Ship Zone The Shamy Thread! (Season 6 Edition-Spoilers)

[rachelshamyfan]

@koops slightly off topic, re E4 we saw how much they cut last night so what chance next week where Leonard calls Sheldon a crazy bastard being cut? If it is then it will make no sense in that particular story! Its weird though what is considered to before or after the watershed because none of the spanking episode was cut!

[rachelshamyfan]

You beat me to it rach! I was just going to say that, in a way, when people normally like someone they deliberately try to withhold displays of affection because they do mean something more than if they're directed to a friend or a relative. On the other hand though, it always makes me go back to the V-day hug and how it made no sense in that context to have him not at least try to return the hug, and cut the knee-pat. But I sound like a broken record on that scene so I just make myself cringe. lol

From the writers' POV, obviously it's easier to deal with a Professor Proton because it's a one off and it doesn't have any deeper meaning for Sheldon on a romantic level of course. That's why I think they are struggling with what to do next with Shamy, because Amy is there all the time.

Anyway, I was just thinking it would be awesome if on the next PP appearance he really hits it off with Amy and he actually bonds with her. He was obviously feeling a bit out of place with L/P/S, it'd be hilarious if he came back to meet her and really like her.

yeah I get the feeling Sheldon may be an all or nothing kinda guy when it comes to the affection that he will give to Amy and IF in the future stuff happens when he is totally ready they may not be able to keep their hands off each other!

[koops]

The whole editing business on E4 is so pathetically unprofessional. The scenes are cut REALLY badly. I don't understand what they consider too much either, they seem to have an issue with language rather than visual stuff, so I'm assuming the "crazy bastard" from next week will be cut too. I don't bother waiting for the episodes to come on tv because I just cannot wait that long, but also because there is no way I'll wait 3 months to see an episode that ends up being completely butchered. 

[rachelshamyfan]

Agree! I know now that once they are shown in the us, they are put up on YouTube in various forms pretty much within a couple hours

[Catlina]

 I liked the episode, Bob did a nice job. And nice to see Sheldon hugging someone! 
I agree with Koops, that it's very interesting how easily Sheldon seems to be able to hug someone he cares much, like professor Proton, but back to the V-day again, he couldn't hug the one he is supposed to care the most (and even love!). I think that is a really big inconsistency in Sheldon's behavior. Although I understand the romantic context is harder for him, but there was no reason to withhold him back then.   Writers really seem to struggle with the Shamy and they have been way too careful about the amount of touching and romance Shamy could have had on season 6. They may have been warned too many times to "not to go too far, too fast", etc, but this point it starts to get ridiculously slow to withhold them from each other like the way they have done. No kiss, no proper cuddle, just one sided hugs and a hand holding - that is not really much for whole season even for Shamy. Although I appreciate the moment with the role game in next episode, it is intimate in different level. I bet it can be my favorite scene and moment from the whole season 6. So I really hope they bring new Shamy in season 7. 
I agree with someone who said, Sheldon is kind of on/off guy - once he goes, there is no stopping him. Once he releases himself from the chains he have been in (about romance), he may be really vigorous and eager to explore that new area of his life with Amy. I think that kind of development would be very much suitable character growth for him. And that is what the writers are struggling with. Sheldon and romance definitely isn't the easiest task to write, especially now when things should get more intimate, including hugging and kissing. But I still trust the writers, they can do it when they focus. Sheldon can be romantic and funny at the same time; those two things are not mutually exclusive. And Sheldon is not asexual in my opinion, he has been just withholding himself from the "chains of romance" like a monk in a monastery. But once Amy came, she changed a lot of things in his heart. 
So writers have written awesome stories, so why they couldn't do it with Shamy romance too? And I can't point this enough: they could have that romance too while working together, writers could have really good potential storylines about Sheldon and Amy combining their scientific abilities on a project together like Curies did. I agree this is the time like a turning point for Shamy, they can't keep them like this any longer. They may be struggling with the proper timing for those events. But they should take the step and lead Shamy there where they have never been before.    
 

Edited May 3, 2013 by Catlina

[rubyanjel]

 

Anyway, I was just thinking it would be awesome if on the next PP appearance he really hits it off with Amy and he actually bonds with her. He was obviously feeling a bit out of place with L/P/S, it'd be hilarious if he came back to meet her and really like her. 

 

This is why I was so happy when I've read Bob's interview that he asked for 2 conditions for him to guest in one of Chuck's shows: his scenes should be shot live in front of a studio audience, and that his character must be a semi-recurring one. I would really want to know if she knew about him or what.

[koops]

And I can't point this enough: they could have that romance too while working together, writers could have really good potential storylines about Sheldon and Amy combining their scientific abilities on a project together like Curies did. I agree this is the time like a turning point for Shamy, they can't keep them like this any longer. They may be struggling with the proper timing for those events. But they should take the step and lead Shamy there where they have never been before.    

 

 

This! You know how much I dig this whole science-power couple thing, it would be such a great way to get their relationship to progress both mentally and physically to have them work together. I think the writers sometimes forget how smart Amy is meant to be, if she fired on all cylinders it would be an awesome intellectual match or synchrony with Sheldon that I think would be wonderful to watch. And we know he thinks the mind is the best aphrodisiac (even though they cut that line!), so what better way than combining the two? 

 

I'm also hoping Professor Proton's role as a semi-recurrent character means we will get to see more science on the show next year. Moonbase was saying in the science thread that Salzberg has been working at CERN this year, so maybe when he gets back to focus on TBBT more we might get more science stuff too. Fingers crossed for S7 on so many levels.

[rachelshamyfan]

I wonder if they could of just hired another sciency person if Salzburg isn't available!?

[Guest DroneInTheSun]

And if I am not mistaken, it is in the hospital where Prof Proton was taken, so it shows even more progress by being comfortable in a place where before he was panicking (like in the episode with Howard's Mom).  

 

Meh, to me it's more like one of the writers' huge inconsistencies. He had no problem when driving Penny to the hospital in The Adhesive Duck Deficiency or visiting his barber in The Werewolf Transformation. To me The Engagement Reaction is... not completely OOC because Sheldon is afraid of germs, but it's definitely OTT. 

 

I definitely agree with koops that it's much nicer to see Sheldon being kind and excited and compassionate. He used to be like this with Amy too, so I hope Season 7 will erase that pattern we've seen in the Shamy this second half of Season 6.

[ShamyForever]

The episode was cute. I love Bob, but I really missed Amy. 

 

I agree.   I really missed Amy too.  IMO her absence was very noticeable.   Not sure why they didn't include her in this episode.   I don't think it had to do with Passover either.   In the past, she has worked during religious holidays.   Last season, the reason she missed 2 episodes was due to her book tour.  

[Misophonia]

I think we are forgetting something important. Professor Proton is someone from Sheldon's childhood. He said in the show that PP had been his only friend as a child. I think this would put PP in the same league as Meemaw and Pop-pop in terms of Sheldon having someone in his life who understood, accepted, and made OK his obsession with science. So, him hugging PP would be the same as him unabashedly hugging Meemaw--which we know he would do without issue.

 

Equating Sheldon's physical interactions with PP versus Amy is ridiculous. Sheldon is in love with Amy, but he doesn't know what to do with that--or even know how to acknowledge it to himself. Hugging PP is a simple, one-dimension thing to him. It's like a cherished stuffed animal from childhood. With Amy, it's different. Every touch, feeling, and look shared with her is complex, mult-faceted, and filled with issues, fears, and endless questions in his mind. So, just walking up and hugging her is not going to be easy for him. The fact that he allows her freely to hug him without rebuke is a big step for him--even if he doesn't necessarily hug her back. Sheldon allows Amy to do pretty much anything she wants to to him all the time. This includes hugging, kissing, helping alter his behaviors, coming up with ideas on what he should do in certain situations, and allowing her to help keep him in line if he strays. He relies on her heavily--even when you can see it is obviously annoying to him that he does so. (It's like Sheldon says in 6x23: His relationship with Amy is extremely intimate as far as he is concerned.) This, to me at least, is far more powerful than a mere hug from a childhood friend.

