episodes 901 The Matrimonial Momentum (September 21)

[Oldnavy]

The episode was OK, but definatly not what I thought Leonard and Penny's wedding would be like. The show was overboard Sheldon. He was a real jerk. It seems whenever something good is going to happen for Lenny, Sheldon overshadows it or Leonard does something dumb. In this episode, we got both. I did like the line at the chapel about the flowers, and Sheldon's conversation with his mother.

[Radagast]

Ummm yes I was not impressed at all with this episode. I was already ticked off about the retconning of Leonard kissing a girl from the Season 8 finale, and now they are setting this up to be an ongoing storyline. Bleh.

The wedding itself was nice, there were two or three laughs in the episode... but come on, it's the Big Bang Theory and there wasn't one single instance of *anyone* being smart. And the only one who was even geeky was Penny of all people.

Finally... the writers can't seem to decide anymore if Stuart is creepy or depressed, but he sure seems to have some confidence...

[meka3000]

-there wasn't one single instance of *anyone* being smart.

-And the only one who was even geeky was Penny of all people.

-Finally... the writers can't seem to decide anymore if Stuart is creepy or depressed

-Leonard's vows had some intelligence put into them

-again Leonard's vows also fit this.

-does it have to be either/or? Why can't it be both?

 

[Radagast]

-Leonard's vows had some intelligence put into them

-again Leonard's vows also fit this.

-does it have to be either/or? Why can't it be both?

 

Ahh yes I forgot his vows cuz Penny's were funny.

Sure he can be both but right now he seems to flip between them.

[pegcarr]

I really enjoyed the episode laughing out loud on a number of occasions.  I thought the wedding suited the Lenny dynamic and after all it is the marriage that counts not the wedding. The interaction between Shamy was funny and sad with Sheldon not knowing how to deal with emotional pain.  I also liked the Shenny scene with Sheldon having no idea he was insulting Penny.  Looking forward to the rest of the season.  This was a much better episode IMO than 8.01

[stardustmelody]

Variety's Review of the Premiere

TV Line Review of the Premiere (and you can give it a grade)

[Lionne]

Strange episode. I laughed in three places, I think, and that was all. Howard and Bernadette's fist bump might have been my favorite moment of the night. "It's funny because it's true." <---- Yes, they had a way better wedding.

What's actually very strange for me is that I really did not enjoy Jim Parsons performance in this episode, and that is usually never the problem with this show. But I felt that he rushed through all of his lines at least in the cold open, and it just did not feel like his heart was in it at all. He threw in some looks here and there that showed a flash of Sheldon or how Sheldon was feeling underneath, but it really felt like he was rushing through the motions of his acting. For me, that really threw the whole episode off - I could not buy into Sheldon as Sheldon for most of the episode.

The exchange of vows was good, but just like their friends missed their wedding, so did the whole audience. And it was so obvious that the little chapel they were in was a cheap and tacky Vegas place, and they were alone and not surrounded by any of their friends. I felt sorry for them in a way, it seemed so....just the two of them against the world, the two of them there together, without friends, in that tacky place with a cheap wedding package, and thank god that they were sticking together and checking in with each other and going through their wedding - but they seemed so fragile and alone. I wanted to see Penny and Leonard in a lovely place, surrounded by friends and family, in love and absolutely happy to be getting married. Maybe they'd finally give up the ghost on Penny's last name.

But no. A dark and dingy wedding filled with angst and fear, constantly having to check in with each other every 5 seconds that they were okay and they were in love and they were doing the right thing. Swearing they were, actually going through with getting married, only to find out they were not and come home screaming at each other. And since Sheldon was wearing the same clothes the whole time, apparently they were able to....decided to get married that afternoon, drive all the way to Vegas, wait around until it was their turn to get married, go back to their hotel room, fight, drive all the way back, and it was still early enough for the man who goes to bed at 10 to make tea for Penny and then sit around bitching about women with Leonard.

It takes 4 hours to drive from LA to Vegas. It would take another 4 to drive back. I have to say that this episode chalks up to one of the biggest TV magic time benders I've ever witnessed.

On the other hand, that might have been the most likable I found Amy in a long time. I thought that Jim Parsons was really weak this episode, but I thought Mayim was great. Johnny was also heartfelt and great, and at times I'm not sure that Kaley is acting but more going through a series of emotions with her mouth....pursing her lips, smiling, or apparently cleaning her gums with her teeth between lines. She's adorable and can certainly carry herself on that, but she left something to be desired tonight.

