Ship Zone [Spoilers] Shamy: Season 9

[jenafan]

54 minutes ago, Soopysue said:

Was there a line about Meemaw not wanting to give the cookie recipe but Mary making her ?

This thread has moved way too many pages for me to try to go back and refer to the posts I've read, so I will try to reference from memory:

I think Meemaw liked Amy all along.   I think she likes her now.   

I think the term "I don't like you" is not in reference to Amy herself, but in reference to Amy's behavior toward Sheldon.   Two different things here.  

Some have called into question Meemaw's right to question Amy, but I think she had every right due to her bias for her grandson.   She wants to make sure that her moonpie is marrying the right person.   If Amy broke up with him before, because of who Sheldon is, I'm sure she wants to put away any reservations that Amy is going to leave him again when things get difficult.  She's testing Amy to see if Sheldon is really what she wants.

Amy telling Meemaw, "Well, maybe I don't like you" is not that she doesn't like Meemaw as a person.   She doesn't like being put on the spot, but as someone said earlier, sometimes I think Amy enjoys being the bad guy.

Regarding the revelation of the ring, I understood it was an accidental revelation and not intentional.    Meemaw didn't intend to ruin Sheldon's surprise, but obviously because she didn't see the woman sitting next to her as just Sheldon's girlfriend, but his future bride, the ring was foremost on her mind.  She wanted to stop Sheldon from making a mistake if she discerned anything that might make Amy unworthy of his consideration.

I'm not surprised that Meemaw is a bit tough.   Look at the daughter she raised.   The apple doesn't fall from the tree, and Meemaw probably respects Amy for defending herself.   It proves to her that Amy is exactly what Sheldon needs for a partner, but she just needed to be sure.   By Sheldon making his defense, Meemaw knows Sheldon is not heartbroken anymore and is sure of his future with Amy as well.  

Everything is copacetic between all.   It's a wonderful thing!

Edited January 13, 2016 by jenafan

[Soopysue]

6 minutes ago, jenafan said:

This thread has moved way too many pages for me to try to go back and refer to the posts I've read, so I will try to reference from memory:

I think Meemaw liked Amy all along.   I think she likes her now.   

I think the terms "I don't like you" is not in reference to Amy herself, but in reference to Amy's behavior toward Sheldon.   Two different things here.  

Some have called into question Meemaw's right to question Amy, but I think she had every right due to her bias for her grandson.   She wants to make sure that her moonpie is marrying the right person.   If Amy broke up with him before, because of who Sheldon is, I'm sure she wants to put away any reservations that Amy is going to leave him again when things get difficult.  She's testing Amy to see if Sheldon is really want she wants.

Amy telling Meemaw, "Well, maybe I don't like you" is not that she doesn't like Meemaw as a person.   She doesn't like being put on the spot, but as someone said earlier, sometimes I think Amy enjoys being the bad guy.

Regarding the revelation of the ring, I understood it was an accidental revelation and not intentional.    Meemaw didn't intend to ruin Sheldon's surprise, but obviously because she didn't see the woman sitting next to her as just Sheldon's girlfriend, but his future bride, the ring was foremost on her mind.  She wanted to stop Sheldon from making a mistake if she discerned anything that might make Amy unworthy of his consideration.

I'm not surprised that Meemaw is a bit tough.   Look at the daughter she raised.   The apple doesn't fall from the tree, and Meemaw probably respects Amy for defending herself.   It proves to her that Amy is exactly what Sheldon needs for a partner, but she just needed to be sure.   By Sheldon making his defense, Meemaw knows Sheldon is not heartbroken anymore and is sure of his future with Amy as well.  

Everything is copacetic between all.   It's a wonderful thing!

Great post, thanks Jena  

[April]

16 minutes ago, kerrycec03 said:

No Meemaw liked Amy but her breaking his heart jaded her and Amy's face when Meemaw says this speaks hugely that Amy sorta f'd this up. Coupled with the now knowledge of the ring it was a bit more humble pie for Amy that she totally tore him apart during the break. It was actually good to see this.

