episodes 1009 'The Geology Elevation' (November 17)

[Tripper]

'The Geology Elevation' - Season 10, Episode 9 
Airs Thursday, November 17 at 8/7c on CBS.

When Bert, a Caltech geologist, wins the MacArthur Genius fellowship, Sheldon is overcome with jealousy. Also, Wolowitz finds an old remote control Stephen Hawking action figure he invented.

[Tripper]

Poll - What did you think of this episode?

[Chrismo]

From beginning to end a truly bad episode. Brought back jealously, let it go and Sheldon ego stroking. The Howard robot storyline was just as bad. I know they have random drug testing for athletes do they have it for writers?

[3ku11]

Oh joy another episode, where the gang, or pretty much everyone breathing. Brushed Sheldon's Brusied Ego, and we get to see his old jealousy return. He has evolved? Hahahahah yeah right. So what at the end, he can now feel self important, and the entitled jackass we all know and love. Great job gang, he thinks he is better then everyone again lol.  Intersting again Penny got through to Sheldon, not Amy. I actually think that is because of their dynamic. Penny is like Sheldon's big sister. She just says it like it is, no bs. And because Amy is prob too close to Sheldon, she does not have that perspective Penny has. When Shelnard were going for a walk, and Sheldon degraded Leonard again. I was like you jackass, seriousley you well never learn about appreciating your friends well you. Leonard is to good for you. Have to say overall it was far better then last week. Interesting thing, the only time I laughed out loud was when the whole group was together.

And Sheldon had his mouth shut for a few seconds. I LOVED the real life references to Kaley's hair. How everyone pretty much hated it. Leonard was hilarous "Oh yeah sweety I loved it". When I saw this blue thing behind the fridge, I was like what the hell is that. It was Raj Lol, you could barley notice he was their. Did kinda giggle, at the jealouseys. Raj's joke about Lenny and Howardette being in happy relationships. And "yeah sure" to Shamy, sorry Shamy's. Amy's line "Why, Why, oh that's why?". That is what he said when we first had coitus LOL. i literally laughed out loud. Nice seeing Stephan Hawkings. But overall a solid episode, but once again it just felt like 99% of the plot was dedicated to Sheldon learning the millionth existensial lesson. I am surprised he did not interrupt Howardette at their house, just so they could fit him in another scene. How much screentime does this guy need? And basically all these talented actors, and great characters sitting around attempting to brush his bruised ego. Ellen was fun I guess. Seems the banter between Lenny has dyed down a lot, and back to sweetness. 

ETA: I did love a bit of return of the anti-geek Penny. Your just a bunch of nerds! lol. Leonard explaining Star Trek. You don't care. 

Edited November 18, 2016 by 3ku11

[camelliayao]

Well that was an utterly boring episode. Even for a filler, it's of low quality. I get it the writers want to show us the "old Sheldon" from time to time, but do they have to recycle the old stories?

I totally get it why Penny's words work on him. It's not because of the sister/brother bond nonsense. Like Penny, the only advice I too can give Sheldon is to shut up. Leonard and Amy and them trying to knock some senses out of him won't work. Because Sheldon understand all the senses perfectly. He just won't let it go. He doesn't need comfort or propitiation, he needs someone to scold him so he can stop being annoying.

The only two things I like about this episode is the mini Hawking and Kripke.

 

Edited November 18, 2016 by camelliayao

[RoRo]

I laughed out loud in several spots, I laughed at Sheldon getting hurt and his interactions with Bert but in rewatching it, its like the show takes 5 steps forward and 3 steps back with the characters.  I sure hope the next episode is better.

[3ku11]

7 minutes ago, RoRo said:

I laughed out loud in several spots, I laughed at Sheldon getting hurt and his interactions with Bert but in rewatching it, its like the show takes 5 steps forward and 3 steps back with the characters.  I sure hope the next episode is better.

Personally i felt the only character who it felt was 3 steps backwards, was Sheldon. 

[RoRo]

10 minutes ago, 3ku11 said:

Personally i felt the only character who it felt was 3 steps backwards, was Sheldon. 

