Ship Zone Leonard And Penny Shippers Thread (Possible Spoilers)

[hamerman55]

Episode 6.02 was simply a housekeeping excersize for the writers. They were starting the "fixing" of the Penny character and they went down the list of all of Penny's faults during the first third of season 6.

 

This is the only way to make any sense out of 6.02, they had a check list of all the Penny traits that caused problems in the relationship (many of which were piled on her in season 4), showed them to the viewers for review, then "fixed" them one by  one. They got to the "I love you", then the "I am insecure", and finally, "I have commitment problems".

 

For those viewer who followed the show closely and her remembered her agony of not having Leonard during season 4 and half of season 5, the almost breakup from 6.02 was truly a "WTF?" moment. The writers seemed to think it was needed for a review.

It was truly a "WTF" moment for me, as one who has followed the show religiously since it started. It didn't follow the narrative, and quite frankly, her playing hard to get in the second part of season 5 and the first part of season 6 really didn't square with her being miserable without Leonard after the break up. Basically from "The Wheaton Recurrance" until "The Holographic Excitation", Penny has been varying degrees of unhappy, yet when Leonard asks her out, it is as if he has to woo her again. Maybe we can chalk this up to the difficulty sit-com writers have in writing couples actually getting together, and not stringing out the "will they/won't they". I am very much hoping that they accept the challenge of writing Leonard and Penny as a committed couple finding their way to getting married. They can take their time, as from where we are to there should include lots of story arcs (meeting the relatives, figuring out how to live together, dealing with Sheldon's interference, etc.) but that should be the goal, without breaking up two or three times. "Friends" we don't need.

[hamerman55]

It has never made any sense that Penny does not know that Leonard got her money from Kurt.

 

First, why would Leonard not tell her, especially since Kurt got the credit for returning the money and Penny went out with him again. Why would Leonard stay silent about that, he was just about assaulted and he had proof on his forehead: “I owe Penny $1800, Kurt”. Since that little note was written in indelible ink, how did Leonard hide it from Penny until it wore off? Did he continue to wear a hat indoors for a week? Why would Sheldon, Howard or Raj not tell Penny about their visit to Kurt to watch Leonard be her knight?

 

The writers thought it funny and ironic that Leonard would suffer for Penny and get nothing for it but it was totally illogical.

This would be a good story line to develop in "fixing" Penny. She needs to know that Leonard has been pretty darn selfless about her. Shoot, I don't remember hearing that she paid Leonard back from all the money he spotted her early in the 4th season. Raj even made a joke about Penny not even having to give up sex to get taken care of by Leonard. If she does know, Penny could bring it up. If she doesn't, Bernadette could let it slip at some point, and they could have Penny be horrified that she didn't know. 

[ajond]

Another thing that's been niggling at me for years. (I must get a life)

 

On P and L first official date when L asked to go into P's apartment to avoid the H and R camera, she said no as it was only their first date. She obviously thought L was trying to have sex or at least make out.

 

On P's first date with Stuart she invited him in for a "coffee" (we know what that meant) and only S intruding put an end to that.

 

P had known and been really good friends with L for many months and had only known Stuart for a week.

 

So my question is "what's up with that"

[ArmyGirl]

Oh the Stuart thing......  I have so much to say about this but I don't want to offend anyone or rile up the bashing of Leonard. 

 

Will comment on it later.  I am sure some with say it was due to Leonard being too needy, too whiny, too whatever.

Edited June 14, 2013 by ArmyGirl

[Guitars1964]

Yeah, well, with all due respect to Stuart, who seems like a sad sack but a decent guy, I could not in a million years get why Penny was ready and willing to make out, or more, with him.  Seriously?  Couldn't help but think she was being...well, slutty.   Sorry, but it seemed pretty offensive to me.  I know it's a long time ago but since it was brought up in this thread...

 

Looking to bunk in with Stuart was, in my view, all on Penny and had nothing to do with Leonard's being too anything.  I mean, she had, initially, the reputation for the good looking dumb guys from the gym.  We know what Leonard has going for him and why Penny eventually falls for him, but, ajond, I am at a loss to provide you with a good answer about the Stuart thing.

