Episodes 6.17 The Monster Isolation (Feb. 21)

[tmp]

Raj has always been a bit whiny and co-dependent. Soon we will have 4 couples and that to me is too many. They should have kept 2 guys single for balance. JMO.

 

They haven't said the Raj-Lucy relationship will be permanent. 

[The God Particle]

If Raj & Lucy do become a Couple they could always have it play out Off-screen. Frankly that would be better if they are concerned about Main Character Screen Time competing with the "New Couple".

[koops]

To be honest I do not think they will be permanent. I don't know, it's a hunch I have. I think this will be the kick in the pants for Raj to do something about his problems and grow up a little, but him having a girlfriend, for the way it's been such a big deal since forever, is akin to Penny and Leonard getting married or Sheldon and Amy having sex. It just feels too soon for any of these things, so I'm not sure she'll be permanent. She might come and go and come back and go again, who knows. I don't think it's going to be a smooth ride. But maybe him having one person to focus on instead of being "on the hunt" might make him less whiny and more determined.

 

In any case, if she does end up being permanent, I don't see why it would be a problem in terms of screentime. Raj has to get screentime, so what difference does it make if she shares his screentime or not? It's not like they would take screentime away from Raj to give to the others if she isn't around. Also, with Howard married they can't have Raj hang out with him all the time, if anything it will give him something to do when he's not with Howard and maybe even lessen the H/B plots a bit since it seems to me like they don't really know what to do with those two right now. 

[Moonbase]

In any case, if she does end up being permanent, I don't see why it would be a problem in terms of screentime. Raj has to get screentime, so what difference does it make if she shares his screentime or not? It's not like they would take screentime away from Raj to give to the others if she isn't around. Also, with Howard married they can't have Raj hang out with him all the time, if anything it will give him something to do when he's not with Howard and maybe even lessen the H/B plots a bit since it seems to me like they don't really know what to do with those two right now. 

 

Four couples means a little more screentime for relationship stories imo, less for the other stuff.

[phantagrae]

Four couples means a little more screentime for relationship stories imo, less for the other stuff.

What difference does it make? Just because Rahnhas a girlfriend doesn't mean they have to slice the pie into 4 even pieces, all with girlfriends attached. At any given point any story can be focused on and all the girlfriends pushed to the periphery, and then another story can involve any one of the couples or whatever. There's no automatic limit to what gets what amount of time.

[Phalanxxx]

To be honest I do not think they will be permanent. I don't know, it's a hunch I have. I think this will be the kick in the pants for Raj to do something about his problems and grow up a little, but him having a girlfriend, for the way it's been such a big deal since forever, is akin to Penny and Leonard getting married or Sheldon and Amy having sex. It just feels too soon for any of these things, so I'm not sure she'll be permanent. She might come and go and come back and go again, who knows. I don't think it's going to be a smooth ride. But maybe him having one person to focus on instead of being "on the hunt" might make him less whiny and more determined.

     Judging from the other couples storylines, there is a good chance Lucy isnt permanent, but it's a virtual certainty it's going to be a rough journey with whoever he ends up with. Ratings wise there's no sign of a decline, so I don't see them trying to hurry things along. Raj having a long term serious relationship would probably mean he figured out a way to talk to women while sober. Having a relationship of some kind instead of going clubbing would be an interesting shift. My fave as a GF for Raj is still Alex at the moment, just because Lucy hasn't had as much screentime.

But yes i agree , it's definitely NOT going to be as simple as "Raj meets girl in comic book store, and they lived happily ever after"

[tmp]

Regardless of how the Raj/Lucy relationship plays out, it needs to build his confidence.  Pitiful Raj is getting hard to watch, plus it reminds me a little too much of myself a few years ago. 

[rachelshamyfan]

Maybe alex could get together with stuart and they could continue in the background as normal until they are required

Edited February 18, 2013 by rachygd

[Kiru Breezy]

I hope to cow she isn't permanent. Raj is an ass most of the time and more screen time for him....uh...NO!

 

Not a huge fan of Raj either. 

[phantagrae]

I hope to cow she isn't permanent. Raj is an ass most of the time and more screen time for him....uh...NO!

