Ship Zone [Spoilers]Shamy S8 Thread

[phantagrae]

So his big journey of self discovery is to hide behind his mommy's skirt for the summer? Wow, that's a manly move.

 

It's not really a big growth move.

 

Episode 1. It's important to get things back to normal pretty fast. So Sheldon is going to need to get back to Pasadena by the tag. If possible. It's probably going to take the whole 20 minutes. Once he decides to come home it will be quick edits and seem rushed. 

 

He'll spend episode 2-3 doing clean up. Then by episode 4 it should be "what train trip?"

 

Who said that A) he was on a journey of self-discovery or B ) that he's hiding behind his mommy's skirt?

 

All he said was that he needed to get away to think, to get away from the stress, where he could find no place of comfort or solace where he could think through he coming changes.  He couldn't go to Amy's because she added to his stress by suggesting they live together, he couldn't go to the comic book store because it had burned down.  He couldn't find peace at home or at the university because those were the main sources of stress.

His only solution was to leave, and he chose the train because, you know, trains.

 

All he was looking for was an escape, a way to decompress.  There's nothing that says he's going to "become a man" or whatever.

IMO, his only real thing to resolve is how he's going to deal with Leonard moving out--will he be okay living on his own, will he stay in his own apartment or not, etc., and then maybe whether or not he's going to try to continue to appeal to the university, go back to studying string theory, or, most drastically, consider leaving CalTech.

 

As far as dealing with Amy is concerned, it could be that spending time away from her will make him miss her and appreciate her company a little more, but I don't think he's necessarily going to come back as some new romantic, sexualized, considerate "normal boyfriend".

 

And I don't think that he's necessarily going to be any more "grown up" than he was when he left.  Again, the trip was not an effort to "grow up"--whatever the heck that's supposed to mean--but just a way to escape the pressures.

[Maddie]

I think when the writers said "Amy isn't the reason he left," they meant she wasn't the whole reason. When he was in the comic book store and talking to Stuart about his bad day, he mentioned that his girlfriend loves him so much she wants to live with him. So, I think she was a small part of why he freaked out, but it absolutely wasn't all her fault. I think that's what the writers were trying to convey. In fact, I think there was an article shortly after the finale where Molaro talks about Amy being just a factor in why he left.

 

As far as the premiere, I think it's best just to keep an open mind, and not let expectations trample what happens. We probably won't see immediate growth from Sheldon. I think it will be one of those things where at the end of the season we'll look back and realize how much he's developed. The key to doing something realistically is to do it gradually.

[kerrycec03]

I agree Maddie...It won't be an immediate change, but come April-May'15 (spoiled vs. unspoiled) I'm sure we'll see big growth overall through the course of the season for Sheldon!!!

[Chaliceinnana]

I am sure we will see some growth, but we'll more than likely see some regression before it starts. But my expectations are very low for the first few episodes.

 

They don't have to do too much to exceed them. If Sheldon actually talks to Amy in the first 2 episodes, they've surpassed my wildest Shamy dreams. If they are alone in the same room together, I will admit I have not prepared for that scenario.

[koops]

I might be in the minority but the main reason why I dislike the whole premise of this finale and this "trip of self-discovery" is precisely because I do *not* want Sheldon to come back a changed man. I want to see Sheldon's change and grow in front of my eyes, not to have it all happen off-screen with a magic wand of "Voila! Here's your new, improved, considerate Sheldon!". So to me it would be more disappointing to have him come back changed by running away than to have him come back with the realization that nothing has changed and running away is not the solution to his problems. Steve said that "he will not like trains so much anymore", so, to me, that means this trip won't be all unicorns and freedom and rainbows like he expected it to be. He also said that if Sheldon did not change at all from this trip, it would have been pointless to send him off, which, again, implies they're not planning to just ignore it completely. It just doesn't seem it will be anything Earth shattering.

 

I also never expected him to come back and sweep Amy up in his arms and tip her over in a black-and-white-movie-like kiss. Sheldon generally learns to appreciate people more when they're taken away from him against his own will, so if, say, Amy were to leave and be off for months - that's when I would expect him to learn to appreciate her more. But since he was the one who left on his own terms, and that's what he wanted, I doubt it will have a huge impact. That's why I actually thought it was likely they would have him come back "villanized" and wanting to cut everyone out of his life, Amy included, because it's the easy way out. Obviously, we can predict now that the writers won't go there, since they didn't sound like the were hinting at a breakup, but I wouldn't have been shocked. 

 

Like I said, I think the idea of this cliffhanger was a mistake because it's the kind of cliffhanger where people expect huge changes to come from it and, if the show is true to itself, that's not going to happen. The only thing I really demand out of this premiere is some respect for Amy's character and her role in his life, not treat her like she's just some girl who has a crush on him, rather than someone who's a partner in a four-year relationship.

Edited August 5, 2014 by koops

[Taperoo]

With Sheldon you have to expect any changes to take a long while to take effect on him. He's like a very slow endothermic reaction.

Amy has changed him, but it's taken a while for the small changes to take effect.

 

Anyway I guess Sheldon will be back before the end of episode 1 or they may drag it over the first two episodes. Whatever Sheldon's got up to

on his train adventures will probably be drip fed throughout the season. At least it's a way of opening up guest star spots for people

Sheldon's met on his travels. Amy will likely be the only one anxiously awaiting Sheldon's return.

Edited August 5, 2014 by Taperoo

[phantagrae]

I might be in the minority but the main reason why I dislike the whole premise of this finale and this "trip of self-discovery" is precisely because I do *not* want Sheldon to come back a changed man. I want to see Sheldon's change and grow in front of my eyes, not to have it all happen off-screen with a magic wand of "Voila! Here's your new, improved, considerate Sheldon!". So to me it would be more disappointing to have him come back changed by running away than to have him come back with the realization that nothing has changed and running away is not the solution to his problems. Steve said that "he will not like trains so much anymore", so, to me, that means this trip won't be all unicorns and freedom and rainbows like he expected it to be. He also said that if Sheldon did not change at all from this trip, it would have been pointless to send him off, which, again, implies they're not planning to just ignore it completely. It just doesn't seem it will be anything Earth shattering.

 

I also never expected him to come back and sweep Amy up in his arms and tip her over in a black-and-white-movie-like kiss. Sheldon generally learns to appreciate people more when they're taken away from him against his own will, so if, say, Amy were to leave and be off for months - that's when I would expect him to learn to appreciate her more. But since he was the one who left on his own terms, and that's what he wanted, I doubt it will have a huge impact. That's why I actually thought it was likely they would have him come back "villanized" and wanting to cut everyone out of his life, Amy included, because it's the easy way out. Obviously, we can predict now that the writers won't go there, since they didn't sound like the were hinting at a breakup, but I wouldn't have been shocked. 

 

Like I said, I think the idea of this cliffhanger was a mistake because it's the kind of cliffhanger where people expect huge changes to come from it and, if the show is true to itself, that's not going to happen. The only thing I really demand out of this premiere is some respect for Amy's character and her role in his life, not treat her like she's just some girl who has a crush on him, rather than someone who's a partner in a four-year relationship.

 

Well, I still don't know where this idea of a "trip of self-discovery" came from, but as I said, I don't think that was the point at all.

 

And I don't know that the point of the trip was of change--of Sheldon changing, either, apart from perhaps the idea of Sheldon coming to terms with the fact that these changes in his life are coming and that he needs to just accept that he can't stop the changes from happening--particularly the fact that Leonard will eventually be moving out.

 

If the purpose of the trip was just giving SHeldon some time alone to think and decompress, then I don't think there was any mistake in the finale.  I think that all this idea of change or growth or whatever was drummed up by the fans wanting or not wanting change, or wanting him to change toward Amy, etc..  I don't think there was anything in the episode itself that really hinted that there were going to be any big changes.

 

I think the only change will be whether or not Sheldon liked the idea of being off on his own, away from his friends.  It may very well be simply an opportunity to plant some seeds that will come to fruition later.

 

But just as Leonard wasn't fundamentally changed by his sea voyage and Howard was only partly changed by his space voyage, I don't think that Sheldon will come back all that different.  He's having an experience, not necessarily some life-altering experience.

[bigbangsheldon]

Well, Steve said that it would be pointless to send him away if there was no change at all. 

[koops]

Well, I still don't know where this idea of a "trip of self-discovery" came from, but as I said, I don't think that was the point at all.

 

And I don't know that the point of the trip was of change--of Sheldon changing, either, apart from perhaps the idea of Sheldon coming to terms with the fact that these changes in his life are coming and that he needs to just accept that he can't stop the changes from happening--particularly the fact that Leonard will eventually be moving out.