Thanks for the info. Looking forward to whatever else you got. For now, have a safe journey home! <3

As said in my initial post, I'm glad that his heartbreak isn't brushed under the rug. It was a big deal for so much of the first part of the season. Not that I would have wanted/needed Amy to have some more humble pie (good lord, give the girl a break!) but I'm also glad that it's brought up in this way, i.e. by a third person being concerned and not something brought up by Sheldon himself cause at this point that could come up more accusatory than possibly intended, as if he had some lingering resentment which doesn't seem to be the case, thank goodness.

[Carm6773]

6 hours ago, camelliayao said:

Oh please don't let it be Amy proposing to Sheldon and Sheldon freaking out.

I think Amy is too much of a traditionalist to propose.

[brilliantfool]

1 hour ago, kerrycec03 said:

Constance

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ok to clarify the virginity line.

Amy scratches his shoulder and smiles stupidly after "we have your blessing" implying "so about this ring" and Sheldon says "cool your jets woman I just gave you my virginity". Then he smiles at Meemaw and back at her.

My take it was also directed at fans like you just got sex relax engagement is coming.

I dont think she was hounding it was cute for sure.

Waiting to board in a few but if u have any questions let me know. It was fantastic

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

i like how he can "read" her facial expressions and gestures now..

Remember how he was so clueless before?

Like many times Amy would even mention something somewhat blunt, he'd still be not sure if she meant that (like in the 'Commitment Determination', where he couldn't even figure out why she was mad even though it was so obvious!) and now even when she's not saying it with words he knows what she means

[CentralPerk]

4 hours ago, April said:

Nothing would make me happier if they have some fun with that! I'd love to see some playful teasing between them. It's a forgone conclusion that he will ask and she will say yes. And they both know it. There's no indication for any sort of commitment angst lurking around the corner or whatever - so you might as well let those two lovebirds be cutesy and flirty about it - in their own unique awkwardly way, of course!

 

And as Sheldon kinda reproaches Lenny to go slow after their engagment, when shamy will be engage they will marry less than 1,5 years. (Always hope for 10.2 as Amy said).

[mphs95]

17 hours ago, vonmar said:

I'm both looking forward to and anxious to see them Skype again.  The last ones were so sweet.  I had to go back and read the taping report for this weeks show to remind myself about those two scenes.  I have the feeling that we are going to get a couple of very classic Amy and Sheldon conversations.

Where are the taping reports again? 

[Soopysue]

1 hour ago, April said:

Thanks for the info. Looking forward to whatever else you got. For now, have a safe journey home! <3

As said in my initial post, I'm glad that his heartbreak isn't brushed under the rug. It was a big deal for so much of the first part of the season. Not that I would have wanted/needed Amy to have some more humble pie (good lord, give the girl a break!) but I'm also glad that it's brought up in this way, i.e. by a third person being concerned and not something brought up by Sheldon himself cause at this point that could come up more accusatory than possibly intended, as if he had some lingering resentment which doesn't seem to be the case, thank goodness.

Yes exactly  

[April]

3 hours ago, Lionne said:

Amy and Sheldon will be engaged by the end of the season, unless they throw some crazy monkey wrench into the season finale, as they have the past two years. What worries me now is that Amy knows about the ring, so she knows that he planned on proposing, so how do they set up the engagement with any element of surprise or enough tension to get the audience's attention? Now that Amy knows, everyone knows, so how do you create a set up for a heartwarming engagement that doesn't feel like...well, obviously he'll propose, and obviously she'll say yes, so let's get snapping show, and just do it!

So my fear is one more Shamy fight, or some sort of tiff. I really, really, really don't want to see Amy nag Sheldon about the ring, but now that she knows, how can she possibly contain herself from wanting to talk about it? But knowing Sheldon, who has every right to be really pissed off about Amy knows about the ring - it steals his thunder, he cannot possibly surprise her, now she's expecting it and he doesn't get to pick the right place and time based on his own decision because now that she knows long long will she wait? - because the element of surprise and his control over the whole thing has been taken away. So if Sheldon feels defensive and upset about this, all Amy will have to do is say, "Sheldon, do you want to go take a walk, maybe talk about–" and he's going to cut her off with, "it's all about the ring to you, isn't it. Nag nag nag." And then maybe Amy will punch him in the balls. No, wait, Amy will probably snap her jaw closed and look hurt or puzzled or mad or all of the above, and swallow it. So then Amy will either look like a nag to some or a doormat to others, and I have no interest in going back to all that.

