[Spoilers] Raj: Season 11

[Jonny]

Thought it might be time to set up a Raj thread for Season 11 that way the DT can be used for discussing other things.

The purpose of this thread is simple, it's to discuss Raj in Season 11, ideally just like the Howardette thread that was set up in Season 10. I would like this thread to be used for either the positive developments during the season for Raj or to discuss in a rational and sensible manner his storylines. If you dislike Raj or think he should 'head back to India' this thread really isn't for you.

So let's start off with Season 11 Raj

Raj met Ruchi and was in a relationship for a short while before he was dumped by her due to a combination of spying on her for Bernie and Ruchi wanting to keep it as casual as possible which goes against what Raj is like in relationships. Will we see her again at some point? Who knows, judging the post on Swati's twitter feed it sounded like a goodbye for good but we shall see. If she does come back I have a hard time believing its any sort of endgame relationship.

We know Raj is featured a bit in episodes 10 and 11 coming up with some kind of fall out between Raj and Howard. I'm curious to see how this plays out and what if any changes result in them falling out and then making up. Is it drama for drama sake or something more? We shall see.

If Raj is not going anywhere with his love life anytime soon perhaps the career could be the focus? I wonder if the planetarium might be something they explore further? Or could he have some other job opportunity or breakthrough?

We know we get at least a scene (if the BTS) pictures are correct in Raj's apartment which IIRC we haven't seen yet since he moved so that should be exciting (correct me if I am wrong please lol). We also know Raj's dad makes an appearance by the sounds of it via video or phone call to offer his opinion and or advice. 

We are quickly coming to the end of the show unless we get more seasons so Raj could be a big storyline emphasis going forward during Season 11 and 12. With all the characters heading towards the conclusion of their stories Raj feels the most incomplete on the entire show so he really does need some love from the writers.

Is there anything you would like to discuss about Raj? Any hopes for him or areas you would like to see explored? And please feel free to post on this thread and talk about his upcoming storylines.

Edited December 5, 2017 by Jonny

[joyceraye]

I hope some things happen for him. He used to be what Bernadette called a cutie pie.Then he became a cad. He met Claire who had some superficially similar interests and he promptly decided Emily and he were not suited. Then he tried to keep them both on his string and boasted about it. Anything warm and generous about him slowly evaporated week by week. You'd think after all the fuss Raj made about involving hmself in Halley's impending arrival they'd make something more out of his being a godparent. Nope, I don't think they've mentioned that this season. They don't seem to write anything about him now other than that he can't get a woman and hold on to her. They've  even dropped the storyline of how he was trying to live on his salary and pay off his debts under Sheldon's supervision. 

I used to think, before Shamy were engaged, that one day when they finally decided to get married they'd find wedding planning too much and get Raj to take over. That was an obvious story for Raj but the writers haven't used it. When Leonard was saying Physics was dead, did Raj make a discovery in the sky to prove it was alive and well ? No, not even when Bert found interesting things in meteorites. If the best they can come up with is falling out with his best friend, at least it's something.

[mirs1]

In the last years, since Raj started talking to women, he has gotten a bunch of very ill executed plots. They all could have had potential, but failed miserably. Emily was never a part of the show, she just  popped up at random episodes. In S. 8 finale the writers had the idea of putting Raj against his biggest fear, being alone, making him decide between a relationship he didn't want and solitude. He chose the relationship, and the subject was dropped for a long time. Then the "dating two women" thing started, and thankfully we saw very little of it, but it was very unpleasant. Anyway, I would have wanted to see how it ended, but we didn't even get that. S. 10 was mostly about Raj being the third (or the fourth, counting Stuart) wheel in Howardette's family and  gaining independence from his family. This season he has gotten a few more plots, but I can't see a plan so far. Ruchi could have been an interesting addition, because he was dealing with a woman with totally different expectations from the relationship than himself. But it ended up into nothing. I'm not very convinced by his fight with Howard in the next two episodes, TBH. Howard is not the cause of his insecurities, like...at all. He came that way from India, I don't think you can consider a man who can't talk when women are in the room a confident person! It annoys me that the writers ignored this simple fact. The fight ends with 11.11, so I don't expect it to be any different from all the other plots Raj has had so far. 

The only thing I want for Raj is just for him to have a well executed horizontal plot, be it about his career, love life, family. I don't really care the subject, I just want the character gets some consistency.

[3ku11]

Only development I am interested in is him being shipped off to Mumbai. 

Edited December 6, 2017 by 3ku11

[joyceraye]

1 minute ago, 3ku11 said:

Only development I am interested in is him being shipped off to Mumbai. 

