episodes 1003 'The Dependence Transcendence' (October 3)

[Tripper]

'The Dependence Transcendence' - Season 10, Episode 3 
Airs Monday, October 3 at 8/7c on CBS.

Tensions rise when the boys struggle to complete their government project on time and Sheldon tries an energy drink to stay awake. Also, Penny and Amy go to a "party" at Bert the geologist's house, and Kooothrappali learns Bernadette's true feelings about her pregnancy when they clean out the future baby room.

[Tripper]

Poll - What did you think of "The Dependence Transcendence"?

[4everlenny]

Loved the episode...

The guys were very funny. Old school, crazy Sheldon is the best Sheldon.

Amy, Penny, Bert...I like Bert's character. Amy, the trend setter, interesting development. 

Angry, hormonal Bernie was funny and scary at the same time. Raj's dad is always good.

Wasn't expecting much, but was very pleasantly surprised.

[joyceraye]

Good for Raj. Positive and encouraging, and for once not whinging on about his own life.

[vonmar]

From Glamour: http://www.glamour.com/story/the-big-bang-theory-recap-the-dependence-transcendence?mbid=social_twitter_referral

The Big Bang Theory Recap: Melissa Rauch Tackles a Pregnancy Issue Most Women Never Discuss in "The Dependence Transcendence"

Whoa, Big Bang Theory. Apparently This Is Us isn't the only show to bring out the emotion this fall. Tonight's Big Bang was uncharacteristically heavy, but it worked beautifully given what's happening in the lives of our favorite group of misfits. (Spoilers ahead!)........(more in the link)

[jenafan]

Enjoyable episode.

I liked Sheldon's definition of sleep.

Enjoyed Leonard and Howard's interactions.   L to H "You wanted him awake."  Then later, H to L "That was painful to watch."

Jim is such a great actor.  He pulled off the caffeine high and dip so extremely well.   Sheldon and his over-exaggerations were comical.  "Oh great, now I'm addicted to gambling."    Hysterical.

I noticed that when listing the things that cause addiction after the first try, sex was not on that list.   Interesting?

My favorite part was Sheldon admitting to not being able to do the math and that their situation was his fault and turning to Leonard for comfort before dozing off on his chest.    Leonard, the true friend that he is, seeks to console the same man who was driving him crazy just a few minutes earlier.   I really really enjoy the Shelnard bond.

Amy turning into the popular mean girl to Penny.   Priceless.   Understanding Penny didn't even bat an eye.  

I so much loved how proud Penny was to be the "hot" girl Leonard wore down into marrying him.   Now, that's a marital joke I can get down with. 

Go Penny with the granite joke.   Now you've succeeded in making another man fall in love with you.    Oh Leonard, other geeks/nerds are so jealous of you!

I enjoyed seeing Raj trying to be supportive of Bernadette.   I like how the writers are tackling such a realistic question among women feeling they are not as excited as they should be about having a baby.   It's so IC for Bernadette, having never really enjoyed kids and being hesitant to even get pregnant.    I bet once the baby is born, she is going to spoil that baby to high heaven.

My favorite Raj line was him telling Bernie that she's always been mean, that it's not just the pregnancy causing it.  So true.  So true.

As one who loves to drink Yoohoo, I laughed when Sheldon referred to as chocolate milk's watery cousin.   I can make a good chocolate milk.  However, I've tried mixing chocolate with water, but it doesn't work.

Next Monday can't get here soon enough.   The previews really wet my appetite for Shamy moving in together.

 

Edited October 4, 2016 by jenafan

[brilliantfool]

really loved Bernadette/Raj storyline! it was a perfect amount of cute, funny and deep
I really expected Amy/Penny storyline to have more screentime! But it was so short it felt like it was lacking something : (
The guys storyline, I tbh think they're overplaying Sheldon's quirks, first of all there was that episode in season 2 when he acted the same cause  of coffee? second, it's kinda annoying and unbelievable at this point. They can let him be normal once in a while, not to rely on his quirks in every single episode and every single joke. Not to mention, it's ridiculously unbelievable how anybody would tolerate him being a drama queen like this when the project is important... I get it Leonard's super patient and all that, but at a situation like that even someone like Leonard, let alone Howard should have yelled at him. Even I wanted to hit him lol.. Sheldon's my favorite character hands down, but I didn't like him one bit in this episode, except for the end when he seemed humble and human.

