episodes 906 The Helium Insufficiency (October 26)

[Chrismo]

 

This is highly unethical, from a professional point of view, but sadly it often happens for real!!!

And how ethical were Leonard and Sheldon?

^^^^ which is one of the reasons this story arch is so interesting. Usually Sheldon is the "idea" man; Leonard providing proof. Here, Leonard had the germ of an idea that was nudged along by Sheldon's mathematics. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

But you probably won't here about this the rest of the season. It's purpose most likely was to keep Shamy apart. The whole phone app was also to find out Amy was dating so Sheldon couldn't be there.

[mirs1]

And how ethical were Leonard and Sheldon?

Not at all,  but here we were talking just about a colleague who asks some colleagues to add his name in a paper in which he has done nothing, but providing some gas for the experiment...If you want to talk about the fact that the black market is unethical, then I agree with you completely!

[lennyx3]

I liked that episode because it's funny. But I don't like Amy dating around! Starting to be on Sheldons side now...

[son-goku5]

I haven't seen the episode, so I can't tell for sure, but I think the point is a theory is just a theory until somebody can prove or disprove it by an experiment. So you can publish a physics paper (in theoretic physics actually) about a theory if the theory is mathematically coherent (everything is in the right places), but until an experiment says that what you are thinking has a "real world" counterpart, i.e. it describes for real the phenomenon you thinks it describes, it is just a theory, it may or may not be true as a description of that phenomenon. This is one of the reasons for which Sheldon left string theory...it is a very rich and beautiful mathematical theory (even if not really complete at this point) for describing the universe, but up to now no experiment could tell if it describes the universe or not. Actually, Sheldon as a theoretical physicist should be concerned more about the mathematical\theoretical aspect of their joint work...Leonard is the one who should set up the experiment for proving it, so in some sense the Swedish team is stealing Leonard's work...

True, but in this case Leonard had the idea and Sheldon did the math, which is why both are in the paper, so if the Swedes prove their claim, both Leonard and Sheldon would still get the accolates, right?

[ashleyo85]

I didn't find it super hilarious, though, i think they only 2 times i really laughed hard was both Raj's lines

Exactly what I was going to post. Raj definitely cracked me up!

Kaley continues to be fabulous with Penny's facial expressions. She had me laughing a few times too.

But the rest of it was blah. I get the reason for the helium storyline, but I just didn't find it all that funny

[mirs1]

True, but in this case Leonard had the idea and Sheldon did the math, which is why both are in the paper, so if the Swedes prove their claim, both Leonard and Sheldon would still get the accolates, right?

Yes, but maybe, since they (or just Leonard, I'm doubtful about Sheldon) can do the experiment by themselves\himself (even if I don't understand why he/they didn't do it until now), they want to be the one who prove the theory...

Edited October 27, 2015 by mirs1

[Itwasdestined]

To quote so many people here, "I must be watching the show wrong" tonight because I found it hilarious. Maybe because I find it easy to suspend belief in two geniuses being clueless instead of looking for every little fault or basing my enjoyment on one particular character or ships presence and treatment. Maybe it's because every now and then I don't mind low brow situation comedy stylings that make me laugh at what others think are mean spirited. Maybe because I found Kripke walking backwards for dramatic effect hysterical or don't react badly to simple minded drinking games played by a group of friends for the sake of comedy, knowing that in the scheme of things in a sitcom, Amy and nameless people on a dating app will bear no lasting scars next week from a bit of ribbing by friends who have plenty of history at being occasional jerks in the name of laughs. Maybe because I love a Shelnard centric episode that is focused on their careers and not their relationships. Maybe because I don't base my enjoyment of the show solely on the proviso that Lenny must appear together every week ( in my 20+ years of marriage many a day has been spent not in the company of my beloved) or that Shamy must reunite posthaste. Maybe, because I found Seasons 1-2 really funny. Maybe because, like hokie, I'm really enjoying Season 9. Clearly in the minority this time round but each to their own. The Destined clan unanimously loved this one, laughing consistently from start to finish. 

I agree on one thing though. They have sucked the life out of Amy Farrah Fowler.  Mayim is getting nothing funny to work with this season. Give her back her spirit please writers. Everyone else, I'm loving. 

[3ku11]

I think its good Amys shopping around. At least give the girl a taste of a normal boyfriend, and/or consistent happiness. Does not mean its permanent, but the girl needs a change of pace, it could benefit both parties. 