First of all, I don't think that'll happen. Or at least there's no indication for any problems of that sort right now. Yeah, yeah, writers are bastards and all that but for the last episodes everything is honkey dory as they hammer home with one shippy moment after another how much in love and committed these crazy kids are.

Quote

I think that the writers have teased it all out since last year's finale when they showed up the ring, it needs to happen this season and Lord knows I hope it's doesn't mean we need another fight or any more drama to make it happen.

So do you guys want to see it happen?

I was thinking that...maybe just at home, because Sheldon feels happiest doing things out of his spot. Perhaps him in his spot, saying that her spot is always going to be that place right next to him, when she isn't in that spot, he feels now like something is missing, and incomplete. And he wants it to be complete forever, and then he gets on one knee (on his spot, LOL) and then brings out the ring box.

That might not be all fairy lights and flowers and in the rain and romantic and stuff, except that it IS depending on what he says. The other options would be...at the aquarium, at the zoo (finally seeing them at the zoo!) or, and this would be brilliant, if they went back to the original coffee shop where they met and Sheldon proposes to her there. And I am kinda partial to the coffee shop idea, the more I think about it.

Like you I can see it going into different directions.

As said in some other posts, they could have some fun with this and have Sheldon plan some romantic or otherwise meaningful dates and have everyone asking in anticipation "is this it???" just for it to turn out that no, he just wanted to have a nice time with her. And then he eventually asks when Amy doesn't even expect it anymore. lol

But yeah, I also like the idea of him asking in a situation that is terribly domestic and private as to say "this is what I want with you for the rest of our lives" because let's face it, most of married life isn't about these special outings in fancy restaurants or other meaningful locations. There's quite some romance in the thought of wanting to share the banalities of every-day-life with someone and in the case of Sheldon and Amy that life would be filled with adorable quirkiness!

So yeah, I think even though with Amy knowing about the ring some of the surprise is gone now, I don't think that means that the proposal can't be interesting or meaningful. I mean, it's like with them having their first time - we knew it would happen, the characters knew it would happen, but that didn't make it any less meaningful or important.

Edited January 13, 2016 by April

[MJistheBOMB]

5 hours ago, Érika Souza said:

Please, where is? I just saw few parts about the episode and the opinions.. Isn't there a complete one? 

If you haven't seen one around that means there's no report right now. Sorry. 

Nevermind, I saw that others linked to one.

 

[Soopysue]

Script cover is up, but title got a sharpie over it - can not see much !! 

[rachelshamyfan]

 

Also it's so much nicer in here than the discussion thread right now

[Lionne]

2 minutes ago, rachelshamyfan said:

Also it's so much nicer in here than the discussion thread right now

Isn't it nicer here than in the discussion thread....all the time?

[rachelshamyfan]

4 minutes ago, Lionne said:

Isn't it nicer here than in the discussion thread....all the time?

Er yes!

[CentralPerk]

Humm. With Bill's tweet this episode (9.15) will maybe be important or they want to show us we approach the 200th episode (with the arrow). Why these clues ??

Edited January 13, 2016 by CentralPerk

[jlove]

Ok fellow Shamies, I typed up this report on the plane home just now. I've just landed and have another hour or so until I'll be home, but I thought I'd post this at least for you all real quick.  Sorry in advance that this is so long; it's pretty detailed so if you like more surprises and don't want that then don't read, but there was so much Shamy/Meemaw detail I wanted to write down that I couldn't resist.  I'll comment later with my feelings on the episode, but suffice to say it kinda hurt to watch after all the dreamy Meemaw meetings we've had in fanfics.  Anyway, here you go.  I haven't decided yet if I'm going to post it on the main thread or not, so please don't do so right now.

The Meemaw Materialization

There were two main storylines this week: Sheldon’s Meemaw visiting and Raj meeting a new woman.  Howardette was really only in the episode as support for the Raj story and Lenny was really only shown as a support to the Meemaw story.

The episode started with Sheldon, Leonard and Penny arriving in the lobby.  Sheldon gets the mail and finds a letter from Meemaw saying she is coming for a visit.  Leonard and Sheldon pick Meemaw up at the airport.  She immediately calls him Moonpie.  :-)
Sheldon says something insensitive to or about Leonard and Meemaw makes him apologize.  Leonard asks is she can stay with them forever.

