[Spoilers] Discussion Topic: Season 9

[stardustmelody]

Michy, if you are still around...can you let me know any behind the scenes activities?   Were there any cute moments between cast?  I am sure this was hard on both Johnny and Kaley and Jim and Mayim because both couples have strong friendships there and playing this must have been difficult for both.  So anything you can share there?

[kimbee73]

And yes..this is part of it.  The writers are yet again making their characters not follow past characteristics and suddenly become different people out of the blue.  I really hate their lack of attention to that and it is very disappointing to watch characters you love suddenly become someone you don't know.   They are really butchering Leonard and Amy and in a way Sheldon because he too is acting different   It just seems too far-fetched that suddenly everyone drank the same water and went nuts.

How is Sheldon acting different. He was pushing for an answer....he needs closure....they did a whole episode dealing with that. He probably kept asking just like in that episode about him being annoying....she left and never answered. He said...."She knows I'm right."

To me it sounds exactly like that.

Leonard has kissed others while dating another....not that out of character....he also hooked up with someone who was out with Howard, even if she said that she was never going to see him again. And he knew this was wrong. HE had told Sheldon the same thing when she left with Lalita who was out with Raj. I am not sure why this seems out of character for Leonard. He is not a saint. I agree that it makes no sense that the writers did this to them but it isn't out of character. He has done this before. I don't care if he really thought he was in a relationship with Priya or not, he still kissed Alice and that was not right.

[wowbagger]

Wow. So..... the writers did everything we thought would be most disastrous for them to do, and found creatively soapy and terrible ways of doing them? I am.... impressed, actually.

a ) Sheldon and Amy break up: aie aie aie. Really? Amy flies off the handle in a moment of.... something....... during the S8 finale, and takes a breather because Sheldon is 'too much'. After enduring S6!Sheldon, S7!Sheldon and Runaway!Sheldon, a Sheldon who murmurs one dumb thing during a makeout session is apparently the Sheldon she can't deal with. But fine, fine, fine. I'm hoping that the break will induce Amy to think about what she truly wants out of a relationship with Sheldon, and for Sheldon to use his words and not put the burden of driving the relationship on Amy the whole damn time. 'Surely they won't break up over this', I think.

And indeed, no, they don't break up over this. They break up over the return of S6!HR Office!Sheldon, making a special appearance just so as to give Amy an excuse to break up with him, because what the writers really want is some sort of on/again, off/again relationship, because the writers' romantic ideal is apparently Ross and Rachel off Friends.

b ) Leonard and Penny get married, only to discover that the shadow of Leonard's little playmate is to always come between them: holy shit, writers. You pulled the Leonard kiss out of your bumholes last season, and I thought 'Well, surely they won't get married now. Leonard sabotaged the wedding! They'll have an honest conversation about their doubts and fears and re-establish their relationship on honest, adult ground.' I would SUCK if Penny were to just shrug her shoulders and go through with it. Why would you bring up a revelation so devastating and go nowhere with it?'

Well, they're not going nowhere with it. The girl's still around, but now the stakes have been taken up a serious degree. Because what the show really likes for Lenny is the constant shadow of the sexuality or romantic past of one partner or the other. Because.......the writers have been watching a lot of David Mamet, I guess? Lord knows.

[Tensor]

Didn't I call it first?

I don't think so T, I think you got one of the words, but I believe I was the first to get the whole title.  I'll go back and check in the morning, if I'm wrong I'll post that I'm wrong. If I'm right, I won't say anything. How's that?

[kazzie]

Michy, if you are still around...can you let me know any behind the scenes activities?   Were there any cute moments between cast?  I am sure this was hard on both Johnny and Kaley and Jim and Mayim because both couples have strong friendships there and playing this must have been difficult for both.  So anything you can share there?

We didn't see much of anything as nearly everything was shot on swing sets. There was a few out takes with Johnny. 1 With Mayim 1 with Jim. Thats about it.

