Are They Going To Have Sheldon Choose Amy Over Scientific Accomplishments?

[Moonbase]

SSo I get that sheldon is like the most popular character... Still don't get why but that's beside the point. My question is did we all really expect almost seven years to go by and him be exactly the same as he was i season one? I get no one here likes change but come on, I can't imagine how stale things might have gotten in they left everything exactly the same

 

If they left him the same through 6 seasons, as everything changed around him, I would think they were genius! No kidding.

 

A great character can be a part of anything. I find it believable that all the other characters on the show would change, except him. He was too weird to change, oddballs like that, stay the same. They are what they are. Of course I know that some fans want him to experience this growth thing. Its happening and that is that  ...don't make me imagine Sheldon staying the same *sigh*

Edited February 10, 2013 by Moonbase

[Europa]

I'm a little unclear on what is meant by Sheldon-becoming-Leonard. I'm not seeing it.  Sheldon is still convinced of his own superiority (I can't concede that a single episode wherein he suffers some self-doubt contradicts this). He is still oblivious to most social norms. He is still largely inflexible in having to get his way. Now the addition of Amy has changed some of this in that he has been forced to realize that to maintain a relationship with her, which he does want, he has to occasionally be willing to compromise; but even this is generally forced upon him, not something he comes to as some kind of character-growth realization. 

 

Leonard, though, has always been full of self doubt/does NOT feel himself superior to anyone; is willing to make concessions to keep the peace and/or please others; and understands how to function socially.  I'll grant that Sheldon is not quite so alien as he was in the beginning, but I'm not seeing that his character is fundamentally changed.  ?

Edited February 10, 2013 by Europa

[viddy9]

Certain elements have been fundamentally changed. However, I doubt they'll ever have him engaging in coitus with Amy, so he'll never become like Leonard in that way. His superiority complex will never go away either.

[ShamyFTW]

Well for one thing Sheldon will never really feel the joys of a relationship because he is a fictional character. For another, I am a Sheldon shipper.  I saw a character early-on that was happy as-is.  I don't think that ever had to change.  I believe the show saddled him with a girlfriend because he was too popular of a character not to have one.  Now I have to endure watching relationship Sheldon being like just about every sitcom male in a relationship.  He is no different than Leonard or Howard.  They make stupid mistakes, it is brought to their attention, and the male has to learn a lesson or make it right.  The variables may change depending on the character but the basic plot is the same.

 

Not to mention that I am a hopless romantic and their relationship makes me extremely uncomfortable.  I think the writers are great at writing the non romantic portions of the show, and Howardette is mostly okay (although boring) but it makes my skin crawl to see Sheldon fail to compliment Amy on her appearance.  2 years and no ILY?  Most of the time when he is talking about how he feels it is not to Amy.

 

I know everyone has these deep insights on how it all really works but it is too cold and clinical for my tastes.  Not to mention that in the real world men who are that way seldom ever change even making promise after promise and it eats away at the women who love them.   Having known some of these couples personally I have to suspend belief in a pretty big way. 

I actually have to agree with you on some of your comment.  It also makes me uncomfortable that after two freaking years, Sheldon still shows little warmth toward Amy.  She IS totally adorable, and he should be able to say it or give a hug or something!!!

[annieogly]

I actually have to agree with you on some of your comment.  It also makes me uncomfortable that after two freaking years, Sheldon still shows little warmth toward Amy.  She IS totally adorable, and he should be able to say it or give a hug or something!!!

 

Yes poor Amy. I'm ultimately a Sheldon shipper too, and don't want him to change at all. But I do feel sorry for Amy, last episode she talked about everything she'd done for him which is true. If they gave her Raj as a boyfriend what would be wrong with that? She deserves a smart, handsome wealthy male who will give her all the mainstream romance she wants. And Sheldon can go back to being Homo Novus.

[The God Particle]

Raj? No, thank you! But about Raj: It would be nice if he could get the Total Geek Girlfriend. We need a female Geek after all. I mean I love Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and I want a female Geek on the show who does as well.

[BigBang15]

In the episode Sheldon and Amy finally do it, it will be because Steven Hawkings tells him he was married (and had kids) and it didn't affect his intellect. My idea at least.

[viddy9]

Yes poor Amy. I'm ultimately a Sheldon shipper too, and don't want him to change at all. But I do feel sorry for Amy, last episode she talked about everything she'd done for him which is true. If they gave her Raj as a boyfriend what would be wrong with that? She deserves a smart, handsome wealthy male who will give her all the mainstream romance she wants. And Sheldon can go back to being Homo Novus.