I guess, even though I laughed in some spots, I guess maybe I was expecting better. Sorry for rambling.

[Chrismo]

33 minutes ago, 3ku11 said:

Personally i felt the only character who it felt was 3 steps backwards, was Sheldon. 

Actually I think Leonard and Howard did too. Leonard for trying yo make Sheldon feel better espicially with getting Hawking for him. And for Howard not to realize his wheelchair hawking was insppropriate. Also some reviewer online thought this episode could taken place 4 years ago. I agree.

Edited November 18, 2016 by Chrismo

[3ku11]

Just now, Chrismo said:

Actually I think Leonard and Howard did too. Leonard for trying yo make Sheldon feel better espicially with getting Hawking for him. And for Howard not to realize his wheelchair hawking was insppropriate. Also some reviewer online though this episode could taken place 4 years ago. I agree.

Well yeah sure. Let's just say Leonard had one step back for enabling Sheldon. Howard one step back too. Sheldon was a big 3 steps backwards though. I get the writers were reminding the audience of old Sheldon. But this was a more old recycled story more then them actually being creative. This could of taken place 3 seasons ago tbh. In Season 7 when Proton came to him in a dream. Why is it three years on, Sheldon still needs to learn these lessons? The show really need to move past these existensial lessons, its over done. 

[jenafan]

I enjoyed the episode.  Sheldon has made a lot of progress, but he is still Sheldon.  I could totally understand his frustration of getting left behind when colleagues in fields he thought inferior to his are making great achievements.   It is difficult for someone with Sheldon's ego to admit they were wrong.  As usual, he deflects his anger towards those he cares about the most.  At the same time, he turns to them for support.

Sheldon's crippled walk cracked me up.  I laughed so much, also how he sat on the arm of the chair in Bert's office before realizing he could be friends with his enemy.

I loved how proud he is that he has Amy and finding it necessary to defend her with the karate chop.  It seems he feels Amy is his greatest "achievement".  I say this without any derogatory intent at all.

Learning another tidbit about Shamy's night together was welcome.  Sometimes I forget how inexperienced they are and really do have to learn intimate matters together.

I was overjoyed to see Amy show verbal frustration by Penny getting through to Sheldon, once again.  I'm there with you, girl!

I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one who hated Penny's short hair.

Sheldon did evolve in this episode.  Not only did he acknowledge Bert's paper as being good, but it seems Sheldon is accepting him as a friend.

Hopefully Leonard learned a valuable lesson.  When Sheldon compliments, take it for what it is.  Otherwise, he will surely ruin it if he has to expand on his reasoning for giving it.

Am I the only one who loved the SH remote control chair?  If it gets marketed because of this episode, I will certainly buy it.

Edited November 18, 2016 by jenafan

[luminous]

Jessica Radloff from Glamour magazine has something to say about hair in her recap for tonight's episode:

The Big Bang Theory Season 10 Episode 9 Recap: "The Geology Elevation"

 

[rice sheldon]

I thought the episode was hilarious, not boring or un-funny. At the end of the day, Sheldon is still Sheldon, and he really likes to think that he's smarter than he actually is. I liked seeing him acting like himself. 

It's apparently an unpopular opinion here to actually like Sheldon, but I'm just going to unapologetically say he's my favorite character and Sheldon-centered episodes are fun for me. 

I thought there were some great moments. The scene where they all admitted their jealousy was so funny. I loved that we saw some genuine friendship moments between Sheldon and Leonard, instead of them just rolling their eyes at each other. Howard's Stephen Hawking toy cracked me the fuck up. "Gentlemen, start your wheelchairs!" was a laugh out loud moment for me. Loved seeing Sheldon wrestling with his emotions.

I don't think it was a filler, nor do I think it was badly written. Proud Bert was pure gold, because that actor makes even boasting seem anxious/humble. Lots of physical comedy on Jim Parson's part. I loved the episode. It may not have been a particularly milestoney episode but it was funny as hell. Not every episode can have major moments. Some episodes can just be funny for the sake of being funny. 