 

If the purpose of the trip was just giving SHeldon some time alone to think and decompress, then I don't think there was any mistake in the finale.  I think that all this idea of change or growth or whatever was drummed up by the fans wanting or not wanting change, or wanting him to change toward Amy, etc..  I don't think there was anything in the episode itself that really hinted that there were going to be any big changes.

 

I think the only change will be whether or not Sheldon liked the idea of being off on his own, away from his friends.  It may very well be simply an opportunity to plant some seeds that will come to fruition later.

 

But just as Leonard wasn't fundamentally changed by his sea voyage and Howard was only partly changed by his space voyage, I don't think that Sheldon will come back all that different.  He's having an experience, not necessarily some life-altering experience.

 

You don't write a show called "The Status Quo Combustion" and have your lead character hint he is "leaving forever" (although, I know, no one believed him) if you don't want to write a big cliffhanger and have people hanging from your lips all summer waiting for what's next.

 

I did not expect big changes to come out of this, and did not want big changes to come out of this, but I can't exactly fault people who did. I also don't understand why it always has to be the fans' fault for "expecting" stuff. Expectations are part of the experience as a viewer when there's a story that seems to go from A to B. Some expect more than others, some expect too much, but I think it's only natural to have some sort of expectation, especially when a storyline raises important points or possible repercussions for some major plotlines that have been running throughout the show. 

 

Leonard's voyage and Howard's space trip are in no way comparable to what Sheldon has gone through here. They were not "deliberately chipped away at" to break them down and send them off on a trip to run away from everything, they went on a professional trip not unlike the guys going to the North Pole. I think that's like comparing apples and oranges. 

[Taperoo]

You don't write a show called "The Status Quo Combustion" and have your lead character hint he is "leaving forever" (although, I know, no one believed him) if you don't want to write a big cliffhanger and have people hanging from your lips all summer waiting for what's next.

 

I did not expect big changes to come out of this, and did not want big changes to come out of this, but I can't exactly fault people who did. I also don't understand why it always has to be the fans' fault for "expecting" stuff. Expectations are part of the experience as a viewer when there's a story that seems to go from A to B. Some expect more than others, some expect too much, but I think it's only natural to have some sort of expectation, especially when a storyline raises important points or possible repercussions for some major plotlines that have been running throughout the show. 

 

Leonard's voyage and Howard's space trip are in no way comparable to what Sheldon has gone through here. They were not "deliberately chipped away at" to break them down and send them off on a trip to run away from everything, they went on a professional trip not unlike the guys going to the North Pole. I think that's like comparing apples and oranges. 

 

I guess the writers will slowly reveal what happened to Sheldon on his travels over the course of the season. We may get a Sheldon slideshow that

edits out important things. Basically I doubt we'll get a massive info dump and a different Sheldon. They'll want to tease it out of Sheldon through Amy and the

rest of the gang. The show is going to change but it's not going to happen in the first few episodes of season 8. Like Shamy getting physical, fans need

to be patient.

[Redrose]

The thing is, this trip is there for something. I don't think we'll see real "changes" but rather something like a lesson he'll learn. Running away is not the solution, it's sometimes worse than changes ( writers said he'll not like trains as much...) It's safer to accept what's happening and plan how you'll deal with it rather than hiding yourself. 

 

Regarding Amy, yes I think she's one of the reason why he left and It's only because she's bringing changes (again) in his life. But that's it, There is no link with his feelings towards her. I think they kept in touch during the summer so I'm certainly not expecting a big moment of loving reunion or something around that line.

 

IMO:

* In short terms, this trip will help the writers to make Sheldon deal with Lenny marriage better.

* In the long run, it will help Sheldon cope with changes and lower one of his shields to face Amy's desire and, in extension, his desires as well.

Edited August 5, 2014 by Redrose

[phantagrae]

You don't write a show called "The Status Quo Combustion" and have your lead character hint he is "leaving forever" (although, I know, no one believed him) if you don't want to write a big cliffhanger and have people hanging from your lips all summer waiting for what's next.

 

I did not expect big changes to come out of this, and did not want big changes to come out of this, but I can't exactly fault people who did. I also don't understand why it always has to be the fans' fault for "expecting" stuff. Expectations are part of the experience as a viewer when there's a story that seems to go from A to B. Some expect more than others, some expect too much, but I think it's only natural to have some sort of expectation, especially when a storyline raises important points or possible repercussions for some major plotlines that have been running throughout the show. 

