[Spoilers] Season 12 Discussion Thread

[Itwasdestined]

They are all terrific friends to each other, despite their exaggerated flaws and occasional ( there have been 268 episodes and 15/12/9 years of relationships to spread it out) bad behaviour. These individual instances of poor treatment of friends are often overblown examples of things that life long friends in real life experience and forgive and forget, with the odd example that may have gone too far e.g. the behind the back girl stuff re Stephanie and Priya and fantasising about friends girls.

The humour staple of this show as I think we can all agree is playful ( sometimes hurtful) put downs, jibes and teasing and cutting observations of each others’ lives. We are IMHO way more sensitive about their treatment of each other than they obviously are. Other than a Penny punch to Howard’s face, a ‘Panty piñata’ showdown, an occasional one episode walkout, a swinging handbag, a Carpark fight, a YouTube punch on, a side kick inspired wrestling match, a public spat at a conference panel, a few pranks and name calls and I’m sure a few others I can’t recall, most of their responses to the daily snark are just just dirty looks, eye rolls and shrugs. But amongst all that - and my wife and friends have put up with smartarse comments from me for decades and let it slide - they have done a lot for each other.

Lead insulter that he is, Sheldon has financially supported Penny, given her advice she’s appreciated, supported her when Leonard hasn’t been around. He’s saved Raj from deportation and provided company when Raj has needed. He fought for recognition for Howard on the gyroscope project, gave him emotional support when and after his mum died, and set up a fund for Holly. He clearly respects Bernie and was able to give her something the others couldn’t see with that D&D adventure he made for her. Despite putting Leonard down constantly, he has also been a support in many situations and regardless of what we see ON screen, being in constant contact with someone for 15+ years is a real friendship.

Main target though she is, Penny has consistently been a support for Sheldon from Season 1, saved Amy from a life of loneliness while also putting up with a lot of crap from her, even when Priya was around, Penny helped out Leonard and gave him lots of support before they got together. She always drops everything she is doing when her friends need her.

Leonard, despite his weaknesses, will do anything for everyone. Despite many setbacks, he was always a shoulder to lean on for Penny in the early years and did more than a parent for Sheldon. He’s often seen as the leader of the group.

Despite their faults, Amy and Bernie have been great friends to Penny. I don’t think she would have survived season 4 without them. They have also talked up Leonard to her when required ( and yes also put him down ) and Bernie did help Penny grow up by getting her that job.

Howard and Raj are harder to pin down other than just being good guys to hang around with that are less hassle than Sheldon but when required they listen and support. Obviously they are great support to each other as well as Bernadette as they have become the secondary friendship group as support to the Lenny/Shamy main act.

My point is, we can all find examples of shitty behaviour as friends, but deep down, despite the the edgier Chuck Lorre show humour that makes them appear far from perfect friends, I think they are just as good friends as the 6 from Friends.


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[chucky]

12 minutes ago, Itwasdestined said:

They are all terrific friends to each other, despite their exaggerated flaws and occasional ( there have been 268 episodes and 15/12/9 years of relationships to spread it out) bad behaviour. These individual instances of poor treatment of friends are often overblown examples of things that life long friends in real life experience and forgive and forget, with the odd example that may have gone too far e.g. the behind the back girl stuff re Stephanie and Priya and fantasising about friends girls.

The humour staple of this show as I think we can all agree is playful ( sometimes hurtful) put downs, jibes and teasing and cutting observations of each others’ lives. We are IMHO way more sensitive about their treatment of each other than they obviously are. Other than a Penny punch to Howard’s face, a ‘Panty piñata’ showdown, an occasional one episode walkout, a swinging handbag, a Carpark fight, a YouTube punch on, a side kick inspired wrestling match, a public spat at a conference panel, a few pranks and name calls and I’m sure a few others I can’t recall, most of their responses to the daily snark are just just dirty looks, eye rolls and shrugs. But amongst all that - and my wife and friends have put up with smartarse comments from me for decades and let it slide - they have done a lot for each other.

