Episodes 7.08 "the Itchy Brain Simulation" (November 14)

[phantagrae]

But there was point with most people that it went too far. At the end scene it was just not funny. IMO

 

Even so, it was Leonard who took it to that extreme, not Sheldon.

[Chrismo]

Even so, it was Leonard who took it to that extreme, not Sheldon.

I'm not disagreeing with that. Although if it had been the other way around we'd be on at least page 15 on this forum.

Edited November 15, 2013 by Chrismo

[SRAM]

Even so, it was Leonard who took it to that extreme, not Sheldon.

That would be true if it wasn't for the peer pressure. How many times have you seen or heard of people doing absolutely stupid things because of peer pressure. He had both Sheldon and Howard pushing him to continue. Penny wa the only person actually on his side, trying to held him, until she gave up.

[SodidIwin?]

Even so, it was Leonard who took it to that extreme, not Sheldon.

You can rationalize what Sheldon did all you like. The bottom line is he had plenty of opurtunities to end it and didn't. Instead he was relishing Leonard's pain. Just because Sheldon's chachter has a screw loose doesn't justify his behavior. Thing that probably what irritates me the most is he has free reign to be a perfectly Annoying Jerk and so many posters excuse him that "That's just Sheldon being Sheldon".

[Chiany]

You can rationalize what Sheldon did all you like. The bottom line is he had plenty of opurtunities to end it and didn't. Instead he was relishing Leonard's pain. Just because Sheldon's chachter has a screw loose doesn't justify his behavior. Thing that probably what irritates me the most is he has free reign to be a perfectly Annoying Jerk and so many posters excuse him that "That's just Sheldon being Sheldon".

Like Leonard never is a jerk to Sheldon?

Remember the northpole expedition? Or using Priya to dismiss the roommate agreement?

Point is, every character is an ass from time to time on tbbt.

[HollyAndOatmeal]

Loads of enthusiasm!  I enjoyed this epi quite a bit.  I found myself laughing out loud a lot.  Leonard's "WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?" was a scene I kept rewinding over and over again.

[phantagrae]

You can rationalize what Sheldon did all you like. The bottom line is he had plenty of opurtunities to end it and didn't. Instead he was relishing Leonard's pain. Just because Sheldon's chachter has a screw loose doesn't justify his behavior. Thing that probably what irritates me the most is he has free reign to be a perfectly Annoying Jerk and so many posters excuse him that "That's just Sheldon being Sheldon".

 

It was totally up to Leonard to end it.  "Until the issue is resolved" left it in Leonard's court.  And he took on the challenge of his own volition, assuming that he could prove that Sheldon's "itchy brain" was simply Sheldon "flipping out" over things.

Leonard made himself flip out over it by obsessing over trying to "win" over Sheldon.  When Leonard finally declared that he'd had enough, that he couldn't take it any further (which he could have done at any point, since the guy was dead, etc.), Sheldon revealed the explanation.

 

And obsessive thinking isn't necessarily a "screw loose"--it can be a real brain issue.  Given Sheldon's genius, part of that is simply how his mind works, including obsessive thinking.

 

But Sheldon didn't glue that sweater to Leonard's body.  The choice to win over SHeldon was Leonard's choice.

 

Sheldon didn't do anything more than issue a challenge.  If Leonard had refused, it might have played out differently, but Leonard set himself up.

 

Sheldon might have been proving a point, but he wasn't being a jerk about it.  He simply explained what it was like for him in such situations, while Leonard kept dismissing it as Sheldon choosing to be a jerk.  So when Sheldon laid down the challenge, Leonard thought he could easily show Sheldon up by showing how "easy" it was to resolve such issues, again belittling what Sheldon was trying to explain to him.

 

I'm not feeling sorry for Sheldon, but the choice to take it as far as it went was Leonard's.

[Chrismo]

Like Leonard never is a jerk to Sheldon?

Remember the northpole expedition? Or using Priya to dismiss the roommate agreement?

Point is, every character is an ass from time to time on tbbt.

True. The northpole Leonard went to Texas and apologized by the end of the episode In the roommate agreement Sheldon gets even by the end of the episode. What did Sheldon do?

[Kasey]

True. The northpole Leonard went to Texas and apologized by the end of the episode In the roommate agreement Sheldon gets even by the end of the episode. What did Sheldon do?

 

The bolding part - THAT'S IT in a nutshell.  I understand what others are saying that yes it's not easy being Sheldon (we need to change the Kermit song) but that doesn't give him carte blanche all the time to do whatever.

 

Sure it was Leonard's choice to carry it on as far as he did but it was also Sheldon's choice to be a "friend" and end it which he didn't. 

[Chrismo]

 

 

And obsessive thinking isn't necessarily a "screw loose"--it can be a real brain issue.  Given Sheldon's genius, part of that is simply how his mind works, including obsessive thinking.