 

Leonard's voyage and Howard's space trip are in no way comparable to what Sheldon has gone through here. They were not "deliberately chipped away at" to break them down and send them off on a trip to run away from everything, they went on a professional trip not unlike the guys going to the North Pole. I think that's like comparing apples and oranges. 

 

The status quo that was combusted was Sheldon's carefully controlled environment, not necessarily Sheldon himself.  SHeldon's exaggeration about leaving forever was just that.  Even though he might have thought he was going to leave forever, I think it was pretty obvious that that was never going to happen.

The fact that he said he needed to think was, to me, enough of a clue that he wasn't simply going to run away and start a new life in Timbuktu or something.

 

Though one could certainly wonder how the trip was going to play out--will we see him on a train? Will we see the moment of his return?  How will that play out?  What conclusions will he come to?--that doesn't mean that there will necessarily be some radical change.

 

Of course expectations are part of the fan experience, but I think that there's also the Occam's Razor approach in understanding how they're telling the story.

They've never done any really radical changes to any of the characters and they certainly have never had those changes take place offscreen.  I think that they value the experience of seeing the changes happen naturally and organically as much as the viewers do.

What I think happens, though, is that too often people take one minute aspect and blow it out of proportion, or misread or misinterpret it, and then extrapolate from that misinterpretation, and then start pulling their hair out about what should or should or may or might or might not happen.

 

The writers certainly cannot prevent people from expecting "too much", but I also think they shouldn't be vilified, as some people tend to do, for not fulfilling expectations that they never intended to imply.

 

What I mean by comparing Leonard and Howard's trips to Sheldon's is simply the idea of some kind of radical change happening as a result of the trip.  If Sheldon is going to be changed, it's not going to be from riding a train for the summer, IMO.  Even though they "chipped away" at Sheldon's comfortable situation and piled up the stress, it was, IMO, simply for the purpose of pushing him to take the radical step of running away.

Any other person under such outside stress might take a vacation in a more reasonable way, to decompress, as Leonard put it, and not do it on such an impulsive whim, but leaving to get away from it all isn't in and of itself such a radical thing to do.

 

The motivation to leave may be different, and there may be some repercussions from his time alone, but I think that the trip itself wasn't intended to be any different in terms of life-alteration than the other two journeys.

They weren't going to make Howard come back as some kind of famous studly astronaut, nor have Leonard come back as some kind of award-winning scientist, simply because they went on these great trips.  Leonard had the opportunity to be on a great research trip, but we essentially saw him only partying with the other scientists.  Howard had the chance of a lifetime to go to space, but in the end, he was still "baby bird" Howard.

Sheldon chose to take this trip, mostly because he felt he was out of options.  If he couldn't find solace anywhere at home, perhaps he could find it on a beloved train.  But that doesn't mean that the combustion of his status quo was necessarily going to change the fundamental Sheldonishness of who he is.

 

I don't know what the "majority" of the fans, either offline or online, expected, but I do know that all I seemed to see following the finale and now that the premiere is approaching is people griping on Sheldon for being so hateful and cruel to Amy, or saying that he needs to "man up and give her some" or that he should somehow suddenly grow up or come home and apologize to Amy for being such a horrible boyfriend, etc., etc., etc..

 

I just think that none of that kind of change was ever implied in the events leading up to his departure and therefore aren't realistic expectations for his return, especially since the writers have never operated that way.

I think they know not to have the big moments, the important epiphanies, happen off-camera.  And they've never wanted to make big, dramatic changes to any of the characters.

 

That's all I'm saying.

[BBTGUY]

1 week Shamy peeps!!! So what's your guys' bold prediction for the season? (When I say bold prediction I mean something realistic the writers could surprise us with before we expect it.) mine is that we will get in ILY within the first 3 episodes. :D

Edited August 5, 2014 by BBTGUY

[notchinc]

1 week Shamy peeps!!! So what's your guys' bold prediction for the season? (When I say bold prediction I mean something realistic the writers could surprise us with before we expect it.) mine is that we will get in ILY within the first 3 episodes. :D

So optimistic, young one.........  

[Cecilia]

I might be in the minority but the main reason why I dislike the whole premise of this finale and this "trip of self-discovery" is precisely because I do *not* want Sheldon to come back a changed man. I want to see Sheldon's change and grow in front of my eyes, not to have it all happen off-screen with a magic wand of "Voila! Here's your new, improved, considerate Sheldon!". So to me it would be more disappointing to have him come back changed by running away than to have him come back with the realization that nothing has changed and running away is not the solution to his problems. Steve said that "he will not like trains so much anymore", so, to me, that means this trip won't be all unicorns and freedom and rainbows like he expected it to be. He also said that if Sheldon did not change at all from this trip, it would have been pointless to send him off, which, again, implies they're not planning to just ignore it completely. It just doesn't seem it will be anything Earth shattering.

