Episodes 6.08 The 43 Peculiarity (Nov. 15)

[Convict13]

Oh and my partner is English with his delightful English accent

[SodidIwin?]

After watching this episode 4 more times I have made some observations which are probably totally wrong but I'm going to share them anyway, if everyone will indulge me.

I have changed my mind on the ILY somewhat. I get why they had to handle it in a spontaneous fashion. Penny had built such a solid wall around her so as not to get hurt again it had to be just blurted out at some point when she was off guard. However, I still don't like the fact it took all of less then a minute and without even a handshake (kiss) between them afterwards. Just very quickly you go your way and I will go mine. Business as usual end of story. They wouldn't even let Leonard have a moment to reflect on what he's been waiting to hear for so long. They had Alex text him even before he finished his line that Penny loved him.

That brings me to Alex. For those who are suggesting that she is simply "smitten" with Leonard are being IMO naive at best. She was smitten with him in the first episode she was in while talking to him in the cafeteria. In this episode she was in full blown seeing an opportunity, reacting very openly upon that opportunity and then following up on the opportunity! The following up on the opportunity is what actually takes all doubt from her being "smitten" to active pursuit.

Then there is Cole. Leonard may be paranoid and have a lack of confidence when it comes to Penny. However, I have always contended most of that would have gone away long ago if she would have just opened up and told him how she truly felt about him. But getting back to Cole. Did you notice how Cole's facial expressions were while Leonard was trying to "intimidate" him? Especially right before he turns and walks out the door of the building, the frowned look on his face. Leonard was right on in his paranoia this time. Cole does like Penny as more than a friend and I'm sure his motives were more than just "studying" for their class. Since Penny knows she loves Leonard she was probably just as clueless to Cole's feelings as Leonard is to Alex's.

Raj and Howard: They have such a great chemistry / rapport together that it is just amazing. Their storyline being detectives was just so hilarious! I just loved it. There wasn't a single scene that wasn't funny with them. Very well done indeed! Raj and Stuart could never pull off such a funny storyline like they just did!

Leonard and Sheldon: Again the connection between them is so great. Leonard worrying about his issue and Sheldon not caring in the least! But then taking Leonard's insecurities and playing them like a fiddle. Making Leonard even more insecure than when he first asked Sheldon for advice in the first place. And the chicken motion by Sheldon it was like an exclamation point to Leonard and so immensely humorous.

Because this was the episode that the ILY came out from Penny, I really like that the writers kept it to the core 5. As other members have stated earlier, it was like they were back to season 3. For me it added to the significance of the ILY episode. This is not to be in anyway offensive to the Shammy or H/B lovers out their. This was a classic pre Amy and Bernie episode and it should have been that way IMO.

Edited November 16, 2012 by SodidIwin?

[C-Trayne]

After watching this episode 4 more times I have made some observations which are probably totally wrong but I'm goofing to share them anyway, if everyone will indulge me.

I have changed my mind on the ILY somewhat. I get why they had to handle it in a spontaneous fashion. Penny had built such a solid wall around her so as not to get hurt again it had to be just blurted out at some point when she was off guard. However, I still don't like the fact it took all of less then a minute and without even a handshake (kiss) between them afterwards. Just very quickly you go your way and I will go mine. Business as usual end of story. They wouldn't even let Leonard have a moment to reflect on what he's been waiting to hear for so long. They had Alex text him even before he finished his line that Penny loved him.

That brings me to Alex. For those who are suggesting that she is simply "smitten" with Leonard are being IMO naive at best. She was smitten with him in the first episode she was in while talking to him in the cafeteria. In this episode she was in full blown seeing an opportunity, reacting very openly upon that opportunity and then following up on the opportunity! The following up on the opportunity is what actually takes all doubt from her being "smitten" to active pursuit.

