Spoilers S7 Spoilers

[JenniferTBBTFAN]

Just to clear up a few things about the 3D chess. Sheldon convinced Penny to play. She wasn't enjoying it. There was a joke about her trying to take a break to get another beer. Then later, she was about to make a move (not having any clue how to play)...Sheldon pointed out she would lose if she moved there, she said "Then it would be over" in a happy tone. Sheldon then said he wouldn't make the move to end the game because they were having so much fun. Penny said, "yaaay" in her sarcastic tone. I hope I remember that order correctly...

 

Also...Penny initiated them "talking" after calling Leonard and being upset. Sheldon made her a cup of tea "to-go" and told her to figure out what that meant. She was also asking him to share a secret. He wasn't getting what she meant by that and so she ended up sharing the movie she was ashamed of. He in return told her about the youtube change that bothered him.

[JenniferTBBTFAN]

Hi, everyone!

 

I went to the last taping too. Just wanted to share, since am sooo happy to have gone there. 

 

 

Nice to meet you, Jennifer

Were you sitting near me?

[Count Wally de Honk]

Just to clear up a few things about the 3D chess. Sheldon convinced Penny to play. She wasn't enjoying it. There was a joke about her trying to take a break to get another beer. Then later, she was about to make a move (not having any clue how to play)...Sheldon pointed out she would lose if she moved there, she said "Then it would be over" in a happy tone. Sheldon then said he wouldn't make the move to end the game because they were having so much fun. Penny said, "yaaay" in her sarcastic tone. I hope I remember that order correctly...

 

Also...Penny initiated them "talking" after calling Leonard and being upset. Sheldon made her a cup of tea "to-go" and told her to figure out what that meant. She was also asking him to share a secret. He wasn't getting what she meant by that and so she ended up sharing the movie she was ashamed of. He in return told her about the youtube change that bothered him.

 

I think I would have preferred Penny continuing to blithely pants her chess opponents with her horseys and lighthouses and pointy-headed guys....Making her a chess savant would be a nice balance to her being flummoxed by a potato clock.

 

Out of idle curiosity (like most nonsense here) was her apology to Sheldon genuine, or was it more to the tune of 'must buy ickle-wickle Shelly a robot and a comic book' ? I don't mind either way. Just being an impatient bastard.

Thank you very much Jennifer, by the way! Hats off to you!

Edited August 23, 2013 by Count Wally de Honk

[Nogravitasatall]

^^^^^ yes to Penny as the warrior princess and game savant. Remember spinning long division, too.

AND THANK YOU JENNIFER.

Edited August 23, 2013 by Nogravitasatall

[stardustmelody]

Thanks for clarification, Jennifer.  I guess I sort of agree with Honk....it would have been more entertaining to see Penny whip Sheldon's butt on the 3D chess using all the funny names she gave the pieces and truly not totally understanding the game, yet being a savant at it.  It would have really been hilarious to see him so disconcerted.  

 

Welcome to the forum terriblewaitress! :D

Edited August 23, 2013 by stardustmelody

[Zhalen565]

Ok so I've been reading this so... don't hate on my first post  

 

I don't see what the big deal is with Sheldon & Penny spending some time together, or the hug. They both miss Leonard and are bonding over that. He makes her a hot drink, like he does when he sees people are upset - that's very IC of him, he'll have seen her missing Leonard and he saw how they were in the car. They hug, but it doesn't say he hugs her or that he enjoys the hug, and maybe he needs the hug too because he misses his buddy. It's nice that they have each other. We don't see Shamy in this episode, but we might learn later that they've been getting closer. It's a hug, not erotic nose caressing. 

 

We don't know how much of the video Leonard showed. Yes, he shouldn't be showing it off, that's not cool. But it's a film, not a personal video. And Penny is the one who did the film even if she says it wasn't released. He misses his girlfriend, he wants to show her off, it seems on that boat he's having the life he never got. Not saying it's right for him to do that. But we don't know what he showed or why. They're fine in the next episode. I don't think she's going to be pissed off about it too much for too long if she finds out. 