I also never expected him to come back and sweep Amy up in his arms and tip her over in a black-and-white-movie-like kiss. Sheldon generally learns to appreciate people more when they're taken away from him against his own will, so if, say, Amy were to leave and be off for months - that's when I would expect him to learn to appreciate her more. But since he was the one who left on his own terms, and that's what he wanted, I doubt it will have a huge impact. That's why I actually thought it was likely they would have him come back "villanized" and wanting to cut everyone out of his life, Amy included, because it's the easy way out. Obviously, we can predict now that the writers won't go there, since they didn't sound like the were hinting at a breakup, but I wouldn't have been shocked.

Like I said, I think the idea of this cliffhanger was a mistake because it's the kind of cliffhanger where people expect huge changes to come from it and, if the show is true to itself, that's not going to happen. The only thing I really demand out of this premiere is some respect for Amy's character and her role in his life, not treat her like she's just some girl who has a crush on him, rather than someone who's a partner in a four-year relationship.

I agree very much with that post!! A drastic change isn't the style of TBBT. And even though they do kiss now and it wouldn't be extremely weird for Sheldon to do it and claim that it was a special occasion or just have send a request weeks ago that's what at least would like to see. I don't have a specific scenario in mind cause as Maddie said it will probably end in disappointment. All I would from the first episode is to set the tone of the season.I could very well see that happen in not an ideal way. I wouldn't mind if Amy wasn't so keen on the relationship anymore cause she is insecure (and I am NOT implying she takes revenge) or him deciding he is better off without anyone in his life. Or even a slight annoyance that would make it worse before it became better (I think a long time ago Maddie said something along those lines so no credit to me ) .

Anyway I guess some people have big expectations and as much as they shouldn't or wait and see etc I cannot really blame them cause the finale left a lot of room of big changes.

I am not sure but I don't think I am the only one who is considering the monent they meet. Personally I wouldn't want communication through summer cause for me it takes many interesting things with comedic potential off screen. But I believe they will communicate while he is away and I suspect that we will see the usual dynamics between them. For that will take something of the finale's strength. It will come back later but again for me some things should happen immediately. Not a big change just a small change in the dynamics like a different look or something like that. And I am not only refering to Sheldon. I think Amy should be taken into account into this how she would react. I agree even more on that part with koops.

I believe it is possible for that slight "change" (or sign of a change or whatever) could happen I am just afraid that since Lenny and the job where the main issues we won't get to see anything besides them. I know that changes are slow here but I admit that I might be disappointed if absolutely nothing changes even in a subtle way.

And I absolutely do not blame the people who expect more they have legitimate hopes IMO.

(This post is not adressed just to you koops I just quoted you to say that I agree with your post).

[BBTGUY]

So optimistic, young one.........

That's why it's called a BOLD prediction. Lol

[fitzsimmons]

Sheldon returns to Amy from his walkabout in a TARDIS and whisks her away to an alternate universe where Sheldon is not a dick and Amy does not let him walk all over her and they have I love yous and sexes and the marriage.

[Irene]

That would send my Dr Who mad, TBBT-loving family over the edge Michy. lol

[Rae]

To paraphrase Sheldon: "That being said, if you don't get a TARDIS, you stink and your season premiere stinks."

[Susana Alcira]

Are they taping Aug 12th?

[rachelshamyfan]

Yes Susanna

[Shamynanigans]

I'm so glad everyone is getting paid now. We can finally get taping reports. This season, I expect Shamy to make more progress. Not sure how, since the season finale made me hate Sheldon so much I still have my Sheldon bobblehead in the corner of my bedroom in "time out"

Sheldon returns to Amy from his walkabout in a TARDIS and whisks her away to an alternate universe where Sheldon is not a dick and Amy does not let him walk all over her and they have I love yous and sexes and the marriage.

 

Now I know what I want this season.

[stardustmelody]

[Chaliceinnana]

Tara & Maria...hmmmm... Interesting...

Edited August 6, 2014 by Chaliceinnana

[Chrystalie]

Tara & Maria...hmmmm... Interesting...

I was thinking the same when I read the names  #isthatapossiblegoodthingforshamy ?