[stardustmelody]

We didn't see much of anything as nearly everything was shot on swing sets. There was a few out takes with Johnny. 1 With Mayim 1 with Jim. Thats about it.

Ah...okay..thanks.   Thanks for letting me know.

[tmp]

I don't think so T, I think you got one of the words, but I believe I was the first to get the whole title.  I'll go back and check in the morning, if I'm wrong I'll post that I'm wrong. If I'm right, I won't say anything. How's that?

Nah, no worries.  I'm just running my mouth--or fingers.  I don't actually care.  LOL

[djsurrey]

So if I understand this correctly the unexpected twist was that Leonard still works with boat girl. Wonder who it is and if it is someone we know already.

Also sounds like it ends with Leonard on the couch with Sheldon. I find it interesting that Sheldon is completely faithful but also a complete ass and that Leonard is an easy to get along with nice guy but also a cheater.

[veejay]

 

On 12.8.2015 at 9:08 AM, djsurrey said:

So if I understand this correctly the unexpected twist was that Leonard still works with boat girl. Wonder who it is and if it is someone we know already.

Also sounds like it ends with Leonard on the couch with Sheldon. I find it interesting that Sheldon is completely faithful but also a complete ass and that Leonard is an easy to get along with nice guy but also a cheater.

It's a sitcom, isn'it?

BTW, thank you so much, kazzie  

Edited March 24, 2016 by veejay

[phantagrae]

I haven't yet read all the comments and I'm eager to read the actual taping report, but from preliminary information (and I haven't gone in the chatroom, either--been installing my Windows 10, and I love the new browser!), but I'm surprised at how people are surprised that Sheldon and Amy actually broke up.

We all know it's not the final situation for their relationship and they're not going to remain broken up.  Weren't all the Shamies clamoring for Amy to kick Sheldon's butt to the curb after he ran off last season?  I remember seeing all these posts about how he should have to grovel to get her back and that she should give him the cold shoulder or make him "win her back", and now that they're more or less in that position, people are pulling their hair out?

I think that several people predicted that Sheldon wouldn't understand or deal well with the idea of a temporary lull in their relationship.  Not ever having been in a relationship, he wouldn't understand the subtleties of Amy needing space or for how long.  He was ready to propose, so as far as he's concerned, they were on the verge of a big new step.

I don't think the writers wrote themselves into a corner.  I think this was obviously planned last season from the way they talked at ComicCon and the fact that it's the same group of writers.  This is one of their mini-arcs and isn't going to define the entire season.  Yes, it is a comedy and that's their overall aim, but that doesn't mean that there can't be the occasional serious moment or episode with serious consequences.

This reminds me of the weird protests that went up back in the days of MASH because that comedy dared to do a serious episode.  People were all, "It's a comedy?  Why are they being all serious?"  It's ridiculous, IMO.  I think that TV is much more flexible and much more able to handle both serious and funny subjects and moments.  Just as they handled the death of Mrs. Wolowitz last season, they will handle this relationship bump or crisis in a way that will blend the seriousness of Sheldon and Amy trying to get past this with the comedy of who they are and what they do.

Amy is not above backing off from her Sheldon adulation.  He sometimes gets on her nerves or makes her angry or impatient.  We saw that in the episode where she first went to work at CalTech and she got mad at him over his behavior.  She shut the door in his face.  Also, when they fought about Wil Wheaton.  She wasn't above hanging up on him and again shutting the door in his face.

So, if in this case she already felt the need to take a step back only to find him pestering her after only 11 hours, I can understand her answering his question with a yes, we're broken up.

I don't think this means "drama" (as if that's a bad thing) for the season or that either of them is going to be weeping their way through every episode.  Life is a series of ups and downs and these characters could realistically experience all of it.  Just like when Leonard and Penny first broke up.  That was a serious moment and it had consequences for a couple of seasons.

They don't really have that kind of time now, and I don't think anyone's going to be in a bad status for any length of time, but even if Sheldon and Amy stay broken up for a few episodes, in the end it really is going to be happy endings all around and it's all going to be okay.  To me, this is like reading a good novel--ups and downs, twists and turns, but in the end, it's all good.

IMO

[nickelette424]

Star him chasing her IS comedy though. And to me that sounds pretty darn funny And ending with them walking together is such a good sign Stunned like you are but for different reasons. I am stunned that Shamy fans cannot see the positives in this episode and are focusing on a throw away line. Dont know what people expected But personally I don't Shamy was the couple put through the ringer in this episode Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry, I have to disagree.   Their storyline started off okay,  but I can't say I am happy with the way it ended.   I'm not distraught by it,  but happy is definitely not the word I would use.   I felt so heartbroken for Sheldon and felt like Amy let her emotions get the better of her.   Sheldon is pretty destroyed by this and at the end of the scene with Penny I saw someone who felt a bit betrayed.  That doesn't make me happy.   And while Jim was fantastic tonight and I do like that they are showing how affected by this Sheldon is,  I can't say I am a fan of all of the drama.  The problem is to make the story work the drama has to continue with both storylines.   Too much for this show if you ask me. 

Edited August 12, 2015 by nickelette424

[rachelshamyfan]

To quote Penny

"Is it a drama, is it a comedy, nobody knows"

 

It's a comeda or dramedy

Or something

[djsurrey]

Sorry, I have to disagree.   Their storyline started off okay,  but I can't say I am happy with the way it ended.   I'm not distraught by it,  but happy is definitely not the word I would use.   I felt so heartbroken for Sheldon and felt like Amy let her emotions get the better of her.   Sheldon is pretty destroyed by this and at the end of the scene with Penny I saw someone who felt a bit betrayed.  That doesn't make me happy.   And while Jim was fantastic tonight and I do like that they are showing how affected by this Sheldon is,  I can't say I am a fan of all of the drama.  The problem is to make the story work the drama had to continue worry both storylines.   Too much for this show if you ask me. 

If it was the end of the series it would bother me. 

As it is this makes more sense to me for Shamy than the #coituscoming hash tag. They will make up and the Shamies will be all the more excited.

 

[phantagrae]

Sorry, I have to disagree.   Their storyline started off okay,  but I can't say I am happy with the way it ended.   I'm not distraught by it,  but happy is definitely not the word I would use.   I felt so heartbroken for Sheldon and felt like Amy let her emotions get the better of her.   Sheldon is pretty destroyed by this and at the end of the scene with Penny I saw someone who felt a bit betrayed.  That doesn't make me happy.   And while Jim was fantastic tonight and I do like that they are showing how affected by this Sheldon is,  I can't say I am a fan of all of the drama.  The problem is to make the story work the drama had to continue worry both storylines.   Too much for this show if you ask me. 

I don't think it's too much.  Sheldon was clueless as to what it was that set Amy off, but he usually is because he has such an inability to empathize, especially when it comes to the emotional subtleties of others.  Because his mind is working on several things at once, he sees no problem in thinking about a TV show while he's making out with Amy, even if he's enjoying making out with her.  She's thinking romance, he's thinking about asking her advice about the TV show.

When she wants to take a timeout, he doesn't understand what that means--a few hours?  Again, I think he thinks that she just needs to sleep on it, or eat a Luna bar or something.

I think he was upset when she told him in the finale, but I would say he was more confused than "destroyed".  He wasn't weeping or moping.  He was wondering what his next step should be, I think.  But just like his attempt to make Amy like Wil Wheaton by giving her the ST:TNG DVDs, he doesn't really get what the core of the problem is.  When he spoke to Leonard and Penny about Amy just after she left, he had no idea why she was upset.  And I think she was upset over a lot of little things that had kind of added up.

It wasn't just the distractedness, but the way it was a symptom, in her mind, of some larger issue, which is what she needed to think through.  But since he didn't get it, he thinks she's had enough time to think about it or whatever and then pushes her.  And she pushes back.

