BazingaFan Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 Pomita -- I don't think I could have said it more perfectly. Very good analysis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickfromillinois Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 Pesonally I didn't care for Sheldon's disillusionment in the cafe when he decided that he wasn't going to stop doing the Star Trek thing. Yes, it is a little unusual for adults to do things like that, but it hurts nobody and I find it endearing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lissie Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 (edited) I couldn't comment last night because I was watching the episode on repeat mode, several times, and then I fell asleep. That's how much I loved it. This is one of those episodes which I didn't find LOL funny, and I don't think it was meant to be, but it left me supremely satisfied. I found it poignant, touching and even poetic at places.. especially the parallel of the girls sitting and having Chinese food and talking comic books, Amy on Sheldon's spot. That's a visual which will always stay with me as one of the most beautiful things I've seen on TBBT, and I honestly believe it should persuade anyone who felt that the girls are taking away the guys' geekiness and forcing them to turn into more 'normal' people. The message is clear - it works both ways, and each of them is adding something to their lives through their relationships, not having anything taken away. In terms of fun moments, I thought the photo session was delightful ('Data's fight pose and dance moves were priceless), and Raj's little one-liners throughout - it was interesting to see that he was the one who remained upbeat about their trip till the end, even though the others were blaming him for the situation. I also thought the Thor/hammer discussion was engaging, and showed perfectly how one does get sucked into arguments of this kind (we've seen the guys at it earlier, and I'm sure many of us have experienced similar 'escalations' in real life). I really appreciated Stuart in this episode - he was somewhat back to his earlier lively, non-pathetic form, and I liked how he helped the girls with their choices and threatened to hose down the starers. The sadness and ridicule the guys had to face, starting from when Sheldon got the slurpy thrown on him, stirred me deep inside, having been through such situations of feeling discouraged as an 'outsider' (even if not as overtly). Sheldon's stricken eyes in the bar scene haunt me; some powerful acting by Jim there. It was harrowing to see him so lost and defeated and vulnerable- a rare moment of depth, for Sheldon - and he played it perfectly. The moment when he admitted to feeling like an idiot and wanted to go home made me tear up. And then, when they went back and their silence transformed back to renewed smiles and interest when they realized that their women had started appreciating 'great literature', I teared up again, this time with joy. Very few TBBT moments have touched me so much, or made me happier. It was such a strong message of 'the world doesn't matter as long as you're happy in your own world'. I would have so loved to see what happened after they burst into 4A with their lasers on stun! I do think Jim gave an award-worthy performance, in the latter part of this episode. While Sheldon's sadness and depression were not by any means intended to show that he or the other guys are going to give up their geeky interests - their enthusiasm was back in full force as soon as they were cheered up by the girls' argument - they certainly gave another hint of some amount of self-awareness and introspection going on within him, nowadays. In Parking Spot or Egg Salad, he remained clueless, unthinking, egoistic Sheldon, but in stories like this one and 43 Peculiarity we see some quiet moments of transformation beneath the surface - an increased sensitivity to what is happening in and around him. This is definitely one of my all-time favorite episodes; I'm absolutely delighted with the 20 million rating, but after all it doesn't really matter.. I'm just so happy to be a fan of the show and to experience what it does to my spirits, at times when things aren't smooth in real life. Oh my dear, your words are amazing and show exactly what I feel! Nothing more to add. Edited January 12, 2013 by Lissie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pomita Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 (edited) Thanks. Pesonally I didn't care for Sheldon's disillusionment in the cafe when he decided that he wasn't going to stop doing the Star Trek thing. Yes, it is a little unusual for adults to do things like that, but it hurts nobody and I find it endearing. I thought that was exactly the point of the episode - that such offbeat hobbies hurt nobody and are endearing, and yet so many people in society insist on looking down on them, hurting innocent people in the process. The people who laughed and threw slurpies at them were clearly shown to be in the wrong, and the way to show that was to depict just how hurt and dispirited it made the heroes of the show (our nerd guys). Their sense of defeat and disillusionment was temporary, and they recovered soon after, but the indictment of those who inflicted the unfair teasing was what we're meant to take home. Edited January 12, 2013 by Pomita Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vasu Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 I thought that was exactly the point of the episode - that such offbeat hobbies hurt nobody and are endearing, and yet so many people in society insist on looking down on them, hurting innocent people in the process. The people who laughed and threw slurpies at them were clearly shown to be in the wrong, and the way to show that was to depict just how hurt and dispirited it made the heroes of the show (our nerd guys). Their sense was defeat and disillusionment was temporary, and they recovered soon after, but the indictment of those who inflicted the unfair teasing was what we're meant to take home. I'm not sure if the people who were laughing at the guys were shown to be wrong or not as we were basically asked to laugh at the guys being made fun of in the diner Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
djvang Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 This is one of those episodes which I didn't find LOL funny, and I don't think it was meant to be, but it left me supremely satisfied. I found it poignant, touching and even poetic at places.. especially the parallel of the girls sitting and having Chinese food and talking comic books, Amy on Sheldon's spot. That's a visual which will always stay with me as one of the most beautiful things I've seen on TBBT, and I honestly believe it should persuade anyone who felt that the girls are taking away the guys' geekiness and forcing them to turn into more 'normal' people. The message is clear - it works both ways, and each of them is adding something to their lives through their relationships, not having anything taken away. That's certainly true for this episode, but the overall trend has been away from geek humor and toward relationship humor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmp Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 I love this episode for so many reasons. As someone pointed out earlier, it showed that not only have the guys been forced to adapt by having the girls in their lives, but the girls are being influenced by the guys as well. I actually see this as a relationship episode between the guys as a group and the girls as a group. The guys had such a demoralizing experience, realizing that the world thinks they're stupid and they want to go home to get away from it. When they get home, they arrive not only to comforting surroundings and familiar people, but to find that the rest of their social circle has taken an interest in their activities. They were ridiculed in the world but understood and valued at home. It highlights for me why they are friends with these ladies in the first place and I think it's a bonding moment between the guys and girls. Very powerful, and brilliant the way nerd interests were an integral part of it. I said this before, but I imagine what happened after they went in the door is that the girls were so busy arguing they weren't aware enough to be concerned, and brought the guys in to settle the dispute. Next thing you know, all seven of them are happily arguing over comic books. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Europa Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 (edited) I did enjoy the comic book store, Stuart was funny but then the entire Thor's hammer argument was dull and stilted. Can't begin to disagree more. I found it a fantastic and hilarious example of how people get so passionate about things that others find absurd. It was sweet that the girls wanted to learn something about an interest of their men that they did not share, and I thought the debate about the nature of Thor's hammer really funny in that there are so many possible ways to interpret the story. Kind of like what we do in these forums, eh? Edited January 12, 2013 by Europa Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangBangClick Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 Wait one minute, they went into the guys' apartment, opended up their comic books, while they were eating, and they guys are going to be okay about it? Don't think so, consequences for all! That would have been a great part of the episode if they had gone through that door! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pomita Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 tmp - I agree, this episode was an intriguing way of combining a nerdy storyline with a relationship aspect, with a bit of 'role reversal' going on. I said this before, but I imagine what happened after they went in the door is that the girls were so busy arguing they weren't aware enough to be concerned, and brought the guys in to settle the dispute. Next thing you know, all seven of them are happily arguing over comic books. This is definitely my head canon. (And I also want fan-fic about what happens after they storm in..) djvang - I've always felt that they've managed to keep geeky humor and relationship issues pretty evenly balanced, and quite often intermingled, like in this episode. vasu - since we seem to be discussing the same point in different forums, please refer to my reply in the other one (someone else said it better than I could). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
annieogly Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 Can't begin to disagree more. I found it a fantastic and hilarious example of how people get so passionate about things that others find absurd. It was sweet that the girls wanted to learn something about an interest of their men that they did not share, and I thought the debate about the nature of Thor's hammer really funny in that there are so many possible ways to interpret the story. Kind of like what we do in these forums, eh? Europa; do you know any girls with geeky/nerdy cultural interests? I know many who are devoted to anime & manga and they don't have those kind of arguments. That's the way guys argue not women...and that's why it annoyed me. But I agree about friendly discussions:) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pomita Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 Europa; do you know any girls with geeky/nerdy cultural interests? I know many who are devoted to anime & manga and they don't have those kind of arguments. That's the way guys argue not women...and that's why it annoyed me. But I agree about friendly discussions:) Interesting. I'm not a comic-book geek, but I've had arguments similar to what the girls were having, with my friends (both male and female) regarding science issues or other hobbies (including TBBT!). I don't know if being comic-book fans specifically could make us argue in a different way. Also, I'm not sure I would like to agree with a stereotype of guys and girls always having different styles of arguing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantagrae Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 Interesting. I'm not a comic-book geek, but I've had arguments similar to what the girls were having, with my friends (both male and female) regarding science issues or other hobbies (including TBBT!). I don't know if being comic-book fans specifically could make us argue in a different way. Also, I'm not sure I would like to agree with a stereotype of guys and girls always having different styles of arguing. Yeah, I've spent years having discussions about TXF, both interpreting the words and behaviors of the characters, but also things like what the aliens can or cannot do, etc. In all those years, I never noticed any difference between men and women in regard to how we argued or discussed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
