Episodes 6.19 The Closet Reconfiguration (Mar. 14)

[DigginTheShamy]

Does anybody else wish they had brought up Pi day? I know they filmed it weeks in advance, but if they knew when they were SHOWING it...that could have been golden. For example, if Sheldon insisted that their party be Pi themes, with nothing but pie being served. 

 

I don't know about you guys, but I think that would have been hysterical. 

[koops]

Does anybody else wish they had brought up Pi day? I know they filmed it weeks in advance, but if they knew when they were SHOWING it...that could have been golden. For example, if Sheldon insisted that their party be Pi themes, with nothing but pie being served. 

 

I don't know about you guys, but I think that would have been hysterical. 

 

YES! I posted this same thing in the Science Topics thread, I just had forgotten that we were getting an episode on that day. I was saying they should have held a massive geek-fest at Amy's for Pi Day! 

[Pomita]

YES! I posted this same thing in the Science Topics thread, I just had forgotten that we were getting an episode on that day. I was saying they should have held a massive geek-fest at Amy's for Pi Day! 

 

I agree. It would have been so appropriate especially given her apartment number.

[tmp]

Does anybody else wish they had brought up Pi day? I know they filmed it weeks in advance, but if they knew when they were SHOWING it...that could have been golden. For example, if Sheldon insisted that their party be Pi themes, with nothing but pie being served. 

 

I don't know about you guys, but I think that would have been hysterical. 

 

The night they were taping we knew it was going to be aired on Mar 14 and I said then it would be really great if they acknowledged pi day.

[Moonbase]

@ moon base I have a similar story, I refused to see my father when he reappeared after 15 years no contact despite my mother trying to cajole me, so I agree that Bernadette should of respected Howards wishes, another reason why I'm not keen on her or them as a couple.

 

I met my father again in my teens and have some contact now. I totally agree about Bernadette, he kept that letter unopened for 10 years. Then he burnt it. If he ever wanted to know what was in it, he could always ask Sheldon.

[Ar Diem]

But what's so great about it? Howard burnt the letter in front of his wife and she wastes no time finding out the contents just to satisfy a morbid sense of curiosity. That's not a supportive thing to do. I think most people would feel humiliated if all their friends knew the truth except them. My father left when I was 4 and I don't find his reaction believable.

The show didn't sell it as supportive. It was clearly wrong. Howard was humiliated and angry. It might be bothersome it all got wrapped up so neatly in 21ish minutes but that is the nature of a sitcom.

Of any entertainment I watch I ask only that it either be funny or tell a good story. If it does one or both I tend to give it more lattitude. I am reminded of a movie I watched a while back called "The Art of Travel". The wedding scene was stupid and unbelievable. No guy would have done what he did in front of his friends and family. However the movie goes on to tell a nice story. It wasn't the best movie I have ever seen but I was pleased at the end and it was entertaining enough that I could see myself watching it again at some point in the future.

I don't dislike Shamy simply because it got in the way of the comedy I dislike it because it does not tell a good story. Yeah if I had my preference it would go back to its original premise but if that is not in the cards at least entertain me with the new premise.

Closet told a good story. Bernadette should have not done what she did and most of the jokes fell flat but even though they all screwed up they came up with a unique and compelling solution. It was so much better than almost all of the writing for the season it kind of makes me mad that so much of the rest of it is so cheap.

Edited March 16, 2013 by Ar Diem

[Tensor]

I agree that it probably hasn't been used in a while.

 

Well, they got back together in 5.14 (The Beta Test Initiation) and it took another ten episodes before they tried to have sex (and didn't finish 5.23 The Launch Acceleration) and possibly (as we don't have anything concrete) as long as another two episodes into season six(6.02 The Decoupling Fluctuation).  So, it may have gotten some use as late as this season.  15 episodes and five months ago, but still possibly this season.

 

I find it hard to believe that Penny would let Sheldon loose on her closet knowing her vibrator was in there.

