Spoilers S7 Spoilers

[Chiara]

Did you notice that Bernie didn't tell Howard about Penny wanting to break up with Leonard back in Season 6.  Bernie and Amy protected Penny during her not so great moment, yet it looks like Bernie throw Leonard under the bus.

Bernadette is one of Penny's closest friends. She knows and likes Leonard very much, for sure, but they are nowhere near as devoted to each other as Bernadette and Penny. 

 

The girls' allegiance is to one another; not to the guys.

 

I for one do not see any discrepancy.

Edited September 19, 2013 by Chiara

[ArmyGirl]

Bernadette is one of Penny's closest friends. She knows and likes Leonard very much, for sure, but they are nowhere near as devoted to each other as Bernadette and Penny. 

 

The girls' allegiance is to one another; not to the guys.

 

I for one do not see any discrepancy.

 

This may be true but it still doesn't change that there is a double standard with the girls.

[Chiara]

This may be true but it still doesn't change that there is a double standard with the girls.

Amy told Sheldon about Penny's doubts, I think. 

[Chrismo]

Did you notice that Bernie didn't tell Howard about Penny wanting to break up with Leonard back in Season 6.  Bernie and Amy protected Penny during her not so great moment, yet it looks like Bernie throw Leonard under the bus.

You are right about Bernie but Amy did tell Sheldon. But as SRAM pointed out Penny did tell Howard(and Sheldon) that the girls tell me everything. Also Bernie/Howard were set up by Penny so IMO that's a factor. There may be a double standard but the guys know that. Bernie didn't throw Leonard under the bus Leonard(and Howard) did.

[ArmyGirl]

Amy told Sheldon about Penny's doubts, I think. 

 

I know she did. What I am saying is Bernie went straight to Penny once finding out.  Neither Bernie or Amy thought of telling Leonard is all I am saying.

[Chiara]

I am not sure if sprinkles visits this website but if so, thank you so very much for your effort and great work. It must be a real pain in the bottom to try to remember all that and the summary is great. Thank you again.

 

Now, let's go from the easiest to the most contentious, shall we ?

 

Raj and Stuart : bless their hearts, they are trying. Both are good guys but have absolutely no idea how to address women. Those bits of profiles they describe onscreen are... unfortunate to say the least. They still have a lot to learn in the way of romance, poor souls. But I admire their determination. They are willing to put themselves out there and see what happens; that is kind of brave.

 

Amy and Sheldon : a Sheldon on the warpath is a Sheldon I always like. There is something delightfully childlike about his pettiness that makes me laugh. However, this storyline seems to go further than a classic example of him seeking revenge. The writers appear to have used this plot to compare the respective preferences of the girls and the boys : it is Indiana Jones v. Jane Austen; Star Trek v. The Little House on the Prairie... And interestingly, especially for a show so heavily focused on geek culture, the girls' side of the argument sort of wins !

In a way, it is a callback to The Bakersfield Expedition in which the girls decided to investigate the boys' universe in person and found it much more fascinating than previously thought. In 7.04, Sheldon (for less than noble reasons) exposes himself to Amy's (the girls') cultural bakground and finds it not as flawed as he imagined he would. That is an interesting twist.

 

Also, I have to say I like Sheldon's mini epiphany in re. his parents and his own compulsive need for revenge. First, he compares his couple with Amy to his parents (that is sort of a plus) and secondly, he realises that his attitude is not due to his genius (what is usually considered the root of pretty much everything as far as he is concerned) but to his upbringing. That is a teeny breakthrough.

Finally, kuddos to Amy for being so unfazed by his attempts at ruining her most beloved cultural works. She is one strong and resilient woman.

 

Leonard and Penny aka « this week's bone of contention »

Leonard knows that what he is doing is not very nice; he says so to Howard. While I agree with him, I also have to say that it is not all that dreadful, surely ? He does not use his « power » just for sex. He also mobilises it to get Penny to watch TV programs that put even him to sleep. Basically, he lays it a tad thick in the victim department to be in the driver seat. There is no doubt that he is genuinely perturbed by his mother's book. Who would not be ? So he goes « lemons lemonade » and cranks up the trauma to get positive attention.

 

He milks the situation for what it is worth... See what I did there ? About an episode in which his breastfeeding habits are discussed, I say he « milks »... This is a pathetic attempt at levity !

In my opinion, it is not character assassination but character continuation. For the first time in his life, Leonard is in a relationship with a woman who loves him as much as he loves her. It is unknown territory for him. He has no freaking clue what to do with all his newly found confidence. So he messes up. As he should.

 

Penny's reaction is... as Hulk-like as I had imagined it would be. She goes for the kill, junior rodeo style, and releases the Kraken : live by the mother, perish by the mother. It may not be the healthiest of responses but it is perfectly in keeping with the character who does have a tendency to go thermonuclear when being played for a fool.

We will see how it plays out but my guess is it will be fine.

Edited September 19, 2013 by Chiara

[ArmyGirl]

You are right about Bernie but Amy did tell Sheldon. But as SRAM pointed out Penny did tell Howard(and Sheldon) that the girls tell me everything. Also Bernie/Howard were set up by Penny so IMO that's a factor. There may be a double standard but the guys know that. Bernie didn't throw Leonard under the bus Leonard(and Howard) did.

 

Well I hope both Leonard and Howard never say anything around the girls again.  Just because they guys know there is a double standard doesn't make it right that the girls apply it.

[Nogravitasatall]

Back here to say again - calling his mother on him? Bringing her in on a video link in the bedroom. He was unzipping his pants. He will need that pill that is to Viagra as Viagra is to a green M&M.

I'm off for a lie down. So incensed!

[Chrismo]

 

 

 

 

Leonard and Penny aka « this week's bone of contention »

Leonard knows that what he is doing is not very nice; he says so to Howard. While I agree with him, I also have to say that it is not all that dreadful, surely ? He does not use his « power » just for sex. He also mobilises it to get Penny to watch TV programs that put even him to sleep. Basically, he lays it a tad thick in the victim department to be in the driver seat. There is no doubt that he is genuinely perturbed by his mother's book. Who would not be ? So he goes « lemons lemonade » and cranks up the trauma to get positive attention.

 

He milks the situation for what it is worth... See what I did there ? About an episode in which his breastfeeding habits are discussed, I say he « milks »... This is a pathetic attempt at levity !

In my opinion, it is not character assassination but character continuation. For the first time in his life, Leonard is in a relationship with a woman who loves him as much as he loves her. It is unknown territory for him. He has no freaking clue what to do with all his newly found confidence. So he messes up. As he should.

 

Penny's reaction is... as Hulk-like as I had imagined it would be. She goes for the kill, junior rodeo style, and releases the Kraken : live by the mother, die by the mother. It may not be the healthiest of responses but it is perfectly in keeping with the character who does have a tendency to go thermonuclear when being played for a fool.

We will see how it plays out but my guess is it will be fine.

Couldn't of said it any better. My only addition to what you said was Leonard (Amy and Raj) played her for the fool in the scavenger hunt too.

[JonRS92]

As far as the Lenny drama tonight I will say this. Leonard has screwed many times in the past and it almost never carries over to subsequent episodes. The only screw ups to even be mentioned again in another episode were the Premature ILY and the proposal during sex. I really believe that this is not going to come up again and they'll be fine in 7.5.

[eirwinrommel]

I think Penny said once to one of the guys that 'those girls tell me everything'.  So I guess it is just a typical guy thing, they don't listen to thier women, in this case Leonard to Penny.

It was Howard.

 

Season 5 Episode 16

Penny: You know those girls text me every detail of their lives as it happens.

Howard: I’m not signing a pre-nup.

Penny: All right, Howard Wolowitz, listen up. You sign anything she puts in front of you, because you are the luckiest man alive. If you let her go, there is no way you can find anyone else. Speaking on behalf of all women, it is not gonna happen, we had a meeting.

[Nogravitasatall]

I know this is a joke but it irks me to my bones, viscerally and to the soles of my boots. If he can't trust his mum and he can't trust his partner not to collude with his mum, he is without refuge and has to stand alone. He'd have to rely on Sheldon. Heavens.

As I say I hope it plays better and I'm sure it will be funny. And it will be as ephemeral as the Australian winter snows this year.

