Shenny Friendship: Where Did It Go?

[fragileShAmyheart]

4 minutes ago, Stephen Hawking said:

Penny called him a friend in The Bad Fish Paradigm.

In The Closure Alternative, she told him "I want you to know that I love that you’re in my life.", to which he replied "I love you, too."

Sounds pretty "best friendy" to me.

Yes. Sheldon said those things to Penny but the "best friend" label was not expressed outright. To Leonard, yes, but not to Penny. As already mentioned, Penny is somewhat a parallel to Missy. Like a sibling, she's in a love-hate relationship with Sheldon. They fight and disagree but somehow, they find a way to compromise (well, to be fair, Penny just agrees to what Sheldon wants, to avoid conflict) but it's a very far-fetched idea to call them best friends.

[Cindi May]

That scene wasn't exactly like brother and sister. That would have been the creepiest bro and sis scene ever. He just had an orgasm.

Edited March 16, 2016 by Cindi May

[Stephen Hawking]

1 minute ago, Cindi May said:

That would have been the creepiest bro and sis scene ever. He just had an orgasm.

But not due to Penny.

[SRAM]

22 minutes ago, Stephen Hawking said:

Penny called him a friend in The Bad Fish Paradigm.

In The Closure Alternative, she told him "I want you to know that I love that you’re in my life.", to which he replied "I love you, too."

Sounds pretty "best friendy" to me.

Your picking an isolated scene to try and prove your point, when so many times, Sheldon has said Leonard is his best friend and Penny has shown Leonard to be hers.  

[Cindi May]

2 hours ago, becauseimsunny said:

The 'general opinions' are the ratings. As to the general opinions on the show outside of the hardcore fans, there are independent reviews, critiques, news, features, and specials dedicated to the growth of the show. I suggest you look at that and you will see what I mean.

 

Believe what you want to believe.  Critics don't have anything to do with ratings. The majority of critics think the show was better in the early years- and not only critics, a lot of fans as well.

[Kathy2611]

1 minute ago, Cindi May said:

That scene wasn't exactly like brother and sister. That would have been the creepiest bro and sis scene ever. He hust had an orgasm.

OMG!  Seriously?  He did NOT have an orgasm.  He got to complete something he NEEDED to because of his "quirks" (sorry, can't think of the right word I want, it's 7am where I am and not enough coffee ) and it was extremely satisfying to him to be able to complete all those tasks.  I really wouldn't call what he did on the floor as an actual orgasm!

[Cindi May]

5 minutes ago, Stephen Hawking said:

But not due to Penny.

yes but it would still be a creepy scene, if you think of them as bro and sis.

[SRAM]

5 minutes ago, Cindi May said:

That scene wasn't exactly like brother and sister. That would have been the creepiest bro and sis scene ever. He just had an orgasm.

That scene was suppose to be funny because they were talking about two different things, Penny just finished talking very seriously to her best friend Leonard about her finding passion in her friends, especially Leonard, and Sheldon was on a high from finally getting the closure he was missing all night.  But you are right it did come off a little creepy because it made Sheldon seem like he was having the physical release of sex, which was a little weird to me.

[Stephen Hawking]

6 minutes ago, Kathy2611 said:

OMG!  Seriously?  He did NOT have an orgasm.

I think the phrase you are looking for, is "come off it".  

[mirs1]

5 minutes ago, Cindi May said:

Believe what you want to believe.  Critics don't have anything to do with ratings. The majority of critics think the show was better in the early years- and not only critics, a lot of fans as well.

If a lot of fans believed the show was better in its early years, be sure that the writers would have made it return the way it was during those early years...because ratings would have dropped. For sure some fans liked the old dynamic better, and of course they are entitled of their opinion, but to say that the writers are sabotaging their own show making something people don't like...it a little too much. Maybe some old fans quitted to watch it after the change of dynamics, but the new incoming fans are way more than the ones who quitted, and that's the only thing that counts for a show to stay on the air. 

[fragileShAmyheart]

26 minutes ago, Cindi May said:

That scene wasn't exactly like brother and sister. That would have been the creepiest bro and sis scene ever. He just had an orgasm.

Wow. You're just going extreme to prove your point.

One, I'm a little lazy to elaborate... Two, I have the same thoughts with SRAM here. Well, minus the being creeped out part. *flies away

15 minutes ago, SRAM said:

That scene was suppose to be funny because they were talking about two different things, Penny just finished talking very seriously to her best friend Leonard about her finding passion in her friends, especially Leonard, and Sheldon was on a high from finally getting the closure he was missing all night.  But you are right it did come off a little creepy because it made Sheldon seem like he was having the physical release of sex, which was a little weird to me.

