S8 Discussion Thread

[fitzsimmons]

@Michy, did the staring actually last for 4 minutes in real time or bbt time?

I mean it felt like six hours, especially since they did it three times, so I may not be the best to ask. But I think in real time, it was probably closer to two and a half or three. There was a lot of silence but also a lot of talking, so it's possible they rehearsed it to make it an actual four.

[Tonstar17]

I mean it felt like six hours, especially since they did it three times, so I may not be the best to ask. But I think in real time, it was probably closer to two and a half or three. There was a lot of silence but also a lot of talking, so it's possible they rehearsed it to make it an actual four.

Ok. Thanks. Great TR, you always smash it. As a lenny, I do feel your pain about the episode. Edited January 28, 2015 by Tonstar17

[Nogravitasatall]

It is meant to come across as both funny and sweet (a lot of "aww" moments and a lot of laughs). For me, I didn't find it much of either, but that's solely my opinion. Many, I'm sure, including Lenny and Shamy fans, will find some of the moments touching and many of the jokes funny. As for me, as I said before, I would have preferred to watch Raj make out with his dog for four hours. But that could just be me.

Monty Python bit follows:

"Attention all dog lovers. Your practices are illegal..."

C'mon Martin, you know this... Lol

[phantagrae]

It is meant to come across as both funny and sweet (a lot of "aww" moments and a lot of laughs). For me, I didn't find it much of either, but that's solely my opinion. Many, I'm sure, including Lenny and Shamy fans, will find some of the moments touching and many of the jokes funny. As for me, as I said before, I would have preferred to watch Raj make out with his dog for four hours. But that could just be me.

 

I must say that I do appreciate that you are able to give an objective TR even if you're not crazy about the episode itself.  Thanks!

[tallin]

I wish that I was of the camp of, "ultimately they decided that they're not in love, so ultimately this is a good thing." Yeah, well, what if they decide that they need to make out just to be sure? So they make out and decide that they're not in love? What if they decide they need to sleep together to be sure? So they sleep together, but they're still not in love? Would that make it okay? Would we still be happy that ultimately they decided that they're not in love?

Look, at the end of the day, what I'm really having trouble with is that Sheldon and Penny are engaging in these "intimacy activities" in the first place. I don't care if they ultimately decided that there's no way they could ever fall in love, because I already knew that to begin with. What I'm having an issue with is everything leading up to that. I don't like the idea of Sheldon and Penny engaging in "intimacy accelerating" activities just for the sake of proving what we all already know, even if it was the writers' intention to ultimately nail that coffin shut once and for all. I don't like them having a level of intimacy with each other that they do not have with their respective partners. Do we really need more ticks in the column of "Sheldon and Penny have a special bond?"

For me, the answer is no. I am pretty well done with that.

Agree!! I can't help myself but being so over their "special bond". Yes, they are friends, but humor from their opposite nature is getting old a bit now for me, and those plots with them suddenly realizing their importance in each other lives, while they most of the time have just interaction based on others characters, and without any traces of some "special bond" seems like appearing out of nowhere. I get writers want to nail that coffin, but was it necessary ? Wasn't that coffin buried long time ago? I'm okey with them being portrayed as friends, but for majority of people, they really are siblings so playing around idea of them romantically involved, even while that will not mean anything, I believe will be uncomfortable to watch for many people.  But as I said before, don't worry... it's one episode, and like most times, writers will forget "acceleration" they made.. Guess it will be first time, I will appreciate it. 

[3ku11]

Look the whole idea of Shenny is its absurdity. Clearly deep down Penny can't feel emotion for a robot. Hence her not taking it seriously. It was just an experiment the show decided to do for fun. And unfortunately choose S and P as their test subjects. But its ridiculous lol. Sheldon's not a normal guy. He bores her hence sipping the wine. Its unfortunate writers felt the need to agressivley make a statement. That they kno, leonard and Amy knows. Ppl at home no. But its a comedy its not meant to be taken seriously. Look if thy took care of this earlier. No one who ever watched since 07 would even think theirs any romantic undertone. Like Jim said theirs nothing in the script that suggests any of that. But perception is reality. Ppl at the end of day are going to selectively see what they choose too see. And twist things to suit their own pre conceived notions. Its so non threatening. Like I said Penny has always seen Sheldon as a weird robot man. But like tht movie in the end he's so full of love lol. Tbh Adhesive Duck should of put it to bed. Since the pilot Penny's gone to great lengths to avoid Sheldon. Sheldon's gone to great lengths to disprove every aspect of her life. From her life choices to her relationship with Leonard and wine .

