[Spoilers] Season 12 Discussion Thread

[vonmar]

18.5 million people watched the finale. (L+ same day)

Source

 

[Itwasdestined]

[mention=23623]spidergirl[/mention] :  Your post brought yet more tears.  As we have come to "the end" we will begin to fall away from something that for better or worse has sort of become our online home for TBBT content.  We agree; we disagree; we argue; we make-up (and sometimes don't), but we all have something in common:  our love for this (as Mrs. Wolowitz would say) furcocktah television show. 
I just want to say now that I wish every single one of you as we make our exit (whenever we do so) peace, joy, love and happiness!!!

I was talking to one of my friends yesterday and she asked me if BBT was my favourite show ever. I thought for a while - I really loved MASH, Cheers, Seinfeld - then said “ it’s the show I’ve been the most emotionally engaged with and it’s because of the forum I’ve been on for 6 years”

I started coming here just for spoilers when I started watching in Season 5 and binge watched 5 seasons in 3 weeks. One day I was drawn in by one particularly passionate post and hit reply and bang - my life changed.

I was now watching a show, not just with my wife and kids, who were just casual viewers but with 100s of people who had connections to the show like me.

I wasn’t just watching a comedy, I was watching my life played out on TV and that wasn’t just because of the writers but even more because of you guys. We talked about how our lives mirrored Lenny and I connected every part of Leonard and Penny’s story to the history of my marriage. The more we talked about Sheldon’s issues the more I saw his characteristics in me ( not to that extreme but boy am I a Sheldon). We talked about Raj struggling with women and saw me before my wife. We talked about Howard’s,Leonard’s and Sheldon’s relationships with his Mum and I relived how I am with my mum. Every conversation we had I was digging deeper into my life. The show started it off but this place created an emotional connection I never thought I’d have with a TV show.

You guys were with me when my Dad died and then I was there when your families lost someone. We mourned the deaths of loved forum members and checked in on the health of others. We woke up to news of hurricanes in Florida and wondered how forum friends were going. When I started planning my trip to US and wanted to see a taping, I was supported by members who didn’t know me but understood my dream and sat at their computers with me on the opposite side of the world helping me fulfill it. I’ve spent just as long on my local football team’s forum and talk a lot of football there. On this forum I’ve talked a lot about life. So different.

When it got a bit snarky here a couple of years back I had a break from the negativity and stopped posting but couldn’t resist reading. And when I occasionally hit that reply button just to say I’m still here, the regulars would be so happy to “see” me again. In the end I couldn’t do anything but return to normal transmission and reengage regularly.

Saying goodbye to the show was tough last night but they were characters. Saying goodbye to this place will be tough because we’re real people. Maybe the reruns will keep it all going. [emoji1319][emoji16][emoji3590][emoji22]


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[luminous]

 

[hokie3457]

5 minutes ago, Itwasdestined said:

 

I was talking to one of my friends yesterday and she asked me if BBT was my favourite show ever. I thought for a while - I really loved MASH, Cheers, Seinfeld - then said “ it’s the show I’ve been the most emotionally engaged with and it’s because of the forum I’ve been on for 6 years”

I started coming here just for spoilers when I started watching in Season 5 and binge watched 5 seasons in 3 weeks. One day I was drawn in by one particularly passionate post and hit reply and bang - my life changed.

I was now watching a show, not just with my wife and kids, who were just casual viewers but with 100s of people who had connections to the show like me.

I wasn’t just watching a comedy, I was watching my life played out on TV and that wasn’t just because of the writers but even more because of you guys. We talked about how our lives mirrored Lenny and I connected every part of Leonard and Penny’s story to the history of my marriage. The more we talked about Sheldon’s issues the more I saw his characteristics in me ( not to that extreme but boy am I a Sheldon). We talked about Raj struggling with women and saw me before my wife. We talked about Howard’s,Leonard’s and Sheldon’s relationships with his Mum and I relived how I am with my mum. Every conversation we had I was digging deeper into my life. The show started it off but this place created an emotional connection I never thought I’d have with a TV show.

You guys were with me when my Dad died and then I was there when your families lost someone. We mourned the deaths of loved forum members and checked in on the health of others. We woke up to news of hurricanes in Florida and wondered how forum friends were going. When I started planning my trip to US and wanted to see a taping, I was supported by members who didn’t know me but understood my dream and sat at their computers with me on the opposite side of the world helping me fulfill it. I’ve spent just as long on my local football team’s forum and talk a lot of football there. On this forum I’ve talked a lot about life. So different.