Back at 4A Sheldon and Meemaw are alone, waiting for Amy to arrive.  When she knocks Sheldon jumps up excitedly and goes to answer the door, telling Meemaw he is sure they will get along great and that they have the same fashion sense.  Amy greets Meemaw and notices right away that Meemaw is sitting in his spot, saying “Even I don't get to sit there” to which Sheldon responds “And you never will.”  Sheldon goes to put Meemaw’s suitcase away, Meemaw telling him not look in the suitcase for presents because he might not only find that, but might also find her “brassieres and bloomers.”  Sheldon says that is a risk he is willing to take and runs down the hall.
As soon as he is gone, while Amy is attempting to make small talk , Meemaw says they should cut to the chase.  Sheldon doesn't know it but the real purpose of her visit is to size up Amy.  She says Mary may be fine with her but she's not so sure.  Amy is shocked and says she's sure Meemaw will like her once she gets to know her.  Sheldon runs back in with the train set Meemaw got him, oblivious to the conversation that just occurred and asks why Amy doesn't look happy when she'll get to watch  him play with his trains.

Later Leonard and Penny have joined Sheldon, Amy and Meemaw in 4A.  Meemaw calls Sheldon Moonpie again and Amy asks why she uses that nickname.  Meemaw says it is “because he is yummy yummy” before Sheldon, Leonard and Penny all join her to say “and she could just eat him up.”  Meemaw then pointed,y says it is strange how Leonard and Penny know that but Amy doesn't.  Then Meemaw says she heard Penny has a new job and Penny confirms that she is now a pharmaceutical sales rep.  Meemaw says she thinks it's wonderful that women today can have it all:  love and a fulfilling career.  Amy pipes up to say she has a great career as well, but Meemaw says that that doesn't bode well.  Amy is confused and asks why it is good for Penny but not her.  Meemaw says that Sheldon needs a lot more care than Leonard, and also Sheldon has told her that Leonard's job is really more of a hobby anyway.

The conversation deteriorates and it is clear that Meemaw has a problem with Amy.  She basically comes right out and says that she doesn't like her, to which Amy replies that maybe she doesn't like Meemaw either.  Sheldon is literally caught on the middle of the two women, as Meemaw is in his spot and Amy is on the other end of the couch.  Sheldon says they have to like each other, they have a 4:30 reservation at Applebee’s.  Amy says maybe she should go and gets up to leave.  Sheldon tries to stop her, but she tells him that as soon as he left the room earlier Meemaw started being mean to her.  Meemaw says he should let her go and “don't you dare give her that engagement ring you have.”  Right in front of Amy.  Totally intentional, no slip up. Amy immediately asks Sheldon what she means and how long he's had a ring.
At this point Leonard says he and Penny should leave and give them some privacy.  Penny tells him to go ahead, she'll come later.
Sheldon tells Amy that he got the ring from his mother and was thinking about giving it to her before the breakup.  Amy then asks Penny if she knew about this, at which point Penny jumps up with Leonard and leaves “to give them some privacy.”

Mermaw interrupts the conversation and Amy tells him to tell her to keep out of it but Sheldon, obviously uncomfortable with standing up to his Meemaw,  says he can't do that.  Then Meemaw says to tell Amy “that that ring will never be on her finger,” but he says he doesn’t  want to do that, either. Amy also says that if Sheldon wants to propose to her she “doesn’t need her hand-me-down ring.”  (Personal note: Ugh, this scene was really hard for me to watch.). Then I think it is  Meemaw who says Sheldon should leave her and Amy alone to talk.

Leonard and Penny are in 4B, talking about the situation.  Penny tells a story about how things with her grandma were less exciting than that last time she saw her.  Sheldon knocks and comes in, telling them the two women made him leave them to talk.  Then he asks which of them is going to go get his train for him from the apartment.

Amy and Meemaw are alone.  Amy says she knows Meemaw doesn't think she is right for Sheldon, bit that she is “his best shot” and that Meemaw doesn't have any idea how much she puts up with.  Meemaw counters that she knows what it is like putting up with a frustrating, egotistical, hard-headed man because that's what Pop-pop was like.  Amy says “Really?”  Meemaw confirms that there were days when she “wanted to fill his pockets with corn and toss him into the hog pen.”  Amy asks, if that is the case, why she is being so hard on her.  Meemaw says it is because “When you broke up with Sheldon you really hurt him, and I don't want to see that happen again.”

