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

[Dayton Lavon Kitchens]

I liked it.  Especially small touches like Amy's expression when Sheldon says something about "Have you ever waited years to get satisfaction?"

 

and Raj's pathetic  nature has never been as funny as in this episode.

 

In regards to Priya,   I found her immensely annoying because she was dominating of Leonard in a way Penny never has been.    

[Carlos]

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.

 

First of all leonard using Priya to get out of the roomate agreement was him defending himself from Sheldon, not being a jerk to him. The Northpole expedition while leonard (and Raj and Howard) lied to Sheldon they did it because he was becoming unberable.

 

However in this last episode, Sheldon not only lied to Leonard, he waited 7 years so it would come up (revengeful I'd say), and then even seeing what Leonard was going through (because of his own stubborness, I agree) he is such a bad person to his friend that he doesn't tell him before when he knows that no matter how hard he tries he will never achieve success, and that whatever he does is futile since he already paid for it. Vile, low, pathetic, mean, petty. but don't worry, right? It's a comedy! Oh, I forgot the last one; just not funny.

[5Mississippis]

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.

 

Could not agree more. 

 

Sheldon was awful last night. Leonard knew he made a mistake and pleaded with him to be reasonable about the DVD. Sheldon put forth the challenge but fully knowing that (1) the video store had closed and (2) the video was paid for years ago and (3) just had it all lying in wait to serve as a 'teachable moment'. Like Amy said diabolical. And cruel because he never divulged what he knew and let it continue fully knowing what Leonard's skin looked like under that sweater while suggesting Leonard take a trip to Lebanon. 

 

As for the Arctic, all the original data was kept. All Sheldon had to do was take the time and crunch the numbers on the original data, which he never did. It was Hammerman (I believe) who explained the necessary scientific process for us so wonderfully that even I could understand it. (My apologies if it wasn't Hammerman and someone else). His embarrassment stemmed from the fact that he wrote that email to the University. 

 

As for Priya, Sheldon had his own interests at heart when he blackmailed Leonard. That Priya was ashamed/embarrassed by her relationship with Leonard and wanted to keep it a secret from her family never once entered his thinking. He was mad that Leonard had some gotten leverage with the Roommate Agreement with Priya's help and wanted to get even.

[Moonbase]

Well, just watched this and they said they were going to mix things up the season and that's what we got. This was a Leonard episode!! I don't think we have ever seen an episode focused just on Leonard (outside his relationship) in this shows history. Sure, it had Sheldon but Leonard was the main player.

 

First of all that sweater looked soft, I know it was supposed to be itchy but it looked snug to me. Amy stealing drinks - loved her guilty expression when she got caught!! Penny cares so much that she tries several approaches for Raj - awwwwww. This time Raj's pathetic behaviour finally inspired some rage and I preferred this. "What is wrong with you?" yes, Raj stop being so desperate gawd!!

[djsurrey]

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. 

Well Howard egged it on. I may have ended much sooner. If one of Leonard's "friends" was being cruel it was Howard. Anyway the point of the episode seemed to be about how Leonard created his own problem. This time Sheldon was more of a prop than anything. Sure in real life no one would let a thing go on so far as in this episode but this is TV land.

[Cecilia]

The episode was good but I think that and the previous one were my least favourite so far. There were funny moments and I was shocked to realize that I enjoyed Raj's and Penny's story more than Sheldon's and Leonard's mostly because in s5 and 6 I was caring less and less about Raj. I am glad that s7 made me interested in him again. Personally, I think that on this episode only Raj had a moment of growth. At the end he realized that it isn't enough to being able to talk to women, one needs to know how to do that. He realized that clearly something is wrong. Other than that I liked his interaction with Penny and the whole hate you/love you thing. Is it just me or they are getting closer and closer?? I like scenes with Penny and Raj!! But I really really didn’t like the way Penny was with Lucy. I mean she cares about Raj I get it and it is wonderful but no one has the right to call someone a bad person without having all the facts!! I was never crazy about Lucy and if she came back it would make no difference to me but they had a text date for God’s shake!!! Of course she ended it with an e-mail!!! It is only logical that she did Raj knew all along that she had some issues and he pushed her.