 

 

So that's an objective fact. Sounds like making an excuse for him.

[phantagrae]

True. The northpole Leonard went to Texas and apologized by the end of the episode In the roommate agreement Sheldon gets even by the end of the episode. What did Sheldon do?

 

He only went to Texas to apologize because Penny forced him to.  He was happy to send Howard and Raj to do that while he stayed behind to have sex.

And Sheldon is the one who chose to forgive him and the others for what they'd done, partly because he didn't really want to stay with his mother and have to deal with her opinions and beliefs.

 

Sheldon did get even with Leonard over the roommate agreement, and that was partly thanks to Priya, who pointed out it's flaws.  But Leonard chose to not only look for those flaws, but to use them to torment Sheldon--the Greek food, etc.  That Sheldon found a way to fix it is understandable, given the dynamics of the agreement to begin with, but it was really up to Priya to face up to the dare.  Leonard was willing to fight the agreement and let Priya's parents find out about them, but she's the one who chickened out.

 

I think that the audience at the taping seemed to totally come down on Sheldon's side.  Priya was messing with the status quo and it seems like the audience wanted SHeldon to win over her.

 

I don't think that this particular episode is necessarily a strong example of Leonard being a jerk, but the way the show plays out is that Sheldon has his various issues and Leonard is the straight man who chooses to put up with it, mostly because of what he told Professor Proton--Leonard recognizes that Sheldon is kind of broken and needs him.  Leonard is something of a human credential for Sheldon.

If Leonard sees that Sheldon is worthy of friendship, then others might see that, too, rather than dismissing him as the weirdo crazy guy who lives in apartment 4A, which is how he must have been seen before Leonard moved in with him.

 

I don't think that it has to be a competition over who is the better person, or who treats whom better, or whatever.  The story that is being told in this series is partly about how this group of social misfits has found acceptance in each other.  They all have their flaws and weaknesses and quirks, but they've found a safe place amongst each other.

 

That they fight or chafe or tease each other from time to time is only human and not to be seen as any one of them "winning" over the other or whatever.

 

They tolerate and forgive each other because they ultimately love each other as friends.  Even while wearing an itchy sweater.

[tx-fictionqueen]

Soon he will be happy.  They just need to milk all the unhappiness first.

Couldn't agree more. I always feel sad for Raj when it doesn't work out with another female, but I am secretly bursting at the seams just waiting for when his happiness will come. And I know it's gonna be big.

 

That being said, BOOOO LUCY! I hope she never comes back!

 

I really liked the episode. It was great to see Sheldon get one up on Leonard and I loved the shamy parts as well. The look on Amy's face at the end was great. Raj was also really funny -- loved the way he kept hugging Penny.

But what has me the most excited is the promo for the next episode!! Aaahhh! My unspoiled heart is screaming. Looks to be so good!

My jaw physically dropped for next week's episode. It looked like Bernie's dad enjoyed the Shamy butt-slap, and in promo photos we've seen him handing Sheldon a beer. This ep might be another chance for "drunk Shelly" to emerge and possibly an ep to submit for another Emmy win

 

 

Good insight and I think Penny's trying to reason with Leonard, and Amy's expression at the end, shows that the girls knew it went too far.

I think Sheldon was cruel, because the guys usually understand when their pranks go too far and stop, however even to the end, even after seeing Leonard's rash, Sheldon wanted him to search more, he really didn't care if Leonard suffered, there was no remorse. He was more concerned that he had to wait over 7 years for his revenge. Was it OOC, maybe. Was Sheldon being cruel, I would say definitely yes.

Did anyone else notice the switch in Sheldon's physical demeanor when Leonard asked him not to be a "giant pain in the ass" before he revealed the overdue DVD? That is some amazing acting. This episode might have been sort of weak on the script side, but Johnny and Jim's comedic timing were spot on.

 

I don't care for everyone here to throw around words like "cruel" and "vindictive" when they describe any character on this TV sitcom. The whole point is for the ensemble to get a rise out of us, and they have. Can't we just focus on how great the interaction between Sheldon and Leonard was?

Edited November 15, 2013 by tx-fictionqueen

[Kasey]

 

 

I don't think that it has to be a competition over who is the better person, or who treats whom better, or whatever.  The story that is being told in this series is partly about how this group of social misfits has found acceptance in each other.  They all have their flaws and weaknesses and quirks, but they've found a safe place amongst each other.

 

That they fight or chafe or tease each other from time to time is only human and not to be seen as any one of them "winning" over the other or whatever.

 

They tolerate and forgive each other because they ultimately love each other as friends.  Even while wearing an itchy sweater.

 

Of course it's not a competition. I really do believe that they all love each other quirks and all.  But in my humble opinion, this episode did not display Sheldon in a positive light for me. 