 

Amy and Bernadette... they're just having some fun. I always make jokes like that when I go out with my besties. Bernadette knows Amy won't do anything, they're allowed to enjoy being hit on! 

 

Sheldon is showing his concern for Amy in his special way. They're fine. Penny misses Leonard and when he's back from his exciting trip of a lifetime, they're going to be fine. 

 

That's my view of it. I love Lenny, I love Shamy, I love Howadette. I love Raj and his newfound (bad) ability to speak to women. There's nothing in there that suggests anybody will be breaking up or cheating or making Shenny happen from a hug.

I can't believe I missed your post, welcome to the forums

[3ku11]

Remind me why Shenny exists again lol? I kinda forgot maybe I missed that episode 

[stardustmelody]

Remind me why Shenny exists again lol? I kinda forgot maybe I missed that episode 

I don't think it relates to any given episode. I think it is just some fans felt that Sheldon should have the "pretty" girl.   A lot like the looks of the two actors together, but not taking into account that the character would never have an interest romantically in a woman that he feels he could never have an intelligent conversation with on a regular basis.   He values education and learning above all else.   So while he and Penny have grown closer more like siblings or her a maternal figure, he still would never find her someone he could live with.  She likewise could never live with him because she finds him too "alien" to her world and her likes and dislikes in life.   They would kill each other.  LOL!

[koops]

OMC that chess stuff really sounds like my version of it!!! Haha! Only I had them both frustrated with it.

I'm liking the sound of this, it's them bonding but at the same time I feel like the core of their antagonistic relationship has been maintained. Which is what makes it fun to watch. I didn't think there would be a lot of comedy in them suddenly getting along so well.

[stardustmelody]

OMC that chess stuff really sounds like my version of it!!! Haha! Only I had them both frustrated with it.

I'm liking the sound of this, it's them bonding but at the same time I feel like the core of their antagonistic relationship has been maintained. Which is what makes it fun to watch. I didn't think there would be a lot of comedy in them suddenly getting along so well.

 

Agree.  They are funniest when antagonistic.

[AndyRenee]

The more spoilers I hear, the better I feel about this episode. 

[3ku11]

I don't think it relates to any given episode. I think it is just some fans felt that Sheldon should have the "pretty" girl.   A lot like the looks of the two actors together, but not taking into account that the character would never have an interest romantically in a woman that he feels he could never have an intelligent conversation with on a regular basis.   He values education and learning above all else.   So while he and Penny have grown closer more like siblings or her a maternal figure, he still would never find her someone he could live with.  She likewise could never live with him because she finds him too "alien" to her world and her likes and dislikes in life.   They would kill each other.  LOL!

Haha just imagine those car scenes when Penny drives Sheldon to work, now imagine that scenario if they were dating, she would push him out while they were driving! "Oh by the way I'm dumping you!" Lol. They just woulden't work as a couple, I get the whole hypothetical scenario where they would be interesting as a couple, two opposing worlds colliding. But from the pilot Penny has always been intrigued by Leonard, they have been the romantic pardaim of the series, like you said Shenny has always been this maternal brother-sister relationship, it would be silly to ruin that. Besides I cannot see how the writers could realistically in any form make it beleivable that Penny would see Sheldon in a romantic light, it would require changing everything that makes the characters so special, and that is not something anyone wants.

[Count Wally de Honk]

I don't think it relates to any given episode. I think it is just some fans felt that Sheldon should have the "pretty" girl.  

 

This is a fair assessment of some of the Shenny fans I have observed. Not all obviously. I think a full-blown Shenny would probably be better at answering this, rather than a half-arsed one like me. I’m predominately a “Sheldonite”.