I care about Penny as a character. For them to be portrayed romantically seeing the chemistey is maternal. They would need to deconstruct the entire show and all of its characters. Everything that makes the show unique. I would hate that. Like Leonard said Sheldon's got a better shot, and he dosent even no how to use his gentitals. It was a silly experiment to prove Shinny is a myth. Penny's curiosity faded per usual her attention span fading every time she interacts with Shldon lol. Would of been a higher probability working with a more normal guy like Leonard . Technically they've been in a 8 year experiment. Worked out pretty well so far. But its not like it happened organically. It was a artificial experiment. Penny only took part because she had too. Kinda like gorilla experiment. Did anyone freak out then? No then why now. I don't like altho only did if as it said so in the experiment. So tehniqlly Penny was just following the rules. But her lvlof intimacy she used to have with Leonard. Not once has she been that open with Sheldon. Nice thy realized something that was already established. But the fact the writers felt this was necessary. Bothers me. Not the S and P part. Penny didn't take it seriously because well its Sheldon lol. But the idea they were in that position in th first place. With any guy really. Lime Kiss, Bath Item. Part of Lenny's charm was their intimacy. Now S and P are no longer antagonists it doesn't work. But that's just me.

Edited January 28, 2015 by 3ku11

[Shamyyy^-^]

I have mixed feelings about this episode .. I will have to watching it in order to better understand the sense of this plot.

 

Thanks for the report!!! 

[gsxdoug]

After reading the taping report and pages and pages of discussion, I've gotta go with Lio, tmp, phanta and others. IMHO, there is nothing here that comes across as bad for either Lenny or Shamy. I would like to address Sheldon's "Babe" comment. It's really no different than his "Wherever the music takes me, Kitten." Just him trying to sound hip and failing, nothing more. Of course the die-hard Shennies will read much more into it than is actually there (I predict reams of fanfic expanding on this one line) but that's their problem.

[CaffeineBuzz]

Even so, it was just talk--and talk that revealed, again, how different they are, and yet why they're friends. I don't know what's so gross about that.

.

You know what? Its fine that its not gross for you, I get that and thats valid. So why is it not also just as valid that some people, like me and others, are not fans of the Penny/Sheldon "special bond"? I don't have a problem with them being friends but this whole special bond thing skeeves me out, and thats a base gut reaction which is just as valid. So based on that gut reaction alone, I don't like the fact that the writers keep shoving them together for whatever reason. It gets old and it holds zero interest for me. So if I don't really enjoy their special friendship on a gut level you can see where having an entire episode dedicated to them exploring their possible increased affection for each other might make my skin crawl. Yes I can find humour in it but it still bugs the crapolla out of me that they even went there however jokingly. Will I get over it? of course but the fact remains that it still does and always will creep me out.

Edited January 28, 2015 by CaffeineBuzz

[MJistheBOMB]

So I just got word about someone on Twitter tweeting to Bill about the "babe" comment and making a comment about "bad writing".

 

If you guys want the spoilers to eventually stop, then I guess keep up this kind of behavior. Good job.

[CaffeineBuzz]

So I just got word about someone on Twitter tweeting to Bill about the "babe" comment and making a comment about "bad writing".

If you guys want the spoilers to eventually stop, then I guess keep up this kind of behavior. Good job.

That i'm definitely not cool with. Its one thing to vent here but not on twitter or social media where it gets the attention of the writers. That's a bad idea from a fandom standpoint if we want to keep having access to spoilers and its also disrespectful. Edited January 28, 2015 by CaffeineBuzz

[vonmar]

Plot holes and floating facts are not unique to TBBT.  Read an interesting Buzzfeed article earlier about fans of Friends" questioning events from that show...(#7. Why are their birthdays so inconsistent?)

 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukebailey/its-just-a-tv-show-but-still#.opYjOkpoP

21 Questions “Friends” Fans Still Want Answered......The One With All the Minor Plot Holes.

 

Thanks MJ and Michy for the taping report, appreciate your time and you attention to detail.

[Tonstar17]

Look in to my eyes tell me what you see, are you worried yet. NOPE...

