Episodes 6.21 The Closure Alternative (Apr. 25)

[eirwinrommel]

Once again Amy has some great lines.

[Kiru Breezy]

It was cute. Very cute.

[Europa]

Sheldon and Amy were on fire tonight. What a great story that was! Enjoyed every single bit of it but was, have to admit, a little disappointed that he didn't seem to learn from it at all.  

 

Am I the only one who thought it was a little sad and telling that Penny isn't passionate about, you know, her dream and goal - acting?

 

I love that Bernadette likes Buffy, and her description of how she loved microbiology - very funny.

 

Good one!

Edited April 26, 2013 by Europa

[BangerMain]

 

 

 

Am I the only one who thought it was a little sad and telling that Penny isn't passionate about, you know, her dream and goal - acting?

 

 

That was a little strange that Penny would not say she is passionate about acting. Given her history on the show we can see she is not really motivated about anything. Not her job, a hobby, a social or political cause, religion, reading or debating, or some personal talent like painting or playing music. I think that was the purpose of the episode for Penny, at least, to finally state what the fans have seen for years. She just sort of drifts along, depending on Leonard for what ever direction she's heading since he really is the only thing that she is shown to care about. Now we know she cares for his friends, as well, to give meaning to her life.

 

But you would think she would at least claim that acting is what defines her, even if she was really deceiving herself, since she is shown to put little effort into that as well. She still wants all the perks of being a successful actress but Penny expects that will some how be given to her with out her having to make the effort for it.

Edited April 26, 2013 by BangerMain

[Anomaly]

It was cute. Very cute.

 

Oh dear. I didn't bother watching it when it was on, but I did DVR it. After reading this comment, I may simply erase it now.

[Europa]

 

 

But you would think she would at least claim that acting is what defines her, even if she was really deceiving herself, since she is shown to put little effort into that as well.  

Exactly. I guess she doesn't seem that motivated about it even to her friends, because I was also thinking why didn't Bernadette say "What about acting?"

[Superlovelexi]

Glad the show is back!  Loved that they brought up Alphas and Buffy Vampire Slayer.  I actually watched both those shows and I was also annoyed when I Alphas got cancelled and ended on a cliffhanger so Sheldon bring it up tonight just made me so happy.   It makes sense seeing as though Summer Glau and Ryan Cartwright both major characters on Alphas also guest starred on TBBT before. 

 

I really liked that Amy tried to help Sheldon deal with it and finally got to let him see what its like to be so frustrated all of the time.  I also thought it was cute that he called her a wonderful girlfriend.  But I do wish he actually learned something from it rather than just reverting back to his compulsion.   I thought the ending was a little weird and off, but other than that it was good.

 

Lucy looked really adorable in this episode and I glad she doesn't mind how feminine Raj can be sometimes.  Though I wish she had more interesting secret about herself that was revealed and not one that was more about him than her.  We already know Raj is feminine I'd want find out more about Lucy and her quirks too now.   I would like to see their relationship grow.

 

Looking forward to next week's episode. 

 

CHOW!

[Nogravitasatall]

I am sorry Penny didn't go for Buffy. Loved that 6.30am wake up call - he is so stupid and excited. He thought about it all night and couldn't sleep. Idiot.

[eirwinrommel]

I really liked that Amy tried to help Sheldon deal with it and finally got to let him see what its like to be so frustrated all of the time.  I also thought it was cute that he called her a wonderful girlfriend.  But I do wish he actually learned something from it rather than just reverting back to his compulsion.   I thought the ending was a little weird and off, but other than that it was good.

I think Sheldon just said that as part of his attempt to turn the frustration thing on Amy, (Missing of course that Amy is already frustrated by a lack of physical contact with Sheldon.) and giving what he perceives as 'her own medicine' back at her.

Edited April 26, 2013 by eirwinrommel

[eirwinrommel]

I am sorry Penny didn't go for Buffy. Loved that 6.30am wake up call - he is so stupid and excited. He thought about it all night and couldn't sleep. Idiot.