When it got a bit snarky here a couple of years back I had a break from the negativity and stopped posting but couldn’t resist reading. And when I occasionally hit that reply button just to say I’m still here, the regulars would be so happy to “see” me again. In the end I couldn’t do anything but return to normal transmission and reengage regularly.

Saying goodbye to the show was tough last night but they were characters. Saying goodbye to this place will be tough because we’re real people. Maybe the reruns will keep it all going.


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The post right after your’s that I am quoting @Itwasdestined is a Instagram post from Melissa’s account placed here by @luminous . It is a photo of the cast in a group hug. Your post is like a major hug of all of us here. Your experience with the Forum is echoed by my own and by many others I am sure. I’ve made friends here and on Twitter that I will treasure all my remaining  days.  Endings always come, but we don’t loose the memories.

[vonmar]

Press Release

[chucky]

3 minutes ago, vonmar said:

Press Release

Thanks

[MookiStar]

is it me or in that video Amy posted she basically answered no questions lol 

[Tensor]

First off, I want to thank @vonmar, for posting the ratings.   Due to a couple of things going back a month or so, and something that happened today, I've spent most of the day in the hospital, getting X-rays and A CAT scan.  I may have a slight fracture to my right arm (and I'm right handed), but I can still type, without moving my arm.

As for the show, as most of you can imagine, I'm quite happy with the Lenny pregnancy.  If, as they said, they were looking at it from early in the season, then I'm puzzled about some of the episodes.  As far as the episode 3, I am now of the belief that they expected a 13th season, and 12.03 was a way to not  deal with a Lenny pregnancy during this season.  The donation episodes were then their attempt to show Penny possibly changing her mind (or more properly think about it) but it was a rather messed up attempt.   

I think they pushed Sheldon's bad behavior more than necessary, (it's difficult here, as we've seen something close to that kind of  behavior from him, even in this season, but it did seem a bit over the top), but the payoff in his speech was nice. I did think the too much change for Sheldon was overdone, as it had been done in 7-24.  I also liked Amy's speech.I was disappointed that Raj didn't seem to get the sendoff the others got.   Overall, I think they managed to honor several long running bits, and even some things from earlier in the run, while honoring the changes in the characters.  

There were several flourishes, Sleazy Howard made an appearance, in the Bernie and Penny shower comment.  It was nice to see Bernie and Howard's kids, live, and of course the elevator working, was nice (if you watch the scene, until it opens, they never show the elevator, the shots are all close ups on Sheldon and Leonard).   I liked the 139.5 hours bit (the number of hours of TBBT that ran), a Penny and Sheldon scene,

The tag was perfection for me.  The gang sitting on and around the couch, eating, as they have done so many times before.   Amy and Sheldon with their Nobel medals, and Leonard rubbing Penny belly, after they kissed were nice touches.  And having Bare Naked Ladies do an acoustical version of the theme, with a melancholy bent, was a great way to end it.  

I wasn't all that thrilled by the YS show, but the tag, with all the young kids was rather nice.   The retrospective was what I expected, although panning across the different sets, then having the lights go out was rather emotional for me.  

One last thing, @Itwasdestined that was a great post, and I'm sure there are a lot of members here who have the same feelings.  Thank you for voicing those sentiment so eloquently, very well done sir.  

 

 

  

[vonmar]

From Deadline Hollywood

‘The Big Bang Theory’ Joins A Big Collection Of Smithsonian Memorabilia

The Big Bang Theory is now a part of television history, and soon will be a part of American history, thanks to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, which has acquired iconic pieces from the TV cast to add to its collection.

Sheldon Cooper’s Super Hero shirt, Howard Wolowitz’s dickie and belt buckle, Amy Farrah Fowler’s knee-length skirt and other items join the museum’s collection in Washington, D.C. No display date was announced.

The news was revealed by Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch during a joint cast appearance last night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. 

The show is signing off as the longest-running multi-camera series in television history, with 279 episodes and 12 seasons, The Big Bang Theory aired its final two episodes back-to-back on Thursday, but will likely live on in syndication until the earth is a frozen snowball.

The museum sees its mission as preserving the nation’s memory, and its collection includes such iconic items as Archie Bunker’s chair from All in the Family, Kevin Arnold’s NY Jets jacket from The Wonder Years, and an annotated script from The X-Files pilot episode and FBI badges, among many other items.