 

Over to you, ArmyGirl...

[Zhalen565]

Oh the Stuart thing......  I have so much to say about this but I don't want to offend anyone or rile up the bashing of Leonard.  Will comment on it later.  I am sure some with say it was due to Leonard being too needy, too whiny, too whatever.

Go for it, you may have more sympathisers than you think. I personally tend to avoid those two episodes.

[I.Am.Molly]

Alright, I think I am going to go for an attempt at explaining what I think Pennys reasons were behind the Stuart thing, despite evidence to the contrary, I never like to think of Penny as a slut, sometimes I have a real need to defend her in these points, although sometimes it is difficult. I use the Raj incident as one that I find difficult! I should note, I haven't seen this episode in a while, as I also tend to avoid that episode, along with the fateful Wheaton Recurrence

 

Anyway, here goes. In my opinion, at the time of deciding to go on a date with Stuart, Penny was confused about her feelings for Leonard. A few episodes before it, the whole lime kiss happened, and I think that is when Penny started to realize just how much she liked him, that kiss was pretty hot after all! I think that, because she had decided at the beginning of season 2 that Leonard was too smart for her, she felt that she couldn't date him again because of that. Then Stuart appeared, a guy just as nerdy as Leonard, but nowhere near as smart. At that point in time he was seen as being a little more stable, his comic book store was shown as doing well and he was an artist, so he did have attractive qualities, despite his outward appearance. In my opinion she agreed because she was beginning to see that the nerdy guys, were actually good guys, even although they didn't look like those 'dumb guys at the gym' and she was possibly hoping that she would feel the same things for him as she did for Leonard, but would be able to hold a conversation better with him, because he wasn't a genius, he was just a nerd.

 

Now the whole thing with inviting him in for coffee... I would like to say that this, for her, was just a force of habit. And who is to say they would have actually even went all the way? As shown by her second date with him, as soon as she started making out with him her mind was on Leonard, so I think it is safe to assume that would have happened that night at her apartment too. So yeah, I think her whole thing with Stuart was just her trying to find someone like Leonard, just not as smart, because she felt like she was too dumb to date him.

 

Now go on, feel free to shoot my lovely idea down! I can take it.....

Edited June 14, 2013 by I.Am.Molly

[Oldnavy]

Alright, I think I am going to go for an attempt at explaining what I think Pennys reasons were behind the Stuart thing, despite evidence to the contrary, I never like to think of Penny as a slut, sometimes I have a real need to defend her in these points, although sometimes it is difficult. I use the Raj incident as one that I find difficult! I should note, I haven't seen this episode in a while, as I also tend to avoid that episode, along with the fateful Wheaton Recurrence

 

Anyway, here goes. In my opinion, at the time of deciding to go on a date with Stuart, Penny was confused about her feelings for Leonard. A few episodes before it, the whole lime kiss happened, and I think that is when Penny started to realize just how much she liked him, that kiss was pretty hot after all! I think that, because she had decided at the beginning of season 2 that Leonard was too smart for her, she felt that she couldn't date him again because of that. Then Stuart appeared, a guy just as nerdy as Leonard, but nowhere near as smart. At that point in time he was seen as being a little more stable, his comic book store was shown as doing well and he was an artist, so he did have attractive qualities, despite his outward appearance. In my opinion she agreed because she was beginning to see that the nerdy guys, were actually good guys, even although they didn't look like those 'dumb guys at the gym' and she was possibly hoping that she would feel the same things for him as she did for Leonard, but would be able to hold a conversation better with him, because he wasn't a genius, he was just a nerd.

 

Now the whole thing with inviting him in for coffee... I would like to say that this, for her, was just a force of habit. And who is to say they would have actually even went all the way? As shown by her second date with him, as soon as she started making out with him her mind was on Leonard, so I think it is safe to assume that would have happened that night at her apartment too. So yeah, I think her whole thing with Stuart was just her trying to find someone like Leonard, just not as smart, because she felt like she was too dumb to date him.