[legacy99]

I really wasn't expecting to much and i wasn't disappointed i think penny had the best lines in this espiode

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[rice sheldon]

10 minutes ago, legacy99 said:

I really wasn't expecting to much and i wasn't disappointed i think penny had the best lines in this espiode

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
 

Agreed. One of the best lines was when she raised her hand and got excited because she knew the right answer. So good.

[Chrismo]

9 minutes ago, legacy99 said:

I really wasn't expecting to much and i wasn't disappointed i think penny had the best lines in this espiode

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
 

Penny and the hair bit saved it from Speckerman level. On a side note when Sheldon was hobbling around with his injuries JMO I didn't find it funny at all. I know I will comments for this I just thought it was bad acting by JP.

[3ku11]

Am I the only who liked Speckerman lol? Clearly. Forgot to add. Was I the only who thought it was weird. Sheldon sat on his spot, walked into 4A like he still lived their? Yeah I get 4A is the main seating area, that has not changed. But when the episode ended, I Actually forgot Sheldon has technically moved out lol. So their's that. 

58 minutes ago, jenafan said:

I enjoyed the episode.  Sheldon has made a lot of progress, but he is still Sheldon.  I could totally understand his frustration of getting left behind when colleagues in fields he thought inferior to his are making great achievements.   It is difficult for someone with Sheldon's ego to admit they were wrong.  As usual, he deflects his anger towards those he cares about the most.  At the same time, he turns to them for support.

Sheldon's crippled walk cracked me up.  I laughed so much, also how he sat on the arm of the chair in Bert's office before realizing he could be friends with his enemy.

I loved how proud he is that he has Amy and finding it necessary to defend her with the karate chop.  It seems he feels Amy is his greatest "achievement".  I say this without any derogatory intent at all.

Learning another tidbit about Shamy's night together was welcome.  Sometimes I forget how inexperienced they are and really do have to learn intimate matters together.

I was overjoyed to see Amy show verbal frustration by Penny getting through to Sheldon, once again.  I'm there with you, girl!

I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one who hated Penny's short hair.

Sheldon did evolve in this episode.  Not only did he acknowledge Bert's paper as being good, but it seems Sheldon is accepting him as a friend.

Hopefully Leonard learned a valuable lesson.  When Sheldon compliments, take it for what it is.  Otherwise, he will surely ruin it if he has to expand on his reasoning for giving it.

Am I the only one who loved the SH remote control chair?  If it gets marketed because of this episode, I will certainly buy it.

Sorry that still does not justify his constant degrading of Leonard. Especially considering all we hear is that he has progressed and evolved. Well Sheldon realize what your saying could be hurtful to your friends. 

[rice sheldon]

19 minutes ago, 3ku11 said:

Am I the only who liked Speckerman lol? Clearly. Forgot to add. Was I the only who thought it was weird. Sheldon sat on his spot, walked into 4A like he still lived their? Yeah I get 4A is the main seating area, that has not changed. But when the episode ended, I Actually forgot Sheldon has technically moved out lol. So their's that. 

Sorry that still does not justify his constant degrading of Leonard. Especially considering all we hear is that he has progressed and evolved. Well Sheldon realize what your saying could be hurtful to your friends. 

If Sheldon realized what he is saying can be hurtful, then he isn't Sheldon anymore. Sheldon is an oblivious ass. If Sheldon suddenly understood himself or how to behave, the show would get, IMO, really boring really fast. And he has progressed and evolved, in his own way. He touches people, he talks about his feelings, he admits he's a person now, etc. He's still a jerk but he's trying. 

That's not to say that Leonard should just accept that Sheldon is an ass. It's all of his friends putting up a united front against his behavior that has made him progress at all. Baby steps. 

[joyceraye]

Did they show a promo for next week at the end ?

[joyceraye]

I liked the way Sheldon was able to go to speak privately and straightforwardly with Bert. I can't recall an earlier time when he would have gone to someone's office and opened a conversation with ' We need to talk' like that.

I admired Bert for not coming back with, ' You thought we were friends enough to invite me over to try out your brunch hosting when you were looking down on me and my work.'