I think he'd be more likely to go back to Cambridge.

[snapepans]

Firstly, the love life.

Over the years, Raj had two official long-time girlfriends and a few love interests, I like Lucy and Emily the most. I was happy that the TPTB made Raj could talk to girls in 624, but I was sad that he and Lucy were done. And then, Emily came to the show, I thought both Lucy and Emily could fit into the gang, because they both were "weird", just in different ways, and the prom episode gave me more "proof" that I thought: "Yes, that's it. Emily is the one." But then, 824 came. Till this day, I still think that the reason for the Raj drama was because TPTB wanted four dramas in one episode, 824, so they made Emily "graveyard sex"-level creepy, then people would think maybe Raj would find a new girlfriend in Season 9? And keep them interested.

I've always thought if the TPTB really wanted to get rid of Emily, they could just let Raj and her break up, it was easy because they already made her "scary as hell", so no need to turn Raj into a two-timing A-hole. Or, if they really wanted to add that Claire girl, they could make her the official girlfriend of Raj, then it would be the same, still could get rid of Emily. And in the end, Raj broke up with them both, ended up alone. I'm fine with this, I just couldn't understand the intention of the "two-timing" thing. I know for a fact that this was the point that a lot of casual audience lost their love and sympathy for Raj, it was sad. 

And, then, Isabella, Ruchi...I think maybe by the end of the show, Raj still has no endgame in love, TPTB may bring some random girl to the show as Raj's love interest or short-time girlfriend, but they have no intention to let him get engaged, get married, etc. I'm fine with this, and I think the occasional new casts will be some fresh feeling of the show.

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And, secondly, the career.

I've always thought that Raj's field is very interesting, and it could bring all kinds of plots for him and the rest of the characters. But sadly, the writers didn't put too much effort into Raj's field, and on top of that, they excluded him out on the guiding system project. I know, it was Leonard's idea, Sheldon's math, Howard's making the model, but still, if they want, they could easily add Raj into it. Howard's original intention was because the Wolowitzs needed the extra money due to Halley, but then in Season 10, Raj was "broke", so they could add him into the project and write some astrophysicist-related plots for Raj, I'm sure they could pull that off.

Ironically, I remembered when my friends and I were watching 1023, when the seven of them were toasting, Raj got upset because he didn't in the project, then Sheldon said:"I hope his character doesn't make it into the movie, because he is kind of a bummer." Then, one of my friend said:" Wow, is he talking about the project movie or the show itself?" Then it hit me, yes, this is so META!!! At this point, the writers made Raj so annoying that the audience have no love for him. And, it was really sad. Sigh.

I'm interested in the new work-related plot for Raj, according to the promo photos and the TR, he has an interview, I'm looking forward to watch this.

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Thirdly, the interactions between Raj and the rest of them.

I've always loved the unusual pairings of the seven characters, they have been very refreshing to me, and most of the plots were very funny, I love them. 

And I've always thought that Raj can be put into any kind of unusual pairings because he has so many potential for the writers to use, and I think you can't say the plots OOC because Raj is a wild card, I believe he is capable of anything. So, in that case, I really want to see him in some unusual pairings. I'm not saying I don't enjoy Howard and Raj, like, at all. Because I think this pairing is canon, and a very interesting friendship. I just thought they wrote this pairing too many times, kinda made them stuck with each other, it was like icecream, I love them, but I don't eat them every meal. 

On the other hand, in the past, Raj had some very interesting plots with the rest of them, like, Raj and Sheldon fighting for the big desk in Sheldon's office; they went to the bar and got double date; Holloween snake; being in the tunnel for the experiments...Amy helped him talked to Lucy and helped him find Emily, Raj went shopping with Penny and Leonard and turned out he has the same taste with Penny (LMAO)...Oh, and some funny dialogues with Bernie about who was the "true love" of Howard, hahaha. 

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Last week's 1109 got me nostalgic, and made me feel more sorry for Raj, so right now, I hope the writers will give Raj some decent plots.

 

PS: Thank you, @Jonny, @joyceraye and @mirs1 for this thread and the long rational analyzing posts, I really miss reading them. Thank you!!!

[bfm]

Nice posts you guys.

I think Raj is lost and has been that way for a long time now. I hope the new job will bring something along but every time I get some hopes I end up disappointed. I think they can go many ways eith Raj, developing him career-wise, romatically, or as a person. Sadly, they never do.

