Spoilers Leonard And Penny Season 7 *spoiler* Discussion Thread

[gsxdoug]

Also it appears they are celebrating Valentine's Day a week early

Maybe its for Groundhog Day. The reason I say that is because the woman who was cutting my hair today mentioned how her husband got her V-day gifts on Groundhog Day last year  cuz she wouldn't be expecting it.

[Lionne]

You know to be honest, if there is not another episode to complete this thrilogy, then the last two episodes are going to leave me a little empty.  I hope these last two episodes were there for a reason, like people said, to get Penny more into acting or bond her more to Leonard.

 

What they have set up with Leonard and Penny is too large to complete in a third episode. I find the message behind it perfectly clear: Leonard and Penny are not ready to get engaged. Don't expect a real proposal this season. Penny has to sort out her life and make a little something of herself before she's going to be ready or able to get married. We're going to have the whole rest of the season, and probably next season, as Penny works to make this come about, probably with a lot of failures and bumps and scrapes and bruises - and hopefully a few bright moments - along the way.

 

What I do expect by the end of the season is something shifting on the living arrangement front.

 

Since tomorrow's taping is suppose to be about the guys getting tickets for the convention it doesn't appear to be about a Lenny episode. if the next episode is the Locomotive Manipulation (episode 150) for some reason I think it's going to be a Lenny episode. The episode name makes it too easy to think it's a Sheldon episode.

 

Spoilers are in. Looks like it's a Salt Lake City.

 

Now for a bit of friendly trash talk:

 

Since I don't know, can you tell me what it feels like to be this wrong on a regular basis, Chrismo? Does it hurt? Are there special glasses required to function when so much is up IN YOUR FACE?!

 

Just kidding. Shamy girls still love Lenny boys, even when they want to pass all of their Lenny pain our way.

 

Big hugs and kisses, Lennys! Smoochy smoochy!

 

XOXOXOXOXO.

Edited January 15, 2014 by Lionne

[Tensor]

If they are going to tease Shenny for the next few years, they are certainly laying the groundwork.

 

 

Yeah, but they really pulled the rug out from under the Shennys tonight.  

[Lionne]

Yeah, but they really pulled the rug out from under the Shennys tonight.  

 

Frankly, I thought that the laundry room scene was the worst beating I've ever seen the Shenny's take. But then again, perhaps the fact that most of them didn't see it that way was part of the whole point, and the irony.

 

But this one will be more of an above the belt blow, but actually not be as hard. Everyone had to know this was coming eventually, so they won't be as surprised. It's the below the belt statements that the majority of them don't get.

[ArmyGirl]

Yeah, but they really pulled the rug out from under the Shennys tonight.

How long will it last. Season Six was great for Leonard and Penny now look at Season Seven and how things are going. Writers takes three steps with L/P and next they take back two steps. At this time I really confused about Leonard and Penny relationship and really want to see the light at the end of the tunnel but ..... grrr

eta:

I am happy the writers are finally moving Sheldon forward some to be a boyfriend to Amy, she deserves it, imo.

Edited January 15, 2014 by ArmyGirl

[Tensor]

Frankly, I thought that the laundry room scene was the worst beating I've ever seen the Shenny's take. But then again, perhaps the fact that most of them didn't see it that way was part of the whole point, and the irony.

 

But this one will be more of an above the belt blow, but actually not be as hard. Everyone had to know this was coming eventually, so they won't be as surprised. It's the below the belt statements that the majority of them don't get.

 

LIo, I usually agree with you, but I think this one is going to be "biguous" for them.  The romantic Shennys may have seen it, or, more than likely, refused to see it coming and this leaves no doubt that Sheldon cares for Amy and they are going to hate it .  Those who like the Shenny friendship thing, will be happy with this too, simply because it doesn't break apart the friendship dynamic.   I understand people like Count Wally are not going to like this either, simply because they prefer a Sheldon not having sexual feelings, although I think those, like Count Wally, saw this coming.  

[Tensor]

How long will it last. Season Six was great for Leonard and Penny now look at Season Seven and how things are going. Writers takes three steps with L/P and next they take back two steps. At this time I really confused about Leonard and Penny relationship and really want to see the light at the end of the tunnel but ..... grrr

eta:

I am happy the writers are finally moving Sheldon forward some to be a boyfriend to Amy, she deserves it, imo.

 

And that's where we differ.  I haven't see anything as major steps back for L/P.  Penny has a lot going on, with her job, in her mind, and generally in her life.   She's not reacting all that well, but she has voiced that she doesn't want to break up with Leonard, and when he finally got a clear explanation to her, she was happy with his support.   Leonard is trying to react to Penny's confusion and rants as best he can, which isn't always the greatest.  But, he's been there trying to help and Penny does realize this.  There are issues to be worked on, but those issues would have to be worked on no matter what, if they are to have a successful  relationship.  They are working on it and it will be alright.  

 

From mid season six on, L/P remind me a lot of Bernadette and Howard  in season four and into the first parts of season five.   The rest of season five, H/B worked through a bunch of problems (where to live, kids, the astronaut thing). I see paralells between Penny's current situation and B/H.  Howard accepted being selected as an astronaut without talking to Bernie about it.  She wasn't initially supportive of him.  Then they talked it through afterward.  Does this sound familiar from the last two episodes?   There are going to be problems, and they both are going to show regression (Penny not talking, Leonard becoming insecure come to mind immediately), but they do now know how to solve problems.  They have talked about  how Penny was treating Leonard just before he rejected Penny's proposal and his apparent non support.  But, they did talk about it, something I don't think they would have done even as late as late fall of season six.  

[Lionne]

LIo, I usually agree with you, but I think this one is going to be "biguous" for them.  The romantic Shennys may have seen it, or, more than likely, refused to see it coming and this leaves no doubt that Sheldon cares for Amy and they are going to hate it .  Those who like the Shenny friendship thing, will be happy with this too, simply because it doesn't break apart the friendship dynamic.   I understand people like Count Wally are not going to like this either, simply because they prefer a Sheldon not having sexual feelings, although I think those, like Count Wally, saw this coming.  

 

You might be right, but I guess I feel that a lot of Shenny fans who cared deeply about this have dropped off by now and don't even watch the show anymore. I'm not counting the Peldon's in it. I think that those who wanted Sheldon to stay asexual, or those who wanted Sheldon and Penny romantically, will hate it. Or be hurt. Maybe - although I have this feeling most of them will shrug and just say, "oh, we knew it was coming. It doesn't hurt us at all," and then, of course, they will go have a nice private sob out behind the dumpsters or something.

 

AS FOR LENNY - Look, I still think they have come forward a huge distance. Also, I don't get the whole flair up over Penny's decision. Try to look at it less like she stupidly quit her job and more as in she's making a grown up, concentrated, mature effort to pursue her dreams with everything she's got. Leonard is right - Penny is taking a huge risk, and yes, he has a hard time letting her take that risk because it worries him, because it's a very hard thing to do. But I respect the hell out of Penny for making this attempt to just go for it, balls to the wall, and while in the end she might fail and be crushed, I do believe in Penny to rebound. She has great friends, she's young and vivacious and she can find something else to do, especially with support and encouragement. Millions of men and women have not "made it" as actors and had to defer their dreams, and I bet most of them end up in a good place, or discovering something new and finding a life at which they are happy.

 

But why speculate when this is only the beginning? This is really only the beginning. It's nothing to flail around on the floor about, or have a heart attack over. Particularly since this is about Penny, NOT about her relationship with Leonard, which remains intact and solid. They are still together. They'll work it out - they always do and always will.

Edited January 15, 2014 by Lionne

[SAUspartan]

But don't you know? Those people will spout BS how it's obvious it is not hot at all and would be 10 times hotter between Jim and Kaley. They see what they want and call everything between Leonard and Penny, and, Sheldon and Amy ("They have no chemistry, no heat. etc")

 

So at the end of the day. Those will never see the truth. What can you do?

[ArmyGirl]

And that's where we differ.  I haven't see anything as major steps back for L/P.  Penny has a lot going on, with her job, in her mind, and generally in her life.   She's not reacting all that well, but she has voiced that she doesn't want to break up with Leonard, and when he finally got a clear explanation to her, she was happy with his support.   Leonard is trying to react to Penny's confusion and rants as best he can, which isn't always the greatest.  But, he's been there trying to help and Penny does realize this.  There are issues to be worked on, but those issues would have to be worked on no matter what, if they are to have a successful  relationship.  They are working on it and it will be alright.  

 

From mid season six on, L/P remind me a lot of Bernadette and Howard  in season four and into the first parts of season five.   The rest of season five, H/B worked through a bunch of problems (where to live, kids, the astronaut thing). I see paralells between Penny's current situation and B/H.  Howard accepted being selected as an astronaut without talking to Bernie about it.  She wasn't initially supportive of him.  Then they talked it through afterward.  Does this sound familiar from the last two episodes?   There are going to be problems, and they both are going to show regression (Penny not talking, Leonard becoming insecure come to mind immediately), but they do now know how to solve problems.  They have talked about  how Penny was treating Leonard just before he rejected Penny's proposal and his apparent non support.  But, they did talk about it, something I don't think they would have done even as late as late fall of season six.