But out of interest, my mild fondness for S/P has nothing to do with Penny’s attractiveness (I prefer Martha-types), but rather her nurturing qualities in strange combination with her ya-boo-sucks-to-you attitude. Being a neurotic, embittered intellectual sort, I tend to fall for brassy, extroverted, blousy, surfer-type characters.

Amy and Sheldon have the same dour, introverted, peculiar, (and delightful, mind!) sallow-countenanced temperament that myself and most of my pals have, ergo the concept of S/A is mildly incestuous or onanistic to me. It certainly has its charms, and the appeal is very logical, I just thought I’d explain why, logically also, it’s off-putting to me. I don’t want to go on a date with MYSELF for godsake! Speaking of strangling above, I’d strangle myself in a minute!

 

As for antagonism, obviously getting along is very dull. For a sitcom. What is the quote about everyone being alike in their happiness and different in their misery? A sitcom can’t have seven characters sitting around beaming at each other for 22 minutes, occasionally offering to massage each others necks or handing out canapes….However, there’s still a human weakness as viewers to wish harmony on our favourite characters, and that applies to any combination of characters whatever. I imagine S/A constantly fighting wasn’t very funny to some fans, but I’m sure some members of the public laughed their proverbials off.

 

I don’t want to get into a debate about whether S/P would work on the show, because that horse has been ridden to death and then jumped up and down on by a bunch of other horses. Just thought a civil and intelligent answer like yours deserved a little elaboration.

Hat tip. Wally (or Honk to you)

[koops]

This is a fair assessment of some of the Shenny fans I have observed. Not all obviously. I think a full-blown Shenny would probably be better at answering this, rather than a half-arsed one like me. I’m predominately a “Sheldonite”.

But out of interest, my mild fondness for S/P has nothing to do with Penny’s attractiveness (I prefer Martha-types), but rather her nurturing qualities in strange combination with her ya-boo-sucks-to-you attitude. Being a neurotic, embittered intellectual sort, I tend to fall for brassy, extroverted, blousy, surfer-type characters.

Amy and Sheldon have the same dour, introverted, peculiar, (and delightful, mind!) sallow-countenanced temperament that myself and most of my pals have, ergo the concept of S/A is mildly incestuous or onanistic to me. It certainly has its charms, and the appeal is very logical, I just thought I’d explain why, logically also, it’s off-putting to me. I don’t want to go on a date with MYSELF for godsake! Speaking of strangling above, I’d strangle myself in a minute!

 

As for antagonism, obviously getting along is very dull. For a sitcom. What is the quote about everyone being alike in their happiness and different in their misery? A sitcom can’t have seven characters sitting around beaming at each other for 22 minutes, occasionally offering to massage each others necks or handing out canapes….However, there’s still a human weakness as viewers to wish harmony on our favourite characters, and that applies to any combination of characters whatever. I imagine S/A constantly fighting wasn’t very funny to some fans, but I’m sure some members of the public laughed their proverbials off.

 

I don’t want to get into a debate about whether S/P would work on the show, because that horse has been ridden to death and then jumped up and down on by a bunch of other horses. Just thought a civil and intelligent answer like yours deserved a little elaboration.

Hat tip. Wally (or Honk to you)

 

Well, the difference between you and Sheldon (amongst others I'm sure) is that he does most definitely not wish to strangles himself, quite the opposite. He is in love with himself. Which is why they made Amy so similar to him at the beginning. The whole point being that the only way Sheldon would consider a relationship is with someone of his own kind, not be attracted to one for their nurturing qualities or bossy attitude.

 

Furthermore, even back when she was a total female-Sheldon, there were enough differences to make the relationship antagonistic as well as harmonic. They argued and broke up 3 episodes into the season. And I think that's why I did not like the latest episodes of S6. Sheldon and Amy fought a lot ever since the start of their relationship, which was hilarious, but about things other than this stupid physical-contact/affection push-and-pull dynamic: they argues about work, about sci-fi, about Penny... what have you. You can make their relationship antagonistic without changing the core of their similarities. And, again, Prady did a much better job than Molaro because I feel, having created Amy himself, he probably gets her better.