 

Same here. I feel sorry for Amy even though I don't/didn't want him to change at all. I find it amusing that, in Season 4 in the Herb Garden episode, Sheldon said something along the lines of "Pretending to have intercourse with you gives me great satisfaction" and Amy said "I'm not there yet", or something. The Bazinga may have been implied, but even then, it's completely the opposite now. Sheldon is trying to resist as hard as he can.

[The God Particle]

Same here. I feel sorry for Amy even though I don't/didn't want him to change at all. I find it amusing that, in Season 4 in the Herb Garden episode, Sheldon said something along the lines of "Pretending to have intercourse with you gives me great satisfaction" and Amy said "I'm not there yet", or something. The Bazinga may have been implied, but even then, it's completely the opposite now. Sheldon is trying to resist as hard as he can.

Probally because he is thinking about it!

[Pomita]

I have no idea why I'm trying to reply to this thread when I'm tired and sleepy.  tmp may have a point.

 

Not to mention that I am a hopless romantic and their relationship makes me extremely uncomfortable.  I think the writers are great at writing the non romantic portions of the show, and Howardette is mostly okay (although boring) but it makes my skin crawl to see Sheldon fail to compliment Amy on her appearance.  2 years and no ILY?  Most of the time when he is talking about how he feels it is not to Amy.

 

I think this now makes much more sense to me, and is consistent with your sweet description of your own relationship.

 

It's the quirkiness of Shamy that gets you down. You would actually like them to be more 'normal' and romantic in a conventional way.

 

I'm not sure whether Amy would be pleased or just puzzled, if Sheldon were to compliment her appearance. On the other hand, she was clearly delighted (to the point of blushing) with his 'you're a vixen' compliment because she got him into the social sciences. Maybe that's the kind of compliment that matters more to her? Like when he tells her their relationship 'is one of trust and mutual admiration'?

 

I do agree that we need to see more of that stuff between them.

 

I understand that Amy doesn't like sci-fi but I would be upset if my partner was disparaging about my hobbies like she is. She doesn't have to like the same things as him but she also doesn't have to make it so obvious. He's not going to stop enjoying his collectables just because she disapproves and thinks they are childish. She shouldn't be trying to make him feel like what he does for fun is stupid. And she wants him to stop.

 

I think the 'disparaging' comments happen because both of them are so blunt. They mostly don't know how to censor speech and be diplomatic and careful. Sheldon was all 'you play the harp, like that's cool', too, on her. They both seem to be okay with that; Sheldon didn't bat an eyelid when she called them 'children's toys'.

 

And of course she's never asked him to stop. She actually watches the movies with him, even though she's not interested in them herself. Does that sound like someone who's telling him not to watch them?

[Nogravitasatall]

It is ok to have to have your love disparage your quirks. It gives you licence to disparage theirs. Within bounds. The bounds are set by the couple and are flexible subject to what other issues exist. None of them have money or chemical dependence issues so the bounds can be plausibly loose.imo

[annieogly]

Raj? No, thank you! But about Raj: It would be nice if he could get the Total Geek Girlfriend. We need a female Geek after all. I mean I love Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and I want a female Geek on the show who does as well.

 

Double that, I'm a geeky girl too (even have the cool black glasses Penny wore) & I'd love Raj to have a Total Geek girlfriend.

[Ar Diem]

I have no idea why I'm trying to reply to this thread when I'm tired and sleepy.  tmp may have a point.

 

 

I think this now makes much more sense to me, and is consistent with your sweet description of your own relationship.

 

It's the quirkiness of Shamy that gets you down. You would actually like them to be more 'normal' and romantic in a conventional way.

 

I'm not sure whether Amy would be pleased or just puzzled, if Sheldon were to compliment her appearance. On the other hand, she was clearly delighted (to the point of blushing) with his 'you're a vixen' compliment because she got him into the social sciences. Maybe that's the kind of compliment that matters more to her? Like when he tells her their relationship 'is one of trust and mutual admiration'?

 

I do agree that we need to see more of that stuff between them.

 

 

I think the 'disparaging' comments happen because both of them are so blunt. They mostly don't know how to censor speech and be diplomatic and careful. Sheldon was all 'you play the harp, like that's cool', too, on her. They both seem to be okay with that; Sheldon didn't bat an eyelid when she called them 'children's toys'.

 

And of course she's never asked him to stop. She actually watches the movies with him, even though she's not interested in them herself. Does that sound like someone who's telling him not to watch them?

 

 

Considering Amy's relationship with Penny and how she has showered Penny with compliments it is pretty obvious that 'words of affirmation' is one of her love languages.  Of course, that may not exist in sitcom land.