 

Edited March 16, 2016 by fragileShAmyheart

[becauseimsunny]

31 minutes ago, Cindi May said:

That scene wasn't exactly like brother and sister. That would have been the creepiest bro and sis scene ever. He just had an orgasm.

23 minutes ago, Kathy2611 said:

OMG!  Seriously?  He did NOT have an orgasm.  He got to complete something he NEEDED to because of his "quirks" (sorry, can't think of the right word I want, it's 7am where I am and not enough coffee ) and it was extremely satisfying to him to be able to complete all those tasks.  I really wouldn't call what he did on the floor as an actual orgasm!

If he did, it was because of Amy. He ain't thinkin' about Penny when he was moaning his way down the domino lane.

24 minutes ago, Cindi May said:

Believe what you want to believe.  Critics don't have anything to do with ratings. The majority of critics think the show was better in the early years- and not only critics, a lot of fans as well.

Right back at ya, sweetie. 

[Cindi May]

I never said he was thinking about Penny. Stop twisting my words. Just that the scene was weird if you think about them as brother and sister. He had an orgasm actually thinkin' about having control, for sure he wasn't thinking about Amy. He wished she was dead in that episode shortly before.

Edited March 16, 2016 by Cindi May

[Stephen Hawking]

10 minutes ago, Cindi May said:

He wished she was dead in that episode shortly before.

I don't think he really wanted her dead.

It was just frustration, at not being able to complete the tasks.

[Cindi May]

45 minutes ago, mirs1 said:

If a lot of fans believed the show was better in its early years, be sure that the writers would have made it return the way it was during those early years...because ratings would have dropped. For sure some fans liked the old dynamic better, and of course they are entitled of their opinion, but to say that the writers are sabotaging their own show making something people don't like...it a little too much. Maybe some old fans quitted to watch it after the change of dynamics, but the new incoming fans are way more than the ones who quitted, and that's the only thing that counts for a show to stay on the air. 

No huge reasons to go back to that if the ratings are high. And the ratings are still high. They're selling their product, that's what matters to them the most probably.

6 minutes ago, Stephen Hawking said:

I don't think he really wanted her dead.

It was just frustration, at not being able to complete the tasks.

Yes of course it wasn't a real wish but he was pissed.

Edited March 16, 2016 by Cindi May

[Stephen Hawking]

The bit that made that scene really funny, was the fleeting glance Amy gives his crotch, before she says "Yeah, sounds like a drag."

Mayim is a genius with the little touches, such as the eye and head movements.

Check out the head twitch, when she puts on the music in Fish Guts, and and the way she teases Sheldon, with the pawing at the white board, after she's erased the tic-tac-toe grid, in this episode.

Edited March 16, 2016 by Stephen Hawking

[Einstein Von Brainstorm]

13 hours ago, QueenofSheba said:

This isn’t about shipping, not at all. I’m actually curious as to where the Shenny friendship went to this season? It seems like TPTB are not capable of having Sheldon and Penny be friends or interact anymore, with their romantic relationships taking up all their time. Which isn’t realistic at all, people have best friends of the opposite sex and still have romantic relationships with other people. And instead of having moments between them, or scenes where they’re shopping, or hanging out etc etc..., we have to sit through these “Girls Nights” and the boys not really doing anything of importance.

 

It is very frustrating because I really do enjoy Shenny as friends, it doesn’t have to be more (made clearer every episode… and I get it, I can hope but oh well.) their interactions were always so real and fulfilling, and they were never trying to get anything out of the other person. They were just friends. There for each other.

 

Anyway, I looked around and didn’t see anything about his on here, and there seem to be a lot of folks on here, so I thought I’d ask.

 

This isn’t attacking the canon ships; this is about a friendship that I am missing on the show.

 

Hopefully S10 will bring it back.

 

Did you see the 200th episode at all? 

You don't get much of Raj/Sheldon hanging out either that's just the way the show is. Penny and Sheldon only hang out every now and then  

Edited March 16, 2016 by Einstein Von Brainstorm
Pressed the button too quickly!

[Einstein Von Brainstorm]

12 hours ago, QueenofSheba said:

The show was better for the first few years. Syndication helped bring in more people for the later seasons... Just saying. 

"Better" is such a subjective word. Yes you might have found it better but others who watched from the beginning like it better now that there is a deeper character development and expanded relationships are in place. Some came to the show later and like it how they found it. To each their own. Not one of us is being forced to watch the show.