So, I hope he learned something about himself. At the end of the day even Lucy seemed more relaxed and she was kind of seeing someone!! There is hope and Raj is getting better and better this season!!!

 

At first when Leonard asked Sheldon not to freak out about the DVD I was delighted with his response!! And I was a little annoyed with Leonard and Penny because they kept questioning him and they could not believe in him just a little!! Later, when Sheldon proposed that Leonard should wear the sweater I was excited!! I thought it was a very good way for him to get into Sheldon’s (metaphorical of course LOL!!) shoes. Sheldon can be quite annoying but it is hell in his mind!! He is not just a mean person glad to make other people unhappy. He has fixations and it is making his life worse too. So even if Leonard claimed that he was just proving a point I think that at some extend he was really trying to get Sheldon and to see things from his point of view. And I really thought that this was great for both of them!!! Actually every time Sheldon made it harder for Leonard I thought that he was the one to make a point and that he wanted for Leonard to get him. And unfortunately I am disappointed that it was just a revenge for Sheldon. There was absolutely no growth for him because he wasn’t able not to freak out over this. He had already taken care of it. It was the Closure Alternative all over again!! On the bright side even if he mentioned that book just to trick Amy I think that it was implied that Sheldon is trying to deal with his closure issues and that gave meaning to one of the two episodes I disliked on s6 and that is the closure alternative!! No matter if Sheldon wished for Amy to die he did accept the fact that he has a problem!! So, point on Amy!!! And I’ll give one to the writers for making me dislike that s6 episode a little less!! I hope they can do the same for the tenure episode too!!!!!!!!

 

I should also mention that in moments I really laughed with this episode!! The beginning with Penny and Leonard was so funny!!!Actually I was wondering too if they used that dart board!! And I would love to see Leonard breaking that window LOL!!!!!!

The highlight for me were Bernie and Amy!!!!! They were subtle but absolutely hilarious!! Amy trying to get herself a drink and making a mess was priceless!! And Bernie trying to make Penny realize her comments were racist!!! And the scene on Penny’s apartment when Bernie and Amy were so hungry!!!!

‘’I want to say salmon..’’

‘’You want to say sorry!!!’’

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!! It is only logical that Amy and Bernie would come close eventually. And I like it when is evident that Amy sees Penny just as she is and not making her ideal. Plus I don’t think that it made Penny look stupid the fact that she messed up their orders. I think that she simply doesn’t care. I hope that means that she got tired of being a waitress and she is becoming more dynamic about her acting career!! Although I would really miss her from the cheesecake factory!!!!

That whole trick thing seemed a bit random to me too. It was like giving Sheldon something to do just to have him there doing it while the story goes on. Don’t get me wrong that was IC and adorable. And the way he said please to Amy!!! And still she was going to do what he wanted even though she knew what he was trying to do!!!!Adorable Amy!!!!!!!!     I admit though I laugh really hard when he failed to splash her on the face!!!!!!!!

I just wish that Amy-is-sexually-frustrated joke wasn’t there AGAIN!!!! This is so old!!! I feel like the writers are shouting to our faces ‘notice that!!’ Do something about it or drop it!!! We get it they are going to do it eventually!!!!!!!! I always enjoy Jim’s and Mayim’s performance but the writers could do something fresh!!!

I have to add that Jim and John were great!!!That 'WHAT' line from Leonard was perfectly delivered!!!!!

It was a good episode just not the best. I laughed at some points and I enjoyed it. I just wish that Sheldon didn’t have a master plot and that he did really cope with the situation that good. But it is okay it is enough that he tries!!!!

[The Lash]

The episode was good. A little on the extreme side with some characters but it,,'s the extremes that make comedy.

One thing thing though..........in the restaurant why didn't Lucy tell Penny she was seeing someone? She basically lead Ran on and the character didn't seem that callous

Edited November 16, 2013 by The Lash

[Cecilia]

One thing thing though..........in the restaurant why didn't Lucy tell Penny she was seeing someone? She basically lead Ran on and the character didn't seem that callous

I see your point but I don't really think that she owed Penny an explanation. At that point there was nothing else she could do. She didn't want to apologize via text and it wouldn't be that nice to text him about her relationship. But I see why Raj was disappointed. Maybe she shouldn't have contacted him at all.

