How Did We End Up Here? And Where Is Here, Exactly?

[Europa]

 There was a central core to Sheldon that made the character somewhat relatable if not likeable. Now you wonder why any woman would put up with his attitude. The whole thing about the Shamy is that there was some woman out there that thought Sheldon was worth trying to establish a relationship. The current Sheldon shows no redeemable value for the effort.

 

The way they're writing Sheldon is the one step forward, two steps back approach that can apparently go on ad infinitum, or until the show wraps up.  It's been plainly shown that the only time Sheldon realizes that he completely and utterly takes Amy for granted and MUST make some gesture to show her that he cares for her is when she does something to slap him in the face with this reality - going on a date with someone else, threatening to break up with him.  I don't see that changing anytime soon, but I'm not sure how amusing it is anymore.  It just makes Amy look kind of pathetic for putting up with it.  Perhaps she feels she can't do any better.  I'd love to see her meet another man who really is a threat to Sheldon - someone both smart enough to interest her intellectually and affectionate/loving enough to give her the other parts of a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship that she so clearly wants.  

 

Save that for the last season, I guess.

[Ar Diem]

The way they're writing Sheldon is the one step forward, two steps back approach that can apparently go on ad infinitum, or until the show wraps up.  It's been plainly shown that the only time Sheldon realizes that he completely and utterly takes Amy for granted and MUST make some gesture to show her that he cares for her is when she does something to slap him in the face with this reality - going on a date with someone else, threatening to break up with him.  I don't see that changing anytime soon, but I'm not sure how amusing it is anymore.  It just makes Amy look kind of pathetic for putting up with it.  Perhaps she feels she can't do any better.  I'd love to see her meet another man who really is a threat to Sheldon - someone both smart enough to interest her intellectually and affectionate/loving enough to give her the other parts of a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship that she so clearly wants.  

 

Save that for the last season, I guess.

 

 

 

So what you are saying is Amy is a relationship doormat? :D

[ShamyFTW]

So what you are saying is Amy is a relationship doormat? :D

Ahhh, Ar Diem, you couldn't resist could you?

[hamerman55]

I am not making a big deal out of this.  I am just curious as to where your line is. 

 

So why did they choose Amy over Penny?  Do you agree that having him use Amy is the most despicable option available to him?

Actually, I think Penny would have been funnier than Amy. Using Amy as a human shield struck me as sad and despicable. Penny is generally portrayed as the one best able to take of themselves (I think of the episode with the hacked WOW account). It would have been funnier and more in keeping the gentler tone of the show. I really wonder if this is part of what is coming up. They've really made Sheldon out to be awful this season. Something I read in one of the other threads reminded me that he really outdid himself in his treatment of Alex. In the real world, using your graduate students as your personal servant and excluding them from your research is one way to get your tenure broken. And the tenure contract is pretty darn hard to break. I recall a former girlfriend who was in law school explaining how contract law has a separate section going into the uniqueness of the tenure contract, and how hard it is to break. Since Sheldon isn't tenured, he would have been fired by now. if Alex chose to make an issue of it. As a child of professors, she would know this. Senior tenured professors with millions of dollars of grant money have been fired for this sort of thing.

[Europa]

So what you are saying is Amy is a relationship doormat? :D

 

Well, yeah, kind of.    As weird as Amy is, she's stll a nice girl. She wants a boyfriend who shows her affection. Settling for less, and/or taking on the task of changing someone as OCD (among other things) as Sheldon, is no easy task.  She seems happy enough, I suppose, but you gotta wonder how long someone can deal with that.

[Ar Diem]

Ahhh, Ar Diem, you couldn't resist could you?

 

 

[Nogravitasatall]

 They've really made Sheldon out to be awful this season. Something I read in one of the other threads reminded me that he really outdid himself in his treatment of Alex. In the real world, using your graduate students as your personal servant and excluding them from your research is one way to get your tenure broken.

 

It it what it it. Just Sheldon baseline, as is and as was.

 

I now believe he is off on a journey to s10. Will maybe post more on his character thread because I think that might be where this can go and engender reasonable conversation.

 

You probably know the joke about the jackass and the 4x2?. I think there might be a bit of lumber coming his way.

Edited March 20, 2013 by Llatasativargon

[ArmyNavyGuy]

Good for Sheldon, Amy pretty much wrecked the show anyways. 

[wannamaker]

I'm gonna politely decline, because "where are we going" would take us into next season and beyond. I think. I was aiming the limited speculatron view to this seasons full stop. I think it's harder. And I'm crowd sourcing reassurance that Mr Lorre won't stab Leonard and Penny in the heart again. It's kinda my thing.

Unless that was the Crusade tag? Then points. I have that on my iPad, so I might check.

 

Well this thread has progressed a few pages of interesting talks...since that observation of mine.

@Liatasativargon

It was just a tease, of course, even though, that is a title of a well known painting. Because my mind is made up that way. When I read something than I've a call response for something similar with words. Not always I focus in the scheme of things. I take de-tours of my own.

 

However... I read someone wished Pria to come back to Leonard? I've no kristal bowl...but I am pretty sure that's  over. Leonard never liked the fact she  went back to her ex... when back in India. Beside he's too wrapped up with Penny. Perhaps Alex could be another eligible candidate, who knows! She was very keen on him. And Penny so jealous of her! These things happen in real life. You can be in a relationship for a decade or so and with the passing of time you realize that you two are not meant for each other. and grow apart.

Edited March 23, 2013 by wannamaker

[Ar Diem]

We didn't really learn anything new in Tenure Turbulence and nothing really changed.  Who actually gets tenure is still out there but they may never come back to it.

 

I thought they would have taken their foot off the gas with regard to Sheldon's comments toward Amy with so little time left but they didn't which might mean a fight is coming.  It is looking less like an arc and more like a collision course.  I will be sad if it is really this predictable.

Edited April 5, 2013 by Ar Diem

[Moonbase]

Maybe the tenure thing will feature in the finale. If it does my money is on Leonard. Then Amy would have to deal with a jealous Sheldon. Who knows, they seem to be all over the place this half of the season.

[Nogravitasatall]

Maybe the tenure thing will feature in the finale. If it does my money is on Leonard. Then Amy would have to deal with a jealous Sheldon. Who knows, they seem to be all over the place this half of the season.

That would give Shamy  a common enemy to unite against. Then TPTB could run the Hatfields and McCoys across the stairwell.  just riffin'.

Edited April 6, 2013 by Nogravitasatall

[hamerman55]

I think Amy was very wise in this episode noting that he'll always be an accomplished scientist, but is unlikely to find more friends. I could even see her counseling Sheldon to let Leonard have it. Sheldon has his social life only because of Leonard. Amy may love him and suffer his callous remarks, but I think Leonard is close to moving in with Penny. In the "Spoiler Alert" Penny was mainly bugged by fact Leonard didn't see it as a big step, and discuss moving in more formally with her. After VD, I think such a discussion, recognition that it is a big step for Penny by Leonard, and some time to think, will result in Penny welcoming him this time. They're basically married now, barring surprises (please no!).

[Nogravitasatall]

<plays JAWS theme>

[hamerman55]

Leonard and Penny do seem to be the couple they like to mess with. Probably because the Shamy shippers are intense in their ship, and don't tolerate requiring Sheldon to evolve, and Howard and Bernadette sort of bicker all the time. Howard also rolls over immediately.

[Nogravitasatall]

TH have been key in each season's climax. They should maintain their happy trajectory to the end of this season and into the next.But I know there will be arrhythmia ahead and i hope for no more cardiac arrests.

I'd contend that the challenge for Shamy is that Tptb want long run options with the existing formulation ,so Shamy' goals and the show's goals diverge. I'm also thinking fanfics don't help, though they are diverting and sometimes very well written and complementary to the canon. But they can be misleading. (I'm interested in comments on that, maybe in the fanfic thread if anyone thinks its worth discussion)

Howard and Raj are supporting characters so they can't drive the show.

Only two taping reports to go so this thread will be obsolete soon. I am looking forward to seeing who did the best job of reading the entrails/tea leaves... or stole Nate Silver's mojo.

Edited April 6, 2013 by Nogravitasatall

[Guest DroneInTheSun]

I'd contend that the challenge for Shamy is that Tptb want long run options with the existing formulation ,so Shamy' goals and the show's goals diverge. I'm also thinking fanfics don't help, though they are diverting and sometimes very well written and complementary to the canon. But they can be misleading. (I'm interested in comments on that, maybe in the fanfic thread if anyone thinks its worth discussion)

 

Meh I don't think anyone who reads or writes fanfiction takes fanfiction for more than what it is: fanfiction. It's a fun tool but at the end of the day we do realise that canon =/= fanon.

[Nogravitasatall]

Meh I don't think anyone who reads or writes fanfiction takes fanfiction for more than what it is: fanfiction. It's a fun tool but at the end of the day we do realise that canon =/= fanon.

Good to know that's your experience. Will consider the Shenny literature an effect, not a cause. Personally I have enjoyed some fanfic, but it does become dissonant for me when it collides with the show and then is not realised. It's a choice thing too as I've not ever been big on the franchise derivatives. I also get worn out with the long drawn out genuine franchises that get milked. I am hoping G R R Martin stays vertical long enough because GOT is great. The worst for me was Wheel of Time where Robert Jordan died before completion after say 20 yrs (1990 to 2013 I think from go to whoa - in real time). But as I say, individual choice. <pomposity off>. Edited April 7, 2013 by Nogravitasatall

[rachelshamyfan]

I read the fan fics and I think they are good to read and not to be taken serious, though it's disturbing that there are a few shenny ones which veer to the romantic side which I don't like

Edited April 7, 2013 by rachygd

[wannamaker]

We didn't really learn anything new in Tenure Turbulence and nothing really changed.  Who actually gets tenure is still out there but they may never come back to it.

 

I thought they would have taken their foot off the gas with regard to Sheldon's comments toward Amy with so little time left but they didn't which might mean a fight is coming.  It is looking less like an arc and more like a collision course.  I will be sad if it is really this predictable.

 

Well I'll wait and see. Given to all the bettings    I've read in other threads and all the fights taken place in TBBT past episodes amongst themselves... I would not be surprised there to be another big fight over it. At any time in the future if they want to.