Episodes 6.17 The Monster Isolation (Feb. 21)

[Grasshopper]

 Although it wasn't as dynamic as most of the previous episodes this season, I liked it, mainly for the fact of the possible major breakthroughs with Penny's acting career  and Raj getting a girlfriend.

 

.Sheldon and Penny did provide some decent comic relief with the FWF scene and most especially the no knock knocking scene.

 

 I really do hope that the Raj & Lucy hook up will last at least somewhat longer then his usual failures. It seems as though it will because she has already appeared in 2 episodes and most certainly will be in a 3rd. That's longer then any other female that came into his life had lasted,LOL. Lucy seems like a really off the wall unique character. There is something about her, I don't know, that I really like.

 

 I am really happy for and proud of Penny for her acting performance. Okay, even though I'm not much of a theatrical play person,  I do realize that her performance wasn't realistically as spectacular as the gang made her out to be, but I am willing to bypass all that. It could be a matter of several reasons. Maybe Kaley Cuoco isn't really cut out to be a great theatrical actress as much as she is a sitcom actress, or maybe it was that she was just too much in character as Penny.

 

 I am letting my imagination run wild here. What if Penny's acting career really starts to take off?  Maybe they will land her a role in a sitcom as a blonde from Nebraska who moves to California to try and become an actor, and moves in next store to a couple of nerds. Whoa! Major paradox, LOL. What would really be funny is if she gets a part in a sitcom  as a nerdy girl living next door to 2 cool dudes also played by Jim Parsons and Johnny Galeki doing duel roles.

 

 I know, I'm getting really silly here now. Oh well, it's late and I'm bored.

Edited February 23, 2013 by Grasshopper

[Phalanxxx]

Considering how high the bar had been placed from the past few weeks, I think an episode that wasn't as great as the rest was overdue. Still a really good episode, but maybe not at the top of my list.

 

   Main storyline was superb. Raj had probably one of his lowest moments and one of his highest in the same week. I can't imagine how he must've felt over the past few years and Lucy jumping out the window was probably the straw that broke the camel's back. The guys fascination with the Amazon ordering saved his seclusion from being sad to watch. His pick-up of Lucy was possibly my fav part. Only Raj could get a date by being "the most pathetic guy you've ever met".

 

   Lucy hasn't had much of a chance to shine, but the girls usually don't in their first couple of appearances. I'm really enjoying the concept they're attempting with her. With the other guys, they were always lucky to have their women because they were WAY out of their league. Now, it seems the girl's lucky to have Raj. Maybe that's just what he needs.

 

   Good to see that they weren't going to paint Penny as a bad actress. Since the only evidence we had to go on was a bad s1 singing performance and a lack of work, I thought it was going to be the case. I'm surprised she didn't get onto Sheldon for the "had coitus many times" portion of the evening.

 

   My only problem with the episode was it seemed a little choppy, like the secondary storyline didn't fit with the whole. Not sure if that has to do with the original tag being left out or something else, just my observation (Though I thought  the tag they used was great. Kinda illustrated how detached emotionally Sheldon can get).

 

 Stray observation of the night- Is it just me, or did Amy seem more normal than she usually does? No Sheldon-esque quirkiness or awkward moments. Perhaps Penny has normalized another scientist? Time will tell.

Edited February 23, 2013 by Phalanxxx

[Kutra]

Without a doubt the worst episode of the season and in close contention to maybe one of the all time worst episodes ever.

 

Npt funny at all except for the bit with Amy and the monkeys. And now suddenly Penny is an Oscar level actress who blows the mind of Sheldon.Sheldon who considers even Engineering a pathetic occupation will compliment someone in a theatrical play? Seriously?

 

And what exactly was so amazing about the Penny play performace,she repeated some lines in a dead pan manner with no emotion.I can see Leonard and Amy being impressed by whatever Penny does however medicore but Sheldon..

Edited February 23, 2013 by Kutra

[Lissie]

Oh, the old Sheldon coming again...How I love him!

Edited February 23, 2013 by Lissie

[Moonbase]

Without a doubt the worst episode of the season and in close contention to maybe one of the all time worst episodes ever.

 

Npt funny at all except for the bit with Amy and the monkeys. And now suddenly Penny is an Oscar level actress who blows the mind of Sheldon.Sheldon who considers even Engineering a pathetic occupation will compliment someone in a theatrical play? Seriously?

 

And what exactly was so amazing about the Penny play performace,she repeated some lines in a dead pan manner with no emotion.I can see Leonard and Amy being impressed by whatever Penny does however medicore but Sheldon..

 

I did think the tag was a bit weird but I'm tired of pointing inconsistencies and getting shot down. I mean Sheldon's never said 'hold the tomato' when he ordered his burgers before, so ho-hum.  

The only thing I can think of to support him being impressed by acting is that he has pop-culture obsessions, films, tv shows are is thing. But I did expect a criticism of some sort, it would have been more 'Sheldon'.

Edited February 23, 2013 by Moonbase

[idrive65]

"What would really be funny is if she gets a part in a sitcom  as a nerdy girl living next door to 2 cool dudes also played by Jim Parsons and Johnny Galeki doing duel roles."