 

12 hours ago, QueenofSheba said:

Hey if y'all wanna support a tiny little man who cheats on the woman he "loves" and does all sorts of other creepy "nice guy" things! Be my guest! You're clearly not the only ones! 

And if you want to hate on Sheldon and not see him as the loyal awesome man that he is *cough* Jim's been the only one to win award on the show *cough* 

and you know! You clearly want Penny to just be Leonard lap dog! But you know!? Fine! 

And I won't get into what I think about Amy... 

Cindi May! You're cool I like you!

Anyway... good night, and if there's an apocalypse, good luck.

*waves*   

Just for future reference: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898266/awards?ref_=tt_awd <- more than just Jim  

I actually agreed with your original point of 'Sheldon and Penny's friendship interests me' and was looking forward to a discussion about it but you said: 

Quote

"This isn’t attacking the canon ships; this is about a friendship that I am missing on the show."

...and then went on to call Sheldon/Penny the best part of the show and attack Leonard and Amy directly so... Yeah. That makes it sort of look like it is about attacking the canon ships ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 

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I've always enjoyed Sheldon Vs Penny episodes and thought it was kinda adorable that they were basically fighting over Leonard, later when they were forced to spend time together (like when she fell in the tub or when Leonard took to the Seas) and became sort of friends it was great to watch and now that they are like family I still love them BUT the fact remains that they have nothing in common apart from they are dating/married to each others best friends so I don't expect many Sheldon and Penny episodes per season  

 

Edited March 16, 2016 by Einstein Von Brainstorm

[fragileShAmyheart]

1 hour ago, Einstein Von Brainstorm said:

"Better" is such a subjective word. Yes you might have found it better but others who watched from the beginning like it better now that there is a deeper character development and expanded relationships are in place. Some came to the show later and like it how they found it. To each their own. Not one of us is being forced to watch the show.

 

Just for future reference: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898266/awards?ref_=tt_awd <- more than just Jim  

I actually agreed with your original point of 'Sheldon and Penny's friendship interests me' and was looking forward to a discussion about it but you said: 

...and then went on to call Sheldon/Penny the best part of the show and attack Leonard and Amy directly so... Yeah. That makes it sort of look like it is about attacking the canon ships ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 

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I've always enjoyed Sheldon Vs Penny episodes and thought it was kinda adorable that they were basically fighting over Leonard, later when they were forced to spend time together (like when she fell in the tub or when Leonard took to the Seas) and became sort of friends it was great to watch and now that they are like family I still love them BUT the fact remains that they have nothing in common apart from they are dating/married to each others best friends so I don't expect many Sheldon and Penny episodes per season  

 

voice inside my head: 

me, myself and I: AMEEEEEEEN!!!!!!!

Edited March 16, 2016 by fragileShAmyheart

[Marina]

8 hours ago, Cindi May said:

Believe what you want to believe.  Critics don't have anything to do with ratings. The majority of critics think the show was better in the early years- and not only critics, a lot of fans as well.

Okay but who are these critics exactly? Because every single reviewer for the show I follow has their head so far up Shamy's ass they're almost bigger shippers than we are. (Almost only, because, come on :P) Like, I even have a whole tag on my blog dedicated to the A.V. Club reviewer's boner for Shamy, Amy, and Mayim. The only reviewer I can think of who doesn't like Shamy is the IGN guy. So, okay. You got one critic that likes the "early stuff" of the show better, whatever the hell that means (more on that later). And since you seem so keen on reminding us of Jim's Emmy wins, this is your friendly reminder that three out of his four Emmys were both from season 4 onwards and from Shamy heavy episodes (S4, S6 and S7 wins. Funny how he didn't win in S5, when the episode he submitted had very little Shamy LMAO.) For real, I ain't saying the Academy has a Shamy boner too, but, well, I kinda am saying the Academy has a Shamy boner.

As for "the general public..." Don't kid yourself - the Internet hates The Big Bang Theory. The reason most often cited? Its sexism, most notably the fact that Penny was the only woman of the show, and she was a dumb one, at that. Things that DING DING DING were resolved when Amy and Bernadette came on the show.

Also, as I said, I think I'd like to have an answer to what the actual hell you call "the early years" exactly because season 1 was a goddamn mess. It only had 17 episodes, characterization was all over the place, and number of the iconic lines of the show comes from season 2. Season 1 was hardly The Big Bang Theory. And Melissa Rauch came onto the show on like the fifth episode of the third season. Like y'all are literally clinging to ONE SEASON AND FIVE EPISODES. That's what you're talking about when you say "the early years." Thirteen goddamn months. That's honestly hilarious.

