Emily And Raj, Pro Or Con And Why

[stardustmelody]

I love Emily and think she is fascinating and interesting and stirs things up a bit not only for Raj, but I think she could with the group as well.  I like that she and Penny are not exactly comfy with each other and that they could be frenemies...get along, but you can always tell there is a competition going on between them kind of thing.  Penny needs someone to stir her up a bit and Emily is perfect for that.   Both pretty, but one is more on common ground with the guys as far as interests (Emily) and the other is one they have adopted to be like their sister (or in Leonard's case, lover).   So yeah...I would like to see her stick around for a while.  

 

I love Laura Spencer and think Emily's quirks are dark and fun, but not so dark that they are overly disturbing  A lot of it is her teasing and her way of feeling like she "fits in" I think more than anything   But she is a delightful addition.

 

I think the chemistry between Emily and Raj is great and I like how she accepts him the way he is without trying to change him, yet she teases and challenges him in new ways that keep  him a little off balance.   She is still a mystery to him and she likes that and in a way he does as well.  

 

I don't think that she will remain a "dark" character, but we will learn it is her "schtick" to to speak.  She uses it as a way to unsettle people to hide maybe some fears she has or something along that line.   But I do like that she is strong, independent and yet has a warmth about her as well.  I like that she and Amy share a lot of common interests and I think she and Bernie likely would as well given Bernie's past comments that show she too can shelter a few dark fantasies of her own.   So I think that is good. 

 

She also shares a lot of common interests with the guys so that works.   The only person that has rubbed her the wrong way is Penny and I think Penny needs to have a little competition and be thrown off her game some by another woman that is beautiful as well.   I think that she will always be Queen Bee with the gang, but it is good to see her have some unease now and again ...makes for great comedy and also keeps Penny on her toes.

 

I also like how the actress is good friends with the cast IRL (especially Kaley and her sister since they have worked together in the past) and that the producers/writers like her a lot.   I remember reading a while back an interview with Laura and she said that she is probably a longer-term recurring character because there are still many plans ahead for she and Raj but she didn't go into specifics.

 

So I am definitely PRO Emily.

Edited March 8, 2015 by stardustmelody

[Tomasina]

Someone just pointed this out in a fanfic and I think they're absolutely right that Emily would get a kick out of dressing up for conic con. Especially something dark.if she isn't here to stay I hope they do something like that that she and Raj enjoy together first, especially with the missed opportunity for Halloween

[Bonnie_Nelle]

I am anti Emily. Idk there is something that doesn't mesh with the gang.

1) The whole emily vs.penny thing ,(i am not a huge penny fan but she had no right to say anything after she went out another guy in front of raj,

2) the weird creepy vibe. Too creepy for my taste.

3) what does raj and emily have in common??? I liked lucy (love kate) but they made her too socially awkward. I wish they would have made it if raj and Lucy overcame their fears together. Idk.

I am not feeling emily at all. Im sorry but i want them to break up.

 

Me, too. I don't like her at all. As a horror buff, she doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the gang. Raj and Emily don't have anything in common, but it seems he's so desperate he'll go out with anyone who'll have him.

[Nogravitasatall]

Me, too. I don't like her at all. As a horror buff, she doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the gang. Raj and Emily don't have anything in common, but it seems he's so desperate he'll go out with anyone who'll have him.

I understand what you say and respect that Emily might not appeal to everyone, but in terms of interests outside their professions and in the sphere of "buff"ness, only the males shared interests at the outset. I think their partners have picked those interests up or learned to tolerated them. That's pretty normal I think. The least overlap is Leonard and Penny. Emily is tertiary educated and I guess would have an advanced degree too (I have no idea of US doctor training), is a professional and has an eclectic interest in a small part of popular culture. Pretty close fit to Raj in my mind. Certainly when you think of the number of potential partners in that set, compared to the wider population.

And now Raj isn't trying to pick up his friends' girls, so that's nice.