 

Not a huge fan of Raj either. 

 

I think that if whether they make Lucy permanent or even just give her an arc, there's going to be more Raj time, so I guess you're out of luck.  Though he's still a secondary character and won't have as much time as L/P/S, he's way overdue for some character development.  I think they'll use this arc to help him figure out how to over come his mutism--but I don't know that he'll ever really overcome it fully.

[Kiru Breezy]

I think that if whether they make Lucy permanent or even just give her an arc, there's going to be more Raj time, so I guess you're out of luck.  Though he's still a secondary character and won't have as much time as L/P/S, he's way overdue for some character development.  I think they'll use this arc to help him figure out how to over come his mutism--but I don't know that he'll ever really overcome it fully.

 

THAT development I can go for....use Amy and her knowledge of the brain to do it. Not Kate  (ugh) 

[Chrismo]

Maybe every episode should be just Sheldon and Amy.

[Leonard + Penny]

I am highly critical at times about Penny, but I want her to improve, I liked her character the first three seasons, but disliked many of her actions in season four.  So in a way, least in my opinion she became worse in season four and early season five.

But this season I think she is improving and is showing growth as a character, which I like.

Granted her being an actress is something I thought was dead, she has in six years had two parts. 

 

Plus I don’t see how she can impress Sheldon.

 

 

 

 

That is what I am talking about more so, the acting and that self growth like career wise, does not deserve it.

[Leonard + Penny]

This sudden appearence of Penny's acting ability bothers me a little too. Probably because if she actually is talented, then the last 6 years of her life are rendered a tragic mistake. Not her relationship with her friends, but the fact that she never took the risks to succeed. At what? 26, her time has probably passed.

 

That doesn't mean I want her to continue her sad road (seriously, she is way more tragic than Raj.). She should find her actual calling and make a splash there.

 

She needs to write a young adult novel. She can even base it on her genius friends and her roll as their life translator. Now I know, Penny can't write, maybe she just can't write academically. And if Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey have taught the world anyting, writing talent isn't necessary to have a runaway bestseller.

 

It would be great to give her something she could succeed at and be happy about.

 

Acting? I like my Penny as a bad actor.

 

 

Preach on!!! You got what I was meaning. What has she done to deserve an improvement with the acting career? She had a commercial on a horse. Wow, One thing in 6 years. She even went to college(for a different reason)and didn't try too hard. Leonard wrote her a better paper and she got all mad, turned around and had Bernadette write one. You're just doing what you asked another smart person to not do.

[Chaliceinnana]

Preach on!!! You got what I was meaning. What has she done to deserve an improvement with the acting career? She had a commercial on a horse. Wow, One thing in 6 years. She even went to college(for a different reason)and didn't try too hard. Leonard wrote her a better paper and she got all mad, turned around and had Bernadette write one. You're just doing what you asked another smart person to not do.

At that point it was about showing Leonard she could do it... Not actually doing it. Which is not a healthy life script, but I accept that Penny would do anything to save face more than her suddenly having theatrical street cred.

[Moonbase]

What difference does it make? Just because Rahnhas a girlfriend doesn't mean they have to slice the pie into 4 even pieces, all with girlfriends attached. At any given point any story can be focused on and all the girlfriends pushed to the periphery, and then another story can involve any one of the couples or whatever. There's no automatic limit to what gets what amount of time.

 

Each relationship will have to have allocated time for development. Whats so difficult to grasp? I wonder if you will still maintain this opinion in a years time.

[Moonbase]

 

Does anyone know where the long promo is?

[Chrismo]

I am highly critical at times about Penny, but I want her to improve, I liked her character the first three seasons, but disliked many of her actions in season four.  So in a way, least in my opinion she became worse in season four and early season five.

But this season I think she is improving and is showing growth as a character, which I like.

Granted her being an actress is something I thought was dead, she has in six years had two parts. 

 

Plus I don’t see how she can impress Sheldon.

 

 

 

Because after seeing Fun with Flags it obvious he wants to act but can't. I agree with you to the extent that Penny's acting career may have come and gone but it's believable she can act a lot better than him. The stars in my high school plays have long since moved on to other things one in particular does local theater in my area. It doesn't mean she's a bad actress. I certainly couldn't do what she does and in that regard I'm impressed how good an actress she is.