Then there is Cole. Leonard my be paranoid and have a lack of confidence when it comes to Penny. However, I have always contended most of that would have gone away long ago if she would have just opened up and told him how she truly felt about him. But getting back to Cole. Did you notice how Cole's facial expressions where while Leonard was trying to "intimidate" him? Especially right before he turns and walks out the door of the building, the frowned look on his face. Leonard was right on in his paranoia this time. Cole does like Penny as more than a friend and I'm sure his motives were more than just "studying" for their class. Since Penny knows she loves Leonard she was probably just as clueless to Cole's feelings as Leonard is to Alex's.

I agree that i was hoping for the moment to be a little bit more special than it really was. I get why they went about it this way, I mean with penny blurting it out like that unplanned, and unthought about it shows us how she really feels deep down. She said it without rebuking herself and without faking it. So we can see it as being true.

I also was not a fan of Alex tbh. She was being a little over zealous i think by so actively flirting with leonard during his relationship issues. But i think that was more to show that Penny isn't the only one who gets hit on and I'm hoping that penny will pick up on this so she can know how it feels when someone is hitting on the one you love. (i just don't want it to cause problems.)

As for cole. I think its too early to really say if he was flirting with penny. I think his expressions might have been more of a "come on man really?" kind of look. Because like Penny said he knew that Leonard was her bf because of the pictures so i think he was kinda just going along with it. I'm hoping he wasn't trying anything and even if he did i think now especially after the ILY we don't have to worry about either party cheating too much

[BazingaFan]

I was wondering if they made it the classic 5 in this episode because of the ILY from Penny. Would be a great question for ComicCon if they can actually get people to ask good questions this year.

When I rewatched the episode, I noticed how LONG the scenes seemed compared to most episodes. It was nice. I liked it.

Howard and Raj -- to me the best part of the episode, along with penny saying ILY.

I really hope the writers read some of the fans comments here and bring back more classic storylines like this one, especially ones with more scenes with howard and raj.

[SodidIwin?]

Because of how the ILY in the episode was handled a question has popped into my brain. Does this essentially mean that after all of this time, soul searching and character development between Penny and Leonard this season that actually nothing has changed except Penny now has said those three very big words to Leonard? They still can't discuss with each other their true feelings for each other?

Edited November 16, 2012 by SodidIwin?

[HeWolf]

Sheldon finally got the best of Howard (and Raj). Best moment of the show for me.

[C-Trayne]

Because of how the ILY in the episode was handled a question has popped into my brain. Does this essentially mean that after all of this time, soul searching and character development between Penny and Leonard this season that actually nothing has changed except Penny now has said those three very big words to Leonard? They still can't discuss with each other their true feelings for each other?

I don't think its that they CANT I think it was a very big and emotional moment for them so it would be better to wait. I think now that she's said it things will be far easier for them emotionally

[BazingaFan]

You know I was thinking about the comments here about Alex being out of line by flirting with Leonard, but it occured to me that Raj did the same thing with Bernadette (and not to mention Penny) and he betrayed his good friends, while alex really barely knows any of them. Come to think of it, isn't that is something else that Alex and Raj have in common?

Edited November 16, 2012 by BazingaFan

[Tripper]

Last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory delivered the show's largest audience yet for the second week running and hit a season high in the adults 18-49 demographic.

"The 43 Peculiarity" was watched by a record-breaking 17.39 million people, up from last week's all-time high of 16.68 million. In the adults 18-49 demographic, The Big Bang Theory hit a season high with a hugely dominant 5.5/17 rating, up by four notches from last week's 5.1/15. The Big Bang Theory was the night's most-watched and highest-rated broadcast for the eighth consecutive week.

http://the-big-bang-...t-audience-yet/

[BlackWhiteRose]

Awesome! A new record! I love it!

[SodidIwin?]

You know I was thinking about the comments here about Alex being out of line by flirting with Leonard, but it occured to me that Raj did the same thing with Bernadette (and not to mention Penny) and he betrayed his good friends, while alex really barely knows any of them. Come to think of it, isn't that is something else that Alex and Raj have in common?