 

A relationship doesn't have to be traditional but it has to be satisfying for both partners.  Honestly, if you knew this couple in real life would you not suggest couple's counseling?

 

How often does he watch her movies?  I have suffered through the Twilight saga for my wife and recently she watched 'Jiro Dreams of Sushi' with me.  That wasn't really fair though because she ended up liking my selection.

 

I don't see it as disparaging as much as their form of teasing each other.  My wife and I tease each other regularly. 

Edited February 12, 2013 by Ar Diem

[Pomita]

Considering Amy's relationship with Penny and how she has showered Penny with compliments it is pretty obvious that 'words of affirmation' is one of her love languages.  Of course, that may not exist in sitcom land.

 

A relationship doesn't have to be traditional but it has to be satisfying for both partners.  Honestly, if you knew this couple in real life would you not suggest couple's counseling?

 

How often does he watch her movies?  I have suffered through the Twilight saga for my wife and recently she watched 'Jiro Dreams of Sushi' with me.  That wasn't really fair though because she ended up liking my selection.

 

I don't see it as disparaging as much as their form of teasing each other.  My wife and I tease each other regularly. 

 

That's possible. But I was saying that she may be more eager for words of affirmation from Sheldon for qualities other than her appearance, and she does seem to get that from him (though probably would have been happier to get it oftener).

 

I don't know, the show is giving me the impression that overall the relationship is satisfying for Amy, too. The majority of times, we see her talking of Sheldon and their relationship in glowing terms. It's only occasionally that a blow-up related to her impatience at the pace of their relationship happens - we've seen it just twice in this season, in episode 1 and episode 15. In between, we saw them playing games and having fun together, effectively compromising on a costume, Amy comforting Sheldon in moments of stress and supporting him in some of his crazy endeavors and getting delighted at his 'friendship' with Hawking, Sheldon taking care of Amy when she was sick and standing up for her to a friend (even when she was in the wrong); we've also heard of many random off-screen moments when they hang out together, and we've heard that Amy has a 4-year plan and seems quite contented with it.

 

I don't have a huge experience about relationships (have been in just two), but this looks like a fair enough relationship to me in terms of the level of conflict and understanding. Of course, it can be argued that counseling might be helpful to most couples (wouldn't Leonard/Penny and Howard/Bernie benefit from it, too? But they're not going to, since this is a sitcom).

 

Good for you, for suffering Twilight for your wife. Regarding whether Sheldon watches Amy's kind of movies with her - seeing that even Penny could get him to watch The Lake House, I don't think Amy has much of a problem.

 

I agree that teasing is a good way to look at it.

[Ar Diem]

Right.  They paint her as mostly satisfied it is just not believable.  Her frustration in the last episode was believable.  They are just not going to pursue this path too often because it will either alienate Amy or alienate Sheldon to the audience.

 

Pomita, I honestly hope you find someone with whom the romance will be so pure that you will have a hard time accepting Shamy.  For me it is like watching an infomercial trying to sell me on the idea that a can of hairspray can make it look like you do not have bald spots.

 

And yes, Lenny definitely needs counseling.  Howardette seemed like it at first but his mommy fixation has all but gone away recently... something else that is not all that believable. 

 

I think Shamy would have been more believable if they had either made them both have issues to overcome or since Sheldon is not really boyfriend material made it more like a Leonard and Penny situation where he is forced to try and win her heart.

[phantagrae]

Right.  They paint her as mostly satisfied it is just not believable.  Her frustration in the last episode was believable.  They are just not going to pursue this path too often because it will either alienate Amy or alienate Sheldon to the audience.

 

Pomita, I honestly hope you find someone with whom the romance will be so pure that you will have a hard time accepting Shamy.  For me it is like watching an infomercial trying to sell me on the idea that a can of hairspray can make it look like you do not have bald spots.

 

And yes, Lenny definitely needs counseling.  Howardette seemed like it at first but his mommy fixation has all but gone away recently... something else that is not all that believable. 

 

I think Shamy would have been more believable if they had either made them both have issues to overcome or since Sheldon is not really boyfriend material made it more like a Leonard and Penny situation where he is forced to try and win her heart.

 

Unbelievable to whom?

 

I don't know that it's unbelievable that someone like Amy, with all of her strengths and weaknesses, experiences and lack of experience, would be satisfied in her relationship with Sheldon.  If the writers show that she's content (with her 4-yr plan, for instance) and that she finds him attractive and adorable, then how can anyone say that she shouldn't feel that way?

 

And why would frustration with such a relationship be more believable than satisfaction?  Just because I or you or Joe Schmoe on the street might be impatient with Sheldon's snail's pace and physical issues doesn't mean that she would be.