It makes sense to me.

[tmp]

We always get a little myopic when we focus so much on one individual episode at a time.  This is just one page of an approximately 240 page (10 seasons times 24 episodes) novel.

[mirs1]

Of course I can't judge now, I have to watch the episode first, but from what I get from the wonderful people who informed us about the taping (thanks again very much)  Sheldon is regressed, he is as sexist as Sheldon in Season 6  and as annoying as Sheldon in Season 2 for the pressure he is getting on Amy. The point is that fighting for Amy may be something good for him, and I was kind of rooting for it; but that should make him progress in some sense (even remaining himself, with all his quirks and everything) but like this...I don't know. Of course, it may turn out very different on screen, lets see...now I'm disappointed...

[nickelette424]

No she wasn't....he was being insensitive.....like he is a lot. To me it sounded like he was pushing her to make a decision if they were broken up or not and she said you know what we are.....They know their characters and just like he tried to get her to tell him he was annoying, it sounds here as if he wanted closure and she gave it to him.

That's my take. And as much as I love Ramona....not in a million years....he hated her.

I was at the taping that is not how I saw it at all.  He really wanted to know what was going on and he wanted her to speed up whatever time she needed.   That's why he told her she doesn't have all the time in the world for them to have babies. 

[3ku11]

Im sorry Ppl.defending Sheldon? Everyone should feel.sorry Amy. Shes been 99% in.the relationship, and maybe Sheldon 0.1%. And after five years, Sheldon reinforces why she broke up with him. By being selfish, dismissive, controlling, and obsessive. No matter who you are that is not a healthy relationship. By saying your heartbroken for Sheldon, your not only defending his actions and behaviour the past four seasons, but also belittling Amys feelings, and acting like they are not justified. Sheldon.deserved to be dumped, far as im.concerned. As a Amy fan it upsets me, they persist with.the Shamy relationship, when all Amy gets is struggle, its almost depressing at times, s4 was only good season. Sorry this is 100% Sheldons fault, shape up you better be a man lol. 

[fitzsimmons]

Michy, if you are still around...can you let me know any behind the scenes activities?   Were there any cute moments between cast?  I am sure this was hard on both Johnny and Kaley and Jim and Mayim because both couples have strong friendships there and playing this must have been difficult for both.  So anything you can share there?

Lots of cute Kaley/Johnny stuff. Their barrier chat with the audience was super early, like after the first two scenes, and when they walked back to the Vegas side of the stage, Johnny had his arm around her the whole way. The scene in the honeymoon suite where they're kissing, they filmed that scene a lot and Johnny said, "I'm messing up on purpose," and Kaley laughed. There were a lot of Kaley/Johnny giggles BTS, actually.

[tmp]

Everyone should feel.sorry Amy.  

On general principles, I don't think there's any way people "should" feel about a given situation.

[nickelette424]

I don't think it's too much.  Sheldon was clueless as to what it was that set Amy off, but he usually is because he has such an inability to empathize, especially when it comes to the emotional subtleties of others.  Because his mind is working on several things at once, he sees no problem in thinking about a TV show while he's making out with Amy, even if he's enjoying making out with her.  She's thinking romance, he's thinking about asking her advice about the TV show.

When she wants to take a timeout, he doesn't understand what that means--a few hours?  Again, I think he thinks that she just needs to sleep on it, or eat a Luna bar or something.

I think he was upset when she told him in the finale, but I would say he was more confused than "destroyed".  He wasn't weeping or moping.  He was wondering what his next step should be, I think.  But just like his attempt to make Amy like Wil Wheaton by giving her the ST:TNG DVDs, he doesn't really get what the core of the problem is.  When he spoke to Leonard and Penny about Amy just after she left, he had no idea why she was upset.  And I think she was upset over a lot of little things that had kind of added up.

It wasn't just the distractedness, but the way it was a symptom, in her mind, of some larger issue, which is what she needed to think through.  But since he didn't get it, he thinks she's had enough time to think about it or whatever and then pushes her.  And she pushes back.