Not a good introduction to something he wants her to like.

[annieogly]

Glad the show is back!  Loved that they brought up Alphas and Buffy Vampire Slayer.  I actually watched both those shows and I was also annoyed when I Alphas got cancelled and ended on a cliffhanger so Sheldon bring it up tonight just made me so happy.   It makes sense seeing as though Summer Glau and Ryan Cartwright both major characters on Alphas also guest starred on TBBT before. 

 

I really liked that Amy tried to help Sheldon deal with it and finally got to let him see what its like to be so frustrated all of the time.  I also thought it was cute that he called her a wonderful girlfriend.  But I do wish he actually learned something from it rather than just reverting back to his compulsion.   I thought the ending was a little weird and off, but other than that it was good.

 

 

I'm now wondering about the writers and what they're doing with Shamy as in this episode Sheldon says he wishes Amy were dead and after saying she's a good girlfriend says 'sucker' neither fond nor loverlike. Very passive-agressive.

 

Raj-Lucy bleah, though I did like the scene with Raj, Howard and the dog, very funny. Howard-Raj is consistently funny. Penny looks good and Bernadette was funny with the microscope remark, but still this spring season has been amazingly unfunny, while the fall had been hysterical.

[Retroluv]

I'm now wondering about the writers and what they're doing with Shamy as in this episode Sheldon says he wishes Amy were dead and after saying she's a good girlfriend says 'sucker' neither fond nor loverlike. Very passive-agressive.

Raj-Lucy bleah, though I did like the scene with Raj, Howard and the dog, very funny. Howard-Raj is consistently funny. Penny looks good and Bernadette was funny with the microscope remark, but still this spring season has been amazingly unfunny, while the fall had been hysterical.

Shamy will be just fine. As this is a spoiler-free thread, I won't say anything more than that.

The snarky remarks, btw, were in reaction to something that was very frustrating for Sheldon. And since when does he say anything that is even remotely "lover-like"? I thought the lines were delivered in a light and funny way. I was worried that they wouldn't be but was quite pleasantly surprised.

[Chiara]

Exactly. I guess she doesn't seem that motivated about it even to her friends, because I was also thinking why didn't Bernadette say "What about acting?"

I agree wholeheartedly that it was weird for Penny not to state her passion for acting once and for all, but as Bangermain wrote, it was probably the writers giving the Lenny fans what they had been waiting for for a long time : an unequivocal, unambiguous declaration of commitment from Penny.

Furthermore, the reference to a "psychic at a bachelorette party" being the root of her firm belief acting is her destiny sort of cheapened her commitment to it. It made it look a bit silly.

 

However, I suppose we have to put that in paralllel with what we saw her do in The Monster Isolation (due to repeats, it was quite a while ago) : she still goes to acting classes and does devote herself to learning difficult parts for the plays they put together. So she obviously does care (and is good at it, from what we saw). 

 

Perhaps the words "passion" and "passionate" were a tad misused in this episode : at some point Penny mentioned her boyfriend gets passionate/excited about the kind of which TV remote he and Sheldon should buy so I doubt "passion" should be taken literally. 

Leonard is not "passionate" in the absolute sense about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is something he enjoys and that brings him satisfaction. Same thing with Bernadette and microbiology, or Leonard and TV remotes. 

Penny, while she appears to enjoy acting (again, I am basing this on The Monster Isolation), has yet to get any tangible satisfaction from it : her commitment to it has been rather thankless so far. No real job, no money from it, no acknowledgment.

Perhaps when/if she finally gets a taste of success in this area, her feelings will fit the description of "passion" used in this episode. 

Edited April 26, 2013 by Chiara

[koops]

I enjoyed the episode but was slightly underwhelmed, like I said in the Shamy thread, it all felt VERY rushed. It was a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of episode. All the scenes seemed bam-next-bam-next-bam-next.