[Count Wally de Honk]

Well, the difference between you and Sheldon (amongst others I'm sure) is that he does most definitely not wish to strangles himself, quite the opposite. He is in love with himself. Which is why they made Amy so similar to him at the beginning. The whole point being that the only way Sheldon would consider a relationship is with someone of his own kind, not be attracted to one for their nurturing qualities or bossy attitude.

 

Furthermore, even back when she was a total female-Sheldon, there were enough differences to make the relationship antagonistic as well as harmonic. They argued and broke up 3 episodes into the season. And I think that's why I did not like the latest episodes of S6. Sheldon and Amy fought a lot ever since the start of their relationship, which was hilarious, but about things other than this stupid physical-contact/affection push-and-pull dynamic: they argues about work, about sci-fi, about Penny... what have you. You can make their relationship antagonistic without changing the core of their similarities. And, again, Prady did a much better job than Molaro because I feel, having created Amy himself, he probably gets her better.

 

Fair enough Koops dear fellow, wasn't being uppity. Apologies if it came across that way.

I'm not saying I'm entirely like Sheldon at all, just that we have similar temperaments. And that for me to be interested in a fictional relationship, romantic or platonic, at least one of the participants has to be dissimilar to myself. Holmes and Watson (by DOYLE dammit! Not the tv series),  Zorba and the Narrator, Withnail and I, etc.That's all. I'm not saying Amy and Sheldon don't work together on the show. Just why it's not appealing to me. As "looks" were previously mentioned as the main reason behind Shenny. Which is inaccurate, to my mind, so I thought I'd clarify that it's temperament to some, not looks.

Grand? Please not let's have to break out the milk duds. The corner shop has closed!

[koops]

Fair enough Koops dear fellow, wasn't being uppity. Apologies if it came across that way.

I'm not saying I'm entirely like Sheldon at all, just that we have similar temperaments. And that for me to be interested in a fictional relationship, romantic or platonic, at least one of the participants has to be dissimilar to myself. Holmes and Watson (by DOYLE dammit! Not the tv series),  Zorba and the Narrator, Withnail and I, etc.That's all. I'm not saying Amy and Sheldon don't work together on the show. Just why it's not appealing to me. As "looks" were previously mentioned as the main reason behind Shenny. Which is inaccurate, to my mind, so I thought I'd clarify that it's temperament to some, not looks.

Grand? Please not let's have to break out the milk duds. The corner shop has closed!

 

Oh I wasn't being uppity either, sorry. LOL. Just making a point over the strangling business

 

I also think a lot of people who are into Shenny but are just casual viewers of the show, like them because hooking up your leads is a pretty classic storytelling move, so it's normal for people who maybe don't get the characters as much to want to see the characters they are exposed to the most get together on screen.  

Edited August 23, 2013 by koops

[Count Wally de Honk]

Oh I wasn't being uppity either, sorry. LOL. Just making a point over the strangling business

 

I also think a lot of people who are into Shenny but are just casual viewers of the show, like them because hooking up your leads is a pretty classic storytelling move, so it's normal for people who maybe don't get the characters as much to want to see the characters they are exposed to the most get together on screen.  

 

Absolutely. Although personally I'd prefer Niles and Frasier to keep their distance....

Regarding hooking up leads, as L/P has essentially done that, I suspect in the early days a further distinction might simply be people who fancy or identify with Sheldon rather than Leonard. S/P gave them an option over L/P before S/A came around.

All these letters!

I think I'll return to my die-hard pure Sheldonite roots...To paraphrase Dorothy Parker, the affair between Sheldon and Sheldon will live as one of the prettiest love stories in all television.

(Ha!)

I'm now being instructed by a tyrannical housemate to go out and buy wine. Perhaps I'm Leonard...