Tensor, always the voice of reason. I understand about Penny needing to work things out with her job and other things. I think what gets to me the most is the regressing with both Leonard and Penny but especially Leonard, he is almost back to where was a the end of Season Five and beginning of Season Six and I was hoping after the I love you from Penny, we had finally gotten away from the over the top insecure Leonard that is always the writers fall back plan.

[Tensor]

Tensor, always the voice of reason. I understand about Penny needing to work things out with her job and other things. I think what gets to me the most is the regressing with both Leonard and Penny but especially Leonard, he is almost back to where was a the end of Season Five and beginning of Season Six and I was hoping after the I love you from Penny, we had finally gotten away from the over the top insecure Leonard that is always the writers fall back plan.

I will tell you, from experience, you never get over that insecurity. It's always there in the back of your mind and it doesn't take much to bring it forward.

[ArmyGirl]

I will tell you, from experience, you never get over that insecurity. It's always there in the back of your mind and it doesn't take much to bring it forward.

This would make a good storyline, Leonard getting help from a psychiatrist to work on this and NOT from Beverly!

While they are working on Penny why not do the same with Leonard with his insecurities.

Edited January 15, 2014 by ArmyGirl

[dana1010]

Good Lenny stuff in this episode. Penny and Leonard decide to spend Valentine's Day weekend alone in Leonard's apartment taking care of Cinnamon. Penny brings Leonard flowers and chocoloates (half of which she ate and the other half of which Cinnamon eventually eats which sends them to the vet office). Leonard gives Penny Lakers tickets and even tells her that she can even take someone else who will actually enjoy the game. After going to the bedroom, they come back and realize Cinnamon has eaten all the chocolates and they have to take her to the vet. More to come will be posted by MJ, but thought I'd give you some lovin, since the Shamy's are going crazy.

[gsxdoug]

Good Lenny stuff in this episode. Penny and Leonard decide to spend Valentine's Day weekend alone in Leonard's apartment taking care of Cinnamon. Penny brings Leonard flowers and chocoloates (half of which she ate and the other half of which Cinnamon eventually eats which sends them to the vet office). Leonard gives Penny Lakers tickets and even tells her that she can even take someone else who will actually enjoy the game. After going to the bedroom, they come back and realize Cinnamon has eaten all the chocolates and they have to take her to the vet. More to come will be posted by MJ, but thought I'd give you some lovin, since the Shamy's are going crazy.

Thanks for this, dana!

[ArmyGirl]

Good Lenny stuff in this episode. Penny and Leonard decide to spend Valentine's Day weekend alone in Leonard's apartment taking care of Cinnamon. Penny brings Leonard flowers and chocoloates (half of which she ate and the other half of which Cinnamon eventually eats which sends them to the vet office). Leonard gives Penny Lakers tickets and even tells her that she can even take someone else who will actually enjoy the game. After going to the bedroom, they come back and realize Cinnamon has eaten all the chocolates and they have to take her to the vet. More to come will be posted by MJ, but thought I'd give you some lovin, since the Shamy's are going crazy.

Thanks so much Dana!

[hamerman55]

I like the way this reads. The Shamys get their SIK, and Lenny is plenty good. A Valentine's Day that works for them and is romantic, by themselves. The thing with the dog is just for laughs. Interestingly, it shows that Penny isn't too strapped for cash, as she could buy Leonard gifts. I'm very happy with the writers just leaving Leonard and Penny happy and stable.

On the Lenny development front, it will be a while for something to happen as clearly the SIK is the big event here, and the next episode to be taped involves stunt casting, so nothing will happen there.

[eirwinrommel]

I like the way this reads. The Shamys get their SIK, and Lenny is plenty good. A Valentine's Day that works for them and is romantic, by themselves. The thing with the dog is just for laughs. Interestingly, it shows that Penny isn't too strapped for cash, as she could buy Leonard gifts. I'm very happy with the writers just leaving Leonard and Penny happy and stable.

On the Lenny development front, it will be a while for something to happen as clearly the SIK is the big event here, and the next episode to be taped involves stunt casting, so nothing will happen there.

Maybe.

[5Mississippis]

You might be right, but I guess I feel that a lot of Shenny fans who cared deeply about this have dropped off by now and don't even watch the show anymore. 

 

 

The Shennys may not be watching but they are alive and well in FanFiction. I always, always, always filter for 'Leonard H' in stories so I can dearly avoid the Shenny. But right now, despite using the filter, the top four stories most recently updated or newly posted are all romantic Shenny/Leonard-bashing stories. The fifth one there that may or may not be leaning that way. Quite likely I won't check that one again. So much for escaping to fiction to extend my time beyond the show. 