 

I was all up in arms about the "I wish you were dead" line when the taping report came out, but while I'm still not a fan of death jokes (for the record, I'm just as uncomfortable all the times they gave Howard jokes about wishing his mother would get an aneurysm etc), I can see that it wasn't meant in a truly mean way. I was actually way more annoyed at the line they gave Sheldon about not caring about Amy's stories. While I can see that one would say stuff like that to people they're close to (I do it with my friends all the time), it's still getting tedious when they're giving him this cocky, I-couldn't-care-less-about-you, attitude they've been writing for him in the last 2 eps or so. Being spoiled though, I'm not worried at all about Shamy.

 

Having said that, Jim and Mayim did a great job with this one, I think my favorite parts were Mayim's facial expressions and the bit where Amy comments on the layout of the dominos and Sheldon looks at her totally terrified. LOL. Still have an issue with them trying to sell this as "Neuroscience", but whatevs Re: Sheldon reverting back or not, I was actually surprised Amy didn't catch on the possible backfiring this whole stopping him to care about finishing would be for her sexually. LOL! Seriously, she should be happy he has a need for closure. I think it's good for her he learned nothing!! haha. Not to mention, this kind of compulsion isn't that big of a deal, it's just one of the quirks that make him funny. I actually thought it was very shocking that he even admitted to her he has a problem! That's character growth. Also, Amy wasn't trying to "change him" for herself at all, she was just trying to help him. I don't think the writers are giving the message that "Sheldon doesn't change for a girl", because it wasn't a "change for me" scenario to start with. It was a "change for yourself so you stop going crazy" scenario.

 

The line that made me LOL the most actually, and completely randomly, was Raj's "I always thought if I had a white name it would be Gavin". I have NO idea why but I laughed and laughed and laughed at that one. Maybe I'm easily amused. Lucy really isn't growing on me, they're giving her some really bland lines, imo, and I think there's just so much Kate can do with her. She's not very interesting, so far, and keeps coming across better on paper than she does on screen. IMO. She's cute and all but it ends there, doesn't give me any sparks. 

 

L/P are adorable, as always lately. I loved "Tell that to your face!". Never been a fan of Buffy though, so I see where Penny is coming from, I never got what the big deal was about it

[Tripper]

The episode poll has been added.

[Nogravitasatall]

Not a good introduction to something he wants her to like.

It's ok. They have enough to go on with so far. She can tolerate and accept it, even if she doesn't love it. I can relate.

(@koops. What? No Buffy love? I'll be over soon with my boxed set to set you right. And was that CBT?)

[koops]

It's ok. They have enough to go on with so far. She can tolerate and accept it, even if she doesn't love it. I can relate.

(@koops. What? No Buffy love? I'll be over soon with my boxed set to set you right. And was that CBT?)

 

haha, sorry, no, no Buffy love. I was into TXF at the time Buffy used to be on the air. I've actually never really been into vampires (except for Nosferatu, that's a brilliant movie), maybe that's why it doesn't do much for me.

 

Yes, I guess that would qualify as CBT, it's just more Psychology than Behavioral Neuroscience really  I'm just nitpicking, don't mind me. 

[rickfromillinois]

I thought this epidode was average at best.  Penny came off looking like a petulant loser.

[vasu]

Being spoiled though, I'm not worried at all about Shamy.

 

Is'nt this a spoiler??   

Edited April 26, 2013 by vasu

[hamerman55]

That was a little strange that Penny would not say she is passionate about acting. Given her history on the show we can see she is not really motivated about anything. Not her job, a hobby, a social or political cause, religion, reading or debating, or some personal talent like painting or playing music. I think that was the purpose of the episode for Penny, at least, to finally state what the fans have seen for years. She just sort of drifts along, depending on Leonard for what ever direction she's heading since he really is the only thing that she is shown to care about. Now we know she cares for his friends, as well, to give meaning to her life.

 

But you would think she would at least claim that acting is what defines her, even if she was really deceiving herself, since she is shown to put little effort into that as well. She still wants all the perks of being a successful actress but Penny expects that will some how be given to her with out her having to make the effort for it.