 

Just my two cents,

[Misophonia]

I agree.   I really missed Amy too.  IMO her absence was very noticeable.   Not sure why they didn't include her in this episode.   I don't think it had to do with Passover either.   In the past, she has worked during religious holidays.   Last season, the reason she missed 2 episodes was due to her book tour.  

 

I read in multiple places that she actually asked for this week off. I don't think it had anything to do with the writers.

[BazingaFan]

 I liked the episode, Bob did a nice job. And nice to see Sheldon hugging someone! 

I agree with Koops, that it's very interesting how easily Sheldon seems to be able to hug someone he cares much, like professor Proton, but back to the V-day again, he couldn't hug the one he is supposed to care the most (and even love!). I think that is a really big inconsistency in Sheldon's behavior. Although I understand the romantic context is harder for him, but there was no reason to withhold him back then.   Writers really seem to struggle with the Shamy and they have been way too careful about the amount of touching and romance Shamy could have had on season 6. They may have been warned too many times to "not to go too far, too fast", etc, but this point it starts to get ridiculously slow to withhold them from each other like the way they have done. No kiss, no proper cuddle, just one sided hugs and a hand holding - that is not really much for whole season even for Shamy. Although I appreciate the moment with the role game in next episode, it is intimate in different level. I bet it can be my favorite scene and moment from the whole season 6. So I really hope they bring new Shamy in season 7. 

I agree with someone who said, Sheldon is kind of on/off guy - once he goes, there is no stopping him. Once he releases himself from the chains he have been in (about romance), he may be really vigorous and eager to explore that new area of his life with Amy. I think that kind of development would be very much suitable character growth for him. And that is what the writers are struggling with. Sheldon and romance definitely isn't the easiest task to write, especially now when things should get more intimate, including hugging and kissing. But I still trust the writers, they can do it when they focus. Sheldon can be romantic and funny at the same time; those two things are not mutually exclusive. And Sheldon is not asexual in my opinion, he has been just withholding himself from the "chains of romance" like a monk in a monastery. But once Amy came, she changed a lot of things in his heart. 

So writers have written awesome stories, so why they couldn't do it with Shamy romance too? And I can't point this enough: they could have that romance too while working together, writers could have really good potential storylines about Sheldon and Amy combining their scientific abilities on a project together like Curies did. I agree this is the time like a turning point for Shamy, they can't keep them like this any longer. They may be struggling with the proper timing for those events. But they should take the step and lead Shamy there where they have never been before.    

 

 

I think they're just trying to drag out shamy as long as they can.  And, romantic love is something sheldon has No experience with, so naturally it is going to take longer for him to be comfortable with it.  I can understand why hugging an idol/father figure would be easy, and hugging amy would not be.

 

I agree with other posts that proton and amy hitting it off would be perfect for the show and the shamy.  Can't wait to see what develops.

[stardustmelody]

I still think that the inconsistency in Sheldon's character was far more prominent in Season 6 than ever.   They are going to have to address this or fans will throw up their arms and begin to think that Sheldon really does not care about Amy that much.   They have to make that leap.  It is pushing everyone to the edge, as someone mentioned above, and if they don't commit in S7 to the couple, I fear that they may lose interest in the couple.

 

I think we are forgetting something important. Professor Proton is someone from Sheldon's childhood. He said in the show that PP had been his only friend as a child. I think this would put PP in the same league as Meemaw and Pop-pop in terms of Sheldon having someone in his life who understood, accepted, and made OK his obsession with science. So, him hugging PP would be the same as him unabashedly hugging Meemaw--which we know he would do without issue.