 

Now go on, feel free to shoot my lovely idea down! I can take it.....

I think that you make a good case. It is only an assumption that she was going to sleep with Stuart.  Watching the first episode of season two IMO shows Penny having real attraction for Leonard, if not deeper feelings than she will admit. Her big issue is Leonard getting tired of her because she does not see herself as being smart enough for him.

I do not think that this is an issue that has completely gone away.  I think this is something that Penny still worries about and may be one of the reasons why she has an issue about marriage. 

It does seem like Penny slept around a lot when she was younger, but she seems to have changed in that area as she has gotten older. She has commented in season 1x3 and in a later scene with Bernadette and Amy that that kindof behavior left her feeling pretty bad about herself.

When are posting the next chapter in your fanfic?

Edited June 14, 2013 by Oldnavy

[I.Am.Molly]

When are posting the next chapter in your fanfic?

Impatient much? Haha I only updated yesterday! Probably tomorrow, although it may not be until Sunday.

[Oldnavy]

Impatient much? Haha I only updated yesterday! Probably tomorrow, although it may not be until Sunday.

Impatient?  I can be at times.    It's a good story.   I drive Tensor crazy too sometimes as well.

Edited June 14, 2013 by Oldnavy

[I.Am.Molly]

Impatient?  I can be at times.    It's a good story.   I drive Tensor crazy too sometimes as well.

 Well, I am glad you are enjoying it, and normally I would update tomorrow, but I have a few things to do so I may not have the time. We will see, I have a tendency to update more often than I really should!

[stardustmelody]

Fanfic hiatus chat is on tomorrow.  Check fanfic thread for details.

[I.Am.Molly]

Fanfic hiatus chat is on tomorrow.  Check fanfic thread for details.

 

I would participate but I can't for two reasons, 1: I haven't read any of those fics, my reading time has been greatly lowered ever since I took on the challenge of my latest fic, and 2: I will be working at 7. Hopefully I will be able to join in the next one

[SRAM]

Alright, I think I am going to go for an attempt at explaining what I think Pennys reasons were behind the Stuart thing, despite evidence to the contrary, I never like to think of Penny as a slut, sometimes I have a real need to defend her in these points, although sometimes it is difficult. I use the Raj incident as one that I find difficult! I should note, I haven't seen this episode in a while, as I also tend to avoid that episode, along with the fateful Wheaton Recurrence

 

Anyway, here goes. In my opinion, at the time of deciding to go on a date with Stuart, Penny was confused about her feelings for Leonard. A few episodes before it, the whole lime kiss happened, and I think that is when Penny started to realize just how much she liked him, that kiss was pretty hot after all! I think that, because she had decided at the beginning of season 2 that Leonard was too smart for her, she felt that she couldn't date him again because of that. Then Stuart appeared, a guy just as nerdy as Leonard, but nowhere near as smart. At that point in time he was seen as being a little more stable, his comic book store was shown as doing well and he was an artist, so he did have attractive qualities, despite his outward appearance. In my opinion she agreed because she was beginning to see that the nerdy guys, were actually good guys, even although they didn't look like those 'dumb guys at the gym' and she was possibly hoping that she would feel the same things for him as she did for Leonard, but would be able to hold a conversation better with him, because he wasn't a genius, he was just a nerd.

 

Now the whole thing with inviting him in for coffee... I would like to say that this, for her, was just a force of habit. And who is to say they would have actually even went all the way? As shown by her second date with him, as soon as she started making out with him her mind was on Leonard, so I think it is safe to assume that would have happened that night at her apartment too. So yeah, I think her whole thing with Stuart was just her trying to find someone like Leonard, just not as smart, because she felt like she was too dumb to date him.

 

Now go on, feel free to shoot my lovely idea down! I can take it.....

That is about as good an analysis of that event as I have seen. That whole Stuart thing had me confused too and I was feeling it was just another way of torturing Leonard, which happens too much in the show for my tastes, but I let the whole thing go when Leonard found out about Penny calling out his name in her passion, because it made him happy.