[koops]

Absolutely. Although personally I'd prefer Niles and Frasier to keep their distance....

Regarding hooking up leads, as L/P has essentially done that, I suspect in the early days a further distinction might simply be people who fancy or identify with Sheldon rather than Leonard. S/P gave them an option over L/P before S/A came around.

All these letters!

I think I'll return to my die-hard pure Sheldonite roots...To paraphrase Dorothy Parker, the affair between Sheldon and Sheldon will live as one of the prettiest love stories in all television.

(Ha!)

I'm now being instructed by a tyrannical housemate to go out and buy wine. Perhaps I'm Leonard...

 

True, that too. However, I also think when Sheldon became the most popular character (which happened fairly quickly), people started perceiving him as the lead over Leonard, in a way. One of the things that make me respect the writers, actually, is that they didn't fall into the trap of taking the most popular male and most popular female and hooking them up. It must be very very tempting to do, but they've stuck to their guns for 7 years, and I respect them a great deal for that. I personally think that Shenny would be a jump the shark moment for the show for that reason, because they have done so much work to establish Sheldon and Penny, as characters and as a relationship (not to mention the dynamics they have with the characters around them and how that influences their relationship), that it would take another 7 seasons at least to undo all of that to make romantic Shenny believable. So if it happened randomly, out of the blue, it would only be done for ratings grabbing/shock value. I wouldn't see it very differently from Raj/Penny at the end of S4, probably worse.

[3ku11]

Apart from anything Penny has always seen Sheldon as a platonic friend and neighbour, im sorry ive watched since the Pilot, I've just never seen the idea of Sheldon and Pennu where even in a AU would work. Guess ppl are going to see what they beleive, perception is reality. So yes it would be jumping the shark, yeah worser then Raj/Penny seeng Penny wasent in a lupid state of mind, and that only occured due to her wanting Leonard back. Shennys cute in an what if they werent the way they were reality, but seeing Penny has showed no intrinsic or extrinsic romantic desire towards Sheldon, just Leonard it well never happen, dont kno why Shenny even exists even the very notion, thats why I waa just wondering where it arised, this is all just my opinion.

[Chiara]

True, that too. However, I also think when Sheldon became the most popular character (which happened fairly quickly), people started perceiving him as the lead over Leonard, in a way. One of the things that make me respect the writers, actually, is that they didn't fall into the trap of taking the most popular male and most popular female and hooking them up. It must be very very tempting to do, but they've stuck to their guns for 7 years, and I respect them a great deal for that.

I wonder if such a temptation ever existed in the writers' minds. 

 

From a purely narrative standpoint, Leonard is the protagonist and Sheldon the auxiliary. Please do not believe I am being dismissive of Sheldon's importance or relevance by calling him that, it is merely a technical term. The protagonist is, etymologically, the first one to struggle or suffer and, structurally, the one who introduces the plot or main theme. An auxiliary is another character who goes along with the "quest". 

TBBT's running theme, so to speak, is "geeks meet adult world". While she may not act like it at times, Penny incarnates said "adult world" : sexuality, emotional conflicts, funless duties (her job at the Cheesecake Factory), boredom, responsibilities, disappointment, etc. On the day Leonard decided that he would have "smart and beautiful" babies with his new, and obviously non-geeky, neighbour, he introduced the whole plot (and became its first victim, poor soul). He became the agent of change (protagonist) and dragged Sheldon with him (auxiliary). 

 

That is, of course, not to say that Sheldon (or any other character for that matter) is less important than Leonard. He very visibly is not. His many characteristics have made him the most iconic character of the show. However, if it were just for him, there would be no show because, simply put, show = plot = change and Sheldon hates and resists change. 

 

I believe that, in spite of the obvious delight the writers take in Sheldon and the pleasure with which they put him at the centre of so many episodes, they are very mindful of the overall narrative structure of the show. They know that, considering said structure, Penny and Sheldon together would make little to no sense. So I doubt the were even ever tempted to go for it, regardless of the different characters' respective popularity levels.