It makes sense to me.

Phanta,  I was at the taping and to me Sheldon seemed rather affected by all of this.   He seemed pretty destroyed by it to me, especially at the end of the scene with Penny. 

[3ku11]

Sheldon was susposed to learn about this 1. With Proton 2. Train Trip. He has learnt nothing clearly.in terms of social.awareness sensitivity towards others. 

[kazzie]

OK so just a small recap tonight. We didn't take notes tonight as we just wanted to enjoy it.. Honestly I had a really crap day in line thanks to the twitter stuff. So we just wanted to enjoy the taping stress free away form getting every scene exec with notes... This may even not be in order.. Sorry! But you will get the just

So here you go... Season 9!

 

Cold open:

We start with Lenny in a wedding chapel. They are picking which wedding package to go for and debating if they are doing the right thing. Leonard's phone starts ringing. Its Sheldon.

Sheldon is kind of hysterical, Asking to know if they got married yet. When leonard reply's no, Sheldon starts warning Leonard off of marrying Penny saying that Women hurt you. And the hurt is like a paper cut.. But the pain is deeper. Sheldon then breaks the news that Amy had ended their relationship.

Leonard is quite taken back and passed the news onto Penny. Penny takes out her phone immediately to call Amy. Amy picks up the phone. She is sitting in her apartment. Penny asks if she is ok and Amy is quite upset.. Like a sort of depressed down. She says she's not ok and if penny could come over.  Penny declines explaining what was going. This upsets Amy more feeling left out of the wedding. 

Penny says "Aw Amy don't be upset". Sheldon hears this on his phone and becomes kinda hysterical asking if they are speaking t Amy and asking if she is asking about him then climbing he doesn't care. they then goes and tells Leonard to go get married and YAY for love sarcastically. 

Scene A.

Amy is leaving her apartment, She locks her door and turns around to see Sheldon there. This startles her and she takes a step back while asking what he was doing there. Sheldon says "you need time, I gave you time". Its only been 11 hours... replies Amy. "I'm not ready to talk yet". Sheldon accepts this then asks where Amy is going. He later starts accusing her of seeing another man and becomes a little insulting about it. Amy dismisses his accusations. He accepts this and offers to walk Amy to wherever she is going, She hesitates but accepts his offer and tells him she is going to Howard and Bernadettes apartment to watch Lenny's on a webcam feed. Sheldon is offended that he didn't receive and invitation and further claims they are his friends. Amy explains they probably didn't want it to be awkward so only invited Amy. As they start to walk together, Sheldon see's this as them being back together. "So now we are together again". Which didn't go down well.

Scene B.

Leonard and Penny are getting briefed by minister about the ceremony. They confirm with each other they defiantly want to do this. There was a few jokes thrown around here about rose petals on the floor... 

Scene C.

Howard and Bernadettes living room. Everyone is sitting around waiting for the wedding to start on TV. Amy mood is low while everyone is being apologetic to her. Howard makes his normal jokes. Amy is explaining that Sheldon wasn't getting the break thing. Then They all spot Sheldon standing outside at the window. He is offended he wasn't invaded and also stated he needed the bathroom. Bernadette told Howard to sort this out. He did so by closing the drapes. 

Scene D.

Leonard and Penny are walking down the aisle. The minister asks if they had prepared vowels. At the same time. Leonard answers Yes and Penny Answers No. Penny is a little surprised that Leonard had some prepared. They were really geeky and science related. Like an equation. It was super sweet. Penny's vowels came off the top of her head. She quoted the "You've got a friend in me" Lyric from Toy Story. It was incredibly clever and sweet.

Scene E

Back in the wolowitz lounge. Everyone (now including Sheldon) are sat around the TV watching the wedding. Sheldon directs a conversation at Raj explain gin if he had noticed the lack of affection between him and Amy it was because she broke up with him. Raj replies that it wasn't in his top 10 of things he was thinking about. Sheldon then throws another comment at Amy about taking her time. on figuring stuff out. Sheldon then accuses people of taking sides when Bernadette asks Sheldon to drop it. Sheldon then keeps the tension going by saying while he can produce eggs, her ability to do anything with them (I can't remember the line exactly here) Will expire soon. She she had better make up her mind quickly. Amy is completely offended by this. She stands up and says in an angry voice "Sheldon, You are immature, Selfish and you are insuring me to my face, I don't need anymore time. Ive made up my mind. We are broken up" and then storms out the room. 

Bernadette goes after Amy. Sheldon just stands there. He asks someone to take him home to which Raj stands up and offers. They leave the room leaving Stuart and Howard on the couch. The next thing we hear the minister on the TV saying "You are now Husband and wife" Everyone had missed the ceremony because of Sheldon and Amy's fight.

Scene F

Penny and Leonard arrive back at their hotel room. Leonard carry's (struggling) Penny over the threshold and over to the bed. They start to kiss passionately. Penny seems off though. Leonard senses something is wrong and asks whats wrong. Penny admits that the kiss on the boat was still bugging her a little. but says she can move past it and starts kissing Leonard again. Leonard breaks off the kiss trying to make Penny feel better by explaining the kiss was terrible and he even chipped her tooth. Penny asked if he felt guilty. Leonard replied that not so much as she had dental insurance. not quite getting the question. Penny clears it up for him. He does feel guilty. When it happens and every time he sees her. 

This came as a huge shock to Penny. We learn that Leonard kissed a girl he works with and see's regularly at work. Penny is not impressed.

 

Scene G.

Penny and Leonard arrived back home. Arguing as they walk up the stairs. Leonard at his door shouts "I may have been unfaithful, but but.. but.. At least Im not hard to lift. Penny has a shocked look on her face ad Leonard walking into 4a slamming the door behind him. Sheldon is standing there and makes a sarcastic comment about marriage. 

 

Scene H

Amy is sitting with Howard, Bernadette at the Wolowitz kitchen table. They are consoling Amy who is evidently still upset. Stuart makes a move on her by sayifn about other man and putting his hand on her shoulder. Amy is like "Really?"

Scene I

Sheldon goes over the Penny's apartment with a tray of Tea. He has problems knocking on the door. (Funny stuff). Sheldon and Penny start taking about how rough their relationships are. He also mentioned that the girl Leonard made out with was brilliant and attractive. He says he should start dating her to get back at Amy. But then decided its to farfetched because she went for a guy like Leonard and has low standards. Penny replied that she is with Leonard. Penny gets on to the subject of him and Amy. Sheldon is obviously being very angry and not understanding the situation. Penny says to him "Well sorry, Its not my fault Amy thinks you're a bad boyfriend"

Sheldon is quite taken back by this. He seems unable to let this sink in. You can tell he is upset and angry. He collects all the mugs and tea. then leaves swiftly. 

Tag

Sheldon and Leonard sitting in 4A on Leonard's wedding night. They are both bummed and complaining about women. Sheldon is listing why Men are better. He mentioned madam Curie is the exception because she had a Penis for Science. Leonard mentioned he can't believe this is how he is spending his wedding this way. Sheldon wasn't surprised. 

 

That's all from memory. If I remember anything else I'm happy to add. IM also happy to answer questions.. Sorry its not that in depth. 

 

[veejay]

Sheldon was susposed to learn about this 1. With Proton 2. Train Trip. He has learnt nothing clearly.in terms of social.awareness sensitivity towards others. 

3. send him to Penny...

[Bavarian ShamyShipper Girl]

Kazzie, thank you so much for reporting! I have a question: How did it act on you? I don't know whether this is the right expression for what I mean. It all sounds quite tough to me, but I wasn't there, and I wonder how it appeared to somebody who attended and got the mood/vibes of it all.

Edited August 12, 2015 by Bavarian ShamyShipper Girl