Character Penny's Drinking Issues

[Tensor]

Read all of this and agree with 99% of it. I think you missed just one tiny detail. You said post season 3 Penny slept with no one other than Leonard and almost Raj. I do believe that she alluded to sleeping with Zack.

Hold on, Raj was season four, not three. As for Zack, from what is said, she would have had to slept with him sometime between "The Plimpton Simulation" and Lunar Excitation.

IF, she slept with Zack, during season four, it had to be during the time just prior to "The Justice League Recombination". But there isn't enough evidence one way or another. Her and the girls meet Zack in the episode before Justice League(The Alien Parasite Hypothesis), in a bar where they girls are (this is the one where Zack excited Amy). But, she dumped Zack at the end of season three and there was no mention of meeting him in this season prior to this episode. So she would have had to sleep with him in Season three, sometime prior to going with to the party with Zack (which fits with her stating she dated him the previous year).

In Justice League, when he is seen Penny ends up mad at him (for leaving to go to the comic book store and then for buying the costume for her). Then the night of the party (and we don't know exactly the time frame, because it isn't mentioned), Howard mentioned that Superman wasn't getting laid and I would agree with that, especially after the way she looked after Zack kissed her and her reaction to that kiss.

[3ku11]

Hold on, Raj was season four, not three. As for Zack, from what is said, she would have had to slept with him sometime between "The Plimpton Simulation" and Lunar Excitation.

IF, she slept with Zack, during season four, it had to be during the time just prior to "The Justice League Recombination". But there isn't enough evidence one way or another. Her and the girls meet Zack in the episode before Justice League(The Alien Parasite Hypothesis), in a bar where they girls are (this is the one where Zack excited Amy). But, she dumped Zack at the end of season three and there was no mention of meeting him in this season prior to this episode. So she would have had to sleep with him in Season three, sometime prior to going with to the party with Zack (which fits with her stating she dated him the previous year).

In Justice League, when he is seen Penny ends up mad at him (for leaving to go to the comic book store and then for buying the costume for her). Then the night of the party (and we don't know exactly the time frame, because it isn't mentioned), Howard mentioned that Superman wasn't getting laid and I would agree with that, especially after the way she looked after Zack kissed her and her reaction to that kiss.

Just a sidenote thought that moment in The Justice League ep when Leonard and Penny looked at each was mesmirizing beautful coming from a guy too haha, but yeah I remember Penny saying she only started seeing Zac again because she diddn't want to be alone on NYE, you could tell right their Leonard and Penny well still crazy about each other, but just the timing was not right between them. I think Penny deep down would or prefered to kiss Leonard other then Zack the fact she had her eyes open the whole time. Other then a really stupid decision by Penny to sleep with Raj, which was really a drunken haze, and really a result of a really bad year for Penny lol, other then that she has minor problem's not neccessairly in terms of her drinking but her behaviour that was subsequent to that drinking, but it was never was so serious, it was just minor, and 5x01 she realizied she needed to slow down the intake, since then it has been more refined, and really up till Leonard she diddn't date at all really, as told in S5 when Sheldon's mother visited, always liked her she seems to really care about Penny. And now as you see she has a couple of wines with Leonard at dinner, S6 really showed how far Penny has come, she is so domesticated now almost like a housewife for Penny haha.

[Tensor]

Just a sidenote thought that moment in The Justice League ep when Leonard and Penny looked at each was mesmirizing beautful coming from a guy too haha, but yeah I remember Penny saying she only started seeing Zac again because she diddn't want to be alone on NYE, you could tell right their Leonard and Penny well still crazy about each other, but just the timing was not right between them.

That moment, for me, was amazing on so many levels. The two biggest were that you absolutely knew that Penny still had feeling for Leonard. We had a glimpse in "The 21 Second Excitation", but from this look, we, the audience just knew. (hmmmmmmm, I'm noticing a pattern here, The Lunar Excitation" Penny realizes she can't date dumb guys anymore. The 21 Second Excitation Penny shows she still has feelings for Leonard, and The Holographic Excitation, she realizes she really does have deep feelings for him. This means we really need a "Excitation" episode this year.)

The other level was Kaley nailing that expression. As an actor, that was such an amazing look. The care, the worry, the fear, the everything Penny felt about Leonard was in that look and to be able to pull that off, is just so great.