The Big Bang Theory donation includes full costumes worn by the seven primary characters, all from the series costume designer, Mary Quigley. In addition, The Big Bang Theory has also donated Leonard Hofstadter’s hooded cargo jacket and “Recycle” T-shirt, Penny’s tank top and Ugg boots, Rajesh Koothrappali’s sweater vest and jacket, and Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz’s floral dress and cardigan.

[Itwasdestined]

I think they pushed Sheldon's bad behavior more than necessary, (it's difficult here, as we've seen something close to that kind of  behavior from him, even in this season, but it did seem a bit over the top), but the payoff in his speech was nice. I did think the too much change for Sheldon was overdone, as it had been done in 7-24. 
 
 
  

Yeah that was the only time during the finale I thought “really not that again” and was worried a train trip escape was gonna appear again. But since some of us Lennies thought 7.24 could have been the ending the show could have had and the start of Season 8 was pointless since Sheldon didn’t change at all from the experience , it’s like the Writers thought they’d try that again and get it right this time.

This time Peter Pan/Pinocchio finally grew up and became a real boy. But this time everyone else was running away from him and that finally hit the nerve that snapped Sheldon out of his self-centred universe. THAT was the BIG BANG that for 12 years everyone avoided. For 12 years he’d sook and everyone would jump so he didn’t have to change. Sure Lenny and Howardette changed their minds and stayed for the Nobel ceremony but it wasn’t because Baby Sheldon cried and they caved. So he didn’t get the chance to give that condescending “I won” smirk. He was left to reflect on his behaviour and consequences alone and BANG!!! He finally got it and the speech said it all. I loved it.

And I personally thought the symmetry of Young Sheldon sitting there crying alone with no friends and no Hope as we segued in Young BBT ( obviously not chronological as Penny wouldn’t have even been born or a baby at best[emoji12]) matched beautifully with Sheldon’s speech about the greatest friends in the world changing his life for the better.


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[Tensor]

2 minutes ago, Itwasdestined said:

And I personally thought the symmetry of Young Sheldon sitting there crying alone with no friends and no Hope as we segued in Young BBT ( obviously not chronological as Penny wouldn’t have even been born or a baby at best) matched beautifully with Sheldon’s speech about the greatest friends in the world changing his life for the better.

 

After watching the credits, I don't think any of them were supposed to be represented as of when Sheldon was listening, except possibly Leonard who was listening to the same broadcast.  The credits listed the different young characters at different ages (for example, it says 11 year old Amy, who is not older than Leonard or Sheldon) and four year old Penny isn't young enough (although her snoring was a nice touch).  

[Itwasdestined]

After watching the credits, I don't think any of them were supposed to be represented as of when Sheldon was listening, except possibly Leonard who was listening to the same broadcast.  The credits listed the different young characters at different ages (for example, it says 11 year old Amy, who is not older than Leonard or Sheldon) and four year old Penny isn't young enough (although her snoring was a nice touch).  

OK. Didn’t check the credits thank you Grand Master of the Tiniest Detail![emoji1303][emoji16]


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[Nogravitasatall]

12 hours ago, April said:

I remember a time when you'd write long hateful rants* so that's good to see.

But yeah, overall I'm also rather happy. It's more that I'm annoyed with the season itself rather than the finale. For everything else there's always fix-it-fanfic. lol

What? Itwas... ? Hateful? Nah. He’s a bundle of joy. Credit where it’s due, I think.

Legally I can’t watch the finale until the broadcaster catches up. I think we are at Ep 17. Regarding pregnancy, I was right about it being a feint, a hook, a device. They needed something to stir feeling for engagement. . A bit of drama and suspense. At least as much as the format allows. The format allows Nobel prizes too, apparently. Sure.

It’s hard to nail the landing. It reads like they did a good job. And, as one review I read on Slate says, Leonard managed not to kill Sheldon after all. He has been an exemplar to us all.

 

 

 

Edit: *empassioned arguments  

Edited May 18, 2019 by Nogravitasatall

[Tensor]

6 minutes ago, Itwasdestined said:

OK. Didn’t check the credits thank you Grand Master of the Tiniest Detail!

You've been around here I see.  

On another note, I'm watching the local broadcast of TBBT, and it's Professor Protons first visit.  I mention this as it was the other episode where Leonard slapped Sheldon, to an audience's approval.  

[joyceraye]

6 hours ago, Swedish Chef said:

I'm guessing that the writers was so confident in a season 13 before the start of season 12, that they come up with this idea about Penny doesn't want children. 