 

Much happiness for the Shamys though! I'm beyond thrilled! 

[Chrismo]

I like the way this reads. The Shamys get their SIK, and Lenny is plenty good. A Valentine's Day that works for them and is romantic, by themselves. The thing with the dog is just for laughs. Interestingly, it shows that Penny isn't too strapped for cash, as she could buy Leonard gifts. I'm very happy with the writers just leaving Leonard and Penny happy and stable.

On the Lenny development front, it will be a while for something to happen as clearly the SIK is the big event here, and the next episode to be taped involves stunt casting, so nothing will happen there.

it was a free box of chocolate from the gas station. MJ added something on the spoiler Edited January 15, 2014 by Chrismo

[Count Wally de Honk]

LIo, I usually agree with you, but I think this one is going to be "biguous" for them.  The romantic Shennys may have seen it, or, more than likely, refused to see it coming and this leaves no doubt that Sheldon cares for Amy and they are going to hate it .  Those who like the Shenny friendship thing, will be happy with this too, simply because it doesn't break apart the friendship dynamic.   I understand people like Count Wally are not going to like this either, simply because they prefer a Sheldon not having sexual feelings, although I think those, like Count Wally, saw this coming.  

 

People like Count Wally, ie…er, Count Wally, are not particularly bothered, other than feeling the whole thing’s a shambles and a commercially-driven disgrace. They hobbled my favourite character years ago, why would I be bothered now? I'm mildly sickened, yes, but Sheldon’s long been sacrificed on the alter of common-or-garden romanticism. As Lionne said, I saw it coming. Although I didn’t have a sob behind the dumpsters, I had a bitch at the pub, but same old same old.

 

I get the vague impression that this whole scene is a gentle piss-take of the Shamy fans, in much the same fashion as the Cooper Extraction’s ridiculously sexified laundry scene was a piss-take of the Shennys.

So you want romance (eye-gazing, kissing etc) do you! Here you go. Now shut up.

I’m not sure if I was a Shamy fan I’d be happy with a sarcastic, pressure-filled kiss. Because god knows the bloke’s been pressured. Personally I’d prefer if Sheldon did such things of his own wish and accord.

I’ll never be convinced by this relationship, because it’s so clinically measured out to accord with show-length and target demographics. Additionally, it’s not the way I feel Sheldon would act if he were truly smitten. Also I don’t appreciate being told by the writers when and when not to care, or when and when not something is important. I don’t believe in “Shamy” because their actions don’t convince me.

 

If you have to resort to having your characters explicate their motives and feelings in some sort of pantomime children’s show, saying things like “what we have is very intimate” (are you listening audience?), rather than the viewer merely picking up on them intuitively, then you’re NOT DOING IT RIGHT.

I think TPTB are simply canny, amusing, soulless, manipulative bastards, like most TV folk, when taken en masse.

They’re screwing us all over, Lennys, Shamys, Shennys and Sheldonites. We should take to the studios and give them a good wallop.

Or we could just all go back to the pub I was at earlier. There’s a pool table with lava lamps inserted in the legs. As Sheldon said of the Dogopus, NO-ONE can hate that.

(actually it was incredibly tacky. Perhaps we can find somewhere else…)

 

Have you heard from Nogravitas? Perhaps I should contact the blighter...

[Tensor]

People like Count Wally, ie…er, Count Wally, are not particularly bothered, other than feeling the whole thing’s a shambles and a commercially-driven disgrace. They hobbled my favourite character years ago, why would I be bothered now? I'm mildly sickened, yes, but Sheldon’s long been sacrificed on the alter of common-or-garden romanticism. As Lionne said, I saw it coming. Although I didn’t have a sob behind the dumpsters, I had a bitch at the pub, but same old same old.

 

I get the vague impression that this whole scene is a gentle piss-take of the Shamy fans, in much the same fashion as the Cooper Extraction’s ridiculously sexified laundry scene was a piss-take of the Shennys.

So you want romance (eye-gazing, kissing etc) do you! Here you go. Now shut up.

I’m not sure if I was a Shamy fan I’d be happy with a sarcastic, pressure-filled kiss. Because god knows the bloke’s been pressured. Personally I’d prefer if Sheldon did such things of his own wish and accord.

I’ll never be convinced by this relationship, because it’s so clinically measured out to accord with show-length and target demographics. Additionally, it’s not the way I feel Sheldon would act if he were truly smitten. Also I don’t appreciate being told by the writers when and when not to care, or when and when not something is important. I don’t believe in “Shamy” because their actions don’t convince me.

