[Spoilers] Discussion Topic: Season 9

[Kathy2611]

Maybe Alicia is the "Dead Hooker" from upstairs.  We never did find out what happened to her after that episode.  Maybe she still lives there and Sheldon occasionally runs into her from time to time.

[wannabechef07]

^Yeah, I thought she was that Alicia too

[SRAM]

2 hours ago, Kathy2611 said:

Maybe Alicia is the "Dead Hooker" from upstairs.  We never did find out what happened to her after that episode.  Maybe she still lives there and Sheldon occasionally runs into her from time to time.

So Frank is the producer she hooked up with?  Sounds like a fanfiction plot.

[kimbee73]

3 hours ago, Kathy2611 said:

Maybe Alicia is the "Dead Hooker" from upstairs.  We never did find out what happened to her after that episode.  Maybe she still lives there and Sheldon occasionally runs into her from time to time.

This is the  Alicia I thought of immediately too.

 

1 hour ago, SRAM said:

So Frank is the producer she hooked up with?  Sounds like a fanfiction plot.

He could be......

[Esteben Feynman]

After reading this post and watching 9x22, I haven't read any negative reactions to Howard. I like how they're giving him all the great lines. "I mean...Come on." Lol. 

[SRAM]

17 minutes ago, Esteben Feynman said:

After reading this post and watching 9x22, I haven't read any negative reactions to Howard. I like how they're giving him all the great lines. "I mean...Come on." Lol. 

Well the scene with him an Amy was awkward.  These are two people who had a serious bonding moment over Neil Diamond, and now they don't know what to talk to each other about?  I think it just confirms that the writers have decided not to be constrained by canon anymore.

[April]

4 minutes ago, SRAM said:

Well the scene with him an Amy was awkward.  These are two people who had a serious bonding moment over Neil Diamond, and now they don't know what to talk to each other about?  I think it just confirms that the writers have decided not to be constrained by canon anymore.

That is exactly what made it so awkward though: They even mention that they had that one bonding moment years ago but then never really hung out alone again after that. I think the show is really just honest about how despite this one spark back then they never did anything with that. It happens!

[Lady in Red]

8 minutes ago, April said:

That is exactly what made it so awkward though: They even mention that they had that one bonding moment years ago but then never really hung out alone again after that. I think the show is really just honest about how despite this one spark back then they never did anything with that. It happens!

The awkward conversation between Howard and Amy hit close to home.  So do the bits about Leonard not being able to smell the wine due to his plugged nose.  I know so many people with allergies, and it can take a lot of fun out of life. 

[mirs1]

19 minutes ago, SRAM said:

Well the scene with him an Amy was awkward.  These are two people who had a serious bonding moment over Neil Diamond, and now they don't know what to talk to each other about?  I think it just confirms that the writers have decided not to be constrained by canon anymore.

Yes, but how much did they struggle in the Scavanger episode before finding that only common interest? apart Neil Diamond, those people really have very little in common, for me it made sense that things were awkward between them. Maybe a little reference to Neil Diamond as an icebreaker could have been nice, but I guess the writers didn't trust the casual viewers to remember the line from Season 7. Maybe they underestimated them, since I've seen many comments on line about this fact; but again, people who bother to comment on line about TBBT can be defined as casual viewers? I've found the episode had some more "serious"  inconsistencies with previous canon, such as Zach's recap of his relationship with Penny. When exactly did they merry if, according to him, they had just one date  before she returned back with Leonard? I assume that date was the New Year Eve episode in Season 4. Also, Sheldon started to play with little-sized trains (the ones that you can put in your mouth) in Season 5, not as a child.

Edited April 29, 2016 by mirs1

[Ginny Hamilton]

9 minutes ago, April said:

That is exactly what made it so awkward though: They even mention that they had that one bonding moment years ago but then never really hung out alone again after that. I think the show is really just honest about how despite this one spark back then they never did anything with that. It happens!

Precisely.  It is even more uncomfortable after making a wonderful connection and then having to admit you did nothing to keep it alive.....  That's so true about our friendships--the lapses.  The resulting awkwardness.  

[Lady in Red]

10 minutes ago, mirs1 said:

Yes, but how much did they struggle in the Scavanger episode before finding that only common interest? apart Neil Diamond, those people really have very little in common, for me it made sense that things were awkward between them. Maybe a little reference to Neil Diamond as an icebreaker could have been nice, but I guess the writers didn't trust the casual viewers to remember the line from Season 7. Maybe they underestimated them,

I consider myself to have been a casual viewer until a few months ago.  TBBT is in syndication, and those old episodes are running all the time.  I would walk into the room, watch for 10 minutes, laugh, and then do some more errands.  So, I never picked up the story line.  I remember late in Season 8, accidentally stumbling onto a current episode, and thinking, "Oh, this show is still airing new episodes."  It was Jim Parsons' appearance that clued me into the current show.  His face is fuller than it was in the first few seasons.

Anyhow, this is a long way of saying that, yes, I think casual viewers would remember the Neil Diamond bonding between Howard and Amy.  What we don't remember, or care about, is all of the angst between couples that seem to take up so much space here.  Just as long as it's funny and I laugh, I'm happy.