If she loves him--and she really does, apparently--and understands the totality of him, with his "rage-inducing/cute as a button" idiosyncrasies and his OCD and everything else, then why shouldn't she be satisfied that at some point they're going to get married and be happy together? 

 

I think I've mentioned my long-standing friendship with a guy I've known for more than 30 years.  While he and I are not romantically involved, we've always had a strong friendship that has lasted over decades, across long distances, and even through frustrations and misunderstanding.  My sister has wondered at times how it is that we're still friends, but she has acknowledged that there's something that binds us, how we can take up where we left off even if we haven't seen each other for years at a time.  (We do keep in touch through email and FB and that sort of thing, but we don't talk every day or anything.)

 

The thing that binds people together may be a mystery to others, but if the two people understand it, that's all that matters.

 

Amy and Sheldon have that something that others may not understand or that others wouldn't be able to put up with.  His friends have learned to deal with his quirks and tyrannies and weaknesses and I daresay that Penny and the guys all love him to some degree.

And if Amy finds him to be her soulmate, then why wouldn't she be willing to put up with him and wait for him?  I'm sure there are things about her that Sheldon may not find ideal (how could he ever find ANYONE ideal?), but he clearly loves her enough to claim her as his girlfriend and to try to work through his issues in order to be able to deal with the things that being in a romantic relationship may entail for him.

If Amy can see that he's working on it and that he cares for her, then that may be all she needs to give her patience and satisfaction.

[Ar Diem]

Unbelievable to whom?

 

I don't know that it's unbelievable that someone like Amy, with all of her strengths and weaknesses, experiences and lack of experience, would be satisfied in her relationship with Sheldon.  If the writers show that she's content (with her 4-yr plan, for instance) and that she finds him attractive and adorable, then how can anyone say that she shouldn't feel that way?

 

And why would frustration with such a relationship be more believable than satisfaction?  Just because I or you or Joe Schmoe on the street might be impatient with Sheldon's snail's pace and physical issues doesn't mean that she would be.

If she loves him--and she really does, apparently--and understands the totality of him, with his "rage-inducing/cute as a button" idiosyncrasies and his OCD and everything else, then why shouldn't she be satisfied that at some point they're going to get married and be happy together? 

 

I think I've mentioned my long-standing friendship with a guy I've known for more than 30 years.  While he and I are not romantically involved, we've always had a strong friendship that has lasted over decades, across long distances, and even through frustrations and misunderstanding.  My sister has wondered at times how it is that we're still friends, but she has acknowledged that there's something that binds us, how we can take up where we left off even if we haven't seen each other for years at a time.  (We do keep in touch through email and FB and that sort of thing, but we don't talk every day or anything.)

 

The thing that binds people together may be a mystery to others, but if the two people understand it, that's all that matters.

 

Amy and Sheldon have that something that others may not understand or that others wouldn't be able to put up with.  His friends have learned to deal with his quirks and tyrannies and weaknesses and I daresay that Penny and the guys all love him to some degree.

And if Amy finds him to be her soulmate, then why wouldn't she be willing to put up with him and wait for him?  I'm sure there are things about her that Sheldon may not find ideal (how could he ever find ANYONE ideal?), but he clearly loves her enough to claim her as his girlfriend and to try to work through his issues in order to be able to deal with the things that being in a romantic relationship may entail for him.

If Amy can see that he's working on it and that he cares for her, then that may be all she needs to give her patience and satisfaction.

 

If you want to sell me on them being friends more than romantic interests I am listening otherwise it is not the same.  She is not as patient and understanding as you might believe... the last episode was pretty clear.

 

Hey, if you want to believe that the power of love can make him overcome his various phobias, can give him some empathy, can make him her biggest cheerleader, and can teach him how to offer her verbal and physical affection then go ahead and believe in the fairy tale.  In the real world, the believable world, he would need therapy and lots of it.  I have known guys and one woman that never figured it out and their loving and patient partners were tortured for years and years. Obviously this is a sitcom and they will magically make things right at some point but it will still be hard to buy... for me.

[Pomita]

 

Pomita, I honestly hope you find someone with whom the romance will be so pure that you will have a hard time accepting Shamy. 

 

Sorry, what? You're making some pretty big assumptions about my personal life, aren't you?

 

I have no idea what the purity of romance has got to do with it. I love Sheldon/Amy together because to me they're an interesting, unpredictable and sweetly unique on-screen couple (and indeed the same can be said about both characters individually). I didn't say I'm going to base the blueprint of my real-life relationships on them. That's because I'm not Sheldon and Amy. Given what they are, the relationship is intriguing and believable. What's right for them doesn't have to be right for you or me, and vice versa.  