Kunal had what, two lines? Bringing in cinnamon rolls or agreeing to drive Sheldon home. Wow, I missed the gang all summer, Raj included. Would it have been too impossible to, you know, let us see the whole gang again after a full summer hiatus? Do you think we don't even want to see Raj? If they think I prefer to see creepy Stuart, they're wrong. Screw Stuart, please get him out of that damn house somehow. Bernie and Howard were great, Simon manages to make all of his lines and actions sing. He's still the unsung hero and consistently the best actor on this entire show.

I did like the scene with Sheldon talking to Mary on the phone. That was the best written dialogue of the night, by far, and the only time Sheldon felt like Sheldon to me. Even in his scene with Penny, something just was not clicking. Actually, his second best scene of the night was with Leonard, the two of them sitting around and bellyaching. And yet...I don't know. As much as Sheldon was acting as if it was a chummy moment, the two of them complaining about girls and their hurt feelings as buddies and supporters again, Leonard seemed barely there. His lips were moving as he answered Sheldon's questions by rote, but mentally and emotionally and of course, by legal marriage, he was in the other apartment, with Penny. Sheldon seemed like little more than an annoying buzz in Leonard's ear - the man has moved on from his best buddy. He's married. He's dealt with Sheldon for so long and is so over it - their chemistry as roommates is flat-lining, it's time for Leonard to move out.

I have been a huge Shelnard fan the entire run of this show - I love those two boys together. From the spoilers, I was not expecting how horrible that ending played out. Sheldon was bitching to a man who is so over him, so over living with him, so over dealing with his bullshit - the heart of the show existing in 4A and that apartment was completely absent.

I'm way more upset by this episode than I expected to be, and for reasons I doubt anyone would expect me to be. But...wow. Empty and heartless and joyless. Lenny had the worst wedding ever. Shelnard just got stabbed to death in front of my eyes. Shamy is broken up. No Raj, but plenty of pasty-faced creepy no-one-gives-a-damn-about-that-character Stuart was there and actually delivering some of the only funny lines of the entire night.

 

Edited September 22, 2015 by Lionne

[rachelshamyfan]

I agree, I thought this show was suppose to be a comedy...I didn't laugh (or even smile) once.
And knowing what's coming the next episodes, I guess TPTB prefer to write a SOAP than a Comedy.

or a dramedy, only without the comedy

[nickelette424]

 

 Actually, his second best scene of the night was with Leonard, the two of them sitting around and bellyaching. And yet...I don't know. As much as Sheldon was acting as if it was a chummy moment, the two of them complaining about girls and their hurt feelings as buddies and supporters again, Leonard seemed barely there. His lips were moving as he answered Sheldon's questions by rote, but mentally and emotionally and of course, by legal marriage, he was in the other apartment, with Penny. Sheldon seemed like little more than an annoying buzz in Leonard's ear - the man has moved on from his best buddy. He's married. He's dealt with Sheldon for so long and is so over it - their chemistry as roommates is flat-lining, it's time for Leonard to move out.

I agree.  I actually think it has been past time for Leonard to move out.  Yet, tptb just don't wanna let it go.  I hate the "three-way marriage" thing.  Lenny can move on and still be there to help support Sheldon through his tough time.  Hell, they are just across the hall, not moving across town.

[tmp]

I was going to wait to watch this episode until all the characters were happier, but I apparently have no self-control.  This one really wasn't my favorite.  The worst part was Sheldon pitifully standing outside the window at H/B's place.  I know it was supposed to be funny, but it was just sad--and adding insult to Sheldon's injury.

For me the highlight of the episode (one of just a couple of moments that really worked, IMHO) was when Sheldon asked Mary if he told her what happened if she would say it was all part of God's plan, and then he decided not to talk about it.  Religion banter between Mary and Sheldon is always priceless.

[djsurrey]

I watched it twice. I found it funny. Vindictiveness seems to suit Sheldon (but perhaps Jim was not into it so much). I think it may have been inevitable that given time the writers would go here.

Of course I was pleased to have a new episode to watch.

Mary thought he should keep the ring. I expect we have not seen it for the last time.

[nickelette424]

I watched it twice. I found it funny. Vindictiveness seems to suit Sheldon (but perhaps Jim was not into it so much). I think it may have been inevitable that given time the writers would go here.

