[Spoilers] Discussion Topic: Season 9

[2L344]

I enjoyed tonight's episode and the arguments really didnt seem major, just squabbles. The Raj/Howard pissing match was laughable...moral judgements aside about Raj dating two women, I just saw it as Raj turning the tables on Howard. Remember just how annoyed Raj got at Howard back  when he and Bernie were dating? All the times when Howard made a production about having a gf and rubbing it in Raj's face...Raj is having his moment in the sun. I dont see it lasting though...

 

Edited April 22, 2016 by 2L344

[stardustmelody]

41 minutes ago, Chrismo said:

I think the reviewer does make an interesting point. While the show tonight wasn't very good overall Amy observations about Penny and Sheldon were spot on. I'm not totally sure Penny realizes what she does and to a lesser extent what Sheldon does.  I think Leonard has been too close to the situation and Amy made him realized what's going on. I'm not convinced that Amy wants to move in but wants Lenny to move out. While the next two episode appear not related to Lenny and Sheldon in 4a the reviewer may be right about a revealing finale. Maybe a move to 4b?

THe thing is...Sheldon is not very adept with social protocol and nuances...but Penny is quite aware of them.  So how Penny has not realized that she needs to step aside and let Sheldon's girlfriend be there for him when sick, and needing comfort, etc. is beyond me.   It tells me that she is too focused on her own need to mother him and to avoid dealing with her own issues.

I do hope that Jessica is correct and that this will all come out in the next couple of episodes and lead somewhere because these "wishy-washy" endings to episodes are annoying.  I felt that way with the Meemaw one (not terribly convinced she was supportive of Amy, but more resigned because she saw how much Amy meant to Sheldon), and this one...no real resolution or "feel good" ending to it.   Just sort of a ho-hum ending.  I guess in many ways my "Sheldon" side comes through. I like closure and all the i's dotted and t's crossed.  I don't like vague endings.

Edited April 22, 2016 by stardustmelody

[rachelshamyfan]

2 hours ago, Carlos said:

Yes, got it. Thanks. April explained it in the post before yours. My bad, I thought you meant the whole season.

The first 9 episodes of the season were not so good for shamy either, though things have improved rapidly since, though Amy being insecure with Penny Sheldon is just nonsense but that's jmo

[Tensor]

 

31 minutes ago, Chrismo said:

 I think Leonard has been too close to the situation and Amy made him realized what's going on.

This rather useless episode was nothing more than a repeat of 7.21 IMO, with characters moved around a bit.   There is a fight (because then Bernadette and Amy go off so they don't have to listen to Penny whine or Sheldon obsess and tonight because the writers have Penny more interested in supporting someone she considers a nutcase, rather than her husband), Penny gets pissed at Leonard and her and Sheldon go off on their own.  Amy tells Leonard about how she wishes her and Sheldon were closer than Penny and Sheldon, making Leonard aware of Amy's insecurities with Penny two years ago.   They've just ignored it since then, evidently hoping we'd forget about it since then.    The only difference was Howard and Raj fight and split tonight, instead of watching a gore fest together.  But note how they don't use Raj after the split and used Howard after the split only to get everyone to the emergency room, where the don't have to talk about anything and  could just sweep everything under the rug.  

 

31 minutes ago, Chrismo said:

Maybe a move to 4b?

 

Which could have been done back in 9.03.  There is nothing this year, except for the night Leonard and Penny returned from Vegas (which was before 9.03 anyway) that couldn't have been done with Leonard and Penny moving into 4B in 9.03.  Sheldon confronting Penny in the shower in 4B instead of 4A or even tonight, Sheldon going to 4B to ask the questions.    It's funny how pissed they had Penny become, back in season 7,  because she thought Leonard wasn't supporting her desires, but when she very visibly doesn't support Leonard, against someone outside their relationship, in his desires, they have Penny get pissed at Leonard.  

[djsurrey]

1 hour ago, joyceraye said:

No idea, I'm afraid. I imagine it's the viewers who are nine years older than when they first watched it but now have more money to spend. What do they advertise ? If it's replacement items for what viewers bought nine years ago they'll be on to a good thing I daresay.