Edited October 27, 2015 by 3ku11

[hokie3457]

To quote so many people here, "I must be watching the show wrong" tonight because I found it hilarious. Maybe because I find it easy to suspend belief in two geniuses being clueless instead of looking for every little fault or basing my enjoyment on one particular character or ships presence and treatment. Maybe it's because every now and then I don't mind low brow situation comedy stylings that make me laugh at what others think are mean spirited. Maybe because I found Kripke walking backwards for dramatic effect hysterical or don't react badly to simple minded drinking games played by a group of friends for the sake of comedy, knowing that in the scheme of things in a sitcom, Amy and nameless people on a dating app will bear no lasting scars next week from a bit of ribbing by friends who have plenty of history at being occasional jerks in the name of laughs. Maybe because I love a Shelnard centric episode that is focused on their careers and not their relationships. Maybe because I don't base my enjoyment of the show solely on the proviso that Lenny must appear together every week ( in my 20+ years of marriage many a day has been spent not in the company of my beloved) or that Shamy must reunite posthaste. Maybe, because I found Seasons 1-2 really funny. Maybe because, like hokie, I'm really enjoying Season 9. Clearly in the minority this time round but each to their own. The Destined clan unanimously loved this one, laughing consistently from start to finish. 

I agree on one thing though. They have sucked the life out of Amy Farrah Fowler.  Mayim is getting nothing funny to work with this season. Give her back her spirit please writers. Everyone else, I'm loving. 

Much more eloquent than I, Itwas . Actually loved the drinking game/app scenes. How often do we sit in front of the tv and have off at things appearing there. Plus they were no harder on the strangers (plus Stuart) than they are on themselves. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Strawberry PopTart Fan]

I loved it too. Laughed a lot. Loved Shelnard and the "bad guy" watching a movie together!Good, silly fun.

[SRAM]

Sheldon and Leonard seemed very season one'ish last night to me.  Is it me or has Sheldon been becoming his season one character again since the break up?  He seems more aware and not like the season 7-8 character anymore, I wonder if he will stay like that throughout this season.

i think the second plot was Penny acting like a 14 year old girl, and since she is the alpha, dragging all her friends along in the silliness.  I don't think anyone meant to be mean, it was just Penny reverting to her cheerleader days and everyone joining in.  I really saw it as Amy's friends weeding out guys for her to date, they were mocking the guys, not Amy, that is why Stuart was in the mix.  This to Penny was the cool girls talking about the guys they thought were cool enough for them to go out with them, it is just that Howard, Raj and Stuart were part of the girls in this.

[phantagrae]

And how ethical were Leonard and Sheldon?

 

But you probably won't here about this the rest of the season. It's purpose most likely was to keep Shamy apart. The whole phone app was also to find out Amy was dating so Sheldon couldn't be there.

Or maybe the two plot lines are simply part of the big picture.  They don't have to be all together all the time.  Sheldon and Leonard ware still working on the elements of their paper, which has been an ongoing plot, just like the breakup.

 So, why would anyone else from the gang be involved in the helium issue or the attempt to perform the experiment?  Not even Howard or Raj would be involved (though I know they were there for the first discussion about the helium.)

As for the rest of the gang, if they know that S/L are going to be busy, why shouldn't they be hanging out together.  And looking in to the dating app, figuring out a way to make it funny by making a drinking game, then finding out about Amy dating seems to be a logical progression of another already established story arc.

 To me, these are not excuses, but normal story developments of two ongoing story lines.

Edited October 27, 2015 by phantagrae

[Kasey]

What I didn't get about the episode was why Amy looked so forlorn about them trying to find her a date when she's been on some already. 

While I think the episodes have been (for the most part) hilarious, I'm not following a natural progression in the storylines. 

[vonmar]

I liked the Sheldon/Leonard stuff.  I loved that the helium dealer was not a "textbook" thug.  Instead he was menacing but witty and clever enough to get into a verbal sparring match with Sheldon.

Really did not like the B-plot. Sad Amy and her childish/mean friends...that did nothing for me.

From Vulture: http://www.vulture.com/2015/10/big-bang-theory-recap-season-9-episode-6.html

"as Amy’s friends take her phone and begin doling out thumbs-ups and mostly thumbs-downs to her potential love matches. It’s all very high school, not terribly funny, and more than a little mean"

"A little sad? Yup, and not just because it wasn’t a fun B-story. Amy is moving on, however unhappy she appears to be about it, and there are still no signs that Sheldon is ready to remove his neurocranium from his gluteus maximus and make a genuine effort to show her the affection, appreciation, and respect she deserves."

[djsurrey]

I haven't seen the episode, so I can't tell for sure, but I think the point is a theory is just a theory until somebody can prove or disprove it by an experiment. So you can publish a physics paper (in theoretic physics actually) about a theory if the theory is mathematically coherent (everything is in the right places), but until an experiment says that what you are thinking has a "real world" counterpart, i.e. it describes for real the phenomenon you thinks it describes, it is just a theory, it may or may not be true as a description of that phenomenon. This is one of the reasons for which Sheldon left string theory...it is a very rich and beautiful mathematical theory (even if not really complete at this point) for describing the universe, but up to now no experiment could tell if it describes the universe or not. Actually, Sheldon as a theoretical physicist should be concerned more about the mathematical\theoretical aspect of their joint work...Leonard is the one who should set up the experiment for proving it, so in some sense the Swedish team is stealing Leonard's work...

Perter Higgs got the Nobel prize in 2013 even though it took essentially a world wide effort and 50 years to find the particle.

[Einstein Von Brainstorm]

I’ve watched it twice now and it was OK :/

 

Through this whole thing I have thought that the story line was interesting, I agreed that Sheldon and Amy both needed to grow up a bit emotionally and that the split would give them both time to mature and see that, what they had was really special, leading them to get back together and be stronger than ever … BUT That episode hurt like hell!

 

I was totally ok with the idea of Amy being all strong independent dating woman, moving on from the man she thought wasn’t serious about her but actually seeing it on screen was heartbreaking!

 

Sheldon asking “If you know anyone” actually seemed about right to me, he watches movies, he sees what people do 

 

Michael Rappaport Was hilarious! and I loved the Sheldon / Leonard / Kripke stuff.

 

A ‘just OK’ episode of Big Bang is still better than most other TV shows though

 

 

Edited October 27, 2015 by Einstein Von Brainstorm
spelling

[Denise07]

Maybe I am watching the episode wrong...but I didn't find Amy sad or forlorn?  She did seem hesitant about the app and not at all into how her friends were going about it.  If anything at all, I almost saw a semi spark of something (almost enjoyment or at least I got a positive vibe) when she admitted that her date with Dave  was "like that." Or whatever her exact words were when the gang was ribbing her about it. I watched the Epi once and this is off of memory. 

She seems ok in this episode in her moving on.  Sheldon doesn't seem happy about his singlehood but at least he is accepting it and respecting her wishes here and giving her space.  As I see things on screen, I think it's up to Amy to make any kind of move re: Sheldon.

I enjoyed the Shelnard plot very much. 

I laughed, I enjoyed it. But that's me. 

 

 

Edited October 27, 2015 by Denise07

[5Mississippis]

I loved this episode! I thought it was wonderful and I had several LOL moments! 

I thought the Shelnard plot was inspired!

Those sneaking Swedes! And I had expected such a higher ethical standard form our friends in Sweden! Putting Leonard and Skippy into such a tumult that they enlist the help of a career hood who is actually somewhat learned with an untrained intelligence. Loved all the Shelnard dialogue and scenes with Kenneth -- from clarifying the nomenclature and semantic digressions, to the 'musical chairs' with the helium tank, to the small helium re-stocking fee, Kenneth offering his services 'if you know where they live, something can be done' and then to Kenneth in 4A 'amongst' the physicists watching Ernest Goes to Jail -- oh the ties that bind! Absolutely wonderful!

LOL at:

Kenneth: 'What hypothesis?'

Sheldon: 'Space-Time can be interpreted as the surface of a superfluid in the n-dimension.'

Kenneth: 'Hmmm … could be. Go on.'

The Kripke moments:

Refusing to give the not needed extra helium because he was going to have a 'party with balloons' and then walking out backward 'for dramatic effect'! Like too that Leonard and Skippy chose Kenneth and the helium -- again -- over Kripke's extortion! 

The Shelnard moments:

Their response to Kripke's question 'if the shoe was on the other foot' Leonard's and Sheldon's simultaneous 'yes' and 'not a chance' respectively; the discussion of Dr Goldfarb's Russian 'assistant' in Van Nuys; Leonard's very prompt counter to Sheldon's uncertainty with the wonderful (and very apropos) 'Einstein quote' which Sheldon could not find; and Leonard happily believing that if Sheldon were related to a metal can would explain a whole lot! 

The B Plot with Stuart's dating site didn't bother me so much as it did others. They goof on each other all the time, so this time they were goofing on strangers. 

I did LOL at Raj's dismissal of the Indian gentleman looking for love by explaining 'we already have one of those' and then suggesting a Latino to 'round out the group'. 

The TMI moment:

I too have the same leopard print underwear as Kevin! **cough, cough** but he looks better **cough, cough**

And a total aside --

Did everyone get the Kmart commercial with the skinny Thor trying to unsuccessfully beat close the trash can lid with his Thor hammer? I cried. Lowbrow, certainly but brilliant, hilarious stuff. 

Bottom line: I enjoyed this episode tremendously! 

 

 

 

[Kasey]

 

And a total aside --

Did everyone get the Kmart commercial with the skinny Thor trying to unsuccessfully beat close the trash can lid with his Thor hammer? I cried. Lowbrow, certainly but brilliant, hilarious stuff. 

 

 

 

 

Yes I saw that one.  Funny I'm writing a story where Bernie and Howard dress up as Minions and there was an older couple in Minion costumes...