Lead insulter that he is, Sheldon has financially supported Penny, given her advice she’s appreciated, supported her when Leonard hasn’t been around. He’s saved Raj from deportation and provided company when Raj has needed. He fought for recognition for Howard on the gyroscope project, gave him emotional support when and after his mum died, and set up a fund for Holly. He clearly respects Bernie and was able to give her something the others couldn’t see with that D&D adventure he made for her. Despite putting Leonard down constantly, he has also been a support in many situations and regardless of what we see ON screen, being in constant contact with someone for 15+ years is a real friendship.

Main target though she is, Penny has consistently been a support for Sheldon from Season 1, saved Amy from a life of loneliness while also putting up with a lot of crap from her, even when Priya was around, Penny helped out Leonard and gave him lots of support before they got together. She always drops everything she is doing when her friends need her.

Leonard, despite his weaknesses, will do anything for everyone. Despite many setbacks, he was always a shoulder to lean on for Penny in the early years and did more than a parent for Sheldon. He’s often seen as the leader of the group.

Despite their faults, Amy and Bernie have been great friends to Penny. I don’t think she would have survived season 4 without them. They have also talked up Leonard to her when required ( and yes also put him down ) and Bernie did help Penny grow up by getting her that job.

Howard and Raj are harder to pin down other than just being good guys to hang around with that are less hassle than Sheldon but when required they listen and support. Obviously they are great support to each other as well as Bernadette as they have become the secondary friendship group as support to the Lenny/Shamy main act.

My point is, we can all find examples of shitty behaviour as friends, but deep down, despite the the edgier Chuck Lorre show humour that makes them appear far from perfect friends, I think they are just as good friends as the 6 from Friends.


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So true and well said!

[Tensor]

25 posts moved to the Non-season 12 Show Discussion Thread or The Season 12 Chit Chat thread.  If you wish to discuss whether or not Leonard cheated or if he did, or whether Sheldon did, all of that is not season 12 discussion, so please move to the Non-season 12 Show discussion thread.  

[veejay]

50 minutes ago, Tensor said:

25 posts moved to the Non-season 12 Show Discussion Thread or The Season 12 Chit Chat thread.  If you wish to discuss whether or not Leonard cheated or if he did, or whether Sheldon did, all of that is not season 12 discussion, so please move to the Non-season 12 Show discussion thread.  

Oops, I think I had an internal blackout. First I read it as "the Non-sense 12 Show". Hm...

[3ku11]

None of the characters are flawless or perfect? Well their goes my world view 

 

Look these are imperfect characters. As Far as Leonard goes. He is a flawed hero. Not a perfect one. I Woulden't be watching this show as long as I have, if they were perfect. Life is not perfect, people are not perfect. Leonard and Priya was a tricky one. Their relationship was over. And with Steph, well did not bother me as much as Leonard/Mandy did. Penny has done crappy things too. I could count the amount of crappy things Sheldon has done to Amy. But with Leonard and Penny its their imperfections that make them perfect for each other. Penny doesen't want kids. But doesen't want to be with anyone else. Leonard wants kids, but does not want to be with anyone else. They are both crazy, flawed, a complete mess. But the love is their. 

I am going to have to watch the latest two episodes. But I am assuming they were not awe inspiring. 

Edited January 20, 2019 by 3ku11

[Strawberry]

6 hours ago, veejay said:

Oops, I think I had an internal blackout. First I read it as "the Non-sense 12 Show". Hm...

Aw, veejay is the same as Penny.

[chucky]

8 minutes ago, Strawberry said:

Aw, veejay is the same as Penny.

I think we all have those types of moments from time to time!!  

[Die Zimtzicke]

18 hours ago, Sah said:

I say Jim Parsons is the best actor. No one else could make a character like Sheldon who is an ass sometimes as popular as he is. Kaley or Johnny are the bottom for me. 

