episodes 1215 'The Donation Oscillation' (February 7)

[Tripper]

The Donation Oscillation
Airs Thursday, February 7 at 8/7c on CBS

Penny tries to seduce an abstaining Leonard to ruin his “donation” for her ex-boyfriend, Zack (Brian Thomas Smith), and his wife, Marissa (Lindsey Kraft). Also, Wolowitz, Bernadette, Anu (Rati Gupta) and Koothrappali turn Koothrappali’s canceled bachelor party into a couple’s trip aboard the “vomit comet”.

Keith Carradine returns as Penny's father, Wyatt.

[The Lash]

The premise of the episode is ludicrous. Leonard has adored Penny since he first saw her. There is NO WAY he would proxy father a child with another woman and definitely not against Penny's wishes.

 

But it's  a sitcom.....so there's  licence I suppose

[bfm]

1 hour ago, The Lash said:

The premise of the episode is ludicrous. Leonard has adored Penny since he first saw her. There is NO WAY he would proxy father a child with another woman and definitely not against Penny's wishes.

 

But it's  a sitcom.....so there's  licence I suppose

He said he wouldn't do it of she doesn't want him to but she told him it is his decision.

I do agree though the whole donation plot is ridiculous.

[Kev0821]

Here's Mayim's recap of the episode:

https://groknation.com/culture/mayim-bialik-big-bang-theory-importance/

[Kathy2611]

Penny’s sister has a name!  Lisa 

[Die Zimtzicke]

I liked it more than I thought I would. Wyatt didn't pressure Penny to get pregnant. Leonard didn't pressure Penny to get pregnant. Penny didn't say she was changing her mind. Perhaps we will get an ending without more pregnancies after all! I am at least hopeful about that.

Amy was being very assertive with Sheldon and very sympathetic to Leonard. I liked that.

Waste of an ep with Bernie and Howard. That ending was something I could see coming from a mile away.

[Chrismo]

22 minutes ago, Die Zimtzicke said:

I liked it more than I thought I would. Wyatt didn't pressure Penny to get pregnant. Leonard didn't pressure Penny to get pregnant. Penny didn't say she was changing her mind. Perhaps we will get an ending without more pregnancies after all! I am at least hopeful about that.

Amy was being very assertive with Sheldon and very sympathetic to Leonard. I liked that.

 

This episode just reinforced the Penny pregnancy, probably in the finale. Why she didn’t say she was changing her mind her actions spoke differently. Why try preventing Leonard from donating his sperm? It appeared Penny hadn’t worn that outfit in quite awhile.

As for the episode itself it was okay. Not enough Zack and Marissa. Wyatt made his point. Penny quite honestly just looked bad in this episode. Very childish IMO and may be the reason she doesn’t want kids.

The other storyline was just stupid.

Edited February 8, 2019 by Chrismo

[SRAM]

27 minutes ago, Die Zimtzicke said:

I liked it more than I thought I would. Wyatt didn't pressure Penny to get pregnant. Leonard didn't pressure Penny to get pregnant. Penny didn't say she was changing her mind. Perhaps we will get an ending without more pregnancies after all! I am at least hopeful about that.

Amy was being very assertive with Sheldon and very sympathetic to Leonard. I liked that.

Waste of an ep with Bernie and Howard. That ending was something I could see coming from a mile away.

The thing that stood out to me in this episode is that Penny didn’t reaffirm her decision to not have kids, if anything I think this episode left that option open.  I also got from this episode that Penny’s father really would like grandchildren and Leonard did affirm he would like kids but he loves Penny enough that he does not want to force her or make her feel bad.  What I think is hanging now is that Penny is now certain Leonard wants kids and it will be interesting to see if Penny will change her mind.

[Chrismo]

What I really think helped in his decision not to donate was his talk with Amy. Also Penny realized her sex appeal didn’t change his mind.

[Sah]

Exceptionally boring episode. I Still feel Penny does not want kids, nothing happened to change her mind that I could see. I do like that neither Leonard or Wyatt tried to change her mind. They will still love and support her no matter if she has kids with Leonard or not. That was good to see. For me, it was a very forgettable episode to go with a forgettable final season. 

[gsxdoug]

I found the episode to be very funny, particularly the Lenny interplay. As well, I think Shamy were very good in the supporting role, instead of being front and centre for a change. The other plot was pretty much a throw-away to give the other characters screen time, but it wasn't without its charms. Focusing on one major and one minor plot I felt was a refreshing change from trying to cram too much into the usual run time.

[Tribble]

What a waste of episode. Both storylines were so boring.

Hope we go back to the Shamy science plot again, at least that has some real and viable potential.

[legacy99]

I feel this episode closed the door on lenny having kids

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[Tensor]

I got some good laughs out of this episode.   Much better than the totally bullshit super asymmetry plot lines.   For a show that has prided itself on it's science for 12 years, the completely fake asymmetry idea has been a stain on the final season.  

[smartandbeautiful]

This episode got me really confused. Don’t understand what’s going on with Penny, first she doesn’t want kids out of the blue, then supports her husband’s decision to donate, but at the same time tries to ruin it WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION. I don’t buy her ‘it’s weird’. Yes, the situation is pretty unusual, but she already told Leonard she’d be okay with him doing it, so... what’s the reason to change her mind? Why is she being like that?

 

On the other side, I liked how Wyatt eventually didn’t pressure Penny and just told her about his concerns of her ‘missing out’. Exactly the kind of talk Lenny should have, where Penny explains her fears or whatever reasons of her decisions. Love that Leonard stood up for Penny, but this time I feel like he’s still doing all the effort in their relationship. No, I’m not saying that Penny should compromise and have kids if she doesn’t want to, but it would’ve been better if we saw the reason why she was trying to sabotage the donation. Even if she told him something like Amy did, with ‘it still not going to be your kid’, would’ve been better. That way we could at least see what’s on Penny’s mind. But now it’s a complete mystery to me. 

 

Of course, the ‘kids or no kids’ thingy will probably be the grey area until the very end of the show. And eventually Lenny will probably have them (yay positivism), but I really want them to have a serious discussion first to finally understand Penny. Cause right now I just can’t :((

[veejay]

The Big Bang Theory Finally Put Penny and Leonard on the Same Page About Kids, Thank God

Glamour recap

..."But then, for reasons I don't quite understand, Sheldon wants Zack to choose him for the sperm donation instead of Leonard. Maybe that awful virus that infected Leonard in the last episode has now crept into Sheldon's brain? I don't know how else you explain this, because it came out of nowhere."...

Lady, get your facts straight and watch ep12 again.   😉  You're welcome.
...Sheldon: "I'm smart. I'm nice. And I can eat cheese without clearing out a room."...

"…As long as Leonard's not donating his sperm, or Penny isn't feeling pressured to give him a child, I'm good with whatever decision the Hofstadters make for their future. At least now we'll know they're both on the same page."

Dear Jessica, I think I can agree with you on this conclusion.   🙂

 

Edited February 8, 2019 by veejay

[djsurrey]

I rated it as good. The premise was ridiculous but they managed to make much of it quite funny.

[veejay]

4 hours ago, Kathy2611 said:

Penny’s sister has a name!  Lisa 

Could it be that at the end of the series we'll also know Penny's birth name? 😉

[MTBigBangTheoryFan]

I thought tonight episode was kind of funny. The best scene was of Bernadette, Anu and Raj. I am glad Leonard decided against being a donor to Zach and his wife  baby. 

Edited February 8, 2019 by MTBigBