Episodes 7.17 The Friendship Turbulence (March 6)

[BipolarBear]

That is the problem. I didn't find any humor in their story. I find Raj/Amy have ZERO chemistry and only bring out the "pathetic" in each other. I really dislike watching that. Amy is not pathetic. She does have a man that loves her, and while he may be slow at showing it, he does in his own ways show her that she is important to him.  Likewise she has a successful career and is happy with her friendships.  Yet Raj constantly drags her down by trying to remind her of what she doesn't have.   That is not a good friend.  Likewise he was upset with her for "ruining" his chances with Emily (which were pretty non-existent from the get-go) and never thought about how she was trying to help him.   I just find that their story did not work and it appears from what I am reading around the net, that others do agree.

 

Raj/Amy remind me of toxic relationships.  Raj brings Amy down and he is already down on his own.   He wants her to commiserate with him and thus has to bring her down.  A good friend would lift her up, which is what she is trying to do with him, but he just continually reminds her of how little affection she is getting from her boyfriend.   That isn't very healthy.  

 

While I get that the writers were bringing the "dating match sites" full circle (how Raj introduced Sheldon to Amy and now she was introducing him to someone), it just didn't work well.  

 

Why can't they just let Raj decide that perhaps he needs to find peace within himself that being single is an okay thing and there is nothing wrong with it and embrace it.  Why keep him pathetic all the time.  It drags the show down.

 

This story really robbed time from the other stories and the pacing was off.   It was very off and rushed in important places and dragged in this story.

You hit the nail right in the head with this, there are so many ways Raj could be a fun character just being single and accepting who he is. Why being single immediately equals pathetic loser; first of all it's not true and second of all, it's only funny for so long before it starts to become a real downer.

 

I think Rajesh has so many good qualities, I don't like how pathetic he has become. He is young, handsome, smart, has a great job I mean come on. Why doesn't he plan a party in his apartment and invites people from the university, a big party at Raj's would be fun and create funny situations for all the rest of the group.

[Cecilia]

It was a nice episode I really laughed. I really couldn't believe that they gave Amy another sex joke. At first I was like ''not this again'' but then I realized the look Sheldon gave her and how she reacted. It was pointed out by someone (sorry I don't remember who - I think mothandfire but I am not sure) that after the kiss it really didn't sound as bad as it did before. I have to agree with that! I actually laughed and rolled my eyes at the same time But honestly it was a delight to watch Sheldon picking on the innuedo and giving her a disaproving look. Here goes my Shamy heart again making me hope that something is building between them.

 

The opening scene was really funny!! The comment about Meryl Strip -------> totally true!!!!!!!!!! I liked Amy saying ''I think we should leave'' comment and how she told it both times Did anyone else noticed how startled Sheldon was when she said they should go????? He gave her a look like saying ''no pleaseeeee don't go''.   At least that's how I took it and no one is going to change my mind

 

I really enjoed Sheldon's and Howard's story!!! OMG I always loved their chemistry and to have an episode about them was awesome!!!!! Also Raj laughing at Sheldon was funny and all the nasty looks Sheldon gave him LOL!!!! The plain scene was absolutely perfect!!! The hand holding was absolutely adorable!!!! They interacted very well and I love how Sheldon opened up and showed his feelings.

 

Lenny was super sweet!!!!!!!!! The car scene probably was my favourite Lenny scene this season. Leonard was so SWEET when he gave her the car!!!! It was perfect!!!!!! They love each other so much it's so moving!!! I loved it after seeing Penny so sad.

 

As for Amy and Raj. I laughed at times but they felt a little odd to me too. I couldn't help loving that adorable creeped out expression on Amy's face!! But I have to agree koops and star who said that they only bring out the pathetic side of each other. And is it just me or Raj is making way too much fun of Amy's relationship with Sheldon?? Didn't really liked that. And Raj talking about his ''package'' and Amy's disturbed expression made clear they are not going to sleep together in S7 finale (I am just kidding cause there is a thread about it ).

 

Okay Melissa in this ep was STUNNING!!!!!!!!!! Really gorgeous!!!! Her hair was perfect!!!!!! Mayim was so cute and beautiful too!!!! I mean when they were sitting on the couch they both were so freaking cute!!!!!!!! :girlsigh:

 

 

eta: I forgot to mention that I loved the fact we got to see Amy at work!!!!!!

Edited March 7, 2014 by Cecilia

[Jamie]

I might be totaly delusional here, but was there a big cutting mistake in the hallway scene when Sheldon walked inside?

We can earlier see that Penny and Leonard is standing in perfect line with the 4A door and when Sheldon is standing there talking to them he looks straight forward. Also note how Penny's head is right by the lamp.

But look behind Sheldons back when he walks inside. Leonard and Penny are suddenly gone from the hallway.