Leonard and Penny come back into 4A, apologizing for the interruption but saying that Sheldon has something he wants to say, to which he replies from the hallway “No I don't.”  However he immediately comes in and sits back down on the couch between Meemaw and Amy once again.  He tells Meemaw that he is sorry, but he has to defend his girlfriend.  Amy is obviously pleased and thanks him.  Sheldon says that he knows Pop-pop was a difficult man, but that he watched them and he knows that Meemaw made him a better man with her patience and love and caring.  He says that these past 5 years that's what he's “been doing with this little work in progress here,” putting his arm around Amy's shoulders as he says so.  Leonard and Penny are still by the door and Leonard comments that he never fails to disappoint.
Amy tells Meemaw “I think what he means is that we've both grown together, right?” looking to Sheldon to confirm.  When he hesitates Penny says “Oh just say yes!” so he does.
Meemaw says that if that is how he really feels, then she won't stand in their way.  Amy asks if that means that if Sheldon wants to give her that ring then they have her blessing to which she replies something unenthusiastic like “I guess so.”  Amy then smiles in her cute excited-but-trying-to-be-coy way, and rubs Sheldon's shoulder, trying to catch his eye.  He looks at her and realizes what she's doing, then exclaims “I just gave you my virginity, cool your jets!” Before smiling at Meemaw and back at Amy.

Raj and Howard are in the comic book store discussing Frozen.  A young woman at the table behind them overhears and joins in the conversation.  Later she is sitting in the chair when they come to sit on the couch and Raj strikes up a conversation, introducing himself and Howard.  Her name is Claire.  It is her first time at the comic book store; she is trying to do some research for a movie she is writing.  Howard says “You’re  a screenwriter?” To which she replies she's actually a (pronounce the slashes here, like in “girl / friend / boy / friend”) “screenwriter/bartender/person who is a month from living in her car.” Raj says he understands because he is a “scientist/party planner/small dog enthusiast/man who probably should have stopped at scientist.”  Claire is excited to hear he is a scientist and asks if she can pick his brain.  What she is writing is an animated sci-if movie for kids.  He agrees, so she gives him her number and leaves.
Howard asks Raj what he is doing since he has a girlfriend.  Raj says it is fine and he'd have no problem telling Emily, though he wouldn't tell her that Claire is attractive.
Later Raj is in Howardette’s kitchen while they make dinner.  Howard tells Bernie Raj was really flirting with this woman and she says that's ok, people flirt.  Howard asks if that means it's ok if he flirts but she interrupts to tell him “Not you, your ass is mine!”  Howard asks Raj how things are with Emily, to which he replies he thinks they're in a good place, but every time something like this happens he wonders if she's the right one for him.  He asks if Howard and Bernadette even had doubts about each other when they were dating.  At the same time she says yes, he says no.  Oops.
Later the 3 are eating dinner and Raj says he has finally made up his mind: he is going to “do the right thing” and call Claire and tell her that he is in a relationship.  Apparently, though, this isn't the first time “he has made up his mind” as they remind him he also told them that he had made up his mind: to break up with Emily, to marry Emily (“and fill her with babies…”LOL), to sleep with Claire as soon as she'll let him, to date both women pretending to be twins, and to ask them for a threesome and pass it off as a joke if they say no.  (Some of these lines were in different takes so not sure what will make the cut, but I thought they were all pretty funny so wanted to mention them.)
He calls Claire and tells her he has a girlfriend, to which she replies “Ok, good for you.”  He then asks her if they didn't have a connection.  She ask why he wants to know if he has a girlfriend, but he convinces her to at least reply and she agrees that they did.  He puts her on hold to tell Howardette excitedly what she said and asks them what his next move should be.  Bernie reminds him that he still has a girlfriend to which he replies “Oh yeah, good catch!”  He tries to hang up then, saying good luck with the movie, but she still wants to meet to get his help on science and tells him they're adults and they can meet without it meaning anything.  Raj, however, says that's not him, as ever since she said they had a connection he's been planning their wedding in his head.  She promises that if he proposes she'll say no.
After the call he tells Howardette that they'll meet just to talk science and Howard asks him when he'll tell Emily, leading Raj to turn on Howard and rat him out to Bernie for something silly he did earlier.
The tag is Raj and Claire on the couches at the comic book store where he is giving her science suggestions for her screenplay.  Then he imagines them in a living room with a little boy on his lap and Claire with a baby in her arms, and she asks him if he ever told Emily about them.