[NerwenAldarion]

I love Emily but I also admit its because I love Lauren ever since the Lizzie Bennett Diaries

[Mislav]

I don't like her at all. She's not funny, she's not cute, not entertaining and somehow I hate the way she talks. I don't know, I think there is no need to introduce another character, since many of the episodes felt rushed already because there is so much they try to squeeze into one episode.

I like that they are keeping her appearances low. And to be honest, I'm hoping for Lucy to come back. I liked her a lot more.

I didn't really like Lucy with Raj but I think that Emily's whole creepy side is really overplayed, even more so than Lucy's social anxiety, and to me it comes off as a lame attempt to give a fun or funny side to her character. I know that many people like that contrast to Raj's feminine side but it is way too morbid for my taste (I hope that her last name wasn't based on Sweeney Todd...), and it isn't too funny either, most of those jokes feel very predictable or just forced to me, and contrast isn't all you need for a good relationship, by that logic Sheldon/Penny or Howard/Penny would have been the best couples possible LOL. I don't think that the problem is the way she talks, but what the writers are making her talk. Also she doesn't really seem to get along well with the rest of the group (pretty rude on the first double date with Raj and Emily, Bernadette seemed freaked out by her during the second double date with Raj and Emily, though she later said something about liking her but it was never fully explained, her conflict with Penny, etc.) or have much in common with them, or with Raj for that matter. Also, I don't think that she has something interesting to add in the group dynamic even if she were getting along well with them (though, to be honest, Bernadette should have been written better regarding that part too), neither has she actually bonded with any of them in months of her and Raj's relationship and ten episodes that she had appeared in, even Amy, who was pretty socially awkward and self reserved in the beginning, and Priya, who had a pretty bad relationship with Penny, dated Leonard despite her brother's (Raj's) objections, and later sort of turned out to be nothing more than Leonard's way of trying to get over Penny and obviously not an endgame, were better in that regard. Other than Raj, others seem to either dislike Emily (Penny), or are afraid of her (possibly Bernadette), or feel indifferent about her (everyone else).

So... yeah... con.

[Nogravitasatall]

@mislav, in Emily's defence we don't really have a lot to go on regarding how she interacts with the others. She didn't seem to have any difficulty fitting in during the locked room puzzle zombie night out thing.

I like that she isn't making Raj play push/pull like Penny made Leonard, she doesn't seem infatuated like Amy was about Sheldon and she is clearly communicating her agenda, unlike Bernie, who allowed Howard to have to guess when he could make his "move". All those things were funny btw. So I find Emily refreshingly adult, from what we have seen of her. And Raj doesn't have to be insecure about her, he just has to work out if she is what he wants - which is nice, because it means they are not about the sexual power struggle that characterised most of the other relationships when they kicked off.

Edited April 2, 2015 by Nogravitasatall

[SRAM]

They have wrote her to be very accepting of Raj's quirks, and she seems to be drawn to his innocent way of being sweet to her, but she still sets lines to not cross, like when she got mad about his snooping. I think she is a good fit for him right now and I was getting a little tired of the "nobody loves me" self pity we kept getting from him, it was getting old. I would like to see her interact with the group more to see if she has chemistry with them all, and if she does, I think there could be some fun plots from that. I think it would be funny if all the girls got drunk at Penny's and had a sleep over, and Emily's creepy side came out along with some lingering mistrust of Penny, making Penny have to sleep with one eye open all night.

[Chrismo]

After last night's taping Raj and Emily look pretty good compared to Lenny and Shamy.

[Nogravitasatall]

And I wondering about the cemetery: creepiness or just exhibitionism? Entertaining either way for Raj's reaction.

[Chrismo]

And I wondering about the cemetery: creepiness or just exhibitionism? Entertaining either way for Raj's reaction.

Probably a combination of both. With all the supposed making out this episode I predict theirs will be the hottest.

[loriparis80]

I am pro Emily. I like her with Raj and I really hope to see more of her next season. I'm also happy Raj proclaimed his love for her.

[Mislav]

After last night's taping Raj and Emily look pretty good compared to Lenny and Shamy.

Not really, they are the only couple whose first I love you was said due to a fear that one party felt towards the other.

[Chrismo]

Not really, they are the only couple whose first I love you was said due to a fear that one party felt towards the other.

IDK Sheldon's ILY only happened because Amy was trying to say ILY to him. It certainly wasn't planned on his part.

[Mislav]

IDK Sheldon's ILY only happened because Amy was trying to say ILY to him. It certainly wasn't planned on his part.

It wasn't planned on Penny's part regarding Lenny ILY either, and neither of them said I love you because they were afraid of their partner.

[Chelle]

Neither. Laura is absolutely stunning... I just don't see and feel her fit for the role of Emily, which transcends to me not feeling the chemistry between Koothrappali and Emily.

 

Honestly, if it was as convincing like Mayim as Amy and Melissa as Bernadette, I would probably liked Emily.

[Chrismo]

Neither. Laura is absolutely stunning... I just don't see and feel her fit for the role of Emily, which transcends to me not feeling the chemistry between Koothrappali and Emily.

 

Honestly, if it was as convincing like Mayim as Amy and Melissa as Bernadette, I would probably liked Emily.

i think a lot of the chemistry that some feels lacking is she really hasn't been on much. What's ironic in my opinion is Amy was unlikeable when she first came to the show and Bernie was likeable. 5 years later things seems to be reverse. As Molaro said in that interview they are different but that's not necessarily bad. It certainly is a lot better than Raj and Lucy. That was just painful to watch. I think in episodes that she wasn't as creepy their chemistry is a lot better.

[ATOB]

I see her as rather feline.  A beautiful cat that may very well swipe and stripe you, but nevertheless, you can't help but pet her all the same.

 

Absolutely LOVE Emily!  Defo Pro all the way here.

[Kathy2611]

i think a lot of the chemistry that some feels lacking is she really hasn't been on much. What's ironic in my opinion is Amy was unlikeable when she first came to the show and Bernie was likeable. 5 years later things seems to be reverse. As Molaro said in that interview they are different but that's not necessarily bad. It certainly is a lot better than Raj and Lucy. That was just painful to watch. I think in episodes that she wasn't as creepy their chemistry is a lot better.

Yeah but the main reason Amy was (and still is) disliked is because she was a threat to the Purists and Shenny's. They (the Shenny's) hate Leonard too but not as much because he's part of the original 5.

[Chrismo]

Yeah but the main reason Amy was (and still is) disliked is because she was a threat to the Purists and Shenny's. They (the Shenny's) hate Leonard too but not as much because he's part of the original 5.

well that may be true but, at least in my case, the dislike was how she was. She didn't like Leonard ,Penny and the others and in many ways was just like Sheldon. Over the years she has changed a few times. She hated her, wanted to be her and their relationship now is much more "normal". If her and Sheldon were still before we wouldn't have the "cliffhanger" we have now. Edited April 23, 2015 by Chrismo

[loriparis80]

TBS early this week was showing season 4 and Bernadette and Amy have changed a lot since then. I think Emily would change some too if she stays on.

I agree with this. I didn't love the Amy character until season 5. Season 4 Amy, I thought was rude, arrogant and a bit too robot like. When Bernadette was introduced she annoyed me. She was ditzy smart IMHO, as she had a hard time getting Howard's jokes. Once the characters developed more and we got to see more of them, I was really able to enjoy them. Although I already like Emily, I feel like her character just needs to be developed more and we need to see her on screen with Raj and interacting more with the group.