Just wanted to check and see if someone else noticed, cause it drives me crazy whether I'm right or not haha.

Edited March 7, 2014 by Jaime

[gsxdoug]

A couple highlights for me;

Bernie's smug look after Howard comments about her "noise cancelling breasts." Also looks cute with the ponytail.

Penny's face when her car starts smoking...priceless!

Of course the scene with Penny's new car goes without saying.

[vasu]

The redhead was pretty cute too....

 

its a shame that Raj had to blow it up and she had to leave ....for ever......

[BipolarBear]

I might be totaly delusional here, but was there a big cutting mistake in the hallway scene when Sheldon walked inside?

We can earlier see that Penny and Leonard is standing in perfect line with the 4A door and when Sheldon is standing there talking to them he looks straight forward. Also note how Penny's head is right by the lamp.

But look behind Sheldons back when he walks inside. Leonard and Penny are suddenly gone from the hallway.

Just wanted to check and see if someone else noticed, cause it drives me crazy whether I'm right or not haha.

Jaime I didn't notice during the episode but yes, after seeing the clip it looks like they filmed that part in two separate scenes.

[sarah7]

I've always wondered if actors have never a say over so blatant inconsistencies between canon and those lines they sometimes throw away, like Amy's newly found interest in online dating before meeting the gang (?????), wich we all know is not true. I mean, I guess writers' memory can perhaps get fuzzy, they are juggling with many characters at once, and maybe sometimes the group of writers who work in an episode could not be exactly the same that worked in those past eps, but actors? I mean, they had been working in their own character all the time, they must remember such things or details (I mean, we do!).

 

It's not just with TBBT, I've seen those same problems in several shows in my tv-watching history and I find hard to believe actors never step up and say, or at least suggest something like: "I think my character's backstory is not like that".

[Tensor]

Unless they have become executive Producers, actors have no say.  They can suggest, but that is about it.  Believe it or not, the writers have a much better grasp on cannon than the actors do.  Unless it was something significant (Penny's ILY, The Sheldon-Amy kiss) the actors don't remember their lines from week to week.   Every week they have to learn  a whole different episode.  So remembering the past episode is counter productive.  Us fans take the time watch and rewatch to the point where we know the lines.   It frustrates the actors that the fans know the lines from past shows and quote them back and the actors generally don't have a clue what the fan is talking about.  

[Nogravitasatall]

Jaime I didn't notice during the episode but yes, after seeing the clip it looks like they filmed that part in two separate scenes.

They have to move the cameras from the hallway along to the apartment. There are four of them: A, B, C, and Z. Many minutes would have passed between setups. They don't do Steadicam. and it's not a holographic recording..( but that would be cool because all the information would be there and you could zoom around in the space and see anything. I'm sure someone is working on that - at the moment you probably have to be a bowl of fruit to get recorded that way.)

Anyway... I did think there was a little too much Ramy, but ok. Raj brings his disasters on himself so I have little sympathy. Howard's "noise cancelling breasts" line killed me and Bernie was so proud (anatomically too apparently: "boom-tish"). L/P are really getting down on making their weird thing work. All the energy expended was about real issues - not misunderstandings. Terrific. And Ms Couco-Sweeting did great eye work in the episode in the Golf And when handed the keys. Also Penny's little voice with "I don't understand..." was so good. Sheldon gave excellent reasons for being pissed at Howard and more men should hold hands on TV. Great moment and the tag about a few more minutes was brilliant.

Edited March 8, 2014 by Nogravitasatall

[Tensor]

They have to move the cameras from the hallway along to the apartment.

 

snipped

 

 at the moment you probably have to be a bowl of fruit to get recorded that way.)

 

 

Isn't it amazing how being there for that taping gave you much better insights on how doing the taping actually works?

[Chiany]

I've always wondered if actors have never a say over so blatant inconsistencies between canon and those lines they sometimes throw away, like Amy's newly found interest in online dating before meeting the gang (?????), wich we all know is not true. I mean, I guess writers' memory can perhaps get fuzzy, they are juggling with many characters at once, and maybe sometimes the group of writers who work in an episode could not be exactly the same that worked in those past eps, but actors? I mean, they had been working in their own character all the time, they must remember such things or details (I mean, we do!).

 

It's not just with TBBT, I've seen those same problems in several shows in my tv-watching history and I find hard to believe actors never step up and say, or at least suggest something like: "I think my character's backstory is not like that".

 

I know that Mayim almost as soon as the taping is done forgets about that episode, she has said that several times. So she for one wouldn't remember such details about her character.

And the fact that she doesn't watch the show (or much television in general) doesn't help either.

[gwhh]

Poor raj. His on air person could not be more difference than his real life. Person.

