continue to see it. I also think that we have seen Penny becoming more mature. I think that the main problem with the Penny/Leonard relationship is that Penny will have to come to the realization that she more then just likes Leonard. It seemed obvious when Leonard was with Priya that Penny was in love with Leonard. So either she was just jealous or she really does have strong feelings for him. She just has to come to the realization of which it is and act on it. If she was just jealous then she needs to stay away from Leonard. If she has strong feelings for him she needs to accept it. If she doesn't, I think there may come a time when Leonard will decide that things with Penny aren't going anywhere and will be tempted to look elsewhere. Whether it will be with Comic/Tattoo girl or Priya, or perhaps someone else, I don't know. I do hope it wouldn't be Stephanie. They way it ended with her made her seem to be pretty needy and controlling, even borderline whackjob. At any rate, I think that it will occur to Leonard that there are other good looking women who would be happy to be with him and he doesn't need to act so desperate.

It may occur to him to look around for someone new, but ultimately he needs more self confidence and I still think he'll likely end up with Penny regardless. Unless writers have a huge change of heart.