I'm thinking young adults before kids have more disposable income. Lenny could have been a young family with kids a long time ago if the writers were eager to go there. Instead we had Penny drag her feet for years. Now she is dragging her feet on separating from Sheldon. Of course who can blame her when you see Leonard be so impressed with Raj dating two girls? They stay focused on the angst and tomfoolery of young people.

Edited April 22, 2016 by djsurrey

[Tensor]

it's not about disposable income, it's about who the advertisers want to reach.  18-49 year olds are more difficult to reach than those over 50, as, in most cases, those over fifty watch more television.  If the advertisers miss them on one show, they will pick them up on another so there is no reason to pay for the more expensive advertising on higher rated demo (18-49) shows.  No so much with 18-49 or even in the 18-34 category, who are even harder to reach on TV advertising.   Those are the demos the advertisers are trying to reach on TV.   

[wowbagger]

17 minutes ago, Tensor said:

 

This rather useless episode was nothing more than a repeat of 7.21 IMO, with characters moved around a bit.   There is a fight (because then Bernadette and Amy go off so they don't have to listen to Penny whine or Sheldon obsess and tonight because the writers have Penny more interested in supporting someone she considers a nutcase, rather than her husband), Penny gets pissed at Leonard and her and Sheldon go off on their own.  Amy tells Leonard about how she wishes her and Sheldon were closer than Penny and Sheldon, making Leonard aware of Amy's insecurities with Penny two years ago.   They've just ignored it since then, evidently hoping we'd forget about it since then.    The only difference was Howard and Raj fight and split tonight, instead of watching a gore fest together.  But note how they don't use Raj after the split and used Howard after the split only to get everyone to the emergency room, where the don't have to talk about anything and  could just sweep everything under the rug.  

 

There's been more than a few episodes this season (especially the back half) which have felt to me like rehashes of Season Seven dynamics. Pssst- show, if your hard-on for Season Seven lasts longer than four episodes, it might be time to see a doctor.

[luminous]

37 minutes ago, Tensor said:

It's funny how pissed they had Penny become, back in season 7,  because she thought Leonard wasn't supporting her desires, but when she very visibly doesn't support Leonard, against someone outside their relationship, in his desires, they have Penny get pissed at Leonard.  

"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you."

Penny should take this saying to heart from time to time.

[Jonny]

The only way I think the living arrangement solution can be resolved in an amicable way is for Sheldon to be the one to instigate it or play a major part in the decision. Any other way and I think there will be major conflict.

[kerrycec03]

The only way I think the living arrangement solution can be resolved in an amicable way is for Sheldon to be the one to instigate it or play a major part in the decision. Any other way and I think there will be major conflict.

I do think he is getting there. Leonard has been ready for a long time and is kicking & screaming to move on. To me its Penny dragging her feet as a fear of moving on. As long as she can use the Sheldon needs is card it holds her back. JMO

[djsurrey]

4 hours ago, 2L344 said:

...moral judgements aside about Raj dating two women, I just saw it as Raj turning the tables on Howard. Remember just how annoyed Raj got at Howard back  when he and Bernie were dating? All the times when Howard made a production about having a gf and rubbing it in Raj's face...Raj is having his moment in the sun. I dont see it lasting though...

It has lasted too long for my liking already.

I guess there is always different ways of looking at things. To me it is about respecting another as a person rather than as an object or plaything. What happened to Raj's empathy for others? He is an empathetic as house guest but a self centered ass as a boyfriend. I don't buy it. Multiple personality disorder?

 

Edited April 22, 2016 by djsurrey

[April]

5 hours ago, stardustmelody said:

From Jessica Radloff/Glamour:  The Big Bang Theory "The Viewer Party Combustion" Recap: Did You Catch the Major Spoiler About the Season Finale?

I'm not sure how much she actually knows or if this is just guesswork. But either way I'm glad this kind of stuff is picked up by the press now - if only to give the writers a signal that yes, people would like for this to finally happen!

And yes, I'm also in the camp of: This feels like a building block for future developments and pretty please let the living arrangements be addressed in the finale! They could have a lovely heart-to-heart between Shelnard with both agreeing that it's time. Third time's the charm! Hopefully.