Edited March 8, 2014 by gwhh

[CaitAmber]

"Damn you and your noise cancelling breasts." 

 

Howard and Sheldon in the plane were wonderful, primarily during turbulence. I'm glad the writers finally decided to move forward with their friendship.

 

I also got a little emotional during the scene where Leonard gives Penny a car. It was incredibly sweet. 

[balazs]

Hello,

does anyone one whic board game were they playing in this episode? Looked interesting...

[djsurrey]

I watched it a second time and changed my vote from good to OK.

 

My issues were with the script and not the delivery. I'd say the most interesting part was with Sheldon/Howard/Bernadette.

 

Raj's story sounded like something out of Disney Channel.

 

Penny/Leonard was simply boring. Even JG looked bored.

[cAntonio Santos]

:giveheart:One of the best episodes of the series, enough time given to all the characters to finish their story lines; albeit the writers should have given Lenny more time to their sweet loveable story, felt too short.  Made me think, what did Penny say to Leonard after hugging? what did they say to each other?   the scene was cut too short to my dismay.  Leonard buying a car for Penny, that truly shows Leonard's deep love for Penny and he truly supports her dreams.  He loves her for who she is, and she has always been his world.  Truly great to see, that finally Lenny are more than just boyfriend/girlfriend but much more than that, they are starting to look more and more like husband and wife, the grand realization for all Lenny's fans.  The buying of the car could be a precursor for Penny to move in with Leonard.  Truth must be told, but whenever Lenny do something together, makes the episodes so much better. 

 

 Howard and Sheldon in the airplane scene was truly a classic, I thought I was seeing something out of an Abbot and Costello movie, but too much scene time spent on them to the detriment of Lenny. 

 

The writers have to do something about Raj, he really needs a girl, he is retorting to rude comments to his friends because he cant find a girl. Like Sheldon, Raj is the adopted child of Howard and Bernadette.  The veterinarian girl seemed to be a good choice for Raj, but Raj might be forever condemned by the writers to never find a girl, poor guy.

[pisquenta]

Funniest parts was Leonard telling Penny a Thank You would be good since he bought her a car, the part where Penny tells Leonard what she said when she was leaving TCF. (See you at the Oscars, bitches) And talking about her part in Serial Apist!! I almost spit out my juice when she did the gorilla voice lol. Also loved Amy's: aaaaaaand we're leaving lol

 

I liked this episode very much, it had sweet Lenny moments. Sheldon and Howard are always fun to watch. I liked Ramy scenes, just wish (like someone mentioned before me) they would make Raj seem less pathetic.

Edited March 8, 2014 by pisquenta

[mjc45]

Isn't it amazing how being there for that taping gave you much better insights on how doing the taping actually works?

yes yes yes!!!

like the s/h, and we will get more next week.

 

did bernie look hot with her ponytail

 

the car scene was priceless. that is a great boyfriend

to have to get her car with no strings attached

 

amy/raj it was ok

[TwinkleTwinkleTiara]

I dont quite understand Amy's " why cant Raj find a girl, the mystery continues" line. Is it a quotation from a movie or song?

[Whiterose]

I just have to say that Howard, and Sheldon holding hands during the turbulence was awesome. LOVED that scene..

[djsurrey]

I dont quite understand Amy's " why cant Raj find a girl, the mystery continues" line. Is it a quotation from a movie or song?

I think he had just said something that was not sounding very masculine. It kind of fell flat..

[TwinkleTwinkleTiara]

I think he had just said something that was not sounding very masculine. It kind of fell flat..

Thank you. At first I thought it was lines from the west side story.

[djsurrey]

Thank you. At first I thought it was lines from the west side story.

If the line was from West side story it went over my head.

 

from http://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=big-bang-theory&episode=s07e17

 

Amy: Thanks for walking me to my car.

Raj: Actually, it's for both of us.

Raj:  Last night, I watched West Side Story, and I'm a little freaked out by street gangs.

Amy: Why can't Raj find a girl? The mystery continues.

Raj:   I don't appreciate your sarcasm, but we've still got two blocks to go, so I'll put up with it.

[Homo Novus]

Poor raj. His on air person could not be more difference than his real life. Person.

I totally agree! Plus, I hope Raj finally finds a girlfriend...   Too many disastrous dates. Enough is enough, I think!

[notchinc]

I totally agree! Plus, I hope Raj finally finds a girlfriend... Too many disastrous dates. Enough is enough, I think!

Idk. It's more realistic to have him fail. I'm Rajs age and I'm happy that they are illustrating the struggle of being single. Just because you meet someone does not mean instant relationship. Im Raj. I've never been in a relationship and it doesn't mean that I dont desire one. I happy that the sitcom doesn't have all them paired up. The single person has a story to tell as well.