 

If you have to resort to having your characters explicate their motives and feelings in some sort of pantomime children’s show, saying things like “what we have is very intimate” (are you listening audience?), rather than the viewer merely picking up on them intuitively, then you’re NOT DOING IT RIGHT.

I think TPTB are simply canny, amusing, soulless, manipulative bastards, like most TV folk, when taken en masse.

They’re screwing us all over, Lennys, Shamys, Shennys and Sheldonites. We should take to the studios and give them a good wallop.

Or we could just all go back to the pub I was at earlier. There’s a pool table with lava lamps inserted in the legs. As Sheldon said of the Dogopus, NO-ONE can hate that.

(actually it was incredibly tacky. Perhaps we can find somewhere else…)

 

Have you heard from Nogravitas? Perhaps I should contact the blighter...

 

Hmmmmmmm, maybe if I explain it a bit differently.  I figured you saw this coming, I said as much.  I also specified that I knew you preferred your Sheldon asexual (although I said "not having sexual feelings).  The ones I didn't think saw it coming are those romantic Shennys, who were in denial about the show showing Amy and Sheldon as a couple and Leonard and Penny as a couple and hung on every ambiguous event as proof that Sheldon and Penny wanted secretly to be involved with each other. 

 

And I haven't heard from grav, but I didn't expect to.  He said he was taking a break from the net while he was here.  He's got another week or so before he heads back.

[vasu]

I still can't understand the reason behind Leonard thinking that Penny quitting her job was a poor one..

Was her falling in the debt the only reason... If so I see no reason as to why could'nt he support her financially...Probably there is hidden motive that if Penny becomes a star he feels that she would leave him....

And as far as Sheldon saying "We're dreamers" to Penny

Sheldon was there when Leonard dreamt about having smart and beautiful babies with Penny in the 1st episode of the series.

And as far as Leonard not having the courage to do bold things...in the 100th episode where he asks out Penny again even after everything goes wrong in his day-dream , I thought required a lot of courage. Of course later the writers went for the wimpy spineless Leonard several several times..so I guess I can see why the writers forgot it

Oh and I still believe Leonard kissing Penny in season 1 finale is one the boldest move in the entire series... around that time he was shy adorable , but still had enough confidence/courage to ask out Penny twice , and stand to bullies like Kurt twice....clearly much more than the amount he is displaying now a days..

Edited January 15, 2014 by vasu

[SRAM]

How long will it last. Season Six was great for Leonard and Penny now look at Season Seven and how things are going. Writers takes three steps with L/P and next they take back two steps. At this time I really confused about Leonard and Penny relationship and really want to see the light at the end of the tunnel but ..... grrreta:I am happy the writers are finally moving Sheldon forward some to be a boyfriend to Amy, she deserves it, imo.

I think it is even worse than you say. How many times have we seen Leonard and Penny have serious disagreements this season compared to nice things happening to them, there is no balance, conflict between them seems to dominate their relationship this season. Since the writers are moving Shamy along, I assume this is a stalling attempt by them, but is is really stressing the Lenny character relationship and making it less like able.

[SodidIwin?]

I think it is even worse than you say. How many times have we seen Leonard and Penny have serious disagreements this season compared to nice things happening to them, there is no balance, conflict between them seems to dominate their relationship this season. Since the writers are moving Shamy along, I assume this is a stalling attempt by them, but is is really stressing the Lenny character relationship and making it less like able.

I agree with you 100%. I kept saying the writers have Lenny in a holding pattern this season, but I'm now leaning toward them actually regressing. I just don't feel the same chemistry between them as in the end of last season. It really is beginning to be less enjoyable to watch those two. Which is very disappointing to me personally because they are the main couple for me on the show.

[Chrismo]

I agree with you 100%. I kept saying the writers have Lenny in a holding pattern this season, but I'm now leaning toward them actually regressing. I just don't feel the same chemistry between them as in the end of last season. It really is beginning to be less enjoyable to watch those two. Which is very disappointing to me personally because they are the main couple for me on the show.

But at the end of season 6  they were at the top of the world. I agree the last couple of episodes have been difficult to watch at times. As mentioned before it had to happen. L/P were never going to be where people wanted them if she still worked at TCF. Would the chemistry be the same if Penny became a successful actress and Leonard lost his job? It's easier to rip on Penny but as compared to the others who are successful and love their jobs she has nothing(but Leonard). IMO until she finds success in something the L/P relationship is going to be up and down. Hopefully she finds success soon.