Why would they be ? Silly people. Did they forget it wasn't a three-year contract this time ? If not, why didn't they check with the cast to see if they'd be interested in considering a 13th season if one was offered ? 

 

[Tensor]

22 minutes ago, joyceraye said:

Why would they be ? Silly people. Did they forget it wasn't a three-year contract this time ? If not, why didn't they check with the cast to see if they'd be interested in considering a 13th season if one was offered ? 

 

I believe, when they started writing, very early  negotiations were going on, so they may have thought it was a done deal, even if it wasn't.  

[vonmar]

 

[joyceraye]

46 minutes ago, Itwasdestined said:

And I personally thought the symmetry of Young Sheldon sitting there crying alone with no friends and no Hope as we segued in Young BBT ( obviously not chronological as Penny wouldn’t have even been born or a baby at best) matched beautifully with Sheldon’s speech about the greatest friends in the world changing his life for the better.


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It was only when I saw the others at the end of YS and heard his 'I was wrong' that I cried. Such a pity that his only chance of equal intellectual company of his own age was so far away. I would have done that anyway, even if another TBBT series was forthcoming.

[MookiStar]

i thought the throwback in YS was good even more so that they used old blossom footage for amy 

[luminous]

 

[luminous]

 

(5 pictures)

[bfm]

I thought Sheldon's hard time with the changes was completely realistic. He won't be okay with changes now just because he made it through some. That's not how it works. Sheldon will probably always have problem with change. He may get better, even much better, in dealing with it, but it will always disconcert him. He experiences changes in ways different than most other people. I think the problem is not in the plot but more in them not delving enough into Sheldon's issues, whatever they are in their eyes, which makes viewers judge him as an everyman, which he's not.

7 hours ago, MookiStar said:

i thought the throwback in YS was good even more so that they used old blossom footage for amy 

I don't think they did, that girl was just a very good casting, she looked like Amy and did a great job imitating an Amy expression.

[Shelldon]

I think what I've come to understand is that not having the taping report really hurt this finale, it made "unraveling the mystery" a downer for expectations.

So many articles made it sound like Big Bang Theory was done slacking around and was about to use its time well for a bunch of curveballs.

What we got were several moments of padding/bickering, certain moments of fanservice they should not have pandered to (Amy conforming to the audience beauty standards), and something that felt like it didn't have the time to be ambitious. I think more went into marketing the event than the script.

 I liked the elevator like everyone else but you'd think they could write a lot more jokes with that then the luggage scene (that many bags made zilch sense). Penny seeming like she teleported down was better.

I know time skips are a common series finale technique now, but 2 months later was just lame and not subversive. Imagine a finale where Sheldon's speech is the end of 1223 or halfway through 1224 and then we launch 5-10 years forward. It fixes the question of if Raj died alone, the smart and beautiful babies are actually seen (not even showing them makes the entire Penny flip even harder to swallow as necessary), and the possibilities for showing even more changed habits of Sheldon's were endless. Howard's father is all I can give them a pass on (though that could've been the parent conflict at the heart of 1222...)

Just a montage set to some music strengthens the landing(like Young Sheldon rectified with), and THEN end on them sitting around eating.

If Search Party doesn't end too the live action finale rankings of 2019 are:

1. You're The Worst

2. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

3. Big Bang Theory

[Jonny]

I didn’t have a problem with the makeover, at the end of the day it’s Amy’s choice and if she felt the desire to change her appearance with new clothing and a haircut then good for her! Millions of people change their style all the time. A new look can make you feel good and somewhat empowering so I have no problems with it whatsoever.

Sheldon’s response was predictable, greatly disappointing but I fully expected it.

Truth be told the last couple of seasons has in some ways made me realise I actually don’t like Sheldon as much as I thought I did, maybe that is down to the writing?

I think it’s undeniable that you have seen more ‘old school’ Sheldon moments over the past couple of seasons since the show runner change. I think that’s been detrimental to the show and progress that has been shown of the years.

True there has always been examples of one step or two steps forward and one step back with him, but I think as seasons and essentially time has passed I think in some cases it’s hard to sell even justify some of those steps back, you can’t have a character even one like Sheldon make big strides and look at ease with it only for the sake of a story regress him.

Anyway the finale I thought was ok, Raj probably the only thing that super annoyed me (his whole story really hasn’t amounted to much has it?)

But this season as a whole wasn’t quite at the same level.

 

Edited May 18, 2019 by Jonny

[bfm]

I guess Raj will have to find his happiness in fanfiction.... Although there are very few Raj fanfics