[3ku11]

That moment, for me, was amazing on so many levels. The two biggest were that you absolutely knew that Penny still had feeling for Leonard. We had a glimpse in "The 21 Second Excitation", but from this look, we, the audience just knew. (hmmmmmmm, I'm noticing a pattern here, The Lunar Excitation" Penny realizes she can't date dumb guys anymore. The 21 Second Excitation Penny shows she still has feelings for Leonard, and The Holographic Excitation, she realizes she really does have deep feelings for him. This means we really need a "Excitation" episode this year.)

The other level was Kaley nailing that expression. As an actor, that was such an amazing look. The care, the worry, the fear, the everything Penny felt about Leonard was in that look and to be able to pull that off, is just so great.

Another example of why Kaley IMO is the most underrated comedic actress on tv, I think her pretty blonde girl look image and the fact she make's it look seemless and easy, critics, even fans, and the Emmy panel overlook the fact the girl can act! Another scene is in the Adhesive Duck Ep, her scene with Sheldon in the ER was classic, grew up with Friends but that scene was Friends level as was the Lenny scene in the Justice League. 

[djsurrey]

When alcohol consumption results in sex with someone who you did not intend to have sex with it is a problem. It is a loss of authentic freedom. Self control is essential to any meaningful concept of freedom. At least in the past Penny has had a problem with bordom and she has turned to alcohol to fill this void. I would say it is a common problem. It would be nice to see her overcome this. Some do and some don't.

 

 

By the way Sheldon has had his own problems with alcohol but not often.In his case it was fear not bordom that resulted in a binge.

Edited September 19, 2013 by djsurrey

[JonRS92]

Hold on, Raj was season four, not three. As for Zack, from what is said, she would have had to slept with him sometime between "The Plimpton Simulation" and Lunar Excitation.

IF, she slept with Zack, during season four, it had to be during the time just prior to "The Justice League Recombination". But there isn't enough evidence one way or another. Her and the girls meet Zack in the episode before Justice League(The Alien Parasite Hypothesis), in a bar where they girls are (this is the one where Zack excited Amy). But, she dumped Zack at the end of season three and there was no mention of meeting him in this season prior to this episode. So she would have had to sleep with him in Season three, sometime prior to going with to the party with Zack (which fits with her stating she dated him the previous year).

In Justice League, when he is seen Penny ends up mad at him (for leaving to go to the comic book store and then for buying the costume for her). Then the night of the party (and we don't know exactly the time frame, because it isn't mentioned), Howard mentioned that Superman wasn't getting laid and I would agree with that, especially after the way she looked after Zack kissed her and her reaction to that kiss.

 

In episode 4.10, Penny was in a bar with Amy and Bernadette and Zack walks in delivering new laminated menus. 

 

Bernie: He's really cute, how do you know him?

Penny: Oh, we went out a couple of times.

Amy: I'm often flummoxed by current slang, does "went out" mean "had intercourse"?

Bernie: Yes

Penny: No, no!  But in this case, yes.

 

Just a sidenote thought that moment in The Justice League ep when Leonard and Penny looked at each was mesmirizing beautful coming from a guy too haha, but yeah I remember Penny saying she only started seeing Zac again because she diddn't want to be alone on NYE, you could tell right their Leonard and Penny well still crazy about each other, but just the timing was not right between them. I think Penny deep down would or prefered to kiss Leonard other then Zack the fact she had her eyes open the whole time. Other then a really stupid decision by Penny to sleep with Raj, which was really a drunken haze, and really a result of a really bad year for Penny lol, other then that she has minor problem's not neccessairly in terms of her drinking but her behaviour that was subsequent to that drinking, but it was never was so serious, it was just minor, and 5x01 she realizied she needed to slow down the intake, since then it has been more refined, and really up till Leonard she diddn't date at all really, as told in S5 when Sheldon's mother visited, always liked her she seems to really care about Penny. And now as you see she has a couple of wines with Leonard at dinner, S6 really showed how far Penny has come, she is so domesticated now almost like a housewife for Penny haha.

 

I liked that moment too.  It is one of the reason why, for me, the rest of the season and especially the season 4 finale, was so hard to take.  You know they cared for each other and they were moving further and further away.

[Tensor]

In episode 4.10, Penny was in a bar with Amy and Bernadette and Zack walks in delivering new laminated menus. 

 

Bernie: He's really cute, how do you know him?

Penny: Oh, we went out a couple of times.

Amy: I'm often flummoxed by current slang, does "went out" mean "had intercourse"?

Bernie: Yes

Penny: No, no!  But in this case, yes.

My point exactly. The only time she's shown going out with him, prior to Justice League, is during season three.

[JonRS92]

My point exactly. The only time she's shown going out with him, prior to Justice League, is during season three.