 

I like how it fits with the comment in The Beta Test Initiation, as Leonard and Penny walk up the stairs after their get-back-together dinner:

 

Penny: That was a really nice dinner.  I'm glad you asked me out again.

 

Leonard:  Me too.  I missed you.

 

Penny: You see me all the time.  You sure you just don't miss the sex?

 

Leonard:  Well, yeah, sex with you is pretty great.  Have you ever tried it?

 

Penny:  I have, you are not wrong.

 

[tmp]

Well, they got back together in 5.14 (The Beta Test Initiation) and it took another ten episodes before they tried to have sex (and didn't finish 5.23 The Launch Acceleration) and possibly (as we don't have anything concrete) as long as another two episodes into season six(6.02 The Decoupling Fluctuation).  So, it may have gotten some use as late as this season.  15 episodes and five months ago, but still possibly this season.

 

One need not be single to utilize such an item.  Just sayin'.  And definitely not trying to start THAT conversation.

[Ibid]

I have always thought Howard had the most range as an actor & comedian. Love to watch him; he deserves an Emmy. That being said, I thought the episode was just okay. I tune in for comedy, not dramady. We've seen heavy topics before but they were always presented with interesting characters and lively dialog. The writers reverted again to Sheldon the terrible two year old, Sheldon, the commitment- phobe, Penny the nymphomaniac. (not that there's anything wrong with toys)

I did like the quantum superposition by Sheldon, the possible content from everyone except Sheldon's annoying distractions, and ... that's about all. The episode left me wanting & unsatisfied.

[SRAM]

I don't know, since they associated it with the dead goldfish she forgot she had, I sort of think it suppose to something she had forgot about too, a while ago.  I don't really see it meaning she was using her vibrator now.

[Tensor]

I don't know, since they associated it with the dead goldfish she forgot she had, I sort of think it suppose to something she had forgot about too, a while ago.  I don't really see it meaning she was using her vibrator now.

That was my take also. Which is why I was thinking 6.2 as the latest. After that a d it would be more of a chance she'd remember where it was.

[phantagrae]

I have always thought Howard had the most range as an actor & comedian. Love to watch him; he deserves an Emmy. That being said, I thought the episode was just okay. I tune in for comedy, not dramady. We've seen heavy topics before but they were always presented with interesting characters and lively dialog. The writers reverted again to Sheldon the terrible two year old, Sheldon, the commitment- phobe, Penny the nymphomaniac. (not that there's anything wrong with toys)

I did like the quantum superposition by Sheldon, the possible content from everyone except Sheldon's annoying distractions, and ... that's about all. The episode left me wanting & unsatisfied.

Having a vibrator buried in her closet makes her a nymphomaniac? I guess all those commercials for the Trojan Vibrating whatchamacallit are aimed at a country full of nymphos.

I don't think Sheldon was being a "terrible two-yr-old", he was simply being who he always has been--he dislikes parties and social events, so working on the closet at H/B's and at Penny's was going to make him happier than forcing him to sit there with the others.

And I don't think any of his behaviors were indicative of him being a commitment-phobe. The only thing he talked about was not liking hand-holding, not about not liking being in a relationship.

I don't think that having a more serious episode turns it into a dramedy. I thought it was pretty funny, including Sheldon's pirate story.

[Moonbase]

I have always thought Howard had the most range as an actor & comedian. Love to watch him; he deserves an Emmy. That being said, I thought the episode was just okay. I tune in for comedy, not dramady. We've seen heavy topics before but they were always presented with interesting characters and lively dialog. The writers reverted again to Sheldon the terrible two year old, Sheldon, the commitment- phobe, Penny the nymphomaniac. (not that there's anything wrong with toys)

I did like the quantum superposition by Sheldon, the possible content from everyone except Sheldon's annoying distractions, and ... that's about all. The episode left me wanting & unsatisfied.