You are spot on IMO about Raj. I have always had the impression that as likable and sympathetic they usually portray him he definitely has a selfish side too. He has no problem messing with his other "best" friends relationships if it helps him in the slightest. Using Penny in season 4 final and the dream sequence with Bernie were just the worst of the examples. He usually thinks of himself first and then his friends second yet outwardly showing this caring buddy. How about for just 1 example the whole gang was at the science conference and Leonard had a chance for Penny sleep in his room with him but even though Raj knew the importance to Leonard it was (no matter if it would have led to anything or not) he cared about himself rather than his friend. Then there was the time Raj was selected to be in People's magazine took Penny to the reception and hit on her even though he knows full well how his buddy feels about her.

So Alex and Raj may have character issues in common. If Alex and he did hit it off they could get in the other's relationships way together! You may be on to something BazingaFan!

Edited November 16, 2012 by SodidIwin?

[phantagrae]

Yeah, I wish he would say it again. He didn't say it much in season 5 (two times I think) and has yet to in season 6. This episode would have been a perfect moment for it.

I think he was too angry or upset (maybe angry is too strong a word) to offer them a bazinga.

[C-Trayne]

You know I was thinking about the comments here about Alex being out of line by flirting with Leonard, but it occured to me that Raj did the same thing with Bernadette (and not to mention Penny) and he betrayed his good friends, while alex really barely knows any of them. Come to think of it, isn't that is something else that Alex and Raj have in common?

Idk if its fair to call what raj did betrayal... with Bernadette he was pretty much just fantasizing and with penny they were both single and nothing even ended up happening

[HeWolf]

Idk if its fair to call what raj did betrayal... with Bernadette he was pretty much just fantasizing and with penny they were both single and nothing even ended up happening

Showing up at the Cheesecake factory and hitting on her / reminiscing about 'good times' went beyond fantasizing. I don't hold the Penny incident against him, but the fact that 'nothing' happened was not based upon anything but his premature launch.

His behavior concerning Bernadette forever settled in my mind any question concerning his trustworthiness. He would have moved in on her in a second and not worried at all about Howard's feelings.

[phantagrae]

I think that for Raj, it's hard because these are the only girls he knows really well and they're all kind of living on top of each other, if you will. I agree that with Bernie he was mostly just fantasizing, and then hearing that H & B might be breaking up just brought it more to the forefront of his mind.

And if, as Leonard said, Raj falls in love with any girl who smiles at him, it's understandable that he would be drawn to either Bernie or Penny.

With Bernie nothing was going to come of it because he wasn't even trying to put any moves on her as long as she was with Howard. But her being with Howard probably made it harder for him to not think about her, since the three of them were often together.

And with Penny, as he pointed out, Leonard was still with Priya, so technically both he and Penny could "change partners and dance", if you will, if they wanted to. While it might not be polite for Raj to turn to Penny, Leonard really has no say in who either Raj or Penny choose to sleep with. Howard was constantly hitting on Penny, before and after Leonard went out with her, and Howard happily slept with Leslie WInkle even though she also had a history with Leonard.

I think that it might be a little unseemly, but still somewhat understandable and not necessarily betrayal--neither of them was going behind Leonard's back.

[SodidIwin?]

Last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory delivered the show's largest audience yet for the second week running and hit a season high in the adults 18-49 demographic.

"The 43 Peculiarity" was watched by a record-breaking 17.39 million people, up from last week's all-time high of 16.68 million. In the adults 18-49 demographic, The Big Bang Theory hit a season high with a hugely dominant 5.5/17 rating, up by four notches from last week's 5.1/15. The Big Bang Theory was the night's most-watched and highest-rated broadcast for the eighth consecutive week.

http://the-big-bang-...t-audience-yet/

Excellent! It looks like the sky's the limit for this show! They're so popular 7 seasons are no way enough! At this rate they can beat Gunsmoke's 20 years! Lol! Of course all the couples would have to have had grandchildren not just kids of their own!! Lol!

[SodidIwin?]

I think that for Raj, it's hard because these are the only girls he knows really well and they're all kind of living on top of each other, if you will. I agree that with Bernie he was mostly just fantasizing, and then hearing that H & B might be breaking up just brought it more to the forefront of his mind.

