[Spoilers] Discussion Topic: Season 9

[A.D.A.]

I think concerning the "you only have a limited amount of time" conversation, it was just clumsy writing. The actor delivered that whole sequence quite beautifully (honestly, that was the most moving part of the episode to me), so I didn't notice until the rewatch, either, but logically it's odd. Yes, Sheldon only has a limited amount of time to spend with Amy on this earth, but he only has a limited amount of time to watch Star Wars, too. It's not like Sheldon is immortal or, as far as we know, that you can watch Star Wars after your death (althought that might be interesting). What's in question here is Sheldon's priorities, obviously, and because of the acting I think the scene still worked, but the juxtaposition is basically nonsense unless there were a reason that the time he can spend with Amy is shorter than the time he could spend watching Star Wars (which would be his whole lifetime). Perhaps it should have been made clearer that it might have been about spending a special occasion with her (Amy only has one birthday per year, but you can watch Star Wars every day of the year).

Edited May 25, 2016 by A.D.A.

[April]

10 hours ago, Carlos said:

If he has desires, why hasn't he shown any interest in Amy after the coitus episode? I mean Amy has suggested it several times but he is as oblivious as can be. 

Of course the obvious answer is: Because the writers chose to not tell that kind of story right now. And it wouldn't be the first time that there's such a "drought" before they shower us with fluff again. The real question then is: Why are they doing that? On that point I think most of us are in agreement that they're a bunch of cowards (and even Molaro admitted to that recently lol) who like to drag out storylines to the point where suspension of disbelief is stretched to its limits, much to our dissatisfaction.

However, I don't think their intention is to make a point about "Sheldon's desires" or some such nonsense. Shamy were never that touchy-feely on screen so this is nothing out of the ordinary. Likewise, Sheldon has always been terrible at reading people and recognising when someone is flirting. Having sex doesn't magically "cure" that. So nothing new here either. Then there's also the fact that while Shamy only ever had a few selected moments of hand holding/hugging/kissing/etc. on screen that more was going on off screen. So the question then remains: How much of that is going on outside the little slices of life we got to see this season? For example: Are we assuming that they have never kissed since December?? And I have to say I find that idea somewhat absurd. So far they may have not gone as far as having sex again but I'm pretty certain in those 5 months or so they've followed their usual relationship activities.

Edited May 25, 2016 by April

[BigBang15]

3 hours ago, A.D.A. said:

I think concerning the "you only have a limited amount of time" conversation, it was just clumsy writing. The actor delivered that whole sequence quite beautifully (honestly, that was the most moving part of the episode to me), so I didn't notice until the rewatch, either, but logically it's odd.

You have to remember, it's a dead man saying it. But don't forget, anything Proton-Wan Kenobi says is all in Sheldon's mind anyway.

[Swedish Chef]

9 hours ago, rachelshamyfan said:

There is still more to come, just because Lenny are married doesn't mean it's all over, there is 7 characters to show

To me it´s pretty clear after watching season 8 and 9 that the writers only care or writes good stories for 2 characters. The other characters has almost been totally forgotten and I don´t expect season 10 to be anything different. 

I wouldn´t be surprised if we see Sheldons second cousin before Pennys mother.

[Tonstar17]

http://www.thebitbag.com/big-bang-theory-season-10-updates-whos-new-couple-town/153577

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[djsurrey]

5 minutes ago, Tonstar17 said:

http://www.thebitbag.com/big-bang-theory-season-10-updates-whos-new-couple-town/153577

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The site kind of looks tabloid level so I not sure I'd beleave anything on it.

[April]

They seem to be getting their information from this interview:

http://fanfest.com/2016/05/17/steve-molaro-explains-big-bang-theory-finale/

It's already a few days old so Idk if it's been posted here but I think I've already read all of that before... so nothing new it seems.