[RoRo]

19 minutes ago, Soopysue said:

Script cover is up, but title got a sharpie over it - can not see much !! 

Makes me wonder if it is a telling title...like maybe they want no one to figure it out

[jenafan]

19 minutes ago, Soopysue said:

Script cover is up, but title got a sharpie over it - can not see much !! 

Um?  I wonder why they are covering the entire title this time, not even giving us a clue?

Something big, perhaps?  

"Shaking in my boots"

[jlove]

15 minutes ago, rachelshamyfan said:

 

Also it's so much nicer in here than the discussion thread right now

Maybe he's annoyed that we guessed the last episode title in .02 seconds from last week's photo.  LOL

[stardustmelody]

Just posted in the episode thread a link to the sneak peeks for 9.13 The Empathy Optimization!

Oh and Production Journal for Episode 9.15 is up!

Edited January 13, 2016 by stardustmelody

[rachelshamyfan]

The taping report sounds good if a bit angsty but that's ok and I especially like the part where Sheldon puts his arm around Amy

[jlove]

3 hours ago, A Shamy gal said:

BTW what is Meemaw's name or did they all call her Meemaw?

Oh yes, how could I forget?  Her name is Constance.

[Tenji]

Ok fellow Shamies, I typed up this report on the plane home just now. I've just landed and have another hour or so until I'll be home, but I thought I'd post this at least for you all real quick.  Sorry in advance that this is so long; it's pretty detailed so if you like more surprises and don't want that then don't read, but there was so much Shamy/Meemaw detail I wanted to write down that I couldn't resist.  I'll comment later with my feelings on the episode, but suffice to say it kinda hurt to watch after all the dreamy Meemaw meetings we've had in fanfics.  Anyway, here you go.  I haven't decided yet if I'm going to post it on the main thread or not, so please don't do so right now.

The Meemaw Materialization

There were two main storylines this week: Sheldon’s Meemaw visiting and Raj meeting a new woman.  Howardette was really only in the episode as support for the Raj story and Lenny was really only shown as a support to the Meemaw story.

The episode started with Sheldon, Leonard and Penny arriving in the lobby.  Sheldon gets the mail and finds a letter from Meemaw saying she is coming for a visit.  Leonard and Sheldon pick Meemaw up at the airport.  She immediately calls him Moonpie.  :-)

Sheldon says something insensitive to or about Leonard and Meemaw makes him apologize.  Leonard asks is she can stay with them forever.

Back at 4A Sheldon and Meemaw are alone, waiting for Amy to arrive.  When she knocks Sheldon jumps up excitedly and goes to answer the door, telling Meemaw he is sure they will get along great and that they have the same fashion sense.  Amy greets Meemaw and notices right away that Meemaw is sitting in his spot, saying “Even I don't get to sit there” to which Sheldon responds “And you never will.”  Sheldon goes to put Meemaw’s suitcase away, Meemaw telling him not look in the suitcase for presents because he might not only find that, but might also find her “brassieres and bloomers.”  Sheldon says that is a risk he is willing to take and runs down the hall.

As soon as he is gone, while Amy is attempting to make small talk , Meemaw says they should cut to the chase.  Sheldon doesn't know it but the real purpose of her visit is to size up Amy.  She says Mary may be fine with her but she's not so sure.  Amy is shocked and says she's sure Meemaw will like her once she gets to know her.  Sheldon runs back in with the train set Meemaw got him, oblivious to the conversation that just occurred and asks why Amy doesn't look happy when she'll get to watch  him play with his trains.