As for the general "OMG THIS IS S7 ALL OVER AGAIN UGH" criticism: I think that's kind of the point - not just with this but other episodes as well. A lot of these issues have been brought up in the past but never been resolved or the episodes played out in a way that felt rather unsatisfying or undermining the point they presumably tried to make. But more often than not I feel what they handle those stories a lot better now. If nothing else I can see the character development since then making all the difference. (Yeah yeah, I know some of you don't agree with that either, whatever...)

Like, instead of just moping around by themselves Amy and Leonard bring up the concrete issues at hand and confront Penny and Sheldon this time. In fact, I think it's one of the few times Leonard actually stands up for himself and isn't giving in. Go Leonard, that spine suits you!

[Chrismo]

5 hours ago, Tensor said:

 

This rather useless episode was nothing more than a repeat of 7.21 IMO, with characters moved around a bit.   There is a fight (because then Bernadette and Amy go off so they don't have to listen to Penny whine or Sheldon obsess and tonight because the writers have Penny more interested in supporting someone she considers a nutcase, rather than her husband), Penny gets pissed at Leonard and her and Sheldon go off on their own.  Amy tells Leonard about how she wishes her and Sheldon were closer than Penny and Sheldon, making Leonard aware of Amy's insecurities with Penny two years ago.   They've just ignored it since then, evidently hoping we'd forget about it since then.    The only difference was Howard and Raj fight and split tonight, instead of watching a gore fest together.  But note how they don't use Raj after the split and used Howard after the split only to get everyone to the emergency room, where the don't have to talk about anything and  could just sweep everything under the rug.  

 

 

Which could have been done back in 9.03.  There is nothing this year, except for the night Leonard and Penny returned from Vegas (which was before 9.03 anyway) that couldn't have been done with Leonard and Penny moving into 4B in 9.03.  Sheldon confronting Penny in the shower in 4B instead of 4A or even tonight, Sheldon going to 4B to ask the questions.    It's funny how pissed they had Penny become, back in season 7,  because she thought Leonard wasn't supporting her desires, but when she very visibly doesn't support Leonard, against someone outside their relationship, in his desires, they have Penny get pissed at Leonard.  

While I agree most of the episode was useless the discussion between Leonard and Amy was different. Leonard thought Amy was being insecure for no reason. His perspective was Shenny had been friends a long time and didn't think any thing of it. This time Amy cited things the two do for each other and this gave Leonard a perspective he never realized. That's why I believe he didn't back down this time. I agreed this could been resolved back in 9.3 but that'swhy the writers came up with Mandy and the Shamy break up to stall Leonard moving out.

[kerrycec03]

This wasnt a recycled plot to me either. Amy hit Leonard with a stick about the weirdness of Shenny and he had a ah-ha moment finally. And both stood up to Penny here. Plus yea one could say its a rehash of season 7 making the finale this season a flip flop of united engaged Shamy and troubled Lenny (aka one bolts). JMO but I have been feeling it head in this direction for the second half of this season and I think it could be great writing.

But this felt difference, deeper than season 7s episode

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[Jonny]

Raj needs an intervention, I don't think ignoring it and leaving him to work it out will work in his case. Like I said on the episode thread I am getting to the point where I hate Raj and I can't believe i'm thinking that.

[kerrycec03]

Raj needs an intervention, I don't think ignoring it and leaving him to work it out will work in his case. Like I said on the episode thread I am getting to the point where I hate Raj and I can't believe i'm thinking that.

See Raj's plot is the comedy relief in all this. Of course this "playing" will blow up but with the others so coupled up it works for me

Raj needs an intervention, I don't think ignoring it and leaving him to work it out will work in his case. Like I said on the episode thread I am getting to the point where I hate Raj and I can't believe i'm thinking that.

See Raj's plot is the comedy relief in all this. Of course this "playing" will blow up but with the others so coupled up it works for me

[Jonny]

2 minutes ago, kerrycec03 said:

See Raj's plot is the comedy relief in all this. Of course this "playing" will blow up but with the others so coupled up it works for me

For me at first the storyline had a bit of amusement but it died down pretty quickly when he went on his bragging tour.

I don't want the Raj character to end up alone, just find one woman for him to be with. Raj is always at his best when he's trying to be supportive to one of the members of the group but is borderline over the top, or when he displays some of his hilarious metrosexuality moments like we saw recently with the giant bear episode.