[Chiara]

This sudden appearence of Penny's acting ability bothers me a little too. Probably because if she actually is talented, then the last 6 years of her life are rendered a tragic mistake. Not her relationship with her friends, but the fact that she never took the risks to succeed. At what? 26, her time has probably passed.

 

[...]

 

Acting? I like my Penny as a bad actor.

I am not sure how much of her lack of success so far can be attributed to her lack of talent and/or effort.

 

While I agree wholeheartedly that her being revealed to be a good actress makes her professional stagnation more tragic than funny, it is not that improbable. I am no expert, by any stretch of the imagination, but it appears to me that success, in the acting business or any other business for that matter, relies heavily on luck. Possibly more so than on talent and/or energy. There are quite a few actors out there I find thoroughly devoid of any gift and who still manage to land gig after gig after gig. If untalented people can get work, maybe some gifted people can find themselves failing undeservedly. 

 

An actor's success depends on so many factors : good/bad luck, visible/non existent talent, dedicated/lousy agent, etc. In many cases, what it takes is one big (or moderate) break on which the rest of the career is subsequently built. Furthermore, some actors are "specialised" : very good in certain roles but terrible in others. If they keep on auditioning for parts they cannot play well, they'll never get in. 

 

On top of that, Penny is not always the most hard-working person out there, especially when she does not like what she is doing. 

 

Bah. Wait and see, I guess. 

[phantagrae]

This sudden appearence of Penny's acting ability bothers me a little too. Probably because if she actually is talented, then the last 6 years of her life are rendered a tragic mistake. Not her relationship with her friends, but the fact that she never took the risks to succeed. At what? 26, her time has probably passed.

 

That doesn't mean I want her to continue her sad road (seriously, she is way more tragic than Raj.). She should find her actual calling and make a splash there.

 

She needs to write a young adult novel. She can even base it on her genius friends and her roll as their life translator. Now I know, Penny can't write, maybe she just can't write academically. And if Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey have taught the world anyting, writing talent isn't necessary to have a runaway bestseller.

 

It would be great to give her something she could succeed at and be happy about.

 

Acting? I like my Penny as a bad actor.

 

Wha...??

 

There's nothing that says she's a bad actor--Hollywood is full of all kinds of actors that struggle to be "discovered" and no one can say at what age an actor or actress might break through--or what kinds of roles they may end up with or be suited for.

 

We don't see her taking acting classes, but it's been established that she does take them, we have heard on several occasions that she has taken all kinds of auditions--not unsual for lots of actors to take hundreds or thousands of auditions and not get a "big" break.  For every available role for which Penny might be a contender, there are hundreds of other Pennys out there who are also suitable.  Who gets chosen can be a crap shoot and can depend on a lot of things--the way one actress wears her hair that day, or a particular accent or the delivery of a single line--it kind of depends on the whim of the person casting the role if it comes down to 5 or 6 people being equally suitable.  It doesn't mean that the one person who gets cast is the only "good" actor in the group and that everyone else is a failure.

 

Anyway, it's more random and out of left field for people to imagine some alternate career for Penny just because we haven't seen her acting career being focused on in the episodes.  We really haven't seen Raj doing much in his field either--does that mean that he sucks as an astrophysicist or that he isn't doing his job?  Of course not.

 

We also don't often see the characters taking a shower or going to the bathroom, but that doesn't mean they aren't doing it.  Lots of things are to be assumed to be "running in the background" on any TV show because what you see onscreen has to serve the current storyline and things are usually kept tightly focused on the story at hand (primary story and secondary story, etc.)

 

I'm glad they're getting back to Penny the actress and showing that her friends are supportive and that she's still plugging away at her craft.

[Pomita]

I'm inclined to think that even a good actor may have to struggle for years to get a break in Hollywood, after hearing that Jim Parsons had to do just that. 

[phantagrae]

I'm inclined to think that even a good actor may have to struggle for years to get a break in Hollywood, after hearing that Jim Parsons had to do just that. 