Love Simon, Bernadette and Kunal. 

Sheldon is what drew me in and held me to the show. There had never been anything like him on TV that I could remember at the time. There had been plenty of nerdy guys longing for big chested, ditzy blondes, and plenty of guys with creepy best friends who said inappropriate things. I liked Raj but to me he was too much like Fez on That 70's Show. Sheldon was unique.

[chucky]

1 hour ago, Die Zimtzicke said:

Sheldon is what drew me in and held me to the show. There had never been anything like him on TV that I could remember at the time. There had been plenty of nerdy guys longing for big chested, ditzy blondes, and plenty of guys with creepy best friends who said inappropriate things. I liked Raj but to me he was too much like Fez on That 70's Show. Sheldon was unique.

To each their own!

[smartandbeautiful]

January 31st the cast will be on The Ellen Show  Found this info on https://episodecalendar.com/en/show/the-ellen-degeneres-show, hope it's right 😅

[chucky]

2 hours ago, smartandbeautiful said:

January 31st the cast will be on The Ellen Show  Found this info on https://episodecalendar.com/en/show/the-ellen-degeneres-show, hope it's right 😅

It'll be good to see them all together again outside of the show!

[Mario D.]

1 hour ago, chucky said:

It'll be good to see them all together again outside of the show!

January 31st  will be the next episode to air, I believe it is no. 14 which was taped last week.  Episode no. 15 should air the following week  Feb. 7  which is the one they are taping this coming week and I think  is the one with Zack again.  Wonder which episode they will talk about?

[chucky]

1 minute ago, Mario D. said:

January 31st  will be the next episode to air, I believe it is no. 14 which was taped last week.  Episode no. 15 should air the following week  Feb. 7  which is the one they are taping this coming week and I think  is the one with Zack again.  Wonder which episode they will talk about?

There'll be a lot of discussion  on this being the season and their feelings about it. Will they discuss any particular episode, well your guess is as good as mine!

[legacy99]

My guess they will tell us how great the writers are doing and how sad they are about the ending beings so near

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[chucky]

7 minutes ago, legacy99 said:

My guess they will tell us how great the writers are doing and how sad they are about the ending beings so near

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Yeah, one's a lie and the other's the truth!

[veejay]

20 minutes ago, legacy99 said:

My guess they will tell us how great the writers are doing and how sad they are about the ending beings so near

Of course. They're all great actors! 😉

[chucky]

1 minute ago, veejay said:

Of course. They're all great actors! 😉

Can't upset them until the final episode is taped!

[Chrismo]

Ellen filmed right near where TBBT is filmed. Kaley’s Friends with Ellen going back to her TV show. She played a young Ellen in an episode. I’m sure it will be very scripted what they say. Nothing overly interesting IMO. They can’t really say anything bad about the writers or TPTB but anyone who has been employed can’t do that either.

 

[Neilly]

It will be an emotional time for the actors, writers and crew as we reach ever closer to series finale. 

I do worry about how good the series finale will be. We have seen how all the cast are very good friends. The character development and relarionships have made the show the success it has been.

 

I think the series finale should be the end of a chapter in their lives. I hope the writers can give the end of the show some justice. 

 

There are many issues that cannot be covered in the last half of the reason. But, I think the finale should be about them each moving on with their lives. Whether sheldon/amy get the nobel prize or major achievement, leonard/penny moving away because of new job or cant have children, raj perhaps moving on with or without Anu. Bernadette getting promoted, Howard finally meeting his dad etc. (Over the top ideas I know)

Moving out appartment 4A/B could be a good ending to the show. It would be great to include the gag with the elavator. It would be funny if it was finally fixed as they move onto into the future. 

Edited January 20, 2019 by Neilly
Edit

[SRAM]

1 hour ago, Neilly said:

It will be an emotional time for the actors, writers and crew as we reach ever closer to series finale. 

I do worry about how good the series finale will be. We have seen how all the cast are very good friends. The character development and relarionships have made the show the success it has been.

 

I think the series finale should be the end of a chapter in their lives. I hope the writers can give the end of the show some justice. 

 

There are many issues that cannot be covered in the last half of the reason. But, I think the finale should be about them each moving on with their lives. Whether sheldon/amy get the nobel prize or major achievement, leonard/penny moving away because of new job or cant have children, raj perhaps moving on with or without Anu. Bernadette getting promoted, Howard finally meeting his dad etc. (Over the top ideas I know)

Moving out appartment 4A/B could be a good ending to the show. It would be great to include the gag with the elavator. It would be funny if it was finally fixed as they move onto into the future. 

Welcome to the forum @Neilly.

[chucky]

1 hour ago, Neilly said:

It will be an emotional time for the actors, writers and crew as we reach ever closer to series finale. 

I do worry about how good the series finale will be. We have seen how all the cast are very good friends. The character development and relarionships have made the show the success it has been.

 

I think the series finale should be the end of a chapter in their lives. I hope the writers can give the end of the show some justice. 

 

There are many issues that cannot be covered in the last half of the reason. But, I think the finale should be about them each moving on with their lives. Whether sheldon/amy get the nobel prize or major achievement, leonard/penny moving away because of new job or cant have children, raj perhaps moving on with or without Anu. Bernadette getting promoted, Howard finally meeting his dad etc. (Over the top ideas I know)

Moving out appartment 4A/B could be a good ending to the show. It would be great to include the gag with the elavator. It would be funny if it was finally fixed as they move onto into the future. 

Nice post! I agree to hoping some, if not all are address.

[3ku11]

Big Bang Theory Season 12 Pays Off Very First Pilot Scene

https://screenrant.com/big-bang-theory-season-12-sperm-bank-pilot-scene/

This is true. This whole Sperm plot Is the show homaging the pilot. Who knows if Leonard we’ll father a child. But maybe adoption is in Lenny’s future. Hypothetically if Leonard does go through with it. And fathers a child. I get the sense Penny doesent dislike children. 

Edited January 20, 2019 by 3ku11

[shell]

9 hours ago, Die Zimtzicke said:

Sheldon is what drew me in and held me to the show. There had never been anything like him on TV that I could remember at the time. There had been plenty of nerdy guys longing for big chested, ditzy blondes, and plenty of guys with creepy best friends who said inappropriate things. I liked Raj but to me he was too much like Fez on That 70's Show. Sheldon was unique.

Me, too. He was so good at what he did. I felt compassion for him towards his innocence.  Then I saw the bloopers and I could tell he was so different from his character, his smiles were so sweet and genuine. I was hooked. He seems to be well liked by directors and actors he works with.

[BigBang15]

3 hours ago, Chrismo said:

Ellen filmed right near where TBBT is filmed. Kaley’s Friends with Ellen going back to her TV show. She played a young Ellen in an episode. I’m sure it will be very scripted what they say. Nothing overly interesting IMO. They can’t really say anything bad about the writers or TPTB but anyone who has been employed can’t do that either.

 

What makes you (or anyone) think they have anything bad to say about the writers? That notion is in fans heads, not theirs. Their writers provided them with secure jobs and lots of money.

[Strawberry PopTart Fan]

2 hours ago, 3ku11 said:

Big Bang Theory Season 12 Pays Off Very First Pilot Scene

https://screenrant.com/big-bang-theory-season-12-sperm-bank-pilot-scene/

This is true. This whole Sperm plot Is the show homaging the pilot. Who knows if Leonard we’ll father a child. But maybe adoption is in Lenny’s future. Hypothetically if Leonard does go through with it. And fathers a child. I get the sense Penny doesent dislike children. 

The article makes many observations and  asks many of the questions which have been asked on the Forum. I think they did a good job on their summary and analysis!