Character Penny

[SRAM]

Is it me or is it seen by others that Penny is not 'perky' anymore and her sarcastic responses seemed to have doubled? I seem to see in the show that although she is happy in her relationship with Leonard and her group of friends, her attitude about the rest of her life is, it just sucks.

[BangerMain]

Is it me or is it seen by others that Penny is not 'perky' anymore and her sarcastic responses seemed to have doubled? I seem to see in the show that although she is happy in her relationship with Leonard and her group of friends, her attitude about the rest of her life is, it just sucks.

 

Penny isn't perky anymore and that maybe a manifestation of the maturing process that the writers have taken her on. She is now viewing her life for what it is and its a mixed bag.

 

She knows that her career ambition is at best stalled and she does not like her job. She knows her education is inadequate and she can compare that everyday with the folks around her. Her only real success is capturing the heart of Leonard and she sees threats to her position as his queen that make her insecure.

 

She may just begin to fathom that what keeps her from fulfillment is her near terminal laziness. Her career planning means getting the reading of psychics. School is boring and tedious so get friends to do the hard work like writing papers. Let Leonard make me happy in my life and cede to me the complete control of a commitment decision. No need to develop a talent or enjoy a hobby or support a cause because that seems like a lot of work.

 

Some of this attitude can be blamed on Leonard since he did not asks more of her and he fears her being unhappy with him but that is changing. Her life motto, "I'm cute, I get by" is being challenged and you can assume that she must see that as she hurdles toward 30 years old in a couple of years, that will start losing its magic.

 

Penny seemed to lack the ability to be introspective in the past, it was always "don't over think things".  She is starting to gain that ability.

[3ku11]

Penny isn't perky anymore and that maybe a manifestation of the maturing process that the writers have taken her on. She is now viewing her life for what it is and its a mixed bag.

 

She knows that her career ambition is at best stalled and she does not like her job. She knows her education is inadequate and she can compare that everyday with the folks around her. Her only real success is capturing the heart of Leonard and she sees threats to her position as his queen that make her insecure.

 

She may just begin to fathom that what keeps her from fulfillment is her near terminal laziness. Her career planning means getting the reading of psychics. School is boring and tedious so get friends to do the hard work like writing papers. Let Leonard make me happy in my life and cede to me the complete control of a commitment decision. No need to develop a talent or enjoy a hobby or support a cause because that seems like a lot of work.

 

Some of this attitude can be blamed on Leonard since he did not asks more of her and he fears her being unhappy with him but that is changing. Her life motto, "I'm cute, I get by" is being challenged and you can assume that she must see that as she hurdles toward 30 years old in a couple of years, that will start losing its magic.

 

Penny seemed to lack the ability to be introspective in the past, it was always "don't over think things".  She is starting to gain that ability.

Agree but I think Penny's self actulization has changed dramatically, she used to define her life by her looks and her success in her acting career, in S6 she is now begginning to realize even though she is struggling in that facet of her career, she is begginning to realize the people around he are a big part of her identity, and starting to like you said gain the ability to introspective things (that last sentence made no sense lol but my point remains).

[rickfromillinois]

Agree but I think Penny's self actulization has changed dramatically, she used to define her life by her looks and her success in her acting career, in S6 she is now begginning to realize even though she is struggling in that facet of her career, she is begginning to realize the people around he are a big part of her identity, and starting to like you said gain the ability to introspective things (that last sentence made no sense lol but my point remains).

I agree.  I would also like to add that Penny is becoming more satisfied with her life as she realizes how important she is in friend's lives, not because of her looks, or because of how much "fun" she can be, but because they value her opinion, advice, and her caring nature.   Although initially Leonard was attracted to her because of her looks and sex appeal, I think that he loves her for her personality and for how much she appreciates and accepts him.  I think that she also brings those same attributes to the rest of the gang.   They know that she cares about them and although she may not always approve or support what they do, she does approve of and support THEM, if you can see the difference that I am trying to make.  

[Richardepic]

i  hung around girls from kindergarden-intermediate school, I still have a couple friends who are girls.

I always relate to Leonard and Penny's friendship and it's entirely plausible.

 

Penny is friendly albeit overly emotional, short tempered and sarcastc. a tom girl but also very feminine(shoes, fashion, dating) I do not believe she is a slut though. She doesn't "sleep around", she just dates and has mentioned not everyone " rides the rollercoaster some just spin the tea-cups". It's all intention,I'm gonna sound like raj but for the most part Penny was single and ready to mingle now she's with Leonard and they have a great realistic relationship:

 

They don't cheat on one another like Charlie did to Chelsea in two and half men

They have real problems: mutual love, marriage proposal, moving in together.

 

 

[ArmyGirl]

Penny isn't perky anymore and that maybe a manifestation of the maturing process that the writers have taken her on. She is now viewing her life for what it is and its a mixed bag.

 

She knows that her career ambition is at best stalled and she does not like her job. She knows her education is inadequate and she can compare that everyday with the folks around her. Her only real success is capturing the heart of Leonard and she sees threats to her position as his queen that make her insecure.

 

She may just begin to fathom that what keeps her from fulfillment is her near terminal laziness. Her career planning means getting the reading of psychics. School is boring and tedious so get friends to do the hard work like writing papers. Let Leonard make me happy in my life and cede to me the complete control of a commitment decision. No need to develop a talent or enjoy a hobby or support a cause because that seems like a lot of work.

 

Some of this attitude can be blamed on Leonard since he did not asks more of her and he fears her being unhappy with him but that is changing. Her life motto, "I'm cute, I get by" is being challenged and you can assume that she must see that as she hurdles toward 30 years old in a couple of years, that will start losing its magic.

 

Penny seemed to lack the ability to be introspective in the past, it was always "don't over think things".  She is starting to gain that ability.

 

The bold part is why I don't understand.  If Leonard had asked more of Penny most would say he was trying to change her and couldn't accept Penny for who she is.  For me this is a no win situation for Leonard, example when he found out why Penny didn't want to continue to date him due to her lack of education.  He tried to help and look at how Penny reacted, I mean Leonard was just trying to help her feel better about it and it all got turned against him and the door being closed in his face along with her angry.  If you were with someone that gets angry at everything you say or do, what would you do?

 

Why I never understood is why is Penny so lazy?  This is the question I feel the writers have never truly dealt with where Penny is concern.  And I hate the excuse of it's her age, it's their go to plan when they don't want to deal with something with Penny, imo.

[SRAM]

I sometimes think the writers have beat the Penny character down and that is why you can't describe her as Perky. They have seemed to have destroyed the characters dream completely. It gets hard to believe that her only paying job was a commercial in six years.

[Nogravitasatall]

I sometimes think the writers have beat the Penny character down and that is why you can't describe her as Perky. They have seemed to have destroyed the characters dream completely. It gets hard to believe that her only paying job was a commercial in six years.

I don't know if they have to make the pretty girl unsuccessful to make her relatable or to make her unenviable. If she gets success professionally, then she has won the lottery and has beauty, money and a great relationship - and while that is nice for her, it's not so rewarding to someone who has none of those things and and she becomes less engaging. BUT if she shows tenacity in the face of adversity then that's admirable and we can respect her pluck, instead of hating her for her cuteness, adorability, loveliness, glowing beauty, aura of delightful playfulness, constancy and ability to strip and rebuild tractor engines.

But I think they may throw her some more bones in the future. After they make her suffer - again.

[SRAM]

Yeah, if they could give here a little, that would be nice, maybe just enough so he only has to work at the Cheesecake Factory part time. It would be funny if she got a big paycheck and went on a shopping spree, even buying a newer used car, only to have the check engine come on with it, a couple months later.

[BangerMain]

The bold part is why I don't understand.  If Leonard had asked more of Penny most would say he was trying to change her and couldn't accept Penny for who she is.  For me this is a no win situation for Leonard, example when he found out why Penny didn't want to continue to date him due to her lack of education.  He tried to help and look at how Penny reacted, I mean Leonard was just trying to help her feel better about it and it all got turned against him and the door being closed in his face along with her angry.  If you were with someone that gets angry at everything you say or do, what would you do?

 

Why I never understood is why is Penny so lazy?  This is the question I feel the writers have never truly dealt with where Penny is concern.  And I hate the excuse of it's her age, it's their go to plan when they don't want to deal with something with Penny, imo.

 

This exchange from the first season's "The Middle Earth Paradigm" perfectly descibes how Penny wants to be viewed by Leonard:

 

Penny: God, what is wrong with me.

Leonard: Nothing, you’re perfect.

Penny: I’m not perfect.

Leonard: Yes you are.

Penny: You really think so, don’t you? (She kisses hm.)

 

She knows she is far from perfect and she is not really in Leonard's league except for her looks. It makes her so happy that a man she thinks should not even consider dating her thinks she is the center of his world. Any time Leonard voices anything that she implies varies from this view point will send her into a rage so he is understandably cautious about criticizing her. She is especially sensitive about the vast education gap. She said in the second season that she thought Leonard would get bored with her eventually. But rather then doing something about it like taking science classes in college, she would rather just buy "scientist" glasses and turn Leonard on sexually which she can do in an instant.

 

The writers have played up Penny's laziness over the years but especially in season 6.  They use it as an explanation of why she is not successful. She is indifferent about being a waitress and flat out says she is bad at it and will skip work when she feels like it. She does not put much effort in school and she does not seem to have much of a goal academically. She wants to be a movie or TV star, not a working actress which requires putting in time in small plays with little payback just to get experience. We don't hear about her auditioning anymore nor about her agent since the opener of season 5. We saw her acting with some degree of competence in her acting class play but that can not be used as a credit to get a job. We know about her lack of effort in her relationship with Leonard. He did most of the heavy lifting until the second half of last season. Thanks to the counseling of Bernadette and the threat of Alex, she started working on it, at least doing enough to protect her position as Leonard's queen.

 

Penny did change a lot in season 6 but they still need to make her more motivated about her life. I hope they don't have her take the easy road again and let Leonard take care of her. It will be just fine if Leonard relieves her of her financial burdens so she can go to school or try to become a working actress.

 

She has shown some independence and tenacity since we met her as a 21 year old country girl who had come to Hollywood to cash in on her stunning beauty. Now, lets see the nearly 28 year old woman who has learned what it takes to have a successful life. And is willing to work for it.

Edited August 11, 2013 by BangerMain

[Nogravitasatall]

@bangermain, I agree with you but if they make her perfect where is the fun, tension and drama. Its a show, not an est session.

(don't mean to be snarky)

[3ku11]

I think the reason Penny has yet to hit it big with her acting career, is the fact I think it was Prady said 1. It was more realistic for the girl next door to be working as a waitress, and struggling as an actress 2. I don't think they were that keen on revealing what goes on behind the scenes in the Entertainment Indsutry, could be wrong though. And I also think if Penny got a recurring role or even an audition, that would require either a temporary or permanent set, and that may cost too much or too expendable. I have never seen Penny as lazy more of a free spirit in some aspects, she first came onto the show as the general pretty blonde girl next door, that create the dechatomy of the two world between Leonard and Sheldon and Penny, she really opened Leonards mind to more possiblities, and created a new world for Leonard. Is Penny perfect? No but that would be boring, Penny's charm is Externally she is gorgeous, but on the inside she has her flaws like anyone else, and also the charm of Lenny is that a girl like Penny feels she is not good enough for a guy like Leonard, the same goes for Leonard. 

[BangerMain]

@bangermain, I agree with you but if they make her perfect where is the fun, tension and drama. Its a show, not an est session.

(don't mean to be snarky)

 

They better not make her perfect

[Nogravitasatall]

They better not make her perfect

Well, let me say I would be not be complaining too now much if i were Leonard

[3ku11]

Well, let me say I would be not be complaining too now much if i were Leonard

To me she is more imperfect then perfect, what makes Penny almost perfect is the fact she is not, she has flaws like anyone else. And the fact she is realizing looks are not everything, Leonard has qualities and characteristics that go beyond external qualities. I think Leonard see's Penny as perfect, where as Penny does not see her self in that way, hence why she always went for a cetain type of a guy, Leonard is the exception.