 

My teacher and I talked about this when I was starting to take orchestral auditions.  You go to an audition and there are 30+ people all there for one spot.  Sometimes they have two different committees listening to the auditions.

Pretty much everyone there is going to be good on some level and could probably handle the job, but the committee(s) have to eliminate people in order to get to a group of finalists, so it could be any little thing that they dislike, or that they weigh against others they've heard, that they use to thin the herd.

So does that mean that everyone who does not get hired or does not make the finalist group has no talent?  Not at all.

 

You just have to keep doing it until you find that place where you fit.

 

When I auditioned here, I always say I was auditioning against a viola player.

He and his wife, who was a bassoonist, were auditioning as sort of a package deal, with him as the main attraction, I guess.  He was auditioning for principal viola and also the viola position with our main string quartet, and she was auditioning for the 2nd bassoon position.

He had done his audition for the orchestra position, but had yet to audition for the quartet.

When she and I auditioned against each other, they told me that if it was just between the two of us, they would hire me on the spot, but because she was part of his package deal, if they decided they wanted him, they would have to take her.

So, fortunately for me, the quartet didn't want him.

 

If he'd been a better viola player, I wouldn't have gotten hired.

[Chaliceinnana]

I'm inclined to think that even a good actor may have to struggle for years to get a break in Hollywood, after hearing that Jim Parsons had to do just that. 

We haven't seen her do anything about it. Everyone else works at their craft, it helps that their craft is their job, but hers is not.

 

Wha...??

 

There's nothing that says she's a bad actor--Hollywood is full of all kinds of actors that struggle to be "discovered" and no one can say at what age an actor or actress might break through--or what kinds of roles they may end up with or be suited for.

 

We don't see her taking acting classes, but it's been established that she does take them, we have heard on several occasions that she has taken all kinds of auditions--not unsual for lots of actors to take hundreds or thousands of auditions and not get a "big" break.  For every available role for which Penny might be a contender, there are hundreds of other Pennys out there who are also suitable.  Who gets chosen can be a crap shoot and can depend on a lot of things--the way one actress wears her hair that day, or a particular accent or the delivery of a single line--it kind of depends on the whim of the person casting the role if it comes down to 5 or 6 people being equally suitable.  It doesn't mean that the one person who gets cast is the only "good" actor in the group and that everyone else is a failure.

 

Anyway, it's more random and out of left field for people to imagine some alternate career for Penny just because we haven't seen her acting career being focused on in the episodes.  We really haven't seen Raj doing much in his field either--does that mean that he sucks as an astrophysicist or that he isn't doing his job?  Of course not.

 

We also don't often see the characters taking a shower or going to the bathroom, but that doesn't mean they aren't doing it.  Lots of things are to be assumed to be "running in the background" on any TV show because what you see onscreen has to serve the current storyline and things are usually kept tightly focused on the story at hand (primary story and secondary story, etc.)

 

I'm glad they're getting back to Penny the actress and showing that her friends are supportive and that she's still plugging away at her craft.

By the same token, where has it been established that she is a good actor? In six years, this episode is the first they've mentioned that she has talent. There is every indication that she thought she could be an actress because it looked easy and glamourous.

 

And I do want her to be a success at something fun and impressive, but I do not see the comic payoff for her being an actor. It's been 6 tragic years. They only reason it was funny on Friends with Joey was because he was so untalented.

 

They have failed to set the stage for Penny's enormous acting talent and now it feels forced to do so in season 6. If it makes you feel any better, I think we all assume Raj just goes to work to eat in the cafeteria and then sleeps under giant his desk all day.

[Chaliceinnana]

I'm inclined to think that even a good actor may have to struggle for years to get a break in Hollywood, after hearing that Jim Parsons had to do just that. 

But Jim Parsons is a highly trained actor. He started a theater group when he was an undergraduate, he did graduate level work in classical theater. He did off broadway plays, commercials and numerous pilots.

 

That sounds like a pretty energetic, talented, driven person with a love for the craft and a desire to succeed.

 

So compare that to Penny... If she was doing anything like that I think the writers might have said something.

[Kiru Breezy]

Someone on FB said that Penny should remain a waitress to show that bullies in High School amount to nothing...I agree.