koops Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 Yeah, I've spent years having discussions about TXF, both interpreting the words and behaviors of the characters, but also things like what the aliens can or cannot do, etc. In all those years, I never noticed any difference between men and women in regard to how we argued or discussed. Ah, the good ol' days! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamynatress Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 (edited) Yeah, I've spent years having discussions about TXF, both interpreting the words and behaviors of the characters, but also things like what the aliens can or cannot do, etc. In all those years, I never noticed any difference between men and women in regard to how we argued or discussed. I love arguments and discussions about fandoms. Spent years of my life with arguments and discussions about Harry Potter and wether or not Severus Snape is a good or bad guy. (just for the record: I always knew he is good) Back on topic: I love the comic-book storyline. It is so nice that the girls get totally caught by the moment and end up spending hours with the hammer topic (btw, I LOVE the Hammer-Wand comaprison.... LOL). I personally think it shows how they grow together more and more. Edited January 12, 2013 by Shamynatress Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantagrae Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 I love arguments and discussions about fandoms. Spent years of my life with arguments and discussions about Harry Potter and wether or not Severus Snape is a good or bad guy. (just for the record: I always knew he is good) Back on topic: I love the comic-book storyline. It is so nice that the girls get totally caught by the moment and end up spending hours with the hammer topic (btw, I LOVE the Hammer-Wand comaprison.... LOL). I personally think it shows how they grow together more and more. Also, it doesn't really matter how female comic book fans might argue--the girls aren't really comic book fans. They're simply arguing points of logic like anyone would do. Gender isn't really an issue, IMO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamynatress Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 Also, it doesn't really matter how female comic book fans might argue--the girls aren't really comic book fans. They're simply arguing points of logic like anyone would do. Gender isn't really an issue, IMO. Totally Agree..... exept..... like anyone would do? "The sun comes up!, so things in space can come up!" harrharrharr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
koops Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 "Hard to argue with those kind of street smarts" LMAO! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantagrae Posted January 13, 2013 Posted January 13, 2013 BTW, did anyone else notice the adult-size Superman undies for sale at the Comic Book Store? :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubyanjel Posted January 13, 2013 Posted January 13, 2013 Europa; do you know any girls with geeky/nerdy cultural interests? I know many who are devoted to anime & manga and they don't have those kind of arguments. That's the way guys argue not women...and that's why it annoyed me. But I agree about friendly discussions:) oh you didn't just have to say that. The girls who cried 'sexist' on the promo would say otherwise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamynatress Posted January 13, 2013 Posted January 13, 2013 BTW, did anyone else notice the adult-size Superman undies for sale at the Comic Book Store? :D Of course! Laughed out Loud. Especially because of the size, IMO they were hugh! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmp Posted January 13, 2013 Posted January 13, 2013 Of course! Laughed out Loud. Especially because of the size, IMO they were hugh! They must have been designed for Captain Sweatpants. Did you notice him in the store? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamynatress Posted January 13, 2013 Posted January 13, 2013 Yes. Isn't he always there? These sweatpants are just to hot.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
netmouse Posted January 13, 2013 Posted January 13, 2013 (edited) My fiancee refers to me playing XBOX as "Computer Club" She actually says it in a nerdy voice, too just to get her message across >< "Hey, nerd... how's computer club going??" She also has a habit of mimicing the voice acting of video games too. Remind me why I'm marrying this woman again ??? Edited January 13, 2013 by netmouse Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vasu Posted January 13, 2013 Posted January 13, 2013 (edited) Regarding the girls argument part... I thought it was pretty good and it had some great zingers in it... But I thought it would have been better if the argument was about something like the story or a character that they would get wrapped up in debating..... Probably something like how they imagined the character or story felt because that is the essence of comic book escapism..... Argument on how Thor's hammer works was good (pretty good actually)..... but it was just a meticulous technical discussion...... not something which explains how one can get invested in the world of comic books..... Edited January 13, 2013 by vasu Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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