[rachelshamyfan]

Anyone know who is in the picture on the fridge with Penny, they both have blonde hair and they look like they are hugging

[louisem381]

I would like to see Penny be allowed to succeed as an actress, even if it was some menial role in a  series, so she could develop more fully. The writers keep her stuck in the "dumb waitress" slot for comedy effect, but actors can be equally disfunctional and shallow, (as penny's character is sometimes) just with a different focus. too bad they don't realize that.

[PaleLeper]

Spoiler season 6....................I think we have started to see some character development on emotional/relationship level for Penny this past season.  It would also be nice if she was given some personal achievement such as more acting work, a better job, or even a position in a community theater group which would help flesh out the character's self esteem issues.

[gwhh]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/big-bang-theory-apartment_n_3793193.html

 

http://www.bankrate.com/lite/real-estate/what-tv-homes-cost-in-real-life-2.aspx

Edited October 28, 2013 by gwhh

[Shimal]

I have to say that I am deeply upset with how they'bve chosed to portray Penny and her treatment of Leonard.  I don't know why writers think that an emotionally abusive and self-centered woman is funny.  Penny has refused to marry Leonard - multiple times.  Yet, when she saw a ex-boyfriend proposing to someone else on Valentine's day, she said "That should have been me."  So, she wants to be married - just not to Leonard.  She actually married Zack in Las Vegas when she was drunk, (hello - lowered inhibitions!) and then attacked Leonard when he became (justifiably) upset about it.  She's used Leonard for a shoulder to cry on, for free food, and when she needed something done.  She very reluctantly says that she loves him, but its clear that she is using him as a "backup plan" and is hoping that someone "better' (cooler and more handsome) comes along - hence, the Valentine's Day statement.  Leonard is a scientist and the empirical evidence should show him that she's just not that into him.  Also, she's sort of a "ho" in her behavior - a number of times, she's admitted to doing things while drunk that are VERY questionable,  and really sort of sad - dating guys so she doesn't have to pay for dinner, and going home with someone who picked her up in a bar - and his girlfriend.  Penny needs to do some major growing up (and she's already 28!) - Leonard is a professional and, as such, needs to attend professional seminars and events.  A bimbo on his arm will not enhance his professional career...

[Tensor]

I have to say that I am deeply upset with how they'bve chosed to portray Penny and her treatment of Leonard.  I don't know why writers think that an emotionally abusive and self-centered woman is funny.  Penny has refused to marry Leonard - multiple times.  Yet, when she saw a ex-boyfriend proposing to someone else on Valentine's day, she said "That should have been me."  So, she wants to be married - just not to Leonard.

Have you thought that the reason she's reluctant may have something to do with the fact that she thought the guy would propose to herd, but then the guy cheated on her, ? In other words, that guy is part of reason she has commitment issues now? And did you forget she was deliberately trying to mess up Valentines Day because of her fear of commitment?

 

She actually married Zack in Las Vegas when she was drunk, (hello - lowered inhibitions!) and then attacked Leonard when he became (justifiably) upset about it.

A marriage she thought was fake. There is no evidence that she thought she was actually marrying him. You might have had a point, if she knew it was real, but she didn't, so you don't. Of course she was going to attack Leonard. It's a well know defense mechanism when you know you've screwed up and someone else keeps pointing it out. You mind usually blames someone you know won't hurt you, in Penny's case, that would be Leonard.

 

She's used Leonard for a shoulder to cry on, for free food, and when she needed something done.

And all the while she was doing that to him, he was trying to get her to agree to have sex with him. Their feelings for each other have evolved over the course of the show.

 

She very reluctantly says that she loves him, but its clear that she is using him as a "backup plan" and is hoping that someone "better' (cooler and more handsome) comes along - hence, the Valentine's Day statement.