 

This is one of those cases where we have to infer about something that happened off screen.  We know Zack was introduced in the season 3 finale but we don't know when they started going out.  The intercourse could have happened prior to that first onscreen meeting, it could have happened during the break between seasons, or it could have even happened at some point between 4.1 and 4.10.  I made the assumption it was after season 3 because we know it didn't happen during that episode.  Although to be completely fair, I do not know for sure when it happened or that it didn't happen in season 3 before the finale.

[Zhalen565]

This is one of those cases where we have to infer about something that happened off screen. We know Zack was introduced in the season 3 finale but we don't know when they started going out. The intercourse could have happened prior to that first onscreen meeting, it could have happened during the break between seasons, or it could have even happened at some point between 4.1 and 4.10. I made the assumption it was after season 3 because we know it didn't happen during that episode. Although to be completely fair, I do not know for sure when it happened or that it didn't happen in season 3 before the finale.

It wouldn't have been post "Lunar Excitation" as she left him after his appeteezers comments and told Leonard she couldn't date dumb guys anymore. Also Zacks response after the naked eye comment suggests he has at least seen her naked before that point.

Edited September 19, 2013 by Zhalen565

[Tensor]

This is one of those cases where we have to infer about something that happened off screen.  We know Zack was introduced in the season 3 finale but we don't know when they started going out.  The intercourse could have happened prior to that first onscreen meeting, it could have happened during the break between seasons, or it could have even happened at some point between 4.1 and 4.10.  I made the assumption it was after season 3 because we know it didn't happen during that episode.  Although to be completely fair, I do not know for sure when it happened or that it didn't happen in season 3 before the finale.

Season four, prior to 4.11(4.10 was about Amy) would be shaky, simply because she ran off from him because she couldn't handle how dumb he was. Even in Justice league, she was specific about why she was back with him, and it had nothing to do with liking him . Also, Penny and Zack got a laugh out of Naked in Lunar, which could be a hint about prior to seeing the guys.

[JonRS92]

It wouldn't have been post "Lunar Excitation" as she left him after his appeteezers comments and told Leonard she couldn't date dumb guys anymore. Also Zacks response after the naked eye comment suggests he has at least seen her naked before that point.

 

 

Season four, prior to 4.11(4.10 was about Amy) would be shaky, simply because she ran off from him because she couldn't handle how dumb he was. Even in Justice league, she was specific about why she was back with him, and it had nothing to do with liking him . Also, Penny and Zack got a laugh out of Naked in Lunar, which could be a hint about prior to seeing the guys.

 

Ok, I can get behind that logic.  Although I think the naked eye comment was just his being juvenile at hearing the word naked.  That in of itself I don't think indicates anything, but I am totally convinced by the rest of both of your assessments. 

Edited September 19, 2013 by JonRS92

[gwhh]

Penny Drinking on the show and level of drinking in real life is about the same.   

[Count Wally de Honk]

“One should always be drunk. That’s all that matters…but with what? With wine, poetry, or with virtue, as you choose. But get drunk.” (Charles Baudelaire)

 

 

“The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind.” (Humphrey Bogart)

 

[ArmyGirl]

Penny Drinking on the show and level of drinking in real life is about the same.   

 

Are you speaking for everyone or just yourself?

“One should always be drunk. That’s all that matters…but with what? With wine, poetry, or with virtue, as you choose. But get drunk.” (Charles Baudelaire)

 

 

“The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind.” (Humphrey Bogart)

 

I hope they were only speaking for themselves.

[3ku11]

“One should always be drunk. That’s all that matters…but with what? With wine, poetry, or with virtue, as you choose. But get drunk.” (Charles Baudelaire)

 

 

“The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind.” (Humphrey Bogart)

That Illustrates my point Penny's drinking is an extension of her personality She only drinks when the occasions calls for it, like hanging with the girls Other then that, most of the time I see she likes those bottled water, btw loved that scene haha.

Edited September 24, 2013 by 3ku11

[Count Wally de Honk]

That Illustrates my point Penny's drinking is an extension of her personality

 

What, wild, chaotic, excessive, and occasionally violent?

Joke.

Being a villainous wine-fiend myself (or perhaps that should be vinous wine-fiend?), I personally approve of Penny's loyal dedication to the drink. Of late, she may be cutting back (as we all must, alas, as we age) but she’s not Gandhi.

She's Penny, and in my opinion, she can do as she damn pleases.

 

 

I hope they were only speaking for themselves.

 

Probably not. Poets are prone to making oracular and occasionally gnomic declarations on behalf of mankind. It’s their job.