 

I feel the same way about this episode. I was bored for most of it. The only thing I don't agree on was Penny the nympho. It was Penny the stupid for me! Sheldon says something and Penny makes her obligatory I'm so stupid response, even thought the science in this episode was just a repeat of the Schrödinger cat thing again.

Edited March 17, 2013 by Moonbase

[koops]

I totally disagree about Penny the nympho. Come on! Just because she has a sex toy, she's a nympho??? 

 

Having said that, I enjoyed the episode but I do agree that by making it maybe too serious they had to resort to digging out old character stereotypes that don't work anymore, just for the sake of injecting some comedy in the episode. 

[Moonbase]

The show didn't sell it as supportive. It was clearly wrong. Howard was humiliated and angry. It might be bothersome it all got wrapped up so neatly in 21ish minutes but that is the nature of a sitcom.

Of any entertainment I watch I ask only that it either be funny or tell a good story. If it does one or both I tend to give it more lattitude. I am reminded of a movie I watched a while back called "The Art of Travel". The wedding scene was stupid and unbelievable. No guy would have done what he did in front of his friends and family. However the movie goes on to tell a nice story. It wasn't the best movie I have ever seen but I was pleased at the end and it was entertaining enough that I could see myself watching it again at some point in the future.

I don't dislike Shamy simply because it got in the way of the comedy I dislike it because it does not tell a good story. Yeah if I had my preference it would go back to its original premise but if that is not in the cards at least entertain me with the new premise.

Closet told a good story. Bernadette should have not done what she did and most of the jokes fell flat but even though they all screwed up they came up with a unique and compelling solution. It was so much better than almost all of the writing for the season it kind of makes me mad that so much of the rest of it is so cheap.

 

We usually agree on most things but I guess there will always be something. I found the majority of this episode pretty average up until the one 'good' scene. I think Simon is a great actor but I prefer him doing comedy. I don't re-watch any of Howard's sentimental scenes. His fishing trip with Wyatt, the problems between his mother and wife, the argument with Bernadette after the stag party confessions. This is just not an episode I would re-watch again and again. But I can agree that it told a nice story, whether I find it believable or not.

 

I love this show for it's comedy, and little bits of drama. Whenever they take a big dollop of drama like in this one, I just don't enjoy it as much. Not that I don't like drama. I love drama films but for some reason I just don't like it on TBBT. Maybe because there isn't the time to do it well.

[Ibid]

Just to clarify, I don't think having a vibrator makes one a nympho. But I think the writers went for the same weary jokes about her. I think they're lazy at times.

[Europa]

Re: the vibrator joke - my take was that it was meant to be more of an amusement that Sheldon didn't know what it was than any judgment on Penny owning one.  Many people own sex toys, it doesn't make them nymphomaniacs.  It's like Dan said to DJ about masturbating on that episode of Roseanne: "We all do it, but we never ever talk about it."

 

Personally, I found it far more disturbing that she forgot she had a living creature in her apartment and let it starve to death...

Edited March 17, 2013 by Europa

[mjc45]

was not a comedy, more like a

heart-felt story line with howard father.

it did have fun stuff at times.

 

like the end of the party @ l/s

apartment.with h/b dancing,

 

l/p looking it to each other eyes,

 

raj/amy?--sheldon clean out penny's

closet found the (vibrator)

[Ar Diem]

We usually agree on most things but I guess there will always be something. I found the majority of this episode pretty average up until the one 'good' scene. I think Simon is a great actor but I prefer him doing comedy. I don't re-watch any of Howard's sentimental scenes. His fishing trip with Wyatt, the problems between his mother and wife, the argument with Bernadette after the stag party confessions. This is just not an episode I would re-watch again and again. But I can agree that it told a nice story, whether I find it believable or not.

 

I love this show for it's comedy, and little bits of drama. Whenever they take a big dollop of drama like in this one, I just don't enjoy it as much. Not that I don't like drama. I love drama films but for some reason I just don't like it on TBBT. Maybe because there isn't the time to do it well.