And if, as Leonard said, Raj falls in love with any girl who smiles at him, it's understandable that he would be drawn to either Bernie or Penny.

With Bernie nothing was going to come of it because he wasn't even trying to put any moves on her as long as she was with Howard. But her being with Howard probably made it harder for him to not think about her, since the three of them were often together.

And with Penny, as he pointed out, Leonard was still with Priya, so technically both he and Penny could "change partners and dance", if you will, if they wanted to. While it might not be polite for Raj to turn to Penny, Leonard really has no say in who either Raj or Penny choose to sleep with. Howard was constantly hitting on Penny, before and after Leonard went out with her, and Howard happily slept with Leslie WInkle even though she also had a history with Leonard.

I think that it might be a little unseemly, but still somewhat understandable and not necessarily betrayal--neither of them was going behind Leonard's back.

Personally IMO you are giving Raj way to much benefit of the doubt. But then that is exactly why the writers also portray him as such a sympathetic character too. Otherwise in any normal group his "best" friends would have used him by now to wipe up the floor with instead of continuing on. After all it is suppose to be a comedy.

[bigbangsheldon]

oh my god i sobbed at the scene where raj and howard are watching the video sheldon made BEST I SCREAMED

[HeWolf]

With Bernie nothing was going to come of it because he wasn't even trying to put any moves on her as long as she was with Howard.

Then what was he doing at the Cheesecake factory? Why did Penny say?:

"Penny: What the hell are you doing? Howard is your best friend, and that is his girlfriend. You should be ashamed of yourself."

This was, coincidentally, AFTER Howard had informed the guys he was planning to ask Bernadette to marry him. Defend Raj all you like. He's cute and tragically sympathetic. But he's also a snake.

[SRAM]

Watching the ILY again, I agree that the text from Alex seemed to take from the whole event. It would have better if, since she left so fast, the text was from Penny saying they would talk later and then was signed with a bunch of "X's" and "O's".

[phantagrae]

Then what was he doing at the Cheesecake factory? Why did Penny say?:

"Penny: What the hell are you doing? Howard is your best friend, and that is his girlfriend. You should be ashamed of yourself."

This was, coincidentally, AFTER Howard had informed the guys he was planning to ask Bernadette to marry him. Defend Raj all you like. He's cute and tragically sympathetic. But he's also a snake.

And he was drunk. I think that he was still letting himself get caught up in the idea that Bernadette wanted to break up with Howard. If she were to break up with him before Howard were to propose (and all the guys kind of wanted him to hold off on proposing because they thought she was going to break up with him at any moment), then theoretically Raj could have a chance--at least, in his addled thinking.

I think he was trying to draw on any good times they had had together without Howard to make her think of him as a potential alternative.

I don't know that what he was doing qualified as hitting on her as much as it did just kind of desperate wishful thinking.

Of course Howard would have killed him, but if Bernie really didn't want Howard, in Raj's sad fantasies, she loomed large.

[phantagrae]

Watching the ILY again, I agree that the text from Alex seemed to take from the whole event. It would have better if, since she left so fast, the text was from Penny saying they would talk later and then was signed with a bunch of "X's" and "O's".

Too sappy!

[SodidIwin?]

Watching the ILY again, I agree that the text from Alex seemed to take from the whole event. It would have better if, since she left so fast, the text was from Penny saying they would talk later and then was signed with a bunch of "X's" and "O's".

I agree with you and actually when he received the text I really thought it was from Penny. Since I had read the report I was still hoping to the end that they had changed it by time they showed the episode. IMO the Alex text was just not called for. Even if they are planning to use Alex to mess with L/P at least give them a little time without their normal complex relationship. Quite disappointing IMO!

[Tensor]

As much as everyone seems to dislike the text from Alex (put me in that category), I'm grateful that (according to the taping reports) they used "She's such a friendly girl" instead of the alternative "Uh Oh".

[SodidIwin?]

Too sappy!

"To sappy!"? But it is just fine to ruin an ILY with some woman hitting on Leonard right after Penny finally says ILY! REALLY!!! SERIOUSLY!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!