Baudilaire was simply advising that one should be intoxicated with SOMETHING, be it poetry or virtue, honour, truth, intention, beauty, wine, or whathaveyou…Anything at all. But be passionate about it. That’s not a bad thing to advocate, surely?

 

In life, one can't preface or follow every rhetorical statement with "In my opinion" or "Speaking for myself". It would be endless. (In my opinion)

We only do it on the forums to avoid civil war.

 

That said, Bogey can speak for me anytime.

[djsurrey]

That Illustrates my point Penny's drinking is an extension of her personality She only drinks when the occasions calls for it, like hanging with the girls Other then that, most of the time I see she likes those bottled water, btw loved that scene haha.

Not true. For example " Penny: It's just rum. It stopped being eggnog like half an hour ago"

From The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis

Penny was drinking by herself because she found out Dave had a wife.

[JonRS92]

Not true. For example " Penny: It's just rum. It stopped being eggnog like half an hour ago"

From The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis

Penny was drinking by herself because she found out Dave had a wife.

You could argue that the occasion called for it then too. But with Pre-season 5 Penny I always felt she thought the occasion called for it a bit too much. I don't want to start up this discussion again as my feelings on it haven't changed drastically so I'll leave my comment there.

[gwhh]

That episode was jus ton.  I would drink to after I found that out.  Heck, even Leonard had a snort to fit in and take the pain away from his leg! 

 

 

Not true. For example " Penny: It's just rum. It stopped being eggnog like half an hour ago"
From The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis
Penny was drinking by herself because she found out Dave had a wife.

[3ku11]

Not true. For example " Penny: It's just rum. It stopped being eggnog like half an hour ago"

From The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis

Penny was drinking by herself because she found out Dave had a wife.

What's your point? She was drinking as a reaction to the circumstances, it's not like she drinks rum under normal circumstances.

[djsurrey]

What's your point? She was drinking as a reaction to the circumstances, it's not like she drinks rum under normal circumstances.

I thought my point was obvious. Penny was not drinking to be social or to just unwind. Penny in this case (and I believe there have been others) was drinking to dull the pain. I was reacting to the statement that she only drinks when the occasion calls for it. One does not want to drink alone to dull the pain.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=symptoms

 

 

Alcoholism signs and symptoms include those below.

• Feel a strong need or compulsion to drink
• Drink alone or hide your drinking
• Gulp drinks, order doubles or become drunk intentionally to feel good, or drink to feel "normal"

[3ku11]

I thought my point was obvious. Penny was not drinking to be social or to just unwind. Penny in this case (and I believe there have been others) was drinking to dull the pain. I was reacting to the statement that she only drinks when the occasion calls for it. One does not want to drink alone to dull the pain.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=symptoms

Yeah I understand your point but I disagree that Penny is a compulsive drinker, are you telling me Penny drinking rum after finding out a guy she was dating was married means she cannot drink to dull the pain? I mean even Leonard drank with her! Lol. Actually when I think about it most of the times Penny drank to dull the pain Bernadette and Amy were their so it was an extension of a social occasion. That is circumstancial, sure in S4 she drank alot more heavily, but she was emotionally not in a good place, I never thought though she had a problem a minor one but she delt with it shortly after Raj haha since then her drinking has become more refined to a couple of wines at dinner, but this has been said over and over.

Edited September 25, 2013 by 3ku11

[djsurrey]

I'm just saying it is something she should want to be careful about. It is easier to avoid addiction that to break it.

 

Also, I shared a couple of links earlier. Research is showing binge drinking as a teen and young adult can have serious health consequences latter in life.

Leonard should be more careful too.

[3ku11]

I'm just saying it is something she should want to be careful about. It is easier to avoid addiction that to break it.

 

Also, I shared a couple of links earlier. Research is showing binge drinking as a teen and young adult can have serious health consequences latter in life.

Leonard should be more careful too.

I think the writers liked to play on the whole Penny drinking thing, the drinking was more an extension of dealing with Leonard and Priya in S4. I think were over-exagerating a tad here, Penny never binged drinked at all, sure she has drunk to dull the pain at times like anyone does. But most of her drinking stopped by S5, but I do agree with most of your opinion, just that by S5 onwards Leonard and Penny have a few wines at dinner and dinner parties, that's about it.

[gsxdoug]

I'm just saying it is something she should want to be careful about. It is easier to avoid addiction that to break it.

 

Also, I shared a couple of links earlier. Research is showing binge drinking as a teen and young adult can have serious health consequences latter in life.

Leonard should be more careful too.

You do know these are fictional characters, right? There will only be "consequences if the writers decide to make it that way.