 

 

It was an average episode until the end and if it had been longer it might not have been worth it.  It is pretty easy to understand why it is less desirable on TBBT when they have Sheldon trying to wreck the scene with an ill-timed joke.  Luckily the scene was big enough to absorb it.

 

I think a show like Scrubs proved that you can incorporate big doses of drama into a sitcom and even do it well for the most part.  I don't think we could trust TBBT to do it though.  Closet worked because the acting was so good it carried the script.

 

I have been really bored with the jokes lately.  Outside of Raj at Howard's mom I haven't had any big laughs in quite some time.  A joke like Penny's vibrator gets an eye roll from me because it is stale and predictable.

[AdorkablyMe]

Just watched this one for the second time, and I still enjoyed it as much as I did the first time

[Chiara]

I feel the same way about this episode. I was bored for most of it. The only thing I don't agree on was Penny the nympho. It was Penny the stupid for me! Sheldon says something and Penny makes her obligatory I'm so stupid response, even thought the science in this episode was just a repeat of the Schrödinger cat thing again.

Was it really Penny the stupid ? Or just Penny the non academic ? 

 

It was pretty clear that she understood the plan just as well as all the others, considering as you point out, it was not particularly complicated in and by itself : surround the truth with a couple of lies and serve it all to the guy who neither wants to know for sure nor wish to be left in the dark forever. There is hardly any need to frame it as a scientific theory/endeavour. That is what Penny was mocking, I think. 

Her interjections poked fun at Sheldon's disproportionnately complex way of thinking and his overly  (and, in this case, unnecessarily) esoteric vocabulary, using her well-documented lack of familiarity with such terminology and making a bit of fun of herself in the process. 

 

It is not a sign of stupidity, I believe, not to understand the phrase "state of epistemic ambivalence". These are complicated, technical terms uttered almost exclusively in academic circles... usually to express very simple things. In this case, "doubt" (pretty much), a notion I am certain Penny is perfectly familiar with. 

In the same way, an MD would probably say s/he has "fractured her/his calcaneus" where you and I would say we "broke our heel bone". We're not stupider than the MD; we just do not use the same vernacular. 

 

 

On a completely unrelated note : I did not feel so strongly about Bernadette's curiosity. It was, it is true, wrong of her to go behind Howard's back and she acknowledged it. Yet, I cannot shake the feeling that Howard himself seemed ambivalent about the letter.

On the one hand, he clearly stated his father had no objective right to an explanation which was absolutely true; on the other, he agonised over it to the point of losing sleep. Had his mind been made up, he would have destroyed the letter the moment Sheldon gave it to him. Or better, the day he received it all those years ago. Fact of the matter is, he kept his father's unopened letter for more than a decade and even took it with him from his mom's place to Bernadette's with the rest of his stuff.  These are not the actions of someone whose resolve is particularly firm. 

He was conflicted about the letter from the start and remained so until the end. It does not excuse Bernadette's behaviour, though she might have sensed her husband's ambivalence, but it may explain why Howard was so quick to forgive her.  

[Moonbase]

Was it really Penny the stupid ? Or just Penny the non academic ? 

 

It was pretty clear that she understood the plan just as well as all the others, considering as you point out, it was not particularly complicated in and by itself : surround the truth with a couple of lies and serve it all to the guy who neither wants to know for sure nor wish to be left in the dark forever. There is hardly any need to frame it as a scientific theory/endeavour. That is what Penny was mocking, I think. 

Her interjections poked fun at Sheldon's disproportionnately complex way of thinking and his overly  (and, in this case, unnecessarily) esoteric vocabulary, using her well-documented lack of familiarity with such terminology and making a bit of fun of herself in the process. 

 

It is not a sign of stupidity, I believe, not to understand the phrase "state of epistemic ambivalence". These are complicated, technical terms uttered almost exclusively in academic circles... usually to express very simple things. In this case, "doubt" (pretty much), a notion I am certain Penny is perfectly familiar with. 