Later Leonard and Penny have joined Sheldon, Amy and Meemaw in 4A.  Meemaw calls Sheldon Moonpie again and Amy asks why she uses that nickname.  Meemaw says it is “because he is yummy yummy” before Sheldon, Leonard and Penny all join her to say “and she could just eat him up.”  Meemaw then pointed,y says it is strange how Leonard and Penny know that but Amy doesn't.  Then Meemaw says she heard Penny has a new job and Penny confirms that she is now a pharmaceutical sales rep.  Meemaw says she thinks it's wonderful that women today can have it all:  love and a fulfilling career.  Amy pipes up to say she has a great career as well, but Meemaw says that that doesn't bode well.  Amy is confused and asks why it is good for Penny but not her.  Meemaw says that Sheldon needs a lot more care than Leonard, and also Sheldon has told her that Leonard's job is really more of a hobby anyway.

The conversation deteriorates and it is clear that Meemaw has a problem with Amy.  She basically comes right out and says that she doesn't like her, to which Amy replies that maybe she doesn't like Meemaw either.  Sheldon is literally caught on the middle of the two women, as Meemaw is in his spot and Amy is on the other end of the couch.  Sheldon says they have to like each other, they have a 4:30 reservation at Applebee’s.  Amy says maybe she should go and gets up to leave.  Sheldon tries to stop her, but she tells him that as soon as he left the room earlier Meemaw started being mean to her.  Meemaw says he should let her go and “don't you dare give her that engagement ring you have.”  Right in front of Amy.  Totally intentional, no slip up. Amy immediately asks Sheldon what she means and how long he's had a ring.

At this point Leonard says he and Penny should leave and give them some privacy.  Penny tells him to go ahead, she'll come later.

Sheldon tells Amy that he got the ring from his mother and was thinking about giving it to her before the breakup.  Amy then asks Penny if she knew about this, at which point Penny jumps up with Leonard and leaves “to give them some privacy.”

Mermaw interrupts the conversation and Amy tells him to tell her to keep out of it but Sheldon, obviously uncomfortable with standing up to his Meemaw,  says he can't do that.  Then Meemaw says to tell Amy “that that ring will never be on her finger,” but he says he doesn’t  want to do that, either. Amy also says that if Sheldon wants to propose to her she “doesn’t need her hand-me-down ring.”  (Personal note: Ugh, this scene was really hard for me to watch.). Then I think it is  Meemaw who says Sheldon should leave her and Amy alone to talk.

Leonard and Penny are in 4B, talking about the situation.  Penny tells a story about how things with her grandma were less exciting than that last time she saw her.  Sheldon knocks and comes in, telling them the two women made him leave them to talk.  Then he asks which of them is going to go get his train for him from the apartment.

Amy and Meemaw are alone.  Amy says she knows Meemaw doesn't think she is right for Sheldon, bit that she is “his best shot” and that Meemaw doesn't have any idea how much she puts up with.  Meemaw counters that she knows what it is like putting up with a frustrating, egotistical, hard-headed man because that's what Pop-pop was like.  Amy says “Really?”  Meemaw confirms that there were days when she “wanted to fill his pockets with corn and toss him into the hog pen.”  Amy asks, if that is the case, why she is being so hard on her.  Meemaw says it is because “When you broke up with Sheldon you really hurt him, and I don't want to see that happen again.”

Leonard and Penny come back into 4A, apologizing for the interruption but saying that Sheldon has something he wants to say, to which he replies from the hallway “No I don't.”  However he immediately comes in and sits back down on the couch between Meemaw and Amy once again.  He tells Meemaw that he is sorry, but he has to defend his girlfriend.  Amy is obviously pleased and thanks him.  Sheldon says that he knows Pop-pop was a difficult man, but that he watched them and he knows that Meemaw made him a better man with her patience and love and caring.  He says that these past 5 years that's what he's “been doing with this little work in progress here,” putting his arm around Amy's shoulders as he says so.  Leonard and Penny are still by the door and Leonard comments that he never fails to disappoint.

Amy tells Meemaw “I think what he means is that we've both grown together, right?” looking to Sheldon to confirm.  When he hesitates Penny says “Oh just say yes!” so he does.

Meemaw says that if that is how he really feels, then she won't stand in their way.  Amy asks if that means that if Sheldon wants to give her that ring then they have her blessing to which she replies something unenthusiastic like “I guess so.”  Amy then smiles in her cute excited-but-trying-to-be-coy way, and rubs Sheldon's shoulder, trying to catch his eye.  He looks at her and realizes what she's doing, then exclaims “I just gave you my virginity, cool your jets!” Before smiling at Meemaw and back at Amy.