I think the prospect of Raj settling down with one woman and her having to deal with some of his quirks and metrosexual behavior could be hilarious. And I wouldn't pick Emily or Claire as the woman for him to settle down with, neither are clearly the 'one' with the way he has been behaving.

But that's just my opinion.

[Chrismo]

25 minutes ago, kerrycec03 said:

 

 

This wasnt a recycled plot to me either. Amy hit Leonard with a stick about the weirdness of Shenny and he had a ah-ha moment finally. And both stood up to Penny here. Plus yea one could say its a rehash of season 7 making the finale this season a flip flop of united engaged Shamy and troubled Lenny (aka one bolts). JMO but I have been feeling it head in this direction for the second half of this season and I think it could be great writing.

 

 

But this felt difference, deeper than season 7s episode

 

 

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But this is all means nothing if this isn't all resolved in the season finale.

[kerrycec03]

 

 

This wasnt a recycled plot to me either. Amy hit Leonard with a stick about the weirdness of Shenny and he had a ah-ha moment finally. And both stood up to Penny here. Plus yea one could say its a rehash of season 7 making the finale this season a flip flop of united engaged Shamy and troubled Lenny (aka one bolts). JMO but I have been feeling it head in this direction for the second half of this season and I think it could be great writing.

 

 

But this felt difference, deeper than season 7s episode

 

 

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But this is all means nothing if this isn't all resolved in the season finale.

Come it will not be "all resolved" in the season finale. There will be a cliffhanger or two. They love cliffhanger.

[JE7]

9 hours ago, Carlos said:

Oh, OK makes more sense that way. Thanks. And please don't remind me of S8 finale. That was a crap shoot all around. I didn't mind S7 finale all that much as far as Shamy because I thought Sheldon's taking off was going to be the catalyst and cause of lots of personal growth. Sadly not the case.

As far as Raj, excuse me, Ugh Raj, honestly, who cares, right?

Here You forgot the legal disclaimer don't wanna get sued

Ugh Raj (TM) is a property of Wowbagger Industries Inc.

[Tensor]

3 hours ago, Jonny83 said:

The only way I think the living arrangement solution can be resolved in an amicable way is for Sheldon to be the one to instigate it or play a major part in the decision. Any other way and I think there will be major conflict.

Yeah, because it would be weird for a married couple to decide to live on their own, without seeking approval from the BGB.   All Leonard and Penny would have to do to solve the living arrangements is just move the fuck out. 

[Denise07]

RE: Raj, as things are now, the only outcome I will be satisfied with is that both women stomp all over him.  Then after a good long recovery from heartache and a hard lesson learned maybe he cautiously ventures back out into the dating world.  But some time alone and maybe some party planning would be good for him.  Will it happen?  Doubt it...I think they will milk this story line as long as they can.  And hey, we have Leonard admiring and supporting it so...

[Jonny]

4 minutes ago, Tensor said:

Yeah, because it would be weird for a married couple to decide to live on their own, without seeking approval from the BGB.   All Leonard and Penny would have to do to solve the living arrangements is just move the fuck out. 

If they want to move out that way that's their prerogative, I am just saying if they want it to happen without drama or conflict then it would be best if Sheldon instigates the move. That's in my view the 'perfect' smooth transition way to do it but I have little confidence that the writers would do it that way.

I think Lenny should be living in their own place it's long overdue. But I don't want to see characters getting hurt in the process, especially if they can find a way to resolve it without doing that.

[Chrismo]

2 minutes ago, Denise07 said:

RE: Raj, as things are now, the only outcome I will be satisfied with is that both women stomp all over him.  Then after a good long recovery from heartache and a hard lesson learned maybe he cautiously ventures back out into the dating world.  But some time alone and maybe some party planning would be good for him.  Will it happen?  Doubt it...I think they will milk this story line as long as they can.  And hey, we have Leonard admiring and supporting it so...

Raj catch Emily in bed with Stuart?

[Esteben Feynman]

I thought it was a decent episode. If living arrangements aren't brought up by the season finale, then this episode was just a filler and that's all. 

On a side note, Howard and Stewart stole the episode! They were hilarious. Great writing for their characters!