Bert is pleased to have become 'rich and successful' without boasting about how he is the best anyway.Imagine how Sheldon would have reacted. Bert still keeps his humble demeanour while having tidied himself up a bit. He's taking the praise and the accolades happily but without fuss. In the cafeteria Sheldon manages to congratulate Bert without pulling faces or putting him down. He wouldn't have done that even one year ago without Leonard's or Amy's toe up his backside. It was only the mention of engineering that undid him, and even then he kept to his agreement not to disparage Howard's work.

I thought it was interesting that Leonard was not only able to get Sheldon to go out for a walk but a walk after dark, even, because Sheldon was aware that the jealousy was his own problem and needed dealing with.

[No Regrets]

I liked it when the group talked about Penny's short hair. 

Of course the rest of the episode was ruined by Sheldon and his moon-sized, whiney ego.

[Shelldon]

-Sheldon's jealous of Penny giving Bert attention. Oh my, I see those endgame goals.

-Ok sorry, but it was a fail of a punch line when they cut away from Sheldon throwing the rock and revealed he threw it at his foot. It would never logically land there.

-The Stephen Hawking toy should just be mass marketed. Then Howard wouldn't need that science project for the military.

-Penny's short hair was better than the long hair. I remember all the stupid internet comments complaining about it. That's what happens when you try to change the appearance of a sitcom character only valued for their stereotype.

-Bert, while not in the wrong to be proud of his achievement, was not all that stellar or likeable himself this week. 

-Quick, someone tell Wolowitz. Just because you feel offended for somebody, doesn't mean they feel that same way.

-What did Ellen have to do with anything in this episode? Literally the most disconnected tag in existence. Was that supposed to be an Ellen endorsement? There wasn't even a joke there.

-I seriously don't think I was watching a Season 10 episode. Did they pull this out of the unused Season 8 script bin? Can the next person to go on a taping retreat please find that bin, light a match, and toss it inside?

[mirs1]

"Good" episode,  not the best they have ever made, not their worst one. As I said when I read the TR, I like very much that it is is full to meta references, which probably are the funniest part of it: the gang discussing Kaley\Penny's haircut,  Sheldon saying one of the most famous JP's quote, Stephen Hawking saying that, even if he never won a Nobel Prize, he was on some TV shows in the very moment he is on a very famous TV show, all of them were hilarious. Probably, the whole episode can be read at a meta-level, Sheldon's jealousy about the prize might be the writers' jealousy about the fact the show never won an Emmy, not even in its early seasons. 

Edited November 18, 2016 by mirs1

[Chiany]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't TBBT a comedy show?

Had a small smile once maybe, but not even a laugh out loud.

[spidergirl]

Nice episode, not my less favourite but they have made better ones. There are a few nice moments and also a few boring ones, not much for be memorable.

I am not  a fan of envious Sheldon but what me upset a bit in this episode was the way the storyline was told. If we have not been regular viewers, it could be said that episode looked like one episode that was forgotten to be aired and they decided it should be now.There are no mentions of la , there is not a single scene in 4 B, there is not any good tip about Bernie 'S pregnancy, about boys project or Raj and Isabella.

Although Sheldon handled with his envy of Bert sucess in a more adult way than he used to do, there were a hints of old Sheldon that doesnt make much sense after what he has been growing emotionally.

But that's  okay, the episodes cant be all great and I can handle with that. Althoug I dont understand the writers need to put some characters taking steps backwards. It happened in the moment Sheldon was a bit mean to Amy and all Howard robot. Which both moments were saved by a Amy and Sheldon holding hands as she was giving  him advice and taking care of Sheldon and the conection between S H with the lack of a Nobel in his curriculum with Sheldon 's present carreer situation. Howard is realy more mature than the episode  showed but well.

I have really enjoyed the walk scene with Leonard  and Sheldon. It was nice that Leonard wanted to talk alone with Sheldon and trying  to put some sense into his best friend. He knows him better than anyone and it was a good friendhip moment.

Also  enjoyed Sheldon defending Amy ' honor. He knew about Bert 's feelings and he did not hesitant to defending  his girl who  is really the best.

Looking foward to seeing a few developments in next episodes.

Edited November 18, 2016 by spidergirl