In the same way, an MD would probably say s/he has "fractured her/his calcaneus" where you and I would say we "broke our heel bone". We're not stupider than the MD; we just do not use the same vernacular. 

 

 

On a completely unrelated note : I did not feel so strongly about Bernadette's curiosity. It was, it is true, wrong of her to go behind Howard's back and she acknowledged it. Yet, I cannot shake the feeling that Howard himself seemed ambivalent about the letter.

On the one hand, he clearly stated his father had no objective right to an explanation which was absolutely true; on the other, he agonised over it to the point of losing sleep. Had his mind been made up, he would have destroyed the letter the moment Sheldon gave it to him. Or better, the day he received it all those years ago. Fact of the matter is, he kept his father's unopened letter for more than a decade and even took it with him from his mom's place to Bernadette's with the rest of his stuff.  These are not the actions of someone whose resolve is particularly firm. 

He was conflicted about the letter from the start and remained so until the end. It does not excuse Bernadette's behaviour, though she might have sensed her husband's ambivalence, but it may explain why Howard was so quick to forgive her.  

 

I understand the concept. As I wrote earlier, quantum superposition is just (loosely) Schrödinger cat all over again. The jokes were lazier than usual. They annoyed and distracted from the scene instead of providing the comic relief they were supposed too.

 

Personally I think what Bernadette did was a betrayal of trust. Burning the letter and saying he felt better afterwards would have been enough for me. If my partner did that I wouldn't pry further, it would up to him to talk to Sheldon. Of course we wouldn't have had the story but anyway.

 

Edited March 17, 2013 by Moonbase

[Chiara]

Excuse me but I wasn't responding to you, I was replying to Chiara's post. Did you read it? No, it seems you did not. Who's the pompous douchebag now? I was saying I understand the concept to both the idea and why Penny was interjecting. I really didn't need a blow by blow explanation.

Oh, I really did not mean to give you a blow by blow explanation of the joke. I knew you had got it.

The only reason why I felt like giving this rather (too) developped answer was simply because of the word "stupid". In my opinion, no stupidity was implied or refered to in the scene. Just academic ignorance/disinterest on Penny's part. 

 

I do agree that we have seen it before and it is therefore a bit repetitive and "old". But ultimately, I am afraid it is not going to change for Sheldon himself will probably never use a language mere mortals are familiar with and Penny is unlikely ever to bother with learning academic lingua. 

So we are sort of stuck with those "he says, she says" scenes. 

[Moonbase]

Oh, I really did not mean to give you a blow by blow explanation of the joke. I knew you had got it.

The only reason why I felt like giving this rather (too) developped answer was simply because of the word "stupid". In my opinion, no stupidity was implied or refered to in the scene. Just academic ignorance/disinterest on Penny's part. 

 

I do agree that we have seen it before and it is therefore a bit repetitive and "old". But ultimately, I am afraid it is not going to change for Sheldon himself will probably never use a language mere mortals are familiar with and Penny is unlikely ever to bother with learning academic lingua. 

So we are sort of stuck with those "he says, she says" scenes. 

 

Why would I expect it to change? Sheldon is my favourite character and that's the last thing I ever wanted (although I would argue it happened already). But Sheldon and Penny can be funnier than this. I also never thought Penny was stupid as a character either. She was originally written as the girl with the social skills the guys lacked and her come backs were always great. This was just a little weak. Anyway I wasn't singling Penny out, most of the jokes were weak this episode. It was a sentimental type of episode.

[LoveShamy]

Not the funniest episode but still funny, just chuckle laughs. Battery operated chew toy! hahahah :D Show him the closet., poor Amy being used as a shield, I wonder what Sheldon would do if Amy was being threatened, put his hands up to milk a giant invisible cow? Howard looked taller than normal:P

I really want to know what was in that letter now, I think that Bernys was the true answer, I think there was more than one true answer.  

Edited March 17, 2013 by LoveShamy