[Kasey]

Well Howard egged it on. I may have ended much sooner. If one of Leonard's "friends" was being cruel it was Howard.

 

And Sheldon could have stopped that too.  But then we will just be going into a circular argument ....

[Nogravitasatall]

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

Is not this and what Phanta said a form of ad hominem argument?

Edited November 16, 2013 by Nogravitasatall

[vonmar]

The recap on Huffington Post made some really good points about this episode (IMO): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-rabinowitz/big-bang-theory-recap-wha_b_4278393.html?utm_hp_ref=tv&ir=TV

 

"Itchy Brain" starts off with Leonard finding a seven-year-old old movie rental in an old forgotten box. Predicting Sheldon will freak out and obsess over this he asks his roommate to stay calm. Miraculously, he does. Jim Parsons' understated performance from scene one is intriguing and well played, and welcome compared to the more broad stuff he's usually given. Sheldon makes a deal with Leonard. Leonard must wear an old itchy sweater until he pays for the late movie. This will make Dr. Hostadter feel what it's like to be inside Sheldon's brain when he's obsessing over something -- and with that the game is afoot.

 

What proceeds is a series of trials and tribulations where in Leonard fails consistently at returning and paying off this late video rental. All the while Sheldon stays perfectly calm. As Leonard lives more and more in the sweater, his actions get more and more erratic. The story gives Johnny Galecki a great opportunity to flex his physical comedy chops. Though I don't find Galecki to be the show's strongest comedic performer, he brought the goods tonight. Crazy Leonard worked in juxtaposition to not only his usual muted self, but to Sheldon's character reversal as well. Galecki's performance also reinforces Parsons'. If we take his itching and freak outs as the physical manifestation of what goes on in Sheldon's brain, we can then imagine what it's like for Jim Parsons to inhabit the character every week.

 

All of this is topped by the final twist late in the episode. Sheldon paid off the late fee years ago and planted the tape for a "teachable moment" at some later date. This long con prank is a funny concept on paper and shades another, less obvious side of Sheldon. His diabolical persona is not something I'd want to cross. Parsons delivers this twist with believability and it all wraps up with one more Amy/Sheldon sex joke. They had to get at least one in."

 

The A.V. Club in their recap pointed out the following: http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-itchy-brain-simulation,105607/

 

"In this case, Sheldon is not only teaching Leonard about empathy, but pride. He ultimately didn’t have to wear that sweater at all, but he didn’t want to let Sheldon win, and he suffered because of it."

[notchinc]

The A.V. Club in their recap pointed out the following: http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-itchy-brain-simulation,105607/

 

"In this case, Sheldon is not only teaching Leonard about empathy, but pride. He ultimately didn’t have to wear that sweater at all, but he didn’t want to let Sheldon win, and he suffered because of it."

 

I was totally shocked that the AV Club like it so much.  The earlier episodes weren't scoring so well.

[ArmyGirl]

Please the thought of Sheldon trying to teach Leonard empathy and anything about pride is a joke in itself. 

 

We are talking about the same Sheldon that treats anything that bothers Leonard as unimportant and nonsensical so forgive me for rolling my eyes at the thought of Sheldon trying to teach anyone and especially Leonard anything about empathy.

 

 

 

eta:  maybe the six other characters should take turns making Sheldon walk a mile in their shoes so he can see the crap they put up with from him on a daily basic.

Edited November 16, 2013 by ArmyGirl

[SodidIwin?]

Please the thought of Sheldon trying to teach Leonard empathy and anything about pride is a joke in itself. 

 

We are talking about the same Sheldon that treats anything that bothers Leonard as unimportant and nonsensical so forgive me for rolling my eyes at the thought of Sheldon trying to teach anyone and especially Leonard anything about empathy.

 

 

 

eta:  maybe the six other characters should take turns making Sheldon walk a mile in their shoes so he can see the crap they put up with from him on a daily basic.