 

Oh that would be funny!

 

I don't think Kaley Cuoco has the chops to be a dramatic theatrical actress.  She has great facial expressions, but IMO she plays the same person in every role (cute funny blonde).  However I enjoyed Leonard admiring her for a talent vs. being the hot/sweet girl next door.  Perhaps they can reenact "Taming of the Shrew" together, LOL.

[Kutra]

I did think the tag was a bit weird but I'm tired of pointing inconsistencies and getting shot down. I mean Sheldon's never said 'hold the tomato' when he ordered his burgers before, so ho-hum.  

The only thing I can think of to support him being impressed by acting is that he has pop-culture obsessions, films, tv shows are is thing. But I did expect a criticism of some sort, it would have been more 'Sheldon'.

 

Well, Sheldon is impressed by films,TV show especially science fiction related ones but not theatre. It is way way out of character for him to compliment Penny not once but twice based on her rather bland stage acting.

[Moonbase]

Well, Sheldon is impressed by films,TV show especially science fiction related ones but not theatre. It is way way out of character for him to compliment Penny not once but twice based on her rather bland stage acting.

 

Well I'm a big fan of sci-fi and I have to say... not all the acting is top notch. :D And it's different when you see a friend preforming. You feel proud when you know the person but I do agree with what you are saying Sheldon liking it seemed a bit OC.

His insults towards Penny were a staple of this show but things are changing A LOT. This episode showed how hard Sheldon is trying to do what is expected of him. Amy wants a normal boyfriend after all. Sheldon is doing the best he can.

 

When he told Penny she had done a good job I thought it was really well done. Six seasons and he's finally said a nice thing to her. Very cool IMO, and I loved the FwFs. The tag was the only bit that seemed really off. But from other posts here it sounds like they had originally filmed something else that was too long.

[bigbangbob]

Lucy is artistic.  Talented. Clearly supports herself.  Has a job where you don't meet people. 

 

Confident enough to try to reach out.  Has trouble looking at people in the eyes.

 

Genuine.   As was Penny as a real actress in this episode.

 

This show excels IMO  when it isn't a screwball comedy or a lame joke at expense of others. 

 

Well done. 

 

A one hour episode would be great to tell a more complicated story.   Possible? 

[tmp]

Well I'm a big fan of sci-fi and I have to say... not all the acting is top notch. :D And it's different when you see a friend preforming. You feel proud when you know the person but I do agree with what you are saying Sheldon liking it seemed a bit OC.

His insults towards Penny were a staple of this show but things are changing A LOT. This episode showed how hard Sheldon is trying to do what is expected of him. Amy wants a normal boyfriend after all. Sheldon is doing the best he can.

 

When he told Penny she had done a good job I thought it was really well done. Six seasons and he's finally said a nice thing to her. Very cool IMO, and I loved the FwFs. The tag was the only bit that seemed really off. But from other posts here it sounds like they had originally filmed something else that was too long.

 

Yes, apparently they filmed another tag in which Sheldon was so impressed with the play that he put on his own version of Streetcar.  I don't remember the details but he changed some of the content so that it was in line with his interests and he was wearing one of those wife-beater t-shirts.  So if it seems odd that he would be so impressed by her acting, I think it's because the writers were headed someplace with it that we just didn't get to see.

[vasu]

Yes, apparently they filmed another tag in which Sheldon was so impressed with the play that he put on his own version of Streetcar.  I don't remember the details but he changed some of the content so that it was in line with his interests and he was wearing one of those wife-beater t-shirts.  So if it seems odd that he would be so impressed by her acting, I think it's because the writers were headed someplace with it that we just didn't get to see.

 

I think the main intention of the writers was to show that Penny was a good actress

[djvang]

It's amazing how people have such different expectations from the show. This epsiode felt like a throwback to seasons 1-3 when the emphasis was on unique humor which I thought was great. Others seem upset that it wasn't all romantic relationship stuff that's dominated the past few seasons. Makes you realize what a difficult job the writers have trying to please everyone.

Edited February 23, 2013 by djvang

[Moonbase]

Yes, apparently they filmed another tag in which Sheldon was so impressed with the play that he put on his own version of Streetcar.  I don't remember the details but he changed some of the content so that it was in line with his interests and he was wearing one of those wife-beater t-shirts.  So if it seems odd that he would be so impressed by her acting, I think it's because the writers were headed someplace with it that we just didn't get to see.

 

Haha, you're making that up.... Sheldon in a wife-beater doing Streetcar? Shame, it sounds fantastic and would have rounded it off nicely. I wish they'd left off the repeat part in the beginning of Raj/Lucy first meeting. But I guess they needed to show it, so we knew it was a real time continuation. Darn. Drat.

[phantagrae]

Yes, apparently they filmed another tag in which Sheldon was so impressed with the play that he put on his own version of Streetcar. I don't remember the details but he changed some of the content so that it was in line with his interests and he was wearing one of those wife-beater t-shirts. So if it seems odd that he would be so impressed by her acting, I think it's because the writers were headed someplace with it that we just didn't get to see.