[Jonny]

1 hour ago, Lagernisse said:

To me it´s pretty clear after watching season 8 and 9 that the writers only care or writes good stories for 2 characters. The other characters has almost been totally forgotten and I don´t expect season 10 to be anything different. 

I wouldn´t be surprised if we see Sheldons second cousin before Pennys mother.

Not sure I agree, I mean the Howardette baby storyline you would think is going to be a huge storyline that is probably going to bring challenges to the other members of the group. Unless of course they time jump forward which the writers haven't yet ruled out.

Edited May 25, 2016 by Jonny83

[Swedish Chef]

7 minutes ago, Jonny83 said:

Not sure I agree, I mean the Howardette baby storyline you would think is going to be a huge storyline that is probably going to bring challenges to the other members of the group. Unless of course they time jump forward which the writers haven't yet ruled out.

What happened for Lenny and Howardette in season 8 ? Not much I would say.

Lenny has had so good stories by the kitchen island this season.

I don´t think the baby story in season 10 will be much different than it had been in season 9.

[veejay]

17 minutes ago, Lagernisse said:

What happened for Lenny and Howardette in season 8 ? Not much I would say.

Lenny has had so good stories by the kitchen island this season.

I don´t think the baby story in season 10 will be much different than it had been in season 9.

??? 

[Swedish Chef]

3 minutes ago, veejay said:

??? 

spot on @veejay !

[Jonny]

Maybe it was a quiet season for Lenny but maybe that's because they seem to me to be in a good place right now.

What are the outstanding issues? The wedding happened (which I thought was poorly done) but they are getting a re-do by the looks of it (yay!) in Season 10. Penny's career? We are all under the assumption that it's going to be addressed soon in some way. Living arrangements is possibly a biggie but the writers won't touch that with a barge pole right now. Should they have created some kind of marriage crisis to give them more storylines? 

They seem to be in pretty good shape to me.

[veejay]

16 minutes ago, Lagernisse said:

spot on @veejay !

[Swedish Chef]

12 minutes ago, Jonny83 said:

Should they have created some kind of marriage crisis to give them more storylines? 

 Didn´t they do that with the kiss on the boat and the viewing party episode (both stories poorly written).

After a wedding the newly wed usually goes on a honeymoon, that could have been a story for Lenny, but no we better have them behind the kitchen island.

Edited May 25, 2016 by Lagernisse

[Tensor]

59 minutes ago, Jonny83 said:

Maybe it was a quiet season for Lenny but maybe that's because they seem to me to be in a good place right now.

So, it's OK if they don't have good plots or good scenes for Lenny, because they are in a good place?  This sounds so much like the reaction to Lenny complaints about season eight.

[Nogravitasatall]

50 minutes ago, Tensor said:

So, it's OK if they don't have good plots or good scenes for Lenny, because they are in a good place?  This sounds so much like the reaction to Lenny complaints about season eight.

Parked in a good place. Lol. Like Woody Allen's VW Beetle in Sleeper, L/P will start up again when TPTB need it.

[camelliayao]

I don't think "in a good place" is a very responsible thing for writers to say. Having a couple "in a good place" basically means the you don't know what to write for them so you keep them swaying in the background. You keep everything off-screen so the fans can use their imagination without you actually writing anything.

IMO good writers should constantly come up with reasonable conflicts between couples and use their storytelling skills to resolve these conflicts, to make relationships stronger. The writers wrapped up the Mandy thing in two episodes, which made the huge season 8 finale cliffhanger look like a waste of time. Also every conflict between Lenny in this season is either stupid (for example, the inconsistent Lenny financial problem. Another example would be when Penny can't remember Leonard's birthday) or left unresolved (The psychologist, The viewing party). 

They're in a good place not because all the conflicts are resolved, but because literally nothing happened. 

Just like Shamy. Molaro thinks they're in a good place right now. Well of course they are in a "good place" since the you choose to ignore all the potential problems (coitus, communication, living arrangement). 