Edited April 29, 2016 by Lady in Red

[Esteben Feynman]

33 minutes ago, SRAM said:

Well the scene with him an Amy was awkward.  These are two people who had a serious bonding moment over Neil Diamond, and now they don't know what to talk to each other about?  I think it just confirms that the writers have decided not to be constrained by canon anymore.

I agree with you. Howard and Amy in that scene was way more awkward than it should have been. They have a great bonding moment during the scavenger hunt, it made me a little sad that the writers went back to their characters before the hunt.

[Chrismo]

43 minutes ago, Lady in Red said:

The awkward conversation between Howard and Amy hit close to home.  So do the bits about Leonard not being able to smell the wine due to his plugged nose.  I know so many people with allergies, and it can take a lot of fun out of life. 

Didn't he have surgery for that?

[Tensor]

He had surgery for a deviated septum.  That a doesn't cure allergies.  

[serena_1995]

8 hours ago, Judith said:

Now I would like to take a moment to grieve over the fact that Amy and Howard haven't maintained a friendship since season 7. They have amazing chemistry together and for me were the "surprise" of Scavenger Hunt. I hope them acknowledging that they didn't follow up with the Neil Diamond connection means that something will be done to remedy this in the future, because honestly, Award kicked ass in Scavenger and after Shamy they're my second best duo in the show.

Sidenote: Zack was awesome. But then I've always liked him.

Looking forward to 9x23!

It was just 1 episode where Howard and Amy bonded. Can you honestly say, since the Scavenger Hunt, that Howard and Amy interacted much ? Did they have any funny/memorabe scenes together ? No. Thats the point they are driving home. That they did nothing to keep their friendship alive and are back to awkward again. They were also awkward in The Scavenger Hunt, before they discovered their mutual liking for Neil Diamond.

But when you look at Sheldon/Bernie, they were never awkward. They always got along nicely. Sheldon has scenes with her(and Penny) and you can see that there is comfort, whether Bernie is mad at him for mocking Howard or whether Bernie is trying to give him some helpful advise.

I think its because Sheldon always finds something to talk about with the other person. That breaks the ice, unknowingly.

Edited April 29, 2016 by Serena_nyc1995

[Jonny]

Interactions between characters that rarely interact does add something different to the show, we saw that in a good way with Sheldon and Bernie (or Bernatrix The Warrior Queen lol) and maybe not so much with Howard and Amy. Though I did kind of like the way the writers said we haven't really interacted for years and man this is awkward by acknowledging it.

I would be open to seeing more Shamy and Howardette interaction perhaps they go out together a bit more as it would develop the relationships between different characters and add something a bit fresh. Not only would Howard and Amy maybe benefit from it but also Sheldon and Howard who have a tempestuous relationship at times. Likelihood is that won't happen as there are so many characters, limited episode time and the introduction of the baby is going to have an impact on some of the relationships, perhaps not necessarily in a good way.

Edited April 29, 2016 by Jonny83

[Jonny]

12 minutes ago, Serena_nyc1995 said:

It was just 1 episode where Howard and Amy bonded. Can you honestly say, since the Scavenger Hunt, that Howard and Amy interacted much ? Did they have any funny/memorabe scenes together ? No. Thats the point they are driving home. That they did nothing to keep their friendship alive and are back to awkward again. They were also awkward in The Scavenger Hunt, before they discovered their mutual liking for Neil Diamond.

But when you look at Sheldon/Bernie, they were NEVER awkward. They always got along nicely. Sheldon has scenes with her(and Penny) and you can see that there is comfort, whether Bernie is mad at him for mocking Howard or whether Bernie is trying to give him some helpful advise.

I think its because Sheldon always finds something to talk about with the other person. That breaks the ice.

I agree that Sheldon and Bernie have pretty much gotten along, it's only when Sheldon has put down Howard and she has understandably defended her man and she voiced displeasure towards Sheldon. IIRC she has actually defended Sheldon a couple of times to Howard about Sheldon being the way he is, I remember the brain wedgie comment.

I think the writers  probably won't change the awkwardness between some characters because of a lack if interaction as it adds a bit of comedy. Personally though I would always look at ways to get them to interact more, I would love to see perhaps more Shamy and Howardette interaction as it would add something different.

Edited April 29, 2016 by Jonny83

[Judith]

38 minutes ago, Serena_nyc1995 said:

It was just 1 episode where Howard and Amy bonded. Can you honestly say, since the Scavenger Hunt, that Howard and Amy interacted much ? Did they have any funny/memorabe scenes together ? No. Thats the point they are driving home. That they did nothing to keep their friendship alive and are back to awkward again. They were also awkward in The Scavenger Hunt, before they discovered their mutual liking for Neil Diamond.

But when you look at Sheldon/Bernie, they were NEVER awkward. They always got along nicely. Sheldon has scenes with her(and Penny) and you can see that there is comfort, whether Bernie is mad at him for mocking Howard or whether Bernie is trying to give him some helpful advise.

I think its because Sheldon always finds something to talk about with the other person. That breaks the ice.