Of course I was pleased to have a new episode to watch.

Mary thought he should keep the ring. I expect we have not seen it for the last time.

Steve has comfirmed that the ring will continue to be part of the story.

[Lionne]

I watched it twice. I found it funny. Vindictiveness seems to suit Sheldon (but perhaps Jim was not into it so much). I think it may have been inevitable that given time the writers would go here.

Of course I was pleased to have a new episode to watch.

Mary thought he should keep the ring. I expect we have not seen it for the last time.

I decided to take your word for it and watched it again. It's not as bad the second time around. I agree that this might suit Sheldon but I don't think it suits Jim. I don't think he's enjoying playing this at all. However, I have to say....there's that moment where Penny says, "I can't believe Amy went through with it." Sheldon's head swivels to look at her, and he fixes her in a Sheldonesque glare and says, "Hang on." Just the way he says the words "hang on" - almost a whole other voice, it's so firm.

I don't think we've seen the ring for the last time either. Mary knows he has it.

One thing I do like is that everyone is responding to the Shamy break up like normal people. I get amused with fan fics where Shamy break up and everyone drops everything in their lives to rush in and interfere and try to get them back together, as if their relationship and making it work is the focus of everyone's lives. I think that the heartfelt words of sorry and comfort people gave - while not dropping their whole lives to rush out and fix it immediately - is normal. And it's so obvious that Amy has no idea what to think or feel at the moment. She breaks up with him, but just awhile later is asking Bernadette, "Are you sure I did the right thing?"

But there were some parts that felt pretty dark, that just don't fit this show well. TBBT is better as a light comedy with loving characters, all of this angst just feels so wrong.

[Chrismo]

I watched it twice. I found it funny. Vindictiveness seems to suit Sheldon (but perhaps Jim was not into it so much). I think it may have been inevitable that given time the writers would go here.

Of course I was pleased to have a new episode to watch.

Mary thought he should keep the ring. I expect we have not seen it for the last time.

I'm with you on this. I actually gotta a big laugh when Howard closed the curtain. The way Sheldon acted in the episode it was certainly deserved.. Of course Mary told him to keep the ring. I think she knows he screwed up and he and Amy will get back together. it's not like he has a lot of other options. 

[Chiany]

I'm with you on this. I actually gotta a big laugh when Howard closed the curtain. The way Sheldon acted in the episode it was certainly deserved.. Of course Mary told him to keep the ring. I think she knows he screwed up and he and Amy will get back together. it's not like he has a lot of other options. 

So Amy breaks-up with him, and he gets shunned by his so called friends?

[djsurrey]

I decided to take your word for it and watched it again. It's not as bad the second time around. I agree that this might suit Sheldon but I don't think it suits Jim. I don't think he's enjoying playing this at all. However, I have to say....

I have noticed during interviews and blooper clips Jim smiles a lot. He just seems to enjoy himself. I kind of think that when Sheldon is getting happily excited about stuff Jim can just let his own demeanor to the surface. Today he might have had trouble choking out some of those lines.

Edited September 22, 2015 by djsurrey

[phantagrae]

-they did show it, just not all of it, to avoid revealing Penny's last name.

-so because they did a low key shotgun wedding (that is more than in character for them mind you) for Lenny that means tptb don't care about them? 

 

What they had was not a "shotgun wedding".

A shotgun wedding would have been if Leonard had gotten her pregnant and Wyatt had forced than to get married (at gunpoint).

[Nogravitasatall]

-they did show it, just not all of it, to avoid revealing Penny's last name.

-so because they did a low key shotgun wedding (that is more than in character for them mind you) for Lenny that means tptb don't care about them? 

 

as said before, more an elopement than shotgun. No one was pregnant or otherwise compelled by external forces. So, not shotgun at all, just hasty and spontaneous. Very Penny, really.

[hokie3457]

I don't get the whole needing to know Penny's maiden name (we know her last name---it's Hofstadter). For me it adds to the quirkiness of the show. I loved the episode. Laughed out loud several times. I thought the wedding was sweet and so completely Leonard & Penny. I could not be more satisfied. Sheldon has some work to do. Perhaps Jim's acting style, showing the confusion and hurt he is feeling over his situation is the sort we have not seen from him. I thought he nailed it. He is a complete mess over this and it came out in spades. This was such a better premiere than season 7 or season 8. Color this The Big Bang Theory fan very happy this morning! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[heimey]

I rather liked this episode. I was REALLY disappointed about the whole season 8 and wanted to stop watching altogether. Anyhow, I gave it a chance and I did not regret it. I find it a big improvement compared to the "crap" in last season.  Certainly not a "Big Bang Classic" but fun to watch.  