[phantagrae]

.

You know what? Its fine that its not gross for you, I get that and thats valid. So why is it not also just as valid that some people, like me and others, are not fans of the Penny/Sheldon "special bond"? I don't have a problem with them being friends but this whole special bond thing skeeves me out, and thats a base gut reaction which is just as valid. So based on that gut reaction alone, I don't like the fact that the writers keep shoving them together for whatever reason. It gets old and it holds zero interest for me. So if I don't really enjoy their special friendship on a gut level you can see where having an entire episode dedicated to them exploring their possible increased affection for each other might make my skin crawl. Yes I can find humour in it but it still bugs the crapolla out of me that they even went there however jokingly. Will I get over it? of course but the fact remains that it still does and always will creep me out.

 

I'm not saying your feelings aren't valid--they are what they are.

I'm just wondering why people think that this episode is about Sheldon and Penny having the "special bond", just because they go through with this.  It doesn't sound that special to me, it doesn't sound as if they were "bonding" any more than any of their other conversations, which have been going on since day 1.  It doesn't sound like a "special friendship" moment at all.  And it doesn't sound like their taking the quiz thing is "exploring any possible increased affection for each other", either, since it's really just a goof and they don't find any increased intimacy or more of a bond than they already had.

[Kasey]

. I don't know what else to tell you but going after my every word and making it my fault isn't going to help the situation.

 

 

 

 

 

Oh come on Monique, we all know Steve Molaro has YOU on speed dial for input  

 

 

Edited to add a HUGE thanks for all the reporting about the episode..

Edited January 28, 2015 by Kasey

[MTBigBangTheoryFan]

This morning on GMA they were talking about a "relationship test" or whatever, and it was a series of questions that two strangers could ask each other. The questions then get progressively more personal, and part of the test is to just stare into each other's eyes for so many minutes to see if it creates a bond or whatever.

On GMA they had two complete strangers take the test, and they ended up saying something like they were going to go get a cup of coffee, or whatever.

This sounds like that same test.

So if they take the test and it doesn't result in a relationship, it sounds as if that puts a nail in the Shenny coffin...

 

'Here the segment You are talking about: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/36-questions-secret-finding-love-couple-28513016

So I just got word about someone on Twitter tweeting to Bill about the "babe" comment and making a comment about "bad writing".

 

If you guys want the spoilers to eventually stop, then I guess keep up this kind of behavior. Good job.

 

Bad Idea! We have to 'play the game' a little bit. 

[stardustmelody]

Bottom line, Sheldon and Penny are best when rolling eyes at each other from across the room and making the other look like they are from Mars.  For me they don't work well as "special friends" who share their innermost secrets with each other.  That just seems a far stretch from what they spent 5-6 seasons building... yet that is how they have tried to build them since every since they had Leonard go to the North Seas.   Since then they tried to make them as if they understand each other more than anyone else...and I say REALLY?  Honestly they never did understand each other and then the whole dynamic of Sheldon/Penny friendship changed once Leonard went to Sea.   Since then I have not enjoyed them in scenes together because the writers like to go to that intimate secrecy thing.  It is one thing if they are back to like in early seasons, but this episode reminds me of the episode where Penny and Sheldon are snuggled on the couch together sharing secrets.   That was just icky to me....especially when it was a perfect time for him to be bonding more with Amy.

 

I think the problem is that they do actually show Sheldon in many ways closer to Penny than Amy yet he is supposed to be in love with and spend nearly every waking moment with Amy.  So where does this intimacy with Penny come from?  Especially given they are supposed to speak in different speak and view things from polar opposite viewpoints.  But that changed and that is what I have an issue with.  I liked the polar opposite friendship...not the close bonded friendship.

 

And whoever tweeted Bill or any cast member or writer for that matter - NOT COOL!   It is okay to vent in here...but not to them, especially given the show has not yet aired.   Even after it airs, I think it isn't cool, but definitely should be forbidden before it airs.   Not cool!