I'm well aware that since Scavenger they haven't had any scenes together and this fact and the result of that were addressed in this scene. I really liked them in Scavenger and just expressed how bummed I was that they haven't stayed friends since then in my comment.

Yes, there was awkwardness in the beginning but that doesn't preclude a friendship, especially after they bonded over Neil Diamond. Not to mention that Penny and Bernie are much more socially aware than Amy and Howard which were left alone in a car for the first time and had to work together, without knowing anything about each other and despite having known each other for a few years. That would be awkward for most people.

As for Sheldon, he's in his own world. His social awareness has increased, but he's still oblivious sometimes to how he comes across. The others know that about him so they have a certain way of treating him. What he talks about with other people has to do with what's on his mind and what he likes, he has no intention of breaking the ice with anyone. But because he doesn't care and will just spout out whatever's on his mind, he inadvertently ends up making conversation.

 

[April]

8 minutes ago, Judith said:

As for Sheldon, he's in his own world. His social awareness has increased, but he's still oblivious sometimes to how he comes across. The others know that about him so they have a certain way of treating him. What he talks about with other people has to do with what's on his mind and what he likes, he has no intention of breaking the ice with anyone. But because he doesn't care and will just spout out whatever's on his mind, he inadvertently ends up making conversation.

Yep, Sheldon is definitely good at filling an awkward silence with chatter because of this. Sometimes it leads to more awkwardness (lol) but sometimes it can lead to people feeling surprisingly comfortable with him.

[serena_1995]

2 hours ago, Jonny83 said:

Interactions between characters that rarely interact does add something different to the show, we saw that in a good way with Sheldon and Bernie (or Bernatrix The Warrior Queen lol) and maybe not so much with Howard and Amy. Though I did kind of like the way the writers said we haven't really interacted for years and man this is awkward by acknowledging it.

I would be open to seeing more Shamy and Howardette interaction perhaps they go out together a bit more as it would develop the relationships between different characters and add something a bit fresh. Not only would Howard and Amy maybe benefit from it but also Sheldon and Howard who have a tempestuous relationship at times. Likelihood is that won't happen as there are so many characters, limited episode time and the introduction of the baby is going to have an impact on some of the relationships, perhaps not necessarily in a good way.

Agreed. What I don't like about TBBT is that characters are so rigidly defined by their romantic relationships. I want to see more platonic boy-girl friendships on the show, it shakes things up, instead of watching another couple fight/resolution every episode. I think guys should be able to bond with women they are not sleeping with Lol.

As much as I loved  Sheldon/Penny  and  Bernie/Raj, the others have way too few interactions. So  Sheldon/Bernie was a welcome change.

 I want to see Leonard/Amy , Howard/Penny, Leonard/Bernadette, Howard/Amy have funny scenes and interact in a healthy platonic way without any awkwardness.

Look at FRIENDS - all guys and girls hung out and had funny scenes, even though they were all in serious  romantic relationships at some point or other.Atleast on FRIENDS , none of the pairings were that awkward, that they didn't know what to talk to each other LOL.

You had Joey/Monica, Rachel/Chandler, Chandler/Phoebe, Ross/Phoebe, Joey/Phoebe and even Rachel and Joey were very best friends- so it never got boring ! That is one way of keeping TBBT fresh, too,  if they want 2 more seasons. JMO ofcourse.

Edited April 29, 2016 by Serena_nyc1995

[djsurrey]

17 minutes ago, Serena_nyc1995 said:

 I want to see Leonard/Amy , Howard/Penny, Leonard/Bernadette, Howard/Amy have funny scenes and interact in a healthy platonic way without any awkwardness.

Some of us fans are quite familiar with awkwardness. It is part of TBBT signature I think.

Edited April 29, 2016 by djsurrey

[I Miss Dan]

Even if Amy and Howard only did bond over Neil Diamond in The Scavenger Hunt, but never went to the concert as planned, they still eat dinner a lot together and Amy is close to Bernadette.  They could have casually discussed the work on the science project or even if they'd ever been to a wine tasting since the Valentine's Weekend train trip.  The weirdness WAS weird.

[Lionne]

5 hours ago, Lady in Red said:

The awkward conversation between Howard and Amy hit close to home.  So do the bits about Leonard not being able to smell the wine due to his plugged nose.  I know so many people with allergies, and it can take a lot of fun out of life. 

Which is why Leonard had surgery on his nose awhile back, isn't it? For snoring and such, even though he didn't snore - Penny did. I suppose either the surgery or the writers ability to care about canon and consistency has failed. Allergies? To what? Leonard is lactose intolerant, and allergic to melon and some other things, but he didn't have a spring pollen allergy before, did he? Or it's just the game of rolling tv allergies?

 

Edited April 29, 2016 by Lionne

[Lady in Red]

1 minute ago, Lionne said:

Which is why Leonard had surgery on his nose awhile back. For snoring and such, even though he didn't snore - Penny did. I suppose either the surgery or the writers ability to care about canon and consistency has failed. Guess which one I think it is.

The surgery was to repair a deviated septum.  Allergies are not affected by that and can still cause you to not be able to breathe.

[Chrismo]

I think they have gone to the Leonard and his nose problems a few too many times.