 

I get that you don't find them intriguing and believable, but you'd do well to keep it at that. Making judgments on the quality of love and romance in our lives, because we happen to find a fictional couple interesting, is stretching it very, very far.  

[Guest I'm not dead Cheryl]

Right.  They paint her as mostly satisfied it is just not believable.  Her frustration in the last episode was believable.  They are just not going to pursue this path too often because it will either alienate Amy or alienate Sheldon to the audience.

 

Pomita, I honestly hope you find someone with whom the romance will be so pure that you will have a hard time accepting Shamy.  For me it is like watching an infomercial trying to sell me on the idea that a can of hairspray can make it look like you do not have bald spots.

 

And yes, Lenny definitely needs counseling.  Howardette seemed like it at first but his mommy fixation has all but gone away recently... something else that is not all that believable. 

 

I think Shamy would have been more believable if they had either made them both have issues to overcome or since Sheldon is not really boyfriend material made it more like a Leonard and Penny situation where he is forced to try and win her heart.

 

that is so offensive that I can't even think straight right now. Who are you to judge other people's "purity" of romance? 

 

Also, Chuck has something to say on you "not buying" the Shamy

 

 

 

 

 

It is from the S5 behind the scenes special on E4.

 

So, basically the thing is, whether you buy it or not, it doesn't really matter, and the writers don't really care. That's the relationship they chose for the characters and they're sticking with it-. 

[rickfromillinois]

No.  The two will co-exist.

[Ar Diem]

Wow.  This board is unwilling to give anyone the benefit of the doubt.  I took the post I replied to, to mean you had not had much success in your limited romances.  If I interpreted that wrong I am sorry. I thought I was being kind in hoping you had better luck in the future, not insulting.

 

There are speeds between 0 and 60 you know?  Why can't you ask for a clarification before labelling me as some sort of ogre?  This is a freaking message board.  It is not the best form of communication.

 

I thought we were coming close to understanding each other but apparently you still have the hair trigger thing going on.

[phantagrae]

Wow.  This board is unwilling to give anyone the benefit of the doubt.  I took the post I replied to, to mean you had not had much success in your limited romances.  If I interpreted that wrong I am sorry. I thought I was being kind in hoping you had better luck in the future, not insulting.

 

There are speeds between 0 and 60 you know?  Why can't you ask for a clarification before labelling me as some sort of ogre?  This is a freaking message board.  It is not the best form of communication.

 

I thought we were coming close to understanding each other but apparently you still have the hair trigger thing going on.

 

By the same token, why can't you ask before making the assumptions you make?

[Ar Diem]

By the same token, why can't you ask before making the assumptions you make?

 

 

I didn't attack anyone.  I have also only had two romances in my life but one has lasted 23 years so I don't call that limited experience. 

[phantagrae]

I didn't attack anyone.  I have also only had two romances in my life but one has lasted 23 years so I don't call that limited experience. 

 

I wasn't saying that you attacked anyone and I wasn't talking about your level of experience with romance.  I was talking about how you made an assumption about Pomita's life without asking her for clarification or anything, and then you get all upset that people reacted the way they did to your assumption.

 

If you want people to ask you to explain your posts before they say things about you, then why don't you ask before you say things about others.

[Pomita]

Wow.  This board is unwilling to give anyone the benefit of the doubt.  I took the post I replied to, to mean you had not had much success in your limited romances.  If I interpreted that wrong I am sorry. I thought I was being kind in hoping you had better luck in the future, not insulting.

 

There are speeds between 0 and 60 you know?  Why can't you ask for a clarification before labelling me as some sort of ogre?  This is a freaking message board.  It is not the best form of communication.

 

I thought we were coming close to understanding each other but apparently you still have the hair trigger thing going on.

 

Did I use the word 'ogre'? I said you made some major assumptions about my personal life, which you did.

 

I think your comment was in response to my line: 'I don't have a huge experience about relationships (have been in just two), but this looks like a fair enough relationship to me in terms of the level of conflict and understanding'. By this I meant that I haven't had a large number of relationships, so I can't perform a statistical survey of what the 'average' levels of conflict and understanding are, but common observation says that Shamy falls in the 'fair' category.  I wasn't referring to the level of success of my present relationship. I see that you misunderstood this as me saying I've had a terrible time romantically so far, in which case yes, your comment was 'kind'. But it was still an assumption. And it's still a stretch to extrapolate our personal lives from whether we like a particular couple on-screen. 

 

I thought we were coming close to understanding each other

 

You do sound romantic sometimes. 

 

 

Sursonica - thanks for those. Chuck Lorre has the last word, in this case!