Edited January 28, 2015 by stardustmelody

[Nogravitasatall]

Bottom line, Sheldon and Penny are best when rolling eyes at each other from across the room and making the other look like they are from Mars.  For me they don't work well as "special friends" who share their innermost secrets with each other.  That just seems a far stretch from what they spent 5-6 seasons building... yet that is how they have tried to build them since every since they had Leonard go to the North Seas.   Since then they tried to make them as if they understand each other more than anyone else...and I say REALLY?  Honestly they never did understand each other and then the whole dynamic of Sheldon/Penny friendship changed once Leonard went to Sea.   Since then I have not enjoyed them in scenes together because the writers like to go to that intimate secrecy thing.  It is one thing if they are back to like in early seasons, but this episode reminds me of the episode where Penny and Sheldon are snuggled on the couch together sharing secrets.   That was just icky to me....especially when it was a perfect time for him to be bonding more with Amy.

 

I think the problem is that they do actually show Sheldon in many ways closer to Penny than Amy yet he is supposed to be in love with and spend nearly every waking moment with Amy.  So where does this intimacy with Penny come from?  Especially given they are supposed to speak in different speak and view things from polar opposite viewpoints.  But that changed and that is what I have an issue with.  I liked the polar opposite friendship...not the close bonded friendship.

....

 There could be a cartiligionus piscatorial creature being vaulted over here. Discuss. #MaybeIdontcare

[stardustmelody]

 There could be a cartiligionus piscatorial creature being vaulted over here. Discuss. #MaybeIdontcare

Nice Pieces reference!  

[Kasey]

 There could be a cartiligionus piscatorial creature being vaulted over here. Discuss. #MaybeIdontcare

 

The hashtag was the only thing I understood.  #flewrightovermyhead

[phantagrae]

Bottom line, Sheldon and Penny are best when rolling eyes at each other from across the room and making the other look like they are from Mars.  For me they don't work well as "special friends" who share their innermost secrets with each other.  That just seems a far stretch from what they spent 5-6 seasons building... yet that is how they have tried to build them since every since they had Leonard go to the North Seas.   Since then they tried to make them as if they understand each other more than anyone else...and I say REALLY?  Honestly they never did understand each other and then the whole dynamic of Sheldon/Penny friendship changed once Leonard went to Sea.   Since then I have not enjoyed them in scenes together because the writers like to go to that intimate secrecy thing.  It is one thing if they are back to like in early seasons, but this episode reminds me of the episode where Penny and Sheldon are snuggled on the couch together sharing secrets.   That was just icky to me....especially when it was a perfect time for him to be bonding more with Amy.

 

I think the problem is that they do actually show Sheldon in many ways closer to Penny than Amy yet he is supposed to be in love with and spend nearly every waking moment with Amy.  So where does this intimacy with Penny come from?  Especially given they are supposed to speak in different speak and view things from polar opposite viewpoints.  But that changed and that is what I have an issue with.  I liked the polar opposite friendship...not the close bonded friendship.

 

And whoever tweeted Bill or any cast member or writer for that matter - NOT COOL!   It is okay to vent in here...but not to them, especially given the show has not yet aired.   Even after it airs, I think it isn't cool, but definitely should be forbidden before it airs.   Not cool!

 

I've bolded some statements above that I think are your personal interpretation of certain elements of the show and not necessarily objectively true.  I don't think that Sheldon and Penny can have only one kind of friendship--polar opposites who don't understand each other or who only roll their eyes at or mock each other.  And I don't think they've shown that Sheldon is closer to Penny than to Amy or that he's supposed to be spending nearly every waking moment with Amy.

 

We know that he does spend a lot of time with Amy offscreen as well as on, and we know that they share a lot of things that the others don't get--going to the zoo to look at koalas or monkeys or whatever, going to science lectures, whatever.

 

I think that just because we get a look at a handful of conversations under special circumstances doesn't mean that they're trying to show that Sheldon and Penny have more of a bond or share more intimate information together than Sheldon and Amy do.  Nothing Sheldon has shared with Penny has been as truly intimate as the D&D conversation, nor the conversation they have the night of the Prom.

 

Sheldon has asked Penny for advice when it comes to Amy, and though he may have shared certain random things, like about the YT rating system, that he considers intimate, it's not like he's exactly baring his sole.  He's shared more revealing things with Leonard, I think, in acknowledging that he understands that people find him annoying and that they make fun of him.

While Amy did lament feeling that Sheldon was sometimes more open and comfortable with Penny than with her, I think that Leonard's explanation was truthful--Sheldon had known Penny longer.  And, really, there's less at stake when he talks to Penny about some things.  She's not his girlfriend, he doesn't have to worry about her breaking up with him like he does with Amy (like the Wil Wheaton episode.)  And when he vents or shares with Penny, it's in his own arrogant way.  He's not really crying on her shoulder or anything.