 

Sorry, I'm out of likes for the day. We need more likes, or we need a way to bank unused likes for the future.

I gave you one of mine

Edited August 23, 2013 by Chiara

[Spaced_up]

Haha just imagine those car scenes when Penny drives Sheldon to work, now imagine that scenario if they were dating, she would push him out while they were driving! "Oh by the way I'm dumping you!" Lol. They just woulden't work as a couple, I get the whole hypothetical scenario where they would be interesting as a couple, two opposing worlds colliding. But from the pilot Penny has always been intrigued by Leonard, they have been the romantic pardaim of the series, like you said Shenny has always been this maternal brother-sister relationship, it would be silly to ruin that. Besides I cannot see how the writers could realistically in any form make it beleivable that Penny would see Sheldon in a romantic light, it would require changing everything that makes the characters so special, and that is not something anyone wants.

 

They wouldn't write this scene if Sheldon and Penny were dating. They have written plenty of stories around these two characters and they would simply expand on this. Sheldon and Penny have a much more interesting story tell not. They have more to learn from each other. 

 

I also think a lot of people who are into Shenny but are just casual viewers of the show.

 

 

Where do you get this idea. Most of the shenny's I have found have been watching since before Amy, most from the first season and we are predominately Penny fans from back then.

Edited August 23, 2013 by Spaced_up

[3ku11]

They wouldn't write this scene if Sheldon and Penny were dating. They have written plenty of stories around these two characters and they would simply expand on this. Sheldon and Penny have a much more interesting story tell not. They have more to learn from each other. 

 

 

Where do you get this idea. Most of the shenny's I have found have been watching since before Amy, most from the first season and we are predominately Penny fans from back then.

I agree to a certain degree but I woulden't say they woulden't write this scene if Sheldon and Penny were dating, I don't get how Sheldon and Penny dating changes their characters in anyway. Penny wasen't any different or wasen't written any different when she dated other guys including Leonard, so I don't see how the writers would expand on this anyway, IMO their is no difference. Personally I think the whole idea of Shenny is pointless and theirs no really realistic or plauable reason to justify why Penny would be remotely interested in Sheldon, it is a platonic friendship always has been always well be. 

[koops]

 

Where do you get this idea. Most of the shenny's I have found have been watching since before Amy, most from the first season and we are predominately Penny fans from back then.

 

I think you misunderstood the construction of my sentence. I didn't say "A lot of people who are into Shenny are casual viewers of the show". I said "A lot of people who are into Shenny BUT are casual viewers of the show want them together because of X and Y". I was talking about a specific subset of the audience.

 

Anyway, I was just thinking that I can also see the appeal of Shenny in an idealistic, 'love conquers all' kind of way. The two polar opposites who overcome their dissimilarities to change for each other and learn from each other because of their love for each other. But I personally think those kind of relationships are a bit of a Hollywood creation. In real life people tend to stick with people who are more or less on the same wavelength as they are. Sure, there is some wiggle-room of course, if two people are too similar it gets boring pretty fast even in RL, but, overall, real total opposites do not attract. I always thought that the canon pairings on the show are pretty realistic in that regard. 

Edited August 23, 2013 by koops

[3ku11]