[annieogly]

Okay now I'm getting cheered up for Season 7 when they've unleased the Kraken!  Love that line Chiara, who doesn't adore Penny & Beverly crushing Leonard.

[ArmyGirl]

Okay now I'm getting cheered up for Season 7 when they've unleased the Kraken!  Love that line Chiara, who doesn't adore Penny & Beverly crushing Leonard.

 

 

I'm sure you Shennies and anti-Leonard will love every minute of it.  You would have a fit if the shoe was on the other foot.

Edited September 19, 2013 by ArmyGirl

[Nogravitasatall]

Okay now I'm getting cheered up for Season 7 when they've unleased the Kraken! Love that line Chiara, who doesn't adore Penny & Beverly crushing Leonard.

hey. Lol. The perspective helps. Thanks

[3ku11]

I wouldent say Penny and Beverly crushed Leonard haha, and not sure anyone enjoys it and im sure you were over exagerrating

[Tensor]

I wouldent say Penny and Beverly crushed Leonard haha, and not sure anyone enjoys it and im sure you were over exagerrating

Not at all, annieogly is a fan of Sheldon and Penny. So anything bad happening to Leonard, or Amy or anything bad for the couples is, in her opinion good. She hates it bough when you mention bad thing happening between Sheldon or Penny, or if good things happen between Sheldon/Amy or Penny/Leonard. To back and look at her posts, you'll see how much she hated last year.

[phantagrae]

It's a comedy. Leonard won't be scarred.

[Count Wally de Honk]

If he can't trust his mum and he can't trust his partner not to collude with his mum, he is without refuge and has to stand alone. He'd have to rely on Sheldon. Heavens.

 

I shall go forth and rally the Shelnards...It is written.

 

 

 

Count Wally is also looking forward to another flaming gumtree and spider-infested christmas. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-laaaaaaa

[Nogravitasatall]

It's a comedy. Leonard won't be scarred.

no, maybe not. But I now am:).

Lol

[3ku11]

^I've only been here a few months so haven't seen that persons post's before. Shipping AU couples is great in theory and its fun to think about, and I can understand Plashenny But everytime I see Shenny in a romantic context it gives me the shivers haha, just dont get it watched the show since the pilot, the only time I started to notice Shenny is when I went on the internet, and I was surprised really Sheldon the Sheldon? Lol Penny's eccentric neighbour? Really ok haha. Although I understand as the show progressed the developed a maternal relationship, Penny's almost a motherly figure at times, almost a subsitute for Sheldons mother. Lets face it they are not romantically compatible, they just wouldent work as a couple, Sheldon is just to deadpan, sullen, neurotic, and analytical and he would have no patience for Penny's Nebraska Hick, Free Spirited go with the flow nature. This was highlighted in S3 when Penny wanted to learn more about Leonard's job, Sheldin got so impatient lol now imagine this scenario if they were hypothetically of course dating they woulden't last a second! And apart from anything go back to S2 I think Penny was confused about Sheldon's sexual preferance, if he cannot grasp the concept or idea of Sheldon in a romantic light then not once has it ever been suggested she well every actulize the reality. And she also made it clear so many times she well never date Sheldon, ADD S3 she laughed at the idea of Sheldon undressing her when she was all lupy on the meds, S5 Sheldon and Amy became BF & GF, Penny proclaimed "he is definatley not the guy". Its funny because do you think once Penny nor Sheldon have ever considered any of this nor have any of the othet characters? Nope Howard put it best in The Barbarian Sublimation "It's like a weird comic book cross-over" a little dig from the writers lol. Okay I never meant to rant or attack Shenny shippers lol, but Plashenny seems appropriate to me, point is if your not watching an entire season due to your fav ship not being the focus, and as a result your enjoyment is diminished, your watching it for the wrong reasons IMO. Besides Lenny is more then a Ship it's Cannon .