 

I like that he can have a friendship with Penny that's not based on being attracted to her as a woman, but simply because of how she treats him and how she has a different perspective than the guys.  What the guys might ridicule him for, Penny might take seriously, and vice versa.

 

He does have real conversations with Amy, but they're just different conversations.

[Tonstar17]

The hashtag was the only thing I understood. #flewrightovermyhead

There could be a cartiligionus piscatorial creature being vaulted over here. Discuss. #MaybeIdontcare

I got nothing...

#whogivesafu*kidon't [emoji1]

[SRAM]

Bottom line, Sheldon and Penny are best when rolling eyes at each other from across the room and making the other look like they are from Mars.  For me they don't work well as "special friends" who share their innermost secrets with each other.  That just seems a far stretch from what they spent 5-6 seasons building... yet that is how they have tried to build them since every since they had Leonard go to the North Seas.   Since then they tried to make them as if they understand each other more than anyone else...and I say REALLY?  Honestly they never did understand each other and then the whole dynamic of Sheldon/Penny friendship changed once Leonard went to Sea.   Since then I have not enjoyed them in scenes together because the writers like to go to that intimate secrecy thing.  It is one thing if they are back to like in early seasons, but this episode reminds me of the episode where Penny and Sheldon are snuggled on the couch together sharing secrets.   That was just icky to me....especially when it was a perfect time for him to be bonding more with Amy.

 

I think the problem is that they do actually show Sheldon in many ways closer to Penny than Amy yet he is supposed to be in love with and spend nearly every waking moment with Amy.  So where does this intimacy with Penny come from?  Especially given they are supposed to speak in different speak and view things from polar opposite viewpoints.  But that changed and that is what I have an issue with.  I liked the polar opposite friendship...not the close bonded friendship.

 

And whoever tweeted Bill or any cast member or writer for that matter - NOT COOL!   It is okay to vent in here...but not to them, especially given the show has not yet aired.   Even after it airs, I think it isn't cool, but definitely should be forbidden before it airs.   Not cool!

Has Penny ever told Leonard any of her secrets?

[Chrismo]

After reading the taping report and pages and pages of discussion, I've gotta go with Lio, tmp, phanta and others. IMHO, there is nothing here that comes across as bad for either Lenny or Shamy. I would like to address Sheldon's "Babe" comment. It's really no different than his "Wherever the music takes me, Kitten." Just him trying to sound hip and failing, nothing more. Of course the die-hard Shennies will read much more into it than is actually there (I predict reams of fanfic expanding on this one line) but that's their problem.

Agreed. I went on this thread just before michy's taping report (great job BTW, although I'm puzzled about wanting Raj and the dog kissing for 4 hours than Penny and Sheldon staring at each other) and thought Shenny did the "nasty". I think my complaint and probably other Lenny faithful wanted a Lenny plot line. Even a Raj/emily would of been okay but a Shenny wasn't high on my list. After saying that though I'm puzzled by people's IMO overreaction to all this. I could understand the gross comments if they were brother/sister but Idon't understand the reaction without seeing the episode. I think Sheldon's and Penny relationship has changed over the years. They have fought in the past but in reality it's never been that serious. The change seems me to be connected to their own relationships with Amy and Leonard. Through the years they have been there for each other and told each other things they haven't told their partners. It doesn't mean they care less for them but they have bonded because of their differences. Penny mentioned that she can't remember her life before moving to 4B. Much of the last eight years Sheldon has been a big part. Sheldon on the otherhand has never had a female in his life since his mother. As he mentioned in the past he accommodated her in his life so Penny means a lot to him It doesn't change what he feels for Amy. IMO some of the upsetness on this thread is that Lenny's relationship is further along and it's perceived that Sheldon's is getting close to Penny in ways that he hasn't with Amy. In regards to their story in this taping IMO it's suppose to be both serious and funny.

Has Penny ever told Leonard any of her secrets?

would Leonard want to know?

[Tensor]

 

 

While Amy did lament feeling that Sheldon was sometimes more open and comfortable with Penny than with her, I think that Leonard's explanation was truthful--Sheldon had known Penny longer.  

 

 

Isn't this your personal interpretation of certain elements of the show and not necessarily objectively true?