The final car scene in S6 really solidfies Sheldon's emotional intelligence, he was almost like Lenny's kid who just woulden't go to asleep lol, if you get where I am coming from. Penny and Leonard have always been opposities attract, they have never been similar on any wave length at all, they defy all odds seeing what they have been through. I am not sure Shamy is ever going to work, Sheldon just seem unwilling to get intimate with Amy, in a way Sheldon is more intimate with Amy then he has ever been with any women, but the irony of that is they have yet to be intimate . While I love where Lenny is now and so glad they are together and well end up together, and while I can see why their is such a slow pace with Sheldon, he has never been in a relationship in his entire life, and up to Amy had no real intention on doing so, thought human contact and interaction was a waste of time, and a distraction. Clearly Sheldon has grown and is almost humanized and become conditioned to the very social pardaim he detested in the first place. I wouldent say he is near the end of the social spectrum but he is really gone half way, and I think this partly due to Leonard's influence, his influence has really socially integrated Sheldon into the circle. I mean his seating patterns used to be so it could limit any social interaction, he has now adapted and his seating process has now adapted so he can interact with the group. I think Sheldon said it best when he said "It may not seem like it but what we have in very intimate" that was in regards to Amy. I know everyone made a big deal about the Sheldon and Penny hug, but why? Saw the pic looks to me Penny is 80 % commited and Sheldon cannot wait till it is all over haha, typical Shenny contrived and distorted hug, but with time passed Shenny have bonded and have grown closer, Penny just like Leonard brings a sense of security to Sheldon. Where is he has probably yet to hug Amy or have any physical contact with her, as it is a challenge that goes beyond any intellectual process he has ever done, Sheldon always approaches things intellectually, yet when it comes to Amy it prob scares him he is scared of loosing him self most likely. Comments are right in saying to make Shenny work they would have to change everything that makes Penny and Sheldon or any of the characters so special, their history, backstories, characteristics, traits, everything only then could they work. 

[jennyferbrelaz]

I wonder if such a temptation ever existed in the writers' minds. 

 

From a purely narrative standpoint, Leonard is the protagonist and Sheldon the auxiliary. Please do not believe I am being dismissive of Sheldon's importance or relevance by calling him that, it is merely a technical term. The protagonist is, etymologically, the first one to struggle or suffer and, structurally, the one who introduces the plot or main theme. An auxiliary is another character who goes along with the "quest". 

TBBT's running theme, so to speak, is "geeks meet adult world". While she may not act like it at times, Penny incarnates said "adult world" : sexuality, emotional conflicts, funless duties (her job at the Cheesecake Factory), boredom, responsibilities, disappointment, etc. On the day Leonard decided that he would have "smart and beautiful" babies with his new, and obviously non-geeky, neighbour, he introduced the whole plot (and became its first victim, poor soul). He became the agent of change (protagonist) and dragged Sheldon with him (auxiliary). 

 

That is, of course, not to say that Sheldon (or any other character for that matter) is less important than Leonard. He very visibly is not. His many characteristics have made him the most iconic character of the show. However, if it were just for him, there would be no show because, simply put, show = plot = change and Sheldon hates and resists change. 

 

I believe that, in spite of the obvious delight the writers take in Sheldon and the pleasure with which they put him at the centre of so many episodes, they are very mindful of the overall narrative structure of the show. They know that, considering said structure, Penny and Sheldon together would make little to no sense. So I doubt the were even ever tempted to go for it, regardless of the different characters' respective popularity levels.

 

I gave you one of mine

I agree with everything you wrote. I also think they have thought of putting Sheldon and Penny as a romantic couple, but they didn't - I appreciate that. There were even some episodes where Sheldon or Penny or both  say things -especially for Leonard - that sound like a suggestion that they could have been involved as a couple, as when he spends the night at her apartment and understands everything friendship with benefits or when she is addicted to online games and goes to Sheldon's room at dawn. These scenes were pretty funny in my point of view, but I do not think there is any chance for a romantic involvement Shenny. I find it amazing how the writers manage to create new stories for the same show. The introduction of Bernadette and Amy was one of the best things that ever happened in the serie.

We are now on the seventh season. I read a comment that someone was talking about  first episodes of earlier seasons, most aren't even big thing. I think we all had high expectations for this return and the episode turned out not to be the expected by many. There was no involvement of all the characters as I believe it should, except Leonard, the closer it was the talk at the university. I don't think that it was good episode overall, but wait until the 26th of September to see the result.