 

I don't dislike Sheldon and I can understand that he has his problems just like everyone else.  Maybe it's just me but he does get annoying after a while.   Maybe I need to drink like Penny while watching him...

 

 

I don't care for everyone here to throw around words like "cruel" and "vindictive" when they describe any character on this TV sitcom. The whole point is for the ensemble to get a rise out of us, and they have. Can't we just focus on how great the interaction between Sheldon and Leonard was?

 

I'm sorry but it is my opinion that Sheldon was cruel.  I don't see their interaction being great. 

[Guitars1964]

Gotta say - I didn't think this was a very funny episode.  Below average in my opinion.  Forgettable.  Kind of surprised to feel that way but I did.

[Dracones]

Remember when Sheldon couldn't tell lies? Good times.

[JoeSal90]

Grade B-:

 

Somewhat an okay episode last night (and not going to be in the top 10 of the season in my list) although I didn't like how Sheldon acted toward Leonard.  It was cruel and kind of "bully" like. And I loved the Shamy parts as well. The look on Amy's face at the end was great. Raj was also really funny -- loved the way he kept hugging Penny. 

But In light of what Sheldon did to Leonard though, I also do think that Leonard should get a good pay back in a later episode if it is this season or in future seasons to come.

[ArmyGirl]

Remember when Sheldon couldn't tell lies? Good times.

 

Or keep secrets.   Even though the writers have showed us he could do both a long time ago.  Sheldon can lie and keep secrets like any of the other characters on the show when it suits him.

Edited November 15, 2013 by ArmyGirl

[Dracones]

Dr Einstein Von Brainstorm is a favourite.

[SRAM]

Like Leonard never is a jerk to Sheldon?

Remember the northpole expedition? Or using Priya to dismiss the roommate agreement?

Point is, every character is an ass from time to time on tbbt.

I am so tired of that North Pole crap. Anyone who has been involved in scientific research knows you don't announce your findings unit you have positive results to back up you findings. The guys gave him a false set of raw data to shut him up but kept his actual data for his calculations, but Sheldon being the arrogant ass he is did something completely unethical, he told the university he solved string theory before he crunched his data. He told them his findings before he proved his research, most universities would have fired him for that because it is so unethical and makes the university look bad for employing someone like that. That is why Leonard said "you shouldn't have done that" the show has a scientist advisor and he knows that and told the writers how it works. Sheldon is completely responsible for his own embarrassment, not the guys.

And the thing with Priya, Sheldon started because he was unhappy because he couldn't pee when she was in the shower, so he was going to punish Leonard again.

[phantagrae]

Why am I surprised that yet another episode thread has to devolve into which character is "better" or "worse" or more of a jerk or more cruel or more pathetic?

[tx-fictionqueen]

Why am I surprised that yet another episode thread has to devolve into which character is "better" or "worse" or more of a jerk or more cruel or more pathetic?

Meh, it's usually the same people. It's all about selective reading on these forums.

[koops]

Remember when Sheldon couldn't tell lies? Good times.

 

He was always able to tell lies if they are elaborate and well constructed. Remember the Irish Pub Formulation? It's secrets that he hates keeping or when he has to lie on the spot he is really bad at it. 

[Chrismo]

Why am I surprised that yet another episode thread has to devolve into which character is "better" or "worse" or more of a jerk or more cruel or more pathetic?

What's even more surprising is when people try to defend the character.

[tmp]

If I remember correctly, the person who wrote the taping report said there were a ton of rewrites during the taping, and it felt sort of "off" at the time.

 

It's like Sheldon said about comic-cons, "Even a stinky one's still pretty good."  This might not have been their finest episode, but it's still way better than most sit-coms.  There were a few moments I really liked:  Howard stirring the pot by suggesting another way Leonard could pay for the DVD, Raj going from angry to grateful with Penny, hungry Amy and Bernie, the flower backfiring.  Johnny was great the entire episode.  I also like that they've made it clear this season that Sheldon and Amy are spending more time together.

[ajond]

I am so tired of that North Pole crap. Anyone who has been involved in scientific research knows you don't announce your findings unit you have positive results to back up you findings. The guys gave him a false set of raw data to shut him up but kept his actual data for his calculations, but Sheldon being the arrogant ass he is did something completely unethical, he told the university he solved string theory before he crunched his data. He told them his findings before he proved his research, most universities would have fired him for that because it is so unethical and makes the university look bad for employing someone like that. That is why Leonard said "you shouldn't have done that" the show has a scientist advisor and he knows that and told the writers how it works. Sheldon is completely responsible for his own embarrassment, not the guys.

And the thing with Priya, Sheldon started because he was unhappy because he couldn't pee when she was in the shower, so he was going to punish Leonard again.

lAlso  the roommate agreement is indefensible and needs to be taken down. Sheldon did not defeat  L/Priya with logical argument but with a threat to expose their relationship to P's parents. Pretty sneaky - yes?