[Chelle]

i think a lot of the chemistry that some feels lacking is she really hasn't been on much. What's ironic in my opinion is Amy was unlikeable when she first came to the show and Bernie was likeable. 5 years later things seems to be reverse. As Molaro said in that interview they are different but that's not necessarily bad. It certainly is a lot better than Raj and Lucy. That was just painful to watch. I think in episodes that she wasn't as creepy their chemistry is a lot better.

 

I just don't feel Laura's acting as Emily. She didn't grew on me either, but I hope she'll be seen more this season 9. I hope they'll explore more on the Penny-Emily rivalry without turning it into a Serena Van Der Woodsen-Blair Waldorf type of interaction. That's just me. I find Bernadette has funnier scenes when she's with Penny and/or Amy. With Wolowitz she's swinging from sweet to biyatch to domineering to sweet, rinse repeat.I get that the writers are milking on the comedy of Bernadette manhandling a man-child like Wolowitz, but it gets stale at some point. I had a tepid reaction to Amy's character initially, but the good thing is she has flaws which was used to her comedic advantage (wanting to have girl friends, to be hip). Lucy would have worked if she's not a walking anxiety 24/7; she looks so anxious even on scenes between her and Koothrappali alone.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Chelle

[teletalk101]

Personally, the character of Emily doesn't resonate well and I would prefer to see Raj break up with her. There's nothing wrong with being different or weird, but I just don't think she and Raj are well suited. She genuinely scares him, and if they've been together for what - a year? - and she's still scaring him like that, they probably shouldn't be together. I don't think she fits in with the rest of the group either - like in the prom episode, even Bernadette, who is "nice to everyone", struggled to get along with her. 

 

I thought Raj and Lucy were far better together. In just a short time, Lucy had such an impact on Raj that he was finally able to talk to women. I think it was a big confidence boost for Raj to be with someone who had bigger social problems than he did, and if they had have been together longer I truly believe he could have helped Lucy overcome her own issues. They were a joy to watch together. And Steve Molaro hasn't ruled out Lucy coming back either, so fingers crossed on my end. 

Edited April 24, 2015 by teletalk101

[Mislav]

Personally, the character of Emily doesn't resonate well and I would prefer to see Raj break up with her. There's nothing wrong with being different or weird, but I just don't think she and Raj are well suited. She genuinely scares him, and if they've been together for what - a year? - and she's still scaring him like that, they probably shouldn't be together. I don't think she fits in with the rest of the group either - like in the prom episode, even Bernadette, who is "nice to everyone", struggled to get along with her.

I thought Raj and Lucy were far better together. In just a short time, Lucy had such an impact on Raj that he was finally able to talk to women. I think it was a big confidence boost for Raj to be with someone who had bigger social problems than he did, and if they had have been together longer I truly believe he could have helped Lucy overcome her own issues. They were a joy to watch together. And Steve Molaro hasn't ruled out Lucy coming back either, so fingers crossed on my end.

To be fair, he became able to talk to women due to being heartbroken over breaking up with Lucy. And I wouldn't call Bernadette nice to everyone, or nice at all by this point LOL. But I agree with other points. If your partner is scaring you, then it is not a healthy relationship, even by sitcom standards. If you are only staring with them so you would have someone or have sex, that is just a proof of one's lack of self respect and desperation. Their I love you still makes me cringe. I honestly don't understand what people like about that relationship.

[ATOB]

I find Raj & Emily fascinating Mislav. My fondness for them stems from Raj's rather dark sexual attraction, sorry Sheldon but this right here is your 'moth to the flame' situation.

The attraction of fear is a strange and primal one, at the very basest level there's that remnant of the primitive instinct that dangerous individuals provide protection and provision and (in Freudian terms) fear and sexual arousal are interrelated by hormonal changes and exhilaration.

It's a common trope, from Twilight to Gone With The Wind, the dangerous boy/girl casts an irresistible lure. In RL too, we expect our brains to override unhealthy impulses but, in reality, we are wired to value the unpredictable reward above that which is anticipated, again another prehistoric survival necessity that lingers unhelpfully.