Finally, the idea that Penny and Sheldon are best friends is misguided. They're reluctant friends. If you don't believe me, watch The Intimacy Acceleration, a whole episode based on the premise that Penny knows so little about who Sheldon really is, about his secrets and his intimate thoughts, that she literally JUMPS on the one chance she has to ask Sheldon questions he HAS to answer. Like, I'm not making this shit up. You can't make this shit up.

Penny: What? You’re okay with an experiment where you have to answer awkward questions about your innermost feelings?

Sheldon: Yes.

Penny: Please, can I do it with him? Please?

Leonard: I’ve been listening to Sheldon’s feelings on things for ten years. Tag, you’re it.

My homegirl is literally like "Leonard pleaaase let me uncover some dirt on Sheldon, the asshole won't tell me shit," to which Leonard answers "Fucking finally, I honestly was getting tired of the goddamn crazy!"

At this point, Sheldon cares for Penny the exact same way he cares about Howard - no respect for who she is as a person, and a begrudging friendship born from being in the same social circle for years. Not to say that he doesn't love them - he does, he even said so to Penny - but these feelings were born from being forced to spend all these years together, not from a genuine connection.

Edited March 16, 2016 by Marina

[Judith]

10 hours ago, Stephen Hawking said:

Penny called him a friend in The Bad Fish Paradigm.

In The Closure Alternative, she told him "I want you to know that I love that you’re in my life.", to which he replied "I love you, too."

Sounds pretty "best friendy" to me.

Penny called him a friend (Sheldon has too) because they ARE friends. They've never called each other "best friend". They've never been portrayed as best friends. Believe me, if they were I would have zero problem admitting it.

Sounds to me as someone who loves their friend (as people usually do).  

 

[phantagrae]

I haven't had the patience to read all the entries in this thread, but in skimming, it seems like it's an amusing opposite of the usual complaints one often sees here--that there's too much of the Sheldon/Penny friendship (like that kiss in Leonard's nightmare) and not enough L/P or S/A.

For me, it's not a matter of ratios of how much time is spent on this or that couple or pairing or character or whatever.  What I like are the storylines and how the characters personalities come into play in the process.

[mjc45]

@Marina- way to go girl.

[JohnPhD]

23 hours ago, Marina said:

 

As for "the general public..." Don't kid yourself - the Internet hates The Big Bang Theory. The reason most often cited? Its sexism, most notably the fact that Penny was the only woman of the show, and she was a dumb one, at that. Things that DING DING DING were resolved when Amy and Bernadette came on the show.

 

If that's true the internet has it exactly wrong. The show wasn't sexist when it was just Penny and the guys. Sheldon is a sexist character but that doesn't the show sexist because it's understood that almost everything that Sheldon says that isn't about physics is wrong. And Penny was never as dumb as Sheldon (and maybe somenot-undumb viewers) thought. It was always noticeable that when one of the guys said something silly we saw Penny's reaction judging it.

But the show did become sexist when Amy was introduced, because she's a misogynistic caricature of a woman. When Sheldon says that women are slaves to their hormones the viewers know that's just Sheldon. But when we're shown Amy being a slave to her hormones then that's what the show is saying.

[wowbagger]

I'm a huge Sheldon/Penny friendship 'shipper. Their bromance has long been the heart of the show, for me. However, in the recent past the show has become terribly ....insistent... on their Magical Speshul Bond (vide: Amy literally saying to Leonard that she is a little jealous of their connection in Season Seven). And when the writers pat themselves on the back like that, I tend to roll my eyes. Add to that the fact that the show sometimes dithers about whether and how to progress Sheldon's character, and on these occasions hits on the truly nightmarish compromise of having him 'grow up' by being sharper and more dickish, and also have sex, but also be simultaneously less functional and more obviously fundamentally dependent on the people around him (the descent from 'difficult friend' to 'child' to 'pet' is not lost on me). Add also the fact that the show had Amy lurch overnight from being the 'other Sheldon', who understood him by dint of being so much like him, to being frequently yet another tutter and eye-roller who suffers Sheldon. And you have what used to be a sharp, well-observed dynamic where Penny and Sheldon hoiked each other out of their comfort zones, into something more toothless and sort of....vaguely affectionate. Penny looks after Sheldon, and Sheldon....is looked after. It's a pity, but there it is, and I don't really want more Sheldon/Penny if all we're going to get is this sort of undifferentiated pabulum.