Similar when Sheldon said "our relationship is stronger than ever" and Leonard said he loves being married to Penny. What we need is for the writers to show us these things, not just tell us. 

 

[luminous]

2 hours ago, Lagernisse said:

 After a wedding the newly wed usually goes on a honeymoon, that could have been a story for Lenny, but no we better have them behind the kitchen island.

Actually...it's been a while since we have seen the both of them behind the kitchen island.

I really miss that.

 

Edited May 25, 2016 by luminous

[Tonstar17]

I don't think "in a good place" is a very responsible thing for writers to say. Having a couple "in a good place" basically means the you don't know what to write for them so you keep them swaying in the background. You keep everything off-screen so the fans can use their imagination without you actually writing anything.

IMO good writers should constantly come up with reasonable conflicts between couples and use their storytelling skills to resolve these conflicts, to make relationships stronger. The writers wrapped up the Mandy thing in two episodes, which made the huge season 8 finale cliffhanger look like a waste of time. Also every conflict between Lenny in this season is either stupid (for example, the inconsistent Lenny financial problem. Another example would be when Penny can't remember Leonard's birthday) or left unresolved (The psychologist, The viewing party). 

They're in a good place not because all the conflicts are resolved, but because literally nothing happened. 

Just like Shamy. Molaro thinks they're in a good place right now. Well of course they are in a "good place" since the you choose to ignore all the potential problems (coitus, communication, living arrangement). 

Similar when Sheldon said "our relationship is stronger than ever" and Leonard said he loves being married to Penny. What we need is for the writers to show us these things, not just tell us. 

 

^^^^

I don't think Lenny are in a good place maybe 70%. I just know I'm going to be disappointed come S10 but I'm trying to be positive because S9x24 had potentials but how many times has my hope being built up for tptb to crush it when you less expect and the darkness that surrounds them in my mind just wouldn't go away. Like you said too much had been swept away with no resolution and then we are expected to believe all is good and Penny wants a redo. Every single argument or issues they had apart from 9x02 wasn't resolved. Penny was a horrible wife to Leonard most of the time in S9 and im expected to buy the redo for Beverley and friends but nothing about her also wanting it because she wants to show how strong their married is. It was a lovely gesture from penny to suggest the redo but for me it fell flat. I'm so tired of Leonard professing his love for penny all the time, 9x24 was a chance for tptb to let penny redeem herself and show everyone how much Leonard means to her with a toast or something instead of Leonard always doing it. but no, we get Leonard again worshipping the ground she walks on. Don't get me wrong loved the episode but felt like as it was penny's idea she should of shown a lot more effort instead of Leonard for once. I'm not holding my hopes up for penny to do something special if they have the redo. Just want penny to show more love to Leonard like he does to her. We know he is happily married to penny but is she? cause tptb missed penny confirming it. Facial expressions alone are not enough. Words speak louder.

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[Carlos]

17 hours ago, Mislav said:

So, Sheldon is obliged to have sex with Amy anytime she wants, and if he isn't interested then, he isn't interested in such things at all? 

No, Sheldon is not obliged to do anything, but it is very sad that a character demonstrates having sexual urges and that the other one shows no interest at all. Also you know full well that I did not say what you're proposing I said. Furthermore it is not a matter that if he isn't interested then, then he has no interest at all in such things, it is the fact that he has shown NO interest at all (in Amy sexually) for an extended period of time. Btw, that'd be fine too, if Amy felt exactly the same, but she clearly doesn't.

15 hours ago, April said:

Of course the obvious answer is: Because the writers chose to not tell that kind of story right now. And it wouldn't be the first time that there's such a "drought" before they shower us with fluff again. The real question then is: Why are they doing that? On that point I think most of us are in agreement that they're a bunch of cowards (and even Molaro admitted to that recently lol) who like to drag out storylines to the point where suspension of disbelief is stretched to its limits, much to our dissatisfaction.