Overall still enjoyed the episode a lot, most of  TBBT episodes with 3 storylines seem kinda short/unfinished, but this one felt like it was flowing effortlessly

[jenafan]

18 minutes ago, brilliantfool said:

The guys storyline, I tbh think they're overplaying Sheldon's quirks, first of all there was that episode in season 2 when he acted the same cause  of coffee? second, it's kinda annoying and unbelievable at this point. They can let him be normal once in a while, not to rely on his quirks in every single episode and every single joke.

I got the impression that Sheldon was faking those quirks from the caffeine to try to get Howard and Leonard's sympathy.   When he realized it didn't work, he straightened up and told them they "stink."

In my mind, I think Sheldon, by his actions tonight, admitted that he knows exactly what he is doing in trying to make people uncomfortable so he can get his way or avoid an exisitng situation he doesn't want to face or admit to.

Edited October 4, 2016 by jenafan

[Tensor]

Another  "He wore me down", reference as to why Penny married Leonard.  This time it was said without Leonard present, to someone outside the group. Tell us how you really feel Penny.  That kinda ruined it for me, as the rest was rather enjoyable. 

[brilliantfool]

25 minutes ago, jenafan said:

I got the impression that Sheldon was faking those quirks from the caffeine to try to get Howard and Leonard's sympathy.   When he realized it didn't work, he straightened up and told them they "stink."

In my mind, I think Sheldon, by his actions tonight, admitted that he knows exactly what he is doing in trying to make people uncomfortable so he can get his way or avoid an exisitng situation he doesn't want to face or admit to.

It seemed to me too more like he was faking it (at least dramatizing and exaggerating for sure), but it is just rather immature / annoying to me! I get it he's egoistic, I can relate to that, that's why I love him, but there's a fine line with everything and there are (important) moments when everything can't be about you!

Just my take on that 

[luminous]

15 minutes ago, Tensor said:

Another  "He wore me down", reference as to why Penny married Leonard.  This time it was said without Leonard present, to someone outside the group. Tell us how you really feel Penny.  That kinda ruined it for me, as the rest was rather enjoyable. 

I absolutely had NO problem with this line, the way Penny delivered it. I actually had to smile. These are the kind of jokes my mother usually makes when my father's not in presence...for almost 40 years according to relatives and acquaintances.

And in regards how Penny feels. She said it in 10x01: Leonard makes her incredibly happy.

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, luminous said:

And in regards how Penny feels. She said it in 10x01: Leonard makes her incredibly happy.

Which is why I'll never get why anyone would doubt Penny's love for Leonard. They're joking. They make fun of each other all the time.

[jenafan]

25 minutes ago, Tensor said:

Another  "He wore me down", reference as to why Penny married Leonard.  This time it was said without Leonard present, to someone outside the group. Tell us how you really feel Penny.  That kinda ruined it for me, as the rest was rather enjoyable. 

Oh, Tensor.   I really do understand your pain.

I have come to the conclusion that Penny is not putting down Leonard, but rather embracing his persistence in not giving up on her.   Tonight she seemed extremely excited to be the "hot" girl he married.   She defended him by explicitly stating she was not tricked.   She knew what she was doing in marrying him.   For years, she feared commitment, thinking she was not smart enough for him.   I think now, when she says he wore her down, she is implying that his persistence won out over her fears to where she was able to finally admit that she indeed loved him and wanted a lifetime commitment with Leonard.

During their 2nd wedding, she thanked Leonard for asking her to marry him until she said "Yes."   He wore her down, but it's what she wanted all along.  They fought all the obstacles in their way, even Sheldon, and they are together forever now as a result.

Penny doesn't sound regretful.   I think she is honored, and tonight that was made even more clear by the tone in the way she responded to Bert.

Nonetheless, with that being said, I get how the lack of Leonard's presence could give off another impression since Bert does not know their history.

[Chrismo]

22 minutes ago, luminous said:

I absolutely had NO problem with this line, the way Penny delivered it. I actually had to smile. These are the kind of jokes my mother usually makes when my father's not in presence...for almost 40 years according to relatives and acquaintances.

And in regards how Penny feels. She said it in 10x01: Leonard makes her incredibly happy.

So you would be alright if for once Leonard said she's hot but dumb as bricks. Hell she really thought just a couple years ago she would be a big tv star.

[luminous]

3 minutes ago, Chrismo said:

So you would be alright if for once Leonard said she's hot but dumb as bricks.

Huh? Why do you ask such a question??????? Of course I would be NOT alright! Leonard would never say such a thing. What has this to do that I have no problem with Penny's "wore me down" line. *headshake*

 

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, luminous said:

What has this to do that I have no problem with Penny's "wore me down" line. *headshake*

 

Nothing, it's completely out of context.