 

Equating Sheldon's physical interactions with PP versus Amy is ridiculous. Sheldon is in love with Amy, but he doesn't know what to do with that--or even know how to acknowledge it to himself. Hugging PP is a simple, one-dimension thing to him. It's like a cherished stuffed animal from childhood. With Amy, it's different. Every touch, feeling, and look shared with her is complex, mult-faceted, and filled with issues, fears, and endless questions in his mind. So, just walking up and hugging her is not going to be easy for him. The fact that he allows her freely to hug him without rebuke is a big step for him--even if he doesn't necessarily hug her back. Sheldon allows Amy to do pretty much anything she wants to to him all the time. This includes hugging, kissing, helping alter his behaviors, coming up with ideas on what he should do in certain situations, and allowing her to help keep him in line if he strays. He relies on her heavily--even when you can see it is obviously annoying to him that he does so. (It's like Sheldon says in 6x23: His relationship with Amy is extremely intimate as far as he is concerned.) This, to me at least, is far more powerful than a mere hug from a childhood friend.

 

 

While I totally agree with this analysis and think it is spot on, I am not sure the average viewer will connect that.  Bottom line, most people don't sit and think about these characters to the level that we, who belong to the forums, do.   I think to them, they only see things from a surface level and see the inconsistency.  They see Sheldon willing to hug Penny, Leonard, touch Raj on the shoulder and arm, hug Professor Proton, etc. but not willing to touch Amy and think that he must find her repulsive. I have seen that posted on other forums actually so I know many are thinking that.   It is a shame because I think what you said is far more accurate of what the writers are trying to convey, but evidently not really doing so to the average audience viewer.

 

To me it is this simple, Molaro loves Lenny.  He has made it clear that he is a huge Penny fan and Lenny fan.   He put Penny front and center this entire year.  It sort of was very much a Penny and Sheldon show year.  Both were given large stories this year, but Leonard and Amy suffered as a result a bit.   While Leonard was in the Lenny scenes, it still was much more focus on Penny than Lenny actually.  In fact the camera was mainly on her through most of their V-day date.   It didn't feel like they were on a date at all.   It was very obvious Molaro wanted Penny to have major story.

 

However, that being said, she still has remained pretty much the same character.   I don't see her as having colors and layers like Howard, Amy or Sheldon.   Sheldon we did see some growth the first half of the season (actually a lot of growth), then they suddenly put him back to the "childish" Sheldon instead of the "developing to being a man" Sheldon.   Episode 6.23 will help a little, but only if they move forward from it in S7.  

 

The issues I found with this season is that many episodes had no closure, there was a meaner edge to the dialog (both Penny and Sheldon grew meaner in their dialog to others), and the dialog often did not match the arc.   Likewise some episodes were poorly paced.    Last night felt good because it was very well paced, but only two stories as well.  When they try to fit in three stories, it is too rushed.   They are going to have to figure out how to handle that better.  Prady evened out episodes better than Molaro does.    But this was Molaro's first year at the helm so I am willing to give him some leeway because it likely was a big learning curve for him.  However, next season, I am hoping to see a lot of improvement in the writing because it was very inconsistent and spotty this year.

 

Shamy were clearly not the focus couple this season.   Lenny were, and Howard also got some great material (which I am glad because Simon is awesome).   Sheldon also had some good growth, but when I stop to consider what Jim might submit to snag him an Emmy, I come somewhat with a blank.  It wasn't because he didn't knock out every scene terrifically, but nothing really stood out as a definite win for him at the Emmy's either.   Mayim had very little to give her to submit this year.   I don't think any of Kaley's work would garner her a nom, much less a win, even though she was front and center.   So it will be interesting to see how that plays out this year.

 

I am really hoping that next year we see a big improvement.  I don't know if Prady plans to teach again, but if not, I hope he and Molaro together can knock it out of the ballpark.  I like Molaro's emotional story line concepts, but I think for overall execution of delivered product, I prefer Prady.