Raj and Howard are in the comic book store discussing Frozen.  A young woman at the table behind them overhears and joins in the conversation.  Later she is sitting in the chair when they come to sit on the couch and Raj strikes up a conversation, introducing himself and Howard.  Her name is Claire.  It is her first time at the comic book store; she is trying to do some research for a movie she is writing.  Howard says “You’re  a screenwriter?” To which she replies she's actually a (pronounce the slashes here, like in “girl / friend / boy / friend”) “screenwriter/bartender/person who is a month from living in her car.” Raj says he understands because he is a “scientist/party planner/small dog enthusiast/man who probably should have stopped at scientist.”  Claire is excited to hear he is a scientist and asks if she can pick his brain.  What she is writing is an animated sci-if movie for kids.  He agrees, so she gives him her number and leaves.

Howard asks Raj what he is doing since he has a girlfriend.  Raj says it is fine and he'd have no problem telling Emily, though he wouldn't tell her that Claire is attractive.

Later Raj is in Howardette’s kitchen while they make dinner.  Howard tells Bernie Raj was really flirting with this woman and she says that's ok, people flirt.  Howard asks if that means it's ok if he flirts but she interrupts to tell him “Not you, your ass is mine!”  Howard asks Raj how things are with Emily, to which he replies he thinks they're in a good place, but every time something like this happens he wonders if she's the right one for him.  He asks if Howard and Bernadette even had doubts about each other when they were dating.  At the same time she says yes, he says no.  Oops.

Later the 3 are eating dinner and Raj says he has finally made up his mind: he is going to “do the right thing” and call Claire and tell her that he is in a relationship.  Apparently, though, this isn't the first time “he has made up his mind” as they remind him he also told them that he had made up his mind: to break up with Emily, to marry Emily (“and fill her with babies…”LOL), to sleep with Claire as soon as she'll let him, to date both women pretending to be twins, and to ask them for a threesome and pass it off as a joke if they say no.  (Some of these lines were in different takes so not sure what will make the cut, but I thought they were all pretty funny so wanted to mention them.)

He calls Claire and tells her he has a girlfriend, to which she replies “Ok, good for you.”  He then asks her if they didn't have a connection.  She ask why he wants to know if he has a girlfriend, but he convinces her to at least reply and she agrees that they did.  He puts her on hold to tell Howardette excitedly what she said and asks them what his next move should be.  Bernie reminds him that he still has a girlfriend to which he replies “Oh yeah, good catch!”  He tries to hang up then, saying good luck with the movie, but she still wants to meet to get his help on science and tells him they're adults and they can meet without it meaning anything.  Raj, however, says that's not him, as ever since she said they had a connection he's been planning their wedding in his head.  She promises that if he proposes she'll say no.

After the call he tells Howardette that they'll meet just to talk science and Howard asks him when he'll tell Emily, leading Raj to turn on Howard and rat him out to Bernie for something silly he did earlier.

The tag is Raj and Claire on the couches at the comic book store where he is giving her science suggestions for her screenplay.  Then he imagines them in a living room with a little boy on his lap and Claire with a baby in her arms, and she asks him if he ever told Emily about them.

This sounds great. Thanks for taking the time to write this up. It is really appreciated.

I like that Meemaw is a bit hardened. It fits with the type of woman Mary is. It makes sense that she wouldn't be a sweet little old lady especially given the casting choice!

Can I ask, what did you (or any others who were at the taping) think of the actress' performance? I loved her in Nebraska.

[Gbb]

Love the taping report, jlove. Thank you!!

I'll have a lot more to say about the Shamy stuff later but the fact that Claire is a screenwriter makes me wonder if she will eventually be a way to get Penny back into acting?

[Lionne]

Wow, sounds like an amazing episode. I am so realized that Meemaw's dislike of Amy stems from being overprotective. I thought Meemaw liked Amy due to the cookie recipe thing, and was upset at the news she might not have ever liked her just for some irrational reason. But being mad at Amy for breaking up with Sheldon shows that Meemaw loves him and is just trying to be protective, and also that Sheldon clearly confided in Meemaw his feelings about how hurt he was at the time.

jlove, thanks so much for the taping report. You did an amazing job; I know how hard it is to remember all the details.

Edited January 13, 2016 by Lionne