As for romantic partners, I liked Lucy and Ruchi the best and was sad it didn't work out with them. Emily I actually wasn't that fond of but at least it lasted. I really hope we get to see Ruchi again. For me it felt like she belongs in the show, maybe not in her first episodes but in the second and especially the last one. I think it is rare that an actor and character blend in so quickly, IMO there were many who did not fit the show, at least not for multiple episodes, like Isabella, deaf Emily, Howard's brother, Mee-Maw or Dave (a great guest but not a good fit for multiple episodes, IMO). To me it's a shame they didn't stick to her.  Of course I also thought she and Raj have potential as a couple. Raj came to treat her like a person and not like a prized object.

Edited December 7, 2017 by bfm

[Die Zimtzicke]

10 hours ago, bfm said:

As to romantic partners, I liked Lucy and Ruchi the best and was sad it didn't work out with them. Emily I actually wasn't that fond of but at least it lasted. I really hope we get to see Ruchi again.

I liked Lucy, too, because they were broken together, but I didn't think it would last. I couldn't stand Emily. But I do think Rucci has potential. If she ever realizes that sleeping with someone and having fun with them is a type of relationship, I think it could work. I love seeing him with someone he has things in common with.  Their discussion of sports was something different for Raj.

[Jonny]

11 hours ago, Die Zimtzicke said:

I liked Lucy, too, because they were broken together, but I didn't think it would last. I couldn't stand Emily. But I do think Rucci has potential. If she ever realizes that sleeping with someone and having fun with them is a type of relationship, I think it could work. I love seeing him with someone he has things in common with.  Their discussion of sports was something different for Raj.

Lucy was slowly trying to come out of her shell, but Raj is too full on. He meets a girl for the first time and dreams about marrying them and having kids. I never saw them as being anything long term. It sounded like she didn't regret going out with Raj when she turned up that time with the other exes but she found someone better suited to how fast she wanted to go. I didn't mind Lucy though just didn't think it would work out long term.

Ruchi coming back I don't think you can rule out, but they added the Bernie factor and that to me makes it less likely we will see her again.

[bfm]

1 hour ago, Jonny said:

Lucy was slowly trying to come out of her shell, but Raj is too full on. He meets a girl for the first time and dreams about marrying them and having kids. I never saw them as being anything long term. It sounded like she didn't regret going out with Raj when she turned up that time with the other exes but she found someone better suited to how fast she wanted to go. I didn't mind Lucy though just didn't think it would work out long term.

Ruchi coming back I don't think you can rule out, but they added the Bernie factor and that to me makes it less likely we will see her again.

Raj didn't seem to care too much about Bernie though... I don't think he would reject Ruchi if he ever gets another chance with her because of Bernadette.

[snapepans]

2 hours ago, shamymania said:

This has probably been my favorite episode of the season so far.  I enjoyed the Shamy moments, but I think the Raj story line is what sold me on it. This is Raj's (and Kunal Nayyar's) episode. In fact, I think it has been Raj's season, with the writers exploring Raj having more confidence in dating and now professionally.   I am glad that his character is finally receiving a real story line.

I agree with every word.

This is totally Raj's episode, a complete and really great plot.

I love his new job, and this is what I was talking about in my earlier post, Raj's field is indeed very interesting!!!

When he was talking to the audience, I thought he was very confident, with a little sense of humor, not nervous. 

His argument with Howard made me sad, and Howard being in the audience melted my heart. I'm looking forward to watching this story line next week.

In the end, that girl asking him out for coffee was a really nice touch, and I thought Raj being nervous and talking about coffee made him stay awake was totally IC. 

And, yes, I can see this will be Raj's season after this episode.

PS: Thank you writers, for letting Raj show his handsome side, the hairdo, the suits...Love them.

[mirs1]

I was very skeptical about the premises of this episode for Raj. The bits he told us about his past didn't bode for him being more confident when he was in India and still think the writers ret-con the canon for having this plot. It's true, anyway, that having a friends that constantly pokes fun at you and your weaknesses doesn't help you to grow your confidence, so I let this inconsistence slip, since this is indeed the best plot Raj has had in 5 years.  I'm happy it is not a one-off, but we'll see a follow up in 11.11. This is the first time since Raj said last season that he wanted to be independent and to mature that I actually believe he's doing something about it. Fingers crossed!

[April]

I haven't really had time to write down my thoughts on Raj in general but still thanks a lot for this thread!!

RE: last night's episode

It really seems they're finally trying to get Raj sorted out. It was tough on Howard but I would agree with Raj that after 15 years with a friend like that you need some time apart. They've always been super close as friends and when you have the feeling this friendship is toxic you just need to take a step back and revaluate the situation. Evidently it works for Raj right now and I'm interested where they'll take these two in the future.