Edited May 3, 2013 by stardustmelody

[koops]

I think we are forgetting something important. Professor Proton is someone from Sheldon's childhood. He said in the show that PP had been his only friend as a child. I think this would put PP in the same league as Meemaw and Pop-pop in terms of Sheldon having someone in his life who understood, accepted, and made OK his obsession with science. So, him hugging PP would be the same as him unabashedly hugging Meemaw--which we know he would do without issue.

 

Equating Sheldon's physical interactions with PP versus Amy is ridiculous. Sheldon is in love with Amy, but he doesn't know what to do with that--or even know how to acknowledge it to himself. Hugging PP is a simple, one-dimension thing to him. It's like a cherished stuffed animal from childhood. With Amy, it's different. Every touch, feeling, and look shared with her is complex, mult-faceted, and filled with issues, fears, and endless questions in his mind. So, just walking up and hugging her is not going to be easy for him. The fact that he allows her freely to hug him without rebuke is a big step for him--even if he doesn't necessarily hug her back. Sheldon allows Amy to do pretty much anything she wants to to him all the time. This includes hugging, kissing, helping alter his behaviors, coming up with ideas on what he should do in certain situations, and allowing her to help keep him in line if he strays. He relies on her heavily--even when you can see it is obviously annoying to him that he does so. (It's like Sheldon says in 6x23: His relationship with Amy is extremely intimate as far as he is concerned.) This, to me at least, is far more powerful than a mere hug from a childhood friend.

 

Just my two cents,

 

My comparison wasn't about Sheldon as a "person" but rather with the writers' reasons for noticeably avoiding writing any kind of overtly affectionate behavior toward her. I totally agree with what you're saying about him as a person, and it makes an awful lot of sense. The issue I have is mostly to do with the fact that, if this is the case, the writers should make it a bit more clear to the audience that these are the issues. They do have him state being "uncomfortable with physical contact" as THE reason why he isn't physical with Amy. But if it's an issue with physical contact regardless of the person, then episodes like last night don't make a lot of sense. And if he is working on it, it doesn't make sense that he would snap at her for wanting to hold hands. And, on top of that, being uncomfortable with physical contact doesn't mean you have to be snarky and nasty about things that are totally unrelated to physical contact.

 

If, on the other hand, all this stuff happens because he's not sure what to do about being attracted to her, then, IMO, it should be made a little bit clearer. Otherwise it just comes across as if he's fine with being nice and affectionate with everyone but her, for no particularly good reason. 6x23 if fantastic, don't get me wrong, but it really doesn't address what has happened between V-day and now, it just sort of ignores it. Sheldon is suddenly back to being mature and empathic and working on it for her and it just makes you wonder what was going on in between. That's why I think those episodes that seemed a bit "off" weren't actually on purpose, they probably were thrown off by whatever made them change their minds on V-day and kind of didn't know what to do with Shamy all of a sudden.

 

And I also do believe that the reason the writers tip-toe around with these double standards is because there is a part of the audience that will scream OOC and how Sheldon has been "ruined" ONLY when it comes to how he behaves towards Amy, but not when it comes to other characters. 

Edited May 3, 2013 by koops

[BazingaFan]

I agree stardust... I think a mixture of molaro and prady's style would come off better.  I liked season 5 and season 6... but each for very different reasons.  I'd like to see more a mixture of the two.

 

I think perhaps they are saving more shamy for season 7.  I think at this point, they need to.

[Misophonia]

My comparison wasn't about Sheldon as a "person" but rather with the writers' reasons for noticeably avoiding writing any kind of overtly affectionate behavior toward her. I totally agree with what you're saying about him as a person, and it makes an awful lot of sense. The issue I have is mostly to do with the fact that, if this is the case, the writers should make it a bit more clear to the audience that these are the issues. They do have him state being "uncomfortable with physical contact" as THE reason why he isn't physical with Amy. But if it's an issue with physical contact regardless of the person, then episodes like last night don't make a lot of sense. And if he is working on it, it doesn't make sense that he would snap at her for wanting to hold hands. And, on top of that, being uncomfortable with physical contact doesn't mean you have to be snarky and nasty about things that are totally unrelated to physical contact.