However, I don't think their intention is to make a point about "Sheldon's desires" or some such nonsense. Shamy were never that touchy-feely on screen so this is nothing out of the ordinary. Likewise, Sheldon has always been terrible at reading people and recognising when someone is flirting. Having sex doesn't magically "cure" that. So nothing new here either. Then there's also the fact that while Shamy only ever had a few selected moments of hand holding/hugging/kissing/etc. on screen that more was going on off screen. So the question then remains: How much of that is going on outside the little slices of life we got to see this season? For example: Are we assuming that they have never kissed since December?? And I have to say I find that idea somewhat absurd. So far they may have not gone as far as having sex again but I'm pretty certain in those 5 months or so they've followed their usual relationship activities.

I totally get where you're coming from and somewhat agree with you. The part where I start disagreeing is when you start to mention all the things that might (or might not) have gone on off-screen. No, I mean absolutely not. We are NOT supposed to fill in the blanks. What goes on off screen is NOT canon. They might have kissed since December or they might not (I know it's likely they did). But assuming certain things happened off screen is a slippery slope. If they want to communicate something TPTB don't have to show it but can refer to it , even if it is in passing, or even if it is very briefly, but at the very least they have to suggest it, don't they?

It pains me for Amy's sake how indifferent he has been to her after the coitus episode. Why is it that in Sheldon's case we are supposed to start imagining a lot of things that might or might not have happened off screen, but in Amy's case we can actually see her desires in full display of the viewing audience? (Making it canon, btw)

[Carlos]

5 hours ago, Jonny83 said:

Maybe it was a quiet season for Lenny but maybe that's because they seem to me to be in a good place right now.

What are the outstanding issues? The wedding happened (which I thought was poorly done) but they are getting a re-do by the looks of it (yay!) in Season 10. Penny's career? We are all under the assumption that it's going to be addressed soon in some way. Living arrangements is possibly a biggie but the writers won't touch that with a barge pole right now. Should they have created some kind of marriage crisis to give them more storylines? 

They seem to be in pretty good shape to me.

In regards to Lenny issues:

1) Living arrangements.

2) Penny's snarkiness.

3) Hiding things from each other.

4) Lack of on screen empathy.

5) Penny's dislike of her job.

I could go on but why bother. As newlyweds they seem to be in an awesome place. Yeah, right!!!!!

Finally, they don't need to create a marriage crisis to write for Lenny. As 9.24 proved Lenny can be not in a crisis and be funny together.

[Lady in Red]

2 hours ago, Carlos said:

They might have kissed since December or they might not (I know it's likely they did). But assuming certain things happened off screen is a slippery slope.it If they want to communicate something TPTB don't have to show it but can refer to , even if it is in passing, or even if it is very briefly, but at the very least they have to suggest it, don't they?

In 9x18 Penny tells Amy that she and Sheldon will be making out that evening.

Penny: Sheldon, did you draft the contract?

Sheldon: You bet I did.

Penny: Ooh. You’re gonna make out so hard tonight.

So, this would imply Shamy kissing is going on off-screen.

[Carlos]

1 hour ago, Lady in Red said:

In 9x18 Penny tells Amy that she and Sheldon will be making out that evening.

Penny: Sheldon, did you draft the contract?

Sheldon: You bet I did.

Penny: Ooh. You’re gonna make out so hard tonight.

So, this would imply Shamy kissing is going on off-screen.

To me it implies that that's what she wants. Don't know if it happened or it didn't . Not canon.

[luminous]

2 hours ago, Lady in Red said:

In 9x18 Penny tells Amy that she and Sheldon will be making out that evening.

Penny: Sheldon, did you draft the contract?

Sheldon: You bet I did.

Penny: Ooh. You’re gonna make out so hard tonight.

So, this would imply Shamy kissing is going on off-screen.

Knowing Penny, you can also see this line as pure sarcasm.

[Tensor]

Penny was talking about how excited Sheldon was going to get, because he was drawing up a contract.  And Penny how much Sheldon enjoyed that.