Very reluctantly? That first one came flying out when she wasn't thinking about it, indicating it was her real feelings. Not to mention she doesn't sound reluctant to say it in The Spoiler Alert Segmentation ("I don't want to hurt him, I love him") or The Bon Voyage Reaction (a very heartfelt "I Love You" in the car), and even this year in The Romance Resonance ("I finally found something to show how much I love you"). None of those sounded reluctant. Do ytou have something else to indicate that she's reluctant to say it, since the first time she said it in The 43 Peculiarity? As for the backup plan, you also seem to be forgetting the "Why do you always do this, you are the one I'm with." statement of Penny's.

 

Leonard is a scientist and the empirical evidence should show him that she's just not that into him.

Anything since 6.02 The Decoupling Fluctuation?

 

Also, she's sort of a "ho" in her behavior - a number of times, she's admitted to doing things while drunk that are VERY questionable,

Would they be very questionable if it was a guy doing those things? Not to mention a majority of those things she admitted to were well before she met Leonard.

 

and really sort of sad - dating guys so she doesn't have to pay for dinner, and going home with someone who picked her up in a bar - and his girlfriend.

Oh, you mean like Leonard for accepting dinners from Mrs Latham, and then having sex with her, when she requested it? Or how about including the fact that Leonard cheated? While it wasn't on Penny, you seem to be blaming her for things before she dated Leonard, shouldn't you complain about Leonard when he does something wrong? There hasn't been an indication that she has cheated since she move to the apartment.

 

Penny needs to do some major growing up (and she's already 28!) - Leonard is a professional and, as such, needs to attend professional seminars and events.  A bimbo on his arm will not enhance his professional career...

Do you have any examples of her "questionable behavior" since they got back together in 5.14, The Beta Test Initiation? Or are you just holding her past behavior and when she wasn't dating Leonard, against her?

[Guest]

Tensor nailed it.

[queuetee]

When she said "The next time I get married, I will marry......for love". She did touch L's cheek as she said it. Did he and we think she was going to say"you"?? What little romance was in that gesture was negated when she continued "or money".

 

The relationship is going nowhere....her job is going nowhere. There is such a huge difference in the background of Penny and the rest of the gang, that  we see the dead-end of both the relationship and her job. For god's at least give her some kind of succes, even a small  acting gig. The rest of them are getting honors in their careers and she has nothing.

[Disgusted]

....her job is going nowhere. There is such a huge difference in the background of Penny and the rest of the gang,........ For god's at least give her some kind of succes, even a small  acting gig. The rest of them are getting honors in their careers and she has nothing.

 

Well, that's what you want in a trophy wife.

[Tensor]

When she said "The next time I get married, I will marry......for love". She did touch L's cheek as she said it. Did he and we think she was going to say"you"?? What little romance was in that gesture was negated when she continued "or money".

Actually, it shows their relationship is stronger than it was. The "or money was preceded by a sly look, a big grin, sticking her tongue out, and then grabbing his chin. He could tell it was a joke as he also grinned at that. They are very secure with the relationship, secure enough to joke around about it.

 

The relationship is going nowhere....her job is going nowhere. There is such a huge difference in the background of Penny and the rest of the gang, that  we see the dead-end of both the relationship and her job.

While I agree with you on the job, she is going to school, so she may not have to be there forever. As for the relationship, it appears that you think it has moved backwards, since 6.02, The Decoupling Fluctuation, not forward. The fact that she says "I love you" rather easily now, that she is working at finding romantic things, and knows she has to show an interest in things Leonard like, and that she now does the things for Leonard that he has and continues to do for her indicate the relationship is a lot more balanced and in a much better place than it was in season five to early season six. It indicates an advancement of the relationship, not and end. Are there things to work out, sure, but that is a normal relationship.

 

For god's at least give her some kind of succes, even a small  acting gig. The rest of them are getting honors in their careers and she has nothing.

While this would be nice, Bill Prady rightly points out that her experience is typical of over 98% of those who seek to be actresses.