 

If, on the other hand, all this stuff happens because he's not sure what to do about being attracted to her, then, IMO, it should be made a little bit clearer. Otherwise it just comes across as if he's fine with being nice and affectionate with everyone but her, for no particularly good reason. 6x23 if fantastic, don't get me wrong, but it really doesn't address what has happened between V-day and now, it just sort of ignores it. Sheldon is suddenly back to being mature and empathic and working on it for her and it just makes you wonder what was going on in between. That's why I think those episodes that seemed a bit "off" weren't actually on purpose, they probably were thrown off by whatever made them change their minds on V-day and kind of didn't know what to do with Shamy all of a sudden.

 

And I also do believe that the reason the writers tip-toe around with these double standards is because there is a part of the audience that will scream OOC and how Sheldon has been "ruined" ONLY when it comes to how he behaves towards Amy, but not when it comes to other characters. 

 

I definitely agree with you in terms of the writers worrying about angering the people who want old Sheldon. The writers are just going to have to take the plunge and own the changes in Sheldon. Life is all about change. Sheldon isn't who he was in the first two and half seasons--Thank God. If they lose those viewers who just want to see robot Sheldon, then they do. But they will gain the admiration of the Shamy shippers as well as new fans who might not have liked the old Sheldon. This walking the fence crap only succeeds in angering and alienating everyone.

[stardustmelody]

It seems we were not the only ones to miss Amy. I am glad some of the reviewers are getting it and realize that it made no sense that Sheldon would not want to share this moment with her:

 

http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/05/the-big-bang-theory-review-the-proton-resurgence/

 

I do disagree that the jokes came better without her.  I actually think it could have been just as funny with her.

Edited May 3, 2013 by stardustmelody

[Misophonia]

Some random thoughts/questions I had about last night's episode:

 

1. Sheldon has never (to my knowledge) worn a shirt that color before. It's like an aqua. In terms of what we know in regard to the color of his shirt reflecting his mood, it made me wonder ... "What mood is that supposed to reflect?" My ideas: Innocence, excitement, dreams.

 

2. Penny was actually learning a lot from Professor Proton and seemed geniunely interested in what he was teaching (even though I know they were playing that for the jokes). Still, could she maybe have more interest in science than we have previously been allowed to believe?

 

3. The last scene where Sheldon hugged Professor Proton seemed to me very remniscent of the last scene in Return of the Jedi between Luke and Vader. (This could just be me. I did eat a LOT of chocolate last night. Weird stuff happens when I do that.) I also found it strangely endearing that Sheldon seemed to desperately want to be Professor Proton jr. Like having a father--especially one in science--was important to him. I get this on a "someone accepts me" level, but it made me wonder--Is Sheldon unconsciously missing his real father?

Edited May 3, 2013 by Misophonia

[stardustmelody]

My comparison wasn't about Sheldon as a "person" but rather with the writers' reasons for noticeably avoiding writing any kind of overtly affectionate behavior toward her. I totally agree with what you're saying about him as a person, and it makes an awful lot of sense. The issue I have is mostly to do with the fact that, if this is the case, the writers should make it a bit more clear to the audience that these are the issues. They do have him state being "uncomfortable with physical contact" as THE reason why he isn't physical with Amy. But if it's an issue with physical contact regardless of the person, then episodes like last night don't make a lot of sense. And if he is working on it, it doesn't make sense that he would snap at her for wanting to hold hands. And, on top of that, being uncomfortable with physical contact doesn't mean you have to be snarky and nasty about things that are totally unrelated to physical contact.