[Chrismo]

2 minutes ago, luminous said:

Huh? Why do you ask such a question??????? Of course I would be NOT alright! Leonard would never say such a thing. What has this to do that I have no problem with Penny's "wore me down" line. *headshake*

 

The wore me down line is getting old. But my over exaggerated she's not smart line is too much? 

 

[Shelldon]

Chuck's tag this week debunks the laugh track. 

They must have really liked using Bert back in season 9, because the premise of Amy and Penny being the only ones at a "party" with him was a huge stretch to incorporate him. Amy and Penny should have fact checked the sources of the popularity spectrum, because I don't think who Bert idolizes really speaks for all of the university.

The Flash showing up in Sheldon's plot was weak. In fact, I don't remember much of what happened leading up to Sheldon falling asleep on Leonard. Looks like they might be working on this through all of Season 11. Hopefully in the background because putting the three of them in a room together is already losing steam.

I am so glad they finally decided to consistently use some of Bernadette's depth to carry side plots. I'd still prefer Raj to not have to be up the gang's ass all the time, but at least they fixed their Bernadette problem.

See you next week for the Shamy move-in, which should be permanent if the writers want to continue making new situations for Season 10.

Edited October 4, 2016 by Tensor
Removed derogatory comment directed at others.

[kelliluvtbbt]

It was a good simple episode and even though it was 6 am when I was watching this... I laughed out loud SILENTLY quite often. Nice goofy stuff...nothing heavy.   I actually liked everyone tonight. 

And no, nothing bothered me...and I'm not wearing rose colored  glasses . I am,however, deprived of sleep just like Sheldon so good night all. 

[Tensor]

2 hours ago, jenafan said:

Oh, Tensor.   I really do understand your pain.

Nonetheless, with that being said, I get how the lack of Leonard's presence could give off another impression since Bert does not know their history.

I'm happy for those who think they are just joking.   My wife and I have done the same thing for almost forty years. However, my wife and I do those jokes among ourselves or friends, that know us well.  We do not do those jokes when there are people who don't know our story and we especially don't do those kind of comments when the other isn't there.  I have a problem with it being done, with a stranger present, without Leonard there.  

 I don't see it as her defending him. Her line was "He didn't trick me, he wore me down."  That does not sound like a rousing defense, and exactly what I disliked about it.    She didn't say, "He didn't trick me, he is my soulmate and best friend."  Why not do that?  Oh yeah, comedy, but see, I'm not laughing.   

3 hours ago, luminous said:

And in regards how Penny feels. She said it in 10x01: Leonard makes her incredibly happy.

But, she has now said multiple times, the she married him because he wore her down.  Do we believe the one instance of Leonard making her happy, or the multiple instances of he just wore her down.  Sounds like she got married to shut him up.  

[Judith]

The military plot was more engaging this time and the rest of the episode was good so I thought that this was slightly better than previous week. Amy was the best part ; )

[djsurrey]

I enjoyed the episode. Not great but good.  The bit with Burt was kind of sad though.

 

[ShamyBabboos]

I  haven't  read the entire thread sro i might just be repeating someone but am I the only one who hates the pregnant Bernadette storyline even more after this episode?

when she first became pregnant, it seemed that she was actually happy about it but now, it seems like she hates it and never actually wanted a kid. She even hinted that it essentially is ruining her plans. 

And before anyone says "its normal married couples t o have kids" or "it would be weird if Howard and Bernadette DIDNT have kids"... its clear Bernadette didn't want to get pregnant. It's clear that she's regretting it becsuse she didnt do anything that she wanted to do with Howard, etc. Even though its common for married couples to have children doesn't mean every couple wants kids. 

Bernadette should have waited. Rather, the writers should have waited.

I just feel like she's regretting having this baby and I don't think women should ever feel like that... sitcom or not. It just rubbed me the wrong way... not trying to debate or argue, just sharing my thoughts.

i have no doubt that Bernie will be a good mom, but why should she regret or fear something for eight-nine months...

Edited October 4, 2016 by ShamyBabboos

[djsurrey]

It would not surprise me if that storyline is based either on the personal experience of one of the writers or someone one of them knows. This certainly happens.

[ShamyBabboos]

5 minutes ago, djsurrey said:

It would not surprise me if that storyline is based either on the personal experience of one of the writers or someone one of them knows. This certainly happens.

Perhaps... maybe I'm just not a fan of kids, so I'm biased when seeing Bernie feel so bad about this baby. Lol because I know Id hate being pregnant when i don't want kids nor like babies. 

Edited October 4, 2016 by ShamyBabboos