I don't think that it was that he was impressed by the play as much as he had wanted or expected it to actually be about streetcars, hence his "adaptation" or whatever. His play was called something like "A Streetcar Named Desire, and Other Streetcars" and was apparently supposed to be all about actual streetcars...

I would have paid real money to see that play...

Edited February 23, 2013 by phantagrae

[Ar Diem]

I did think the tag was a bit weird but I'm tired of pointing inconsistencies and getting shot down. I mean Sheldon's never said 'hold the tomato' when he ordered his burgers before, so ho-hum.  

The only thing I can think of to support him being impressed by acting is that he has pop-culture obsessions, films, tv shows are is thing. But I did expect a criticism of some sort, it would have been more 'Sheldon'.

 

 

Psssst... he likes Wil Wheaton.

 

However, I think the point was to give Penny a positive bump for a change.  I about fell out of my chair.  I couldn't believe that after all this time the writers finally did something nice for Penny.

[Kutra]

Psssst... he likes Wil Wheaton.

 

However, I think the point was to give Penny a positive bump for a change.  I about fell out of my chair.  I couldn't believe that after all this time the writers finally did something nice for Penny.

 

I agree..Chuck Lorre was not around for the taping?

[Ar Diem]

I agree..Chuck Lorre was not around for the taping?

 

 

The only evidence I have to answer is that Penny didn't try to sleep with Howard.

Edited February 23, 2013 by Ar Diem

[Pomita]

Haha, you're making that up.... Sheldon in a wife-beater doing Streetcar? Shame, it sounds fantastic and would have rounded it off nicely. I wish they'd left off the repeat part in the beginning of Raj/Lucy first meeting. But I guess they needed to show it, so we knew it was a real time continuation. Darn. Drat.

 

It really happened! Check out the taping report. Sheldon acted out something about streetcars with Penny, and in between, Jim (not Sheldon) even did a little hip-shaking dance in that wife-beater.

 

Maybe they ran out of time or felt the scene wouldn't fit in, but a lot of us would give an arm to see that scene, INCLUDING Jim's dance, at least in the out-takes. (Is someone listening?)

[Chrismo]

I'm not that shocked Penny got a positive bump. Being a main character on the #1 show on TV people (in general) wants things to work out for her. Having a dead end sort of job and no prospects the Leonard/Penny relationship would not advance any further. Since there is a hint of a future Penny wedding proposal and many people including myself would like to see that I don't think a Chuck Lorre would want to jeopardize that. He may not like Penny but he knows ratings. In regards to Sheldon complimenting Penny multiple times during the show and thus this being so out of character for him. Did anyone three years ago think he'd have a girlfriend? Like everything else things do change.

[Lissie]

I did think the tag was a bit weird but I'm tired of pointing inconsistencies and getting shot down. I mean Sheldon's never said 'hold the tomato' when he ordered his burgers before, so ho-hum.  

The only thing I can think of to support him being impressed by acting is that he has pop-culture obsessions, films, tv shows are is thing. But I did expect a criticism of some sort, it would have been more 'Sheldon'.

I agree. He was so impressed that disturbed me in some way...

And every time one of these inconsistencies happen in the program it is like, I don´t know, something "shake me" inside for a  moment

[Pomita]

I think Sheldon was impressed not because he thought Penny's acting was spectacular, but because this was Penny - the girl he tends to be so condescending around, in general - and he was taken unawares to see that she could act well at all. His later comment about hamburgers points to that. 

[BangerMain]

I'm not that shocked Penny got a positive bump. Being a main character on the #1 show on TV people (in general) wants things to work out for her. Having a dead end sort of job and no prospects the Leonard/Penny relationship would not advance any further. Since there is a hint of a future Penny wedding proposal and many people including myself would like to see that I don't think a Chuck Lorre would want to jeopardize that. He may not like Penny but he knows ratings. In regards to Sheldon complimenting Penny multiple times during the show and thus this being so out of character for him. Did anyone three years ago think he'd have a girlfriend? Like everything else things do change.

 

He complimented Penny as best he could by marveling that she could remember her lines so well while not being able to remember his meal order. That's is about as far as the character can go.

[Ar Diem]

I agree. He was so impressed that disturbed me in some way...

And every time one of these inconsistencies happen in the program it is like, I don´t know, something "shake me" inside for a  moment

 

How is it an inconsistency?  Even if she was not that good Sheldon has never been portrayed as an expert in judging acting talent.  He has been portrayed as having a very warm spot for actors though (as long as they don't cross him... lol).

[Lissie]

How is it an inconsistency?  Even if she was not that good Sheldon has never been portrayed as an expert in judging acting talent.  He has been portrayed as having a very warm spot for actors though (as long as they don't cross him... lol).

Oh, I am talking about inconsistencies in general in the program.

Edited February 23, 2013 by Lissie

[Lissie]

He complimented Penny as best he could by marveling that she could remember her lines so well while not being able to remember his meal order. That's is about as far as the character can go.

Yes, maybe you are right.