[djsurrey]

Regarding the Thor commercial; I had no idea what it was supposed to be about. Of course I often turn to my netbook during commercials.

(I'm watching CBS Seattle rather than CTV because of the time I get home and it's the last chance on my cable Monday night).

Edited October 27, 2015 by djsurrey

[mirs1]

Ok, I've watched the episode, now I understand the problem about the Swedish scientists: Leonard and Sheldon had planned their experiment and were just expecting the helium to run it, so they intended to publish another paper with all the data of the experiment. The Swedish team read their first article on the theory and were trying to run the same (or a very similar) experiment, and publish the result before them, making their new paper moot and not worth to be published anymore. So, if Shelnard want to publish their new work, they need to hurry up and that's why Sheldon is talking about stealing their work...he means the new one...

As for the episode, I agree with most of you, funny A plot, it made me laugh many times, but the part about the dating app was kind of mean and everybody (but Amy) acted like he\she was 14 or something...

Edited October 27, 2015 by mirs1

[kelliluvtbbt]

ok, so i enjoyed this episode just like I've enjoyed the rest of the episodes this season. Just because my ship has temporarily hit a reef and water is leaking in and ruining things...it's not going to stop me from enjoying the rest of the show. 

[phantagrae]

Finally watched the whole thing on cbs.com and I really enjoyed it.

I think that Amy was a little uncomfortable in the sense that she kind of felt bad about the teasing over the site members, but also because of the comments directed at her, like the one about the dolphin.

It reminded me of how she felt in the D&D episode--she isn't that cavalier about discussing the more serious aspects of her love life, whether it's Sheldon of trying to see if she wants to date someone new.

I didn't get the vibe that she was jumping up and down to be dating, but I also don't think she was all sad and forlorn, either.  Embarrassed at the teasing, perhaps, and a little sympathetic toward the site members, but not all down in the dumps.

It strikes me that she's just sticking her toe in the water and that she might not have been motivated to do so if it hadn't been for that short conversation on the stairs and her friends asking her if she's going to date, etc..

And I still loved the helium plot.

Great episode.

[3ku11]

Maybe unpopular opinion, me I know shocked haha. But Sheldon being single for a period of time, could benefit the show in the long run. I agree it was like S1-2 Sheldon again, and I think that's good for comedic puposes. It is good imo Sheldon and Amy are doing other things, and not being so co-dependent on each other, that is healthy.

[Cereal Apist]

I loved this episode! I thought it was wonderful and I had several LOL moments! 

I thought the Shelnard plot was inspired!

Those sneaking Swedes! And I had expected such a higher ethical standard form our friends in Sweden! Putting Leonard and Skippy into such a tumult that they enlist the help of a career hood who is actually somewhat learned with an untrained intelligence. Loved all the Shelnard dialogue and scenes with Kenneth -- from clarifying the nomenclature and semantic digressions, to the 'musical chairs' with the helium tank, to the small helium re-stocking fee, Kenneth offering his services 'if you know where they live, something can be done' and then to Kenneth in 4A 'amongst' the physicists watching Ernest Goes to Jail -- oh the ties that bind! Absolutely wonderful!

LOL at:

Kenneth: 'What hypothesis?'

Sheldon: 'Space-Time can be interpreted as the surface of a superfluid in the n-dimension.'

Kenneth: 'Hmmm … could be. Go on.'

The Kripke moments:

Refusing to give the not needed extra helium because he was going to have a 'party with balloons' and then walking out backward 'for dramatic effect'! Like too that Leonard and Skippy chose Kenneth and the helium -- again -- over Kripke's extortion! 

The Shelnard moments:

Their response to Kripke's question 'if the shoe was on the other foot' Leonard's and Sheldon's simultaneous 'yes' and 'not a chance' respectively; the discussion of Dr Goldfarb's Russian 'assistant' in Van Nuys; Leonard's very prompt counter to Sheldon's uncertainty with the wonderful (and very apropos) 'Einstein quote' which Sheldon could not find; and Leonard happily believing that if Sheldon were related to a metal can would explain a whole lot! 

The B Plot with Stuart's dating site didn't bother me so much as it did others. They goof on each other all the time, so this time they were goofing on strangers. 

I did LOL at Raj's dismissal of the Indian gentleman looking for love by explaining 'we already have one of those' and then suggesting a Latino to 'round out the group'. 

The TMI moment:

I too have the same leopard print underwear as Kevin! **cough, cough** but he looks better **cough, cough**

And a total aside --

Did everyone get the Kmart commercial with the skinny Thor trying to unsuccessfully beat close the trash can lid with his Thor hammer? I cried. Lowbrow, certainly but brilliant, hilarious stuff. 

Bottom line: I enjoyed this episode tremendously! 

 

 

 

Ok I can agree with all this. I guess my problem with this episode is I hate when the writers pull Penny down off the pedestal I've got her on.