Edited September 19, 2013 by 3ku11

[fixitmr]

^I've only been here a few months so haven't seen that persons post's before. Shipping AU couples is great in theory and its fun to think about, and I can understand Plashenny But everytime I see Shenny in a romantic context it gives me the shivers haha, just dont get it watched the show since the pilot, the only time I started to notice Shenny is when I went on the internet, and I was surprised really Sheldon the Sheldon? Lol Penny's eccentric neighbour? Really ok haha. Although I understand as the show progressed the developed a maternal relationship, Penny's almost a motherly figure at times, almost a subsitute for Sheldons mother. Lets face it they are not romantically compatible, they just wouldent work as a couple, Sheldon is just to deadpan, sullen, neurotic, and analytical and he would have no patience for Penny's Nebraska Hick, Free Spirited go with the flow nature. This was highlighted in S3 when Penny wanted to learn more about Leonard's job, Sheldin got so impatient lol now imagine this scenario if they were hypothetically of course dating they woulden't last a second! And apart from anything go back to S2 I think Penny was confused about Sheldon's sexual preferance, if he cannot grasp the concept or idea of Sheldon in a romantic light then not once has it ever been suggested she well every actulize the reality. And she also made it clear so many times she well never date Sheldon, ADD S3 she laughed at the idea of Sheldon undressing her when she was all lupy on the meds, S5 Sheldon and Amy became BF & GF, Penny proclaimed "he is definatley not the guy". Its funny because do you think once Penny nor Sheldon have ever considered any of this nor have any of the othet characters? Nope Howard put it best in The Barbarian Sublimation "It's like a weird comic book cross-over" a little dig from the writers lol. Okay I never meant to rant or attack Shenny shippers lol, but Plashenny seems appropriate to me, point is if your not watching an entire season due to your fav ship not being the focus, and as a result your enjoyment is diminished, your watching it for the wrong reasons IMO. Besides Lenny is more then a Ship it's Cannon .

The Shenny's won't go away ... BUT YOUR  BANG ON with your analysis of the couples ..... only LENNY  and SHAMY 

[Count Wally de Honk]

The Shenny's won't go away ... BUT YOUR  BANG ON with your analysis of the couples ..... only LENNY  and SHAMY 

 

All hail LENNWAFFEN and SHAMOVITCH! Achtung, Spitfire! etc

 

Bloody ridiculous and relentless wars starting up again….Presumably mankind is inherently militaristic. Anyone who perpetuates it should be ashamed, and that includes the MacShennies.

 

“Correct opinion”, particularly with regards to romantic preference, is an oxymoron.  

A sitcom is an artificial construct, not a documentary, ergo the validity of the writers’ choices can always be questioned. Also (3ku11 my friend), any appeal to the previous actions of a character, when referencing the potential actions of an AU version of that character, is inherently redundant. Unless of course, you believe that romantic preference is a character trait, rather than something completely arbitrary dreamed up by the writers. Bernadette likes Howard, because the writers made Bernadette like Howard. They could easily have made her fall in love with Dr Gablehauser, without changing a screed of her personality. If the writers had decided to make Sheldon in love with Penny, they wouldn’t be having the damn conversation about Leonard’s work in the first place. They could make Sheldon in love with a Mongoose, or a Can-Can dancer, without changing a screed of his “deadpan, sullen, neurotic, and analytical” personality. The concept of the Shenny Bogeyman is starting to bore the hell out of me. I can only imagine how dull it is for people not directly involved. If it doesn't exist, stop bringing it up, folks!

 

Ach, I’m going to the pub. I may, like Lawrence Oates, be some time…

[Occam's Chainsaw]

If you want to ship a non-canon couple have fun and be like me, ship Raj/Lisatronic 3000!!!!

[terriblewaitress]

How have people made such a huge drama out of this??? All this Leonard bashing for nothing. Just because he's into comic books and physics and other nerdy stuff I don't know about, he can't do silly things and act like a lot of guys would? How is any of this making Season 7 pro-Shenny or anti-Leonard idk what I'm reading here anymore but it's funny anyway. It's another side of Leonard. He never had to deal with anything like this before. Penny never had to either. 

 

What's the fun in seeing "I'm reading your mom's book" "I don't like what she's written about me in there please don't read it" "Okay sweetie I won't sorry." "Lets make crunchy spaghetti." 

 

It's the little battles like this between them that keep the relationship alive and realistic and teach them the boundaries.