I think this reflects reality for a lot of people. They want certain things, but are not driven enough to achieve it. So they drift into jobs and relationships. At the university where I teach, so many students are there simply because college follows high school if you are in the upper 40% of college graduates. They pick majors based largely on how easy and fun they are, not because they really care about it all that much. It isn't about smarts either. My area is chemistry and 20% of the students that start in the sciences of any sort, including physical therapy, will switch out to something easier in a year. If they fail out, it is because they didn't show up. Smarts isn't it, as they couldn't get in if they didn't have higher than normal college test scores and high school grade, then passed placement exams. They just didn't want it bad enough to put in the work.

Penny is with a group of people that became anomalously passionate on science, and the discipline they learned helped them do well in other areas. This behavior is abnormal, since most people don't bother. I believe that Penny is learning that she should be passionate about things, and work hard at them. This started earlier in the season, when the girls encouraged her to put more work in her relationship with Leonard. She did, and the relationship shifted into high gear. She's much happier as a result of her hard work. Bernadette summed it up quite nicely when she said you only get out of something what you put into it. Penny is learning this. This episode showed that was the odd person out by not working hard at things, and missing out on the pleasure that comes from it. @chiara pointed out in another thread that to Penny's credit, she's discoved she's passionate about the very important things in her life, and appreciates it right now. Sometimes the guys are passionate and obsessive about relatively trivial things (like the remote).

The Shamy plot line was a nice mirror image of doing too much of that. Sheldon takes passion about trivial things too far, and ignores relationships. Sort of the message is that it is good to be passionate about important stuff, but you can go overboard about trivial things. Balance is the key. 

[djvang]

I thought it was a OK show with a few laughs. I don't what it is but Sheldon seems a bit "off" this season.  It's like he's changed from delightfully quirky to just kind of goofy. His dialogue isn't as intelligent and witty as it used to be.

[vasu]

I thought this was fine but it felt a little crammed

 

Sheldon - Amy - scenes were fun......but sheldon does not learn anything

 

Leonard - Penny  - the conclusion that Penny is passionate about her life and friends .. I thought was nice...it was good to see talk coming from her side for a change without being forced....but still no couples costumes to comic-con thought  

 

Raj - Lucy --  passable... 

 

Howard was fine.... Bernie's angry dialogue felt forced and did not have enough venom as few of her previous ones...

 

Even thought Sheldon does not overcome his need for closure , Leonard could not get Penny into Buffy and Raj could not succeed in being more masculine ... I thought this episode ends nicely on all fronts.

[Disgusted]

I'm now wondering about the writers and what they're doing with Shamy as in this episode Sheldon says he wishes Amy were dead and after saying she's a good girlfriend says 'sucker' neither fond nor loverlike. Very passive-agressive.

There was a major freak-out when this line was reported in the spoilers among the Shamy fans. It was "monkey slipping on a banana peel" funny to watch.

For all those dreaming of the day Shamy do the dance with no pants, the fact that Sheldon has a compulsive need to finish what has been started is a good sign, don'tcha think?

oops, is that a spoiler?

[silverangel]

I love that episode. First thing that I completely agree with koops about Sheldon and Amy... and Jim and Mayim did brillant job.... BRAVO

Second... I really like when Penny said that friends are her passion. It was so sweet and big thing form her side that she admit she loves her friends and she is so happy now, at this moment. About Lucy.... too bad that they give her such lazy written lines, and I can't see chemistry between them, to bad I think that Kate is sweet. For me the rest was just a background for Sheldon and Amy and Leonard and Penny.

Edited April 26, 2013 by silverangelD

[Ar Diem]

Well let's see.  2 of the 3 storylines went nowhere and the 3rd ended in Penny realizing that she is passionate about a relationship she has been in for over 2 years with a man she already knew she loved.

 

After wishing her dead it was nice to see Sheldon kind of compliment Amy though.

 

 

I have to give the show credit though.  It was a perfect episode leading into sweeps.  They trolled all of social media with that ILY between Sheldon and Penny.  Genius marketing move. They know how to push the right buttons.