[ajond]

Alright, I think I am going to go for an attempt at explaining what I think Pennys reasons were behind the Stuart thing, despite evidence to the contrary, I never like to think of Penny as a slut, sometimes I have a real need to defend her in these points, although sometimes it is difficult. I use the Raj incident as one that I find difficult! I should note, I haven't seen this episode in a while, as I also tend to avoid that episode, along with the fateful Wheaton Recurrence

 

Anyway, here goes. In my opinion, at the time of deciding to go on a date with Stuart, Penny was confused about her feelings for Leonard. A few episodes before it, the whole lime kiss happened, and I think that is when Penny started to realize just how much she liked him, that kiss was pretty hot after all! I think that, because she had decided at the beginning of season 2 that Leonard was too smart for her, she felt that she couldn't date him again because of that. Then Stuart appeared, a guy just as nerdy as Leonard, but nowhere near as smart. At that point in time he was seen as being a little more stable, his comic book store was shown as doing well and he was an artist, so he did have attractive qualities, despite his outward appearance. In my opinion she agreed because she was beginning to see that the nerdy guys, were actually good guys, even although they didn't look like those 'dumb guys at the gym' and she was possibly hoping that she would feel the same things for him as she did for Leonard, but would be able to hold a conversation better with him, because he wasn't a genius, he was just a nerd.

 

Now the whole thing with inviting him in for coffee... I would like to say that this, for her, was just a force of habit. And who is to say they would have actually even went all the way? As shown by her second date with him, as soon as she started making out with him her mind was on Leonard, so I think it is safe to assume that would have happened that night at her apartment too. So yeah, I think her whole thing with Stuart was just her trying to find someone like Leonard, just not as smart, because she felt like she was too dumb to date him.

 

Now go on, feel free to shoot my lovely idea down! I can take it.....

 

My take on this is that she was concerned about compromising her friendship with L whereas Stuart was just a date.

[Chrismo]

Episode 6.02 was simply a housekeeping excersize for the writers. They were starting the "fixing" of the Penny character and they went down the list of all of Penny's faults during the first third of season 6.

 

This is the only way to make any sense out of 6.02, they had a check list of all the Penny traits that caused problems in the relationship (many of which were piled on her in season 4), showed them to the viewers for review, then "fixed" them one by  one. They got to the "I love you", then the "I am insecure", and finally, "I have commitment problems".

 

For those viewer who followed the show closely and  remembered her agony of not having Leonard during season 4 and half of season 5, the almost breakup from 6.02 was truly a "WTF?" moment. The writers seemed to think it was needed for a review.

 

It was truly a "WTF" moment for me, as one who has followed the show religiously since it started. It didn't follow the narrative, and quite frankly, her playing hard to get in the second part of season 5 and the first part of season 6 really didn't square with her being miserable without Leonard after the break up. Basically from "The Wheaton Recurrance" until "The Holographic Excitation", Penny has been varying degrees of unhappy, yet when Leonard asks her out, it is as if he has to woo her again. Maybe we can chalk this up to the difficulty sit-com writers have in writing couples actually getting together, and not stringing out the "will they/won't they". I am very much hoping that they accept the challenge of writing Leonard and Penny as a committed couple finding their way to getting married. They can take their time, as from where we are to there should include lots of story arcs (meeting the relatives, figuring out how to live together, dealing with Sheldon's interference, etc.) but that should be the goal, without breaking up two or three times. "Friends" we don't need.

You both make good points about the "WTF" in 6.02. I could actually understand why Penny would break up but not the reasoning she gave. The problem seemed to really boil over in 5.23 when Leonard proposed during sex. I'm guessing most woman wouldn't of liked that. It kind of gave the idea in Penny's mind that she was stupid(again) and was only good for one thing (right or wrong) 5.24 was H/B wedding and Howard going into space and they were fighting during that. 6.1 was L/P being interrupted by Raj. Thus 6.2 seemed to be a big turning point. Even Sheldon got involved in the situation at this point. I do think "the Holographic Excitation" was a turning point in their relationship since Penny had never actually seen what Leonard does and was obviously impressed.