The poster left out the next quote from the AV Club:

"Granted, Sheldon could use an empathy lesson of his own, because he’s completely oblivious to how Amy has felt during the entirety of their relationship. After he tells Amy about how it was hard to keep that video a secret, he asks, “Do you have any idea what it’s like to wait for years and never know if you’re finally going to get satisfaction?” Yes she does, but she hasn’t found an itchy red sweater equivalent to make Sheldon feel her pain."

Sheldon only wants to teach someone a lesson if in his eyes it gives him "satisfaction"! That's his arogance to a "T". Although I still say his "lesson" went way beyond the bounds for a person that is suppose to be his "Best Friend". Leonard was so angry with him when he found out what he did, I wouldn't have blamed him one bit if he took what Penny said to him and killed him in his sleep that night.

I see what Leonard gives in their relationship (He pretty much does everything for Sheldon. And Sheldon is the first to tell whoever is around that's what Leonard's lot in life should be.) but what exactly does Sheldon provide to Leonard? Seriously, if Leonard marries Penny, moves out and Raj & Howard go with him, how would their lives be worse off vs. how Sheldon's life would be? What type of person would set a lesson up and wait years to see it fulfilled? That's one sick puppy IMO!

[vonmar]

IMO I believe the AV Club is pointing out an unintended consequence of the sweater "dare". Leonard choose to agree to the terms Sheldon set forth. Penny begged him to quit and he refused.  Did Sheldon intend to teach Leonard about pride, I think not. Leonard and Sheldon as roommates and friends are competitive, so perhaps Sheldon counted on Leonard not being able to resist a challenge.   They all are competitive, we see it in the game play, their work and wow, just watch Tenure Turbulence to see competition raging.  The girls are even competitive, Amy and Bernadette going at it in the Parking Space Escalation. 

[vasu]

I really liked the idea of that Sheldon would give someone else his perspective...but I really thought by the end of the episode Leonard might (even a little bit) understand how it is actually to be in Sheldon's place...but instead if was more of a practical joke kind of thing...which ended with the same old joke of Amy's sexual misery...its looking too cruel now....   sheldon quickly  has to be shown how it is to be in Amy's mind....

 

I agree that it seemed a little meaner on Sheldon's side .. but I was glad that they tried something different...which this show rarely tries...

 

Raj plot ... Raj being pathetic is kind of ok funny....but Raj being desperately pathetic is just not funny...its awful...seriously awful....he nods along outrageous howard's dig ... wow how could any one like or respect that character is unbelievable...

Edited November 16, 2013 by vasu

[djvang]

I really liked the idea of that Sheldon would give someone else his perspective...but I really thought by the end of the episode Leonard might (even a little bit) understand how it is actually to be in Sheldon's place...but instead if was more of a practical joke kind of thing...which ended with the same old joke of Amy's sexual misery...its looking too cruel now....   sheldon quickly  has to be shown how it is to be in Amy's mind....

 

I agree that it seemed a little meaner on Sheldon's side .. but I was glad that they tried something different...which this show rarely tries...

 

Raj plot ... Raj being pathetic is kind of ok funny....but Raj being desperately pathetic is just not funny...its awful...seriously awful....he nods along outrageous howard's dig ... wow how could any one like or respect that character is unbelievable...

A few seasons ago it was a lesbian innuendo every show.  Both that season and this my wife and I shout "There it is!" when it happens.

 

Don't they think people notice things like that?

[Moonbase]

A few seasons ago it was a lesbian innuendo every show.  Both that season and this my wife and I shout "There it is!" when it happens.

 

Don't they think people notice things like that?

 

Yeah, but as long as it stays that way I'm happy. She'll get her 'reward' at some point, perish the thought!!

Edited November 16, 2013 by Moonbase

[Moonbase]

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

 

This was one of my favourite Sheldon traits.

 

"Secret keeping is a complicated endeavour. One has to be concerned not only about what one says, but about facial expression, autonomic reflexes, when I try to deceive, I myself have more nervous tics than a lyme disease research facility."

 

 

 

I said it over a year ago, that taking away Sheldon's innocence to try and make him more like other people, would make the character less unlikeable. Everyone jumped on me and told me to stop being so negative. I don't come to these forums as often as I once did because I can not be bothered defending the obvious. I just watch the car crash unfold in slow-mo and think "I informed you thusly."