 

If, on the other hand, all this stuff happens because he's not sure what to do about being attracted to her, then, IMO, it should be made a little bit clearer. Otherwise it just comes across as if he's fine with being nice and affectionate with everyone but her, for no particularly good reason. 6x23 if fantastic, don't get me wrong, but it really doesn't address what has happened between V-day and now, it just sort of ignores it. Sheldon is suddenly back to being mature and empathic and working on it for her and it just makes you wonder what was going on in between. That's why I think those episodes that seemed a bit "off" weren't actually on purpose, they probably were thrown off by whatever made them change their minds on V-day and kind of didn't know what to do with Shamy all of a sudden.

 

And I also do believe that the reason the writers tip-toe around with these double standards is because there is a part of the audience that will scream OOC and how Sheldon has been "ruined" ONLY when it comes to how he behaves towards Amy, but not when it comes to other characters. 

 

I agree and they need to get over it.  First off, many of those fans have become Shamy fans now.   So the number of fans that will scream OOC are much smaller population than two years ago when Amy first was being introduced.   They really have to realize they can influence how the audience responds and take the couple on the journey or else decide Sheldon will never be in a relationship.   Since they gave him a relationship, commit to it and move it forward.  It is very frustrating.  S7 is the time to take that giant leap and bring back the sweet side of Sheldon to Amy, and a more affection Sheldon to Amy.   They have to start showing that he does care and is ready to move forward.

[BazingaFan]

Misophonia--- I dont think we have the evidence from the show that he misses his real father, but definitely he wants a father figure.  I think his idol worship stems some from the lack of a good male influence.  I've tried to touch on this some in my fic, because I think it's worth exploring, and maybe the writers are trying to do that, since they added the pop pop reference earlier in the season.

 

But, like stardust said, even though I like what the writers are trying to do this season, I wish it were easier to understand (more obvious) sometimes.

Edited May 3, 2013 by BazingaFan

[koops]

Some random thoughts/questions I had about last night's episode:

 

1. Sheldon has never (to my knowledge) worn a shirt that color before. It's like an aqua. In terms of what we know in regard to the color of his shirt reflecting his mood, it made me wonder ... "What mood is that supposed to reflect?" My ideas: Innocence, excitement, dreams.

 

2. Penny was actually learning a lot from Professor Proton and seemed geniunely interested in what he was teaching (even though I know they were playing that for the jokes). Still, could she maybe have more interest in science than we have previously been allowed to believe?

 

3. The last scene where Sheldon hugged Professor Proton seemed to me very remniscent of the last scene in Return of the Jedi between Luke and Vader. (This could just be me. I did eat a LOT of chocolate last night. Weird stuff happens when I do that.) I also found it strangely endearing that Sheldon seemed to desperately want to be Professor Proton jr. Like having a father--especially one in science--was important to him. I get this on a "someone accepts me" level, but it made me wonder--Is Sheldon unconsciously missing his real father?

 

More than his father, probably his grandfather. He said he was the one who was supportive of him getting into science, and it's obvious from the Santa ep that he left a big hole in his life when he died, given that it sounds like the rest of his family isn't exactly the Mensa club. He probably idolized this man as a child because he had nobody to look up to in that way in his life. I do find it very endearing and I'm looking forward to PP coming back. 

 

@stardust. Interesting review, but I wonder if the writer really paid attention to 6x18: Sheldon was the only one doing everything right in that episode, he might be better as Professor Proton Jr than this reviewer gives him credit for. But I do agree with Amy's absence being totally random. They gave explanations as to why Raj and Howard weren't there (Raj was away and Howard got "uninvited"), and I didn't give it too much thought at first but it is true that if Sheldon was that excited surely he should want to share that with Amy and if the writers thought 4 was too many for the episode and were worried it would crowd Bob Newhart's screentime, they should have at least mentioned why she was absent like they did for the other characters. Odd.

Edited May 3, 2013 by koops

[stardustmelody]

Some random thoughts/questions I had about last night's episode:

 

1. Sheldon has never (to my knowledge) worn a shirt that color before. It's like an aqua. In terms of what we know in regard to the color of his shirt reflecting his mood, it made me wonder ... "What mood is that supposed to reflect?" My ideas: Innocence, excitement, dreams.