I also really loved the meta writing calling out all the mean jokes (including the racism and such). There was the justification that it's just what friends do but I like the acknowledgement that this can still be hurtful. If that thinking continues to spread within the group (like with Lenny) it could be a nice vehicle to change the friendships and explore the resulting new dynamics. We'll see, I guess.

[spidergirl]

Oh a Raj's S11 thread, cool! Well done, @Jonny

You all made great points, it was really enjoyable to read them.

Aside writting inconsistence bits as @mirs1 pointed very well, I enjoyed much Raj in 11.10. It was good for change seeing him to do something for improving his life and feel happier. It was heartbreaking to watch two bf be apart but both needed this pause imo. It wont change their friendship sense but surely might improve their self respect  (in Raj part) and for each other( in Howard part) . I just hope this is going to a nice place as Raj 's character deserve a change of improving ( liking him or not as character) and also as I mentioned in the 11.10 thread, it is about time some shinning time for Kunal in the show. Crossing fingers for all of that!

Edited December 8, 2017 by spidergirl
Typos

[Jonny]

Interesting storyline tonight with Raj and Howard, not sure what to make of it right now so I may re-watch it a few more times.

I think In the confines of just this episode it made sense that they fell out and Raj cut ties. Howard was pretty nasty in this episode with his snark felt more like barbs, to me it felt like they put more in there than usual to reinforce the storyline, to build up the case why Raj did what he did. Usually you see Howard throw a bit of snark in an episode here and there but not as much and sometimes not as nastily.

But when you expand this idea to other episodes and the seasons before I am not sure I buy into it yet that Howard is a major problem, I mean sure it doesn't help when he is snarky towards him and it can damage his confidence for sure. But Raj is no saint here either, there have been times when he gives as good as he gets to his friends not only Howard. And Howard has done a lot of good for Raj as well and their relationship has had benefits. Oh and Sheldon, Leonard, Penny and Bernie have ridiculed Raj over the years as well (I don't recall Amy doing much of that), I can remember those jokes, did they damage his self confidence as well?

Its interesting to see what happens going forward.

My guess is this week a lot of people will sympathize with Raj because of the insults Howard did and the obvious success Raj had with the Observatory an the girl asking him out for a coffee after he cut ties.

But next week as we know this continues people may start to swing behind Howard more, I obviously haven't seen this episode yet but it felt towards the end of this one that I started to shift a bit more towards Howard on this. Raj was perhaps going towards extremes here.

It's something to really look out for in the next episode.

[Die Zimtzicke]

6 hours ago, snapepans said:

This is totally Raj's episode, a complete and really great plot.

YES! I love him having something of his own. I hate to say it but perhaps they didn't want to hire him at first because of his accent? But I think confident Raj will be amazing and I do think Howard's teasing has always gone too far. Some of the fat jokes directed at his mother used to make me cringe. I like Raj's curly hair. A treat to see dad again, as always.  He's so funny. I wonder if the girl will show up again?

9 minutes ago, Jonny said:

But when you expand this idea to other episodes and the seasons before I am not sure I buy into it yet that Howard is a major problem,

Doesn't matter if he is or isn't as long as Raj is convinced he is. It's Raj's mindset that was being explored.

[mirs1]

A silly thought just occurred to me....In the next episode, Raj will continue to have curly hair,as a sign of independence from Howard. In many of his interviews, Kunal has complained about having to straighten it for every episode. What if this is the occasion for him to get rid of an uncomfortable feature of  his character? It will be interesting to see if in the promo pics for 11.12 Raj has still curly hair, LOL!

[Jonny]

2 minutes ago, mirs1 said:

A silly thought just occurred to me....In the next episode, Raj will continue to have curly hair,as a sign of independence from Howard. In many of his interviews, Kunal has complained about having to straighten it for every episode. What if this is the occasion for him to get rid of an uncomfortable feature of  his character? It will be interesting to see if in the promo pics for 11.12 Raj has still curly hair, LOL!

Yeah I thought that too!

[snapepans]

12 minutes ago, Jonny said:

My guess is this week a lot of people will sympathize with Raj because of the insults Howard did and the obvious success Raj had with the Observatory an the girl asking him out for a coffee after he cut ties.

But next week as we know this continues people may start to swing behind Howard more, I obviously haven't seen this episode yet but it felt towards the end of this one that I started to shift a bit more towards Howard on this. Raj was perhaps going towards extremes here.

Yes, I've seen some comments on the social media, people were saying they felt very sorry for Howard, and they hoped that writers wouldn't "break them up". 

I watched the promo of 1111, I LOLed. I think maybe this story line would end in the next episode. In fact, I kinda hope we could see more of it, I think this is a very good story line for Raj and Howard. It has potential if the writers want to expand it.

 

8 minutes ago, Die Zimtzicke said:

YES! I love him having something of his own. I hate to say it but perhaps they didn't want to hire him at first because of his accent? But I think confident Raj will be amazing and I do think Howard's teasing has always gone too far. Some of the fat jokes directed at his mother used to make me cringe. I like Raj's curly hair. A treat to see dad again, as always.  He's so funny. I wonder if the girl will show up again?

I have a feeling that the writers want Raj's dating life being active, so, new girls would show up once in a while, but not the same girl.

[mirs1]

58 minutes ago, Jonny said:

Interesting storyline tonight with Raj and Howard, not sure what to make of it right now so I may re-watch it a few more times.

I think In the confines of just this episode it made sense that they fell out and Raj cut ties. Howard was pretty nasty in this episode with his snark felt more like barbs, to me it felt like they put more in there than usual to reinforce the storyline, to build up the case why Raj did what he did. Usually you see Howard throw a bit of snark in an episode here and there but not as much and sometimes not as nastily.

But when you expand this idea to other episodes and the seasons before I am not sure I buy into it yet that Howard is a major problem, I mean sure it doesn't help when he is snarky towards him and it can damage his confidence for sure. But Raj is no saint here either, there have been times when he gives as good as he gets to his friends not only Howard. And Howard has done a lot of good for Raj as well and their relationship has had benefits. Oh and Sheldon, Leonard, Penny and Bernie have ridiculed Raj over the years as well (I don't recall Amy doing much of that), I can remember those jokes, did they damage his self confidence as well?

Its interesting to see what happens going forward.

My guess is this week a lot of people will sympathize with Raj because of the insults Howard did and the obvious success Raj had with the Observatory an the girl asking him out for a coffee after he cut ties.

But next week as we know this continues people may start to swing behind Howard more, I obviously haven't seen this episode yet but it felt towards the end of this one that I started to shift a bit more towards Howard on this. Raj was perhaps going towards extremes here.

It's something to really look out for in the next episode.

I felt sorry for Howard at the end of the episode. He went to the Observatory to support Raj during his first show, but hid in the last rows because he wasn't sure he wanted him there. Then he backed up because he saw Raj was doing better without him in his life. TBH, this is the best break up plot TBBT has had so far, LOL! I think it will be over in the next episode, given the TR, but I hope it has more long lasting consequences for Raj and his relationship with Howard.

[spidergirl]

31 minutes ago, mirs1 said:

I felt sorry for Howard at the end of the episode. He went to the Observatory to support Raj during his first show, but hid in the last rows because he wasn't sure he wanted him there. Then he backed up because he saw Raj was doing better without him in his life. TBH, this is the best break up plot TBBT has had so far, LOL! I think it will be over in the next episode, given the TR, but I hope it has more long lasting consequences for Raj and his relationship with Howard.

Me too. Surely Howard's friendship for Raj and vice versa was not in doubt from writers's pov but it was interisting to see them to change their dynamic with a possible improvement. Sometimes is need to feel how we miss someone in our life to value them better. I hope at end there will be less snarky jokes from Howard to Raj but I hope that would not change completely either as it would be ooc for both if they changed their dynamic completely. And truth is , while Bernie is more away , it is nice to focus more in Raj and Howard 's relationship which is a classic from the show. Some of my fav funniest tbbt moment belong to their friendship.

Edited December 8, 2017 by spidergirl

[bfm]

7 hours ago, mirs1 said:

A silly thought just occurred to me....In the next episode, Raj will continue to have curly hair,as a sign of independence from Howard. In many of his interviews, Kunal has complained about having to straighten it for every episode. What if this is the occasion for him to get rid of an uncomfortable feature of  his character? It will be interesting to see if in the promo pics for 11.12 Raj has still curly hair, LOL!

Maybe his hair will magically alternate between curly and straight like Leonard's 

[Die Zimtzicke]

7 hours ago, mirs1 said:

TBH, this is the best break up plot TBBT has had so far, LOL! I think it will be over in the next episode, given the TR, but I hope it has more long lasting consequences for Raj and his relationship with Howard.

Definitely best  break up plot they've had.

[KripkeRules]

Good posts, interesting reading. I'm interested in Raj's new storylines. 

[KripkeRules]

Raj and Howard's plot was funny in this episode, Raj was really good at planning birthday party, not to mention in such short notice. Glad to see them having fun.