[Berliner]

An Okay episode for me. Raj was really painful, I seriously have troubles watching him anymore - the writers need to man him up, asap. Loved the scene where Shedon asks Howard about the chair hehe.

[BangerMain]

 

I said it over a year ago, that taking away Sheldon's innocence to try and make him more like other people, would make the character less unlikeable. Everyone jumped on me and told me to stop being so negative. I don't come to these forums as often as I once did because I can not be bothered defending the obvious. I just watch the car crash unfold in slow-mo and think "I informed you thusly."

 

You were right about Sheldon's innocence. It is being replaced by clueless meanness which makes him more unlikeable. But TPTB have made the commitment to romantic Shamy and there is no turning back now. They are in a bit of a cause and effect loop now where there is usally a scene, like the end of this episode, where we see Sheldon seemingly ignorant of the pain he causes Amy.

 

The best we can hope for is they will find a way to have a positive conclusion of the Shamy story arc without having a complete rewrite of Sheldon. At the moment, I don't see how it can be done.

Edited November 16, 2013 by BangerMain

[Grasshopper]

 I see that the majority of the voting for this episode was between okay and good and that is right on par to my thoughts. I did rate it as good but only for the fact that I was surprised to see Lucy back, otherwise I would say it was an okay.. Although I knew she was eventually going to make a re-appearance on the show, I wasn't sure exactly when. I obviously DON'T watch spoilers, ha ha. In comparison to another of my favorite shows I watch, it was actually more surprising for me to see her come back at that very moment then it was to see the Governor back in The Walking Dead.

 

The sweater and DVD thing was a pretty harsh but surprisingly decent ingenious trick that Sheldon played on Leonard.

 

 Although there were a few funny moments in this episode, I didn't find myself physically break out laughing other than a short chuckle here and there.  I thought it was just maybe the mood I was in but then I watched Two And A Half Men immediately afterwards and that episode gave me a few really good laughs.

[djvang]

You were right about Sheldon's innocence. It is being replaced by clueless meanness which makes him more unlikeable. But TPTB have made the commitment to romantic Shamy and there is no turning back now. They are in a bit of a cause and effect loop now where there is usally a scene, like the end of this episode, where we see Sheldon seemingly ignorant of the pain he causes Amy.

 

The best we can hope for is they will find a way to have a positive conclusion of the Shamy story arc without having a complete rewrite of Sheldon. At the moment, I don't see how it can be done.

You're right that there is no turning back. If this forum is an accurate sample of the total viewing audience then most viewers are desperate for Shamy coitus at some point. But I don't see how they do that without completing the destruction of original Sheldon. How do they follow it up? It would almost have to be done in the final episode of the series, which means delaying it for at least two more seasons. How do they play out the sex-starved Amy bit that long?

[Grasshopper]

You're right that there is no turning back. If this forum is an accurate sample of the total viewing audience then most viewers are desperate for Shamy coitus at some point. But I don't see how they do that without completing the destruction of original Sheldon. How do they follow it up? It would almost have to be done in the final episode of the series, which means delaying it for at least two more seasons. How do they play out the sex-starved Amy bit that long?

 

It's a historical scenario in TV comedies about certain characters and their development in many classic sitcoms. Some are just made to stay the way they are. "Lucy" from I Love Lucy, "Gilligan" of Gilligan's Island. "Ed Norton" of The Honeymooners and "Jethro" from The Beverly Hillbillies just to name a few. Now in the case of Sheldon, you all make the call. How about a vote? Does he stay as the Sheldon he has always been or do we want a change? My vote is up in the air on this, mainly for the fact that he is very inconsiderate to his friends most of the time. But what can I say, that is sometimes what makes this a great comedy.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Grasshopper

[djsurrey]

You're right that there is no turning back. If this forum is an accurate sample of the total viewing audience then most viewers are desperate for Shamy coitus at some point. But I don't see how they do that without completing the destruction of original Sheldon. How do they follow it up? It would almost have to be done in the final episode of the series, which means delaying it for at least two more seasons. How do they play out the sex-starved Amy bit that long?

 

I'd doubt any fan forum is a good representation of the general viewing audience.