[Chrismo]

Alright, I think I am going to go for an attempt at explaining what I think Pennys reasons were behind the Stuart thing, despite evidence to the contrary, I never like to think of Penny as a slut, sometimes I have a real need to defend her in these points, although sometimes it is difficult. I use the Raj incident as one that I find difficult! I should note, I haven't seen this episode in a while, as I also tend to avoid that episode, along with the fateful Wheaton Recurrence

 

Anyway, here goes. In my opinion, at the time of deciding to go on a date with Stuart, Penny was confused about her feelings for Leonard. A few episodes before it, the whole lime kiss happened, and I think that is when Penny started to realize just how much she liked him, that kiss was pretty hot after all! I think that, because she had decided at the beginning of season 2 that Leonard was too smart for her, she felt that she couldn't date him again because of that. Then Stuart appeared, a guy just as nerdy as Leonard, but nowhere near as smart. At that point in time he was seen as being a little more stable, his comic book store was shown as doing well and he was an artist, so he did have attractive qualities, despite his outward appearance. In my opinion she agreed because she was beginning to see that the nerdy guys, were actually good guys, even although they didn't look like those 'dumb guys at the gym' and she was possibly hoping that she would feel the same things for him as she did for Leonard, but would be able to hold a conversation better with him, because he wasn't a genius, he was just a nerd.

 

Now the whole thing with inviting him in for coffee... I would like to say that this, for her, was just a force of habit. And who is to say they would have actually even went all the way? As shown by her second date with him, as soon as she started making out with him her mind was on Leonard, so I think it is safe to assume that would have happened that night at her apartment too. So yeah, I think her whole thing with Stuart was just her trying to find someone like Leonard, just not as smart, because she felt like she was too dumb to date him.

 

Now go on, feel free to shoot my lovely idea down! I can take it.....

 

Alright, I think I am going to go for an attempt at explaining what I think Pennys reasons were behind the Stuart thing, despite evidence to the contrary, I never like to think of Penny as a slut, sometimes I have a real need to defend her in these points, although sometimes it is difficult. I use the Raj incident as one that I find difficult! I should note, I haven't seen this episode in a while, as I also tend to avoid that episode, along with the fateful Wheaton Recurrence

 

Anyway, here goes. In my opinion, at the time of deciding to go on a date with Stuart, Penny was confused about her feelings for Leonard. A few episodes before it, the whole lime kiss happened, and I think that is when Penny started to realize just how much she liked him, that kiss was pretty hot after all! I think that, because she had decided at the beginning of season 2 that Leonard was too smart for her, she felt that she couldn't date him again because of that. Then Stuart appeared, a guy just as nerdy as Leonard, but nowhere near as smart. At that point in time he was seen as being a little more stable, his comic book store was shown as doing well and he was an artist, so he did have attractive qualities, despite his outward appearance. In my opinion she agreed because she was beginning to see that the nerdy guys, were actually good guys, even although they didn't look like those 'dumb guys at the gym' and she was possibly hoping that she would feel the same things for him as she did for Leonard, but would be able to hold a conversation better with him, because he wasn't a genius, he was just a nerd.

 

Now the whole thing with inviting him in for coffee... I would like to say that this, for her, was just a force of habit. And who is to say they would have actually even went all the way? As shown by her second date with him, as soon as she started making out with him her mind was on Leonard, so I think it is safe to assume that would have happened that night at her apartment too. So yeah, I think her whole thing with Stuart was just her trying to find someone like Leonard, just not as smart, because she felt like she was too dumb to date him.

 

Now go on, feel free to shoot my lovely idea down! I can take it.....

The only thing I would add to this is possibly when Penny asked Leonard if he was okay with her going out with Stuart he was going to say no. Then possibly Leonard would ask her instead.

I like you also try to find ways to defend Penny. To me the Penny/Raj incident is no big deal.(I know I'm in the minority). Penny and Raj didn't have anyone. They had been drinking. Most of season 4 Penny had to put up with Priya. They quoted Shakesphere(acting) in front of her and Leonard told her to stay away because Priya didn't want her around. Penny admitted to Raj she screwed up by breaking up with Leonard. Penny cried to Amy about Leonard moving on. Leonard had no reason to be upset about Raj and Penny "sleeping" together he had Priya. Raj even told Leonard he "slept" with her but that Leonard would have been her first choice. Not only that Leonard has had a lot more women than Penny's had guys.(at least on the show).