 

2. Penny was actually learning a lot from Professor Proton and seemed geniunely interested in what he was teaching (even though I know they were playing that for the jokes). Still, could she maybe have more interest in science than we have previously been allowed to believe?

 

3. The last scene where Sheldon hugged Professor Proton seemed to me very remniscent of the last scene in Return of the Jedi between Luke and Vader. (This could just be me. I did eat a LOT of chocolate last night. Weird stuff happens when I do that.) I also found it strangely endearing that Sheldon seemed to desperately want to be Professor Proton jr. Like having a father--especially one in science--was important to him. I get this on a "someone accepts me" level, but it made me wonder--Is Sheldon unconsciously missing his real father?

 Sheldon has worn that color before, but rarely.   I do think you have a good idea as to what it means because he often has been more "innocent" when wearing the color.

 

Penny's interest, I fear, was just for laughs in this episode.  I doubt they are going to have her develop an interest in Science.   I think they like keeping her "different" from the gang and it would change the premise of her character a bit too much.

 

Yes..I think Sheldon does miss having a real father.  It may not be his father so much, because I think he loved his father, but never understood or respected him.  I think he has fantasized about having a loving and caring father and one that was also academic and intelligent.   So Professor Proton was an ideal "fantasy father" to him.   I think he does miss having a father in his life though. 

 

I think it is interesting you brought up before about Sheldon viewing Professor Proton a lot like Meemaw and Pop-Pop.  I think he does view him a lot like that.   What I love about your fanfic is how you brought that same unconditional love that Meemaw had for Sheldon into Amy.  Sheldon saw Meemaw as having loved him, warts and all, and was highly encouraging.  Pop-Pop was as well from the little we know about him.   Amy loves him that way as well.   Which is why it makes it even harder to see him constantly keep her at such a distance and at bay.  I understand your rationale above and agree with it, but it does not make it any easier to watch, especially when they don't really clue the audience in (unless you are like us and really analyze the situation) on where Sheldon is at regarding his relationship with Amy.  They have not shown the audience that he does find her attractive, that he is "turned-on" by her, that he struggles with touching her because it does affect him differently when he touches her than other people, that he has fears beyond touch (fears of failure and disappointing her), etc.   I think they need to start showing that or the audience isn't going to understand.  They already don't understand based on many comments I have seen on other forums and sites.  Many think he finds her repulsive and will never want her in that way.   It is sad because I don't think that is the intention at all that the writers were trying to convey, but if you don't take the audience on the journey, they may not always get it.  Most people need to have it very clear in front of them to understand and don't get the nuances.

[BazingaFan]

I agree, again, stardust... you are spot on with your description of the problem.

[koops]

I don't even think it's just an issue that strictly pertains to the physicality of their relationship. I think the writers have worked really hard to not commit on an emotional level either. It doesn't need to be physical necessarily, but it would be nice for the audience, once and for all, to know that he is in love with this girl, even if it's done in a way such as that the audience becomes aware of it while he is still unaware of it, if they are still uncomfortable with the idea of him being aware of his own feelings (which I don't think they are, anyway, from the way they wrote 6x07, 6x14 and 6x23). They get him to say something or do something that makes it glaringly obvious to someone who isn't as emotionally stunted as Sheldon, or something along those lines.

 

I think 6x23 might do the trick, but that depends on how they pick up in S7. 6x14, imo, was already making that point, but by writing Sheldon the way they have subsequently, they kind of devalued that episode. I hope that the same won't happen after 6x23. 

 

I think they are honestly terrified of what will happen once the audience knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that he is in love. But after 3-something years they will have to make a decision, there's no way this relationship can realistically continue for another whole season even, let alone 3 or 4, without some form of commitment on the writers part.

Edited May 3, 2013 by koops