Edited September 22, 2015 by heimey

[heimey]

I don't get the whole needing to know Penny's maiden name (we know her last name---it's Hofstadter). For me it adds to the quirkiness of the show. I loved the episode. Laughed out loud several times. I thought the wedding was sweet and so completely Leonard & Penny. I could not be more satisfied. Sheldon has some work to do. Perhaps Jim's acting style, showing the confusion and hurt he is feeling over his situation is the sort we have not seen from him. I thought he nailed it. He is a complete mess over this and it came out in spades. This was such a better premiere than season 7 or season 8. Color this The Big Bang Theory fan very happy this morning! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I agree on THAT.

[4everlenny]

Over all a good episode. Celebrating and  will continue to celebrate Dr and Mrs Hofstadter! Johnny and Kaley were as usual magic together in their one on one scenes creating yet another special Lenny moment.

Still don't like all the heavy drama for Shamy and Lenny when minor obstacles would tell the story just as well. It is a sitcom. The drama hanging over the characters made it hard to laugh. A fight on their wedding night? After a Shamy fight during the wedding! Wish TPTB would just let people be happy once in a while. How is an in character Sheldon supposed to handle this when he has problems with every day events. Worst part was Stuart, he was just creepy. He already dated both Amy and Penny. Unneeded!

 

 

[rachelshamyfan]

Stuart is desperate, creepy and no longer funny, just a sad character to watch

 

[Itwasdestined]

I laughed a lot during the show ( and at different times during my two views)  but can understand the concerns of others in this episode. I found Sheldon wildly fluctuating between some of the funniest parts to some of the more cringe worthy, from saddest to most jerk worthy. Some might say that is Sheldon but I like him best when he is just innocently clueless and straightforward rather than nasty and some of his stuff crossed the line a bit. I still laughed but sometimes awkwardly. Liked his opening rant about breaking information on women, his religious tit for tat with him mum and the Grumpy old men stuff at the end with a very hurt Leonard. His interactions with Amy I found a bit off-putting but he is genuinely hurt and unsure how to act so I'll cut him some slack over the next few weeks to see how that goes.

How you react to Lenny depends on your perspective or long held opinions ( positive or negative), I think. I loved every minute of it because I saw it as the history of their relationship all thrown in to one episode and I enjoy it when that happens. Others will differ but every time they get a "not quite what we want for them" moment or plot I just see the writers sticking to how they have always written them. Leonard overthinking, putting his foot in his mouth, still being awkward with how to deal with life, beautifully thoughtful then stupid soon after. Penny being blasé about everything, pretending not to care then getting caught up in the moment of how she really feels about Leonard, not knowing quite what to say and being unprepared to then nailing it with heartfelt genuineness. I'll go into all that in more detail in the Lenny thread where we like hearing more of that stuff but I think they nailed the Lenny wedding from the doing it alone, to the interruptions from Sheldon and Amy ( and even the lady calling out cutting into the aborted kiss), the gang temporarily caring then not quite sticking to the end, from the pure unguarded joy to the inevitable spanner in the works and unresolved tantrum/sulking that, spoiled or unspoiled, you know will resolve itself as it did many times in Seasons 5-7. 

Agree with the general consensus on Stuart. Liked his response to being not being chosen for sides but the Amy/Penny wishful thinking was .... nah!

Raj had one of those episodes where he just have no reason for real involvement which can happen with him while Bernie and Howard played their middle man/woman role with their usual aplomb. 

Not sure how to feel or react to Amy yet. I need to see more episodes to see how it pans out. Yes the writers threw in plenty of reasons to be pissed off with Sheldon tonight but the original reason for the breakup just isn't standing out for me still.

[meka3000]

What they had was not a "shotgun wedding".

Your right, I meant to say elopement.  But my underlying point still stands.  Just because tptb approached this in a questionable and/or unorthodox manner, doesn't mean they don't care about leonard and penny's wedding/marriage/relationship.

 

Edited September 22, 2015 by meka3000