[mjc45]

Alright, I think I am going to go for an attempt at explaining what I think Pennys reasons were behind the Stuart thing, despite evidence to the contrary, I never like to think of Penny as a slut, sometimes I have a real need to defend her in these points, although sometimes it is difficult. I use the Raj incident as one that I find difficult! I should note, I haven't seen this episode in a while, as I also tend to avoid that episode, along with the fateful Wheaton Recurrence

 

Anyway, here goes. In my opinion, at the time of deciding to go on a date with Stuart, Penny was confused about her feelings for Leonard. A few episodes before it, the whole lime kiss happened, and I think that is when Penny started to realize just how much she liked him, that kiss was pretty hot after all! I think that, because she had decided at the beginning of season 2 that Leonard was too smart for her, she felt that she couldn't date him again because of that. Then Stuart appeared, a guy just as nerdy as Leonard, but nowhere near as smart. At that point in time he was seen as being a little more stable, his comic book store was shown as doing well and he was an artist, so he did have attractive qualities, despite his outward appearance. In my opinion she agreed because she was beginning to see that the nerdy guys, were actually good guys, even although they didn't look like those 'dumb guys at the gym' and she was possibly hoping that she would feel the same things for him as she did for Leonard, but would be able to hold a conversation better with him, because he wasn't a genius, he was just a nerd.

 

Now the whole thing with inviting him in for coffee... I would like to say that this, for her, was just a force of habit. And who is to say they would have actually even went all the way? As shown by her second date with him, as soon as she started making out with him her mind was on Leonard, so I think it is safe to assume that would have happened that night at her apartment too. So yeah, I think her whole thing with Stuart was just her trying to find someone like Leonard, just not as smart, because she felt like she was too dumb to date him.

 

Now go on, feel free to shoot my lovely idea down! I can take it.....

great review,--love your fanfic too

[rickfromillinois]

Maybe it sticks in my mind because I just saw a rerun of it but the episode where Leonard tells Penny that he will never ask her to marry him again and her first reaction was that he was breaking up with her, seems particularly significant to me, and demonstrates just how far their relationship has progressed.  In that episode we saw Leonard has gained enough self confidense that he confronted her about the way she had treated him that night, and Penny realize that she it is not a good idea to just take him for granted.   When Leonard returns I think that their relationship will move forward even more, although there are gong to be problems the first couple of days of his return.   I had been thinking that either some woman will show up proclaiming that she loves Leonard but I have started thinking that just maybe the problem will be Sheldon, who will not come right out and say that he missed Leonard but wants to spend every minute with him when he first returns.  In either case I think that Penny and Leonard are going to end up being closer then ever.

[Chrismo]

Maybe it sticks in my mind because I just saw a rerun of it but the episode where Leonard tells Penny that he will never ask her to marry him again and her first reaction was that he was breaking up with her, seems particularly significant to me, and demonstrates just how far their relationship has progressed.  In that episode we saw Leonard has gained enough self confidense that he confronted her about the way she had treated him that night, and Penny realize that she it is not a good idea to just take him for granted.   When Leonard returns I think that their relationship will move forward even more, although there are gong to be problems the first couple of days of his return.   I had been thinking that either some woman will show up proclaiming that she loves Leonard but I have started thinking that just maybe the problem will be Sheldon, who will not come right out and say that he missed Leonard but wants to spend every minute with him when he first returns.  In either case I think that Penny and Leonard are going to end up being closer then ever.

I saw that rerun too. I think the change goes back to the Egg Salad episode. When someone as pretty and smart as Alex totally hit on him (and he caught on) his ego got a tremendous boost and so did his confidence. Penny on the other hand had already meet Alex and had already been jealous. When Sheldon told the girls about Leonard being hit on by Alex and loving it Penny was upset. Her reaction in Tangible Proof (the episode you saw) had I believe a lot to do with Penny thinking she was going to be dumped by Leonard because of what happened in the Egg salad episode. I agree with your idea that problems may occur when Leonard returns. My scenerio though revolves around Raj. It seems to me that since he can talk to women now who might he bump into and ask out at the school  cafeteria. Maybe Alex. I could see him wanting to go on a double date with H/B and H/B finding out his date is Alex. That news would travel fast. Her hanging around the group when Leonard returns. Could make things tense.

[Tensor]

I love, that back in episode 100, that part of Leonard's thinking was that Penny might dump him, but the idea of him dumping Penny was met with be real. Egg salad,and tangible change that dynamic( and to a lesser extent Higgs.). At the beginning of the year, Penny had the power in the relationship. The fact that she's now as afraid to lose him as he is of losing her, has balanced the relationship. I don't mean this as if they are living in fear of the other running off, but they both realize they now want and need the other in their lives romantically, and they simply don't want to lose that.

[Guitars1964]

I love, that back in episode 100, that part of Leonard's thinking was that Penny might dump him, but the idea of him dumping Penny was met with be real. Egg salad,and tangible change that dynamic( and to a lesser extent Higgs.). At the beginning of the year, Penny had the power in the relationship. The fact that she's now as afraid to lose him as he is of losing her, has balanced the relationship. I don't mean this as if they are living in fear of the other running off, but they both realize they now want and need the other in their lives romantically, and they simply don't want to lose that.

And that balance is key going forward.  As Leonard's self confidence increases (as it has) and he becomes more aware that he DOES bring good things to the relationship and as Penny continues to realize that she does not hold all the power in the relationship, then they will both value the relationship more.  

[I.Am.Molly]

I like you also try to find ways to defend Penny. To me the Penny/Raj incident is no big deal.(I know I'm in the minority). Penny and Raj didn't have anyone. They had been drinking. Most of season 4 Penny had to put up with Priya. They quoted Shakesphere(acting) in front of her and Leonard told her to stay away because Priya didn't want her around. Penny admitted to Raj she screwed up by breaking up with Leonard. Penny cried to Amy about Leonard moving on. Leonard had no reason to be upset about Raj and Penny "sleeping" together he had Priya. Raj even told Leonard he "slept" with her but that Leonard would have been her first choice. Not only that Leonard has had a lot more women than Penny's had guys.(at least on the show).

I tend to feel like penny gets a lot of stick on this forum sometimes, so I like to, when I can, try and defend her actions. I think I have a tendency to see the good in people before the bad and that could be why I am always in her corner. I have always seen her as someone who doesn't think before she acts, she just lives on her gut and acts spontaneously, usually to her detriment. Like when she jumped at the chance to go out with david under hill, or the thing we were discussing earlier with Stuart. I don't think she has ever done something intentionally to hurt leonard. I think she does these things and then realises later on how that must of made him feel. I suppose the raj thing would be a good example of that too, but I still find it hard to defend her on that one. In my opinion sleeping, or intending to sleep with a close friend of your ex isn't such a bad thing, they were consenting adults after all. But I feel like due to the history between l/p, makes it much worse. Yet I have never thought any less of her because of it, and i dont worry about it ever happening again. I still feel like she didn't mean any harm in doing it, and she was drunk! I think we have all done stupid stuff when drunk! Oh and please excuse any spelling mistakes or anything in this, I am at work right now hehe

[Tensor]

....I think we have all done stupid stuff when drunk! Oh and please excuse any spelling mistakes or anything in this, I am at work right now hehe

Hehehehe, after saying we all have done stupid things when drunk, then asking to excuse any spelling and grammar errors, I thought you were going to say you were drunk, not at work.

[I.Am.Molly]

Hehehehe, after saying we all have done stupid things when drunk, then asking to excuse any spelling and grammar errors, I thought you were going to say you were drunk, not at work.

Oh god no. Trust me Rick if I was drunk you wouldn't of understood a word of what I had written. I have zero hand eye coordination when drunk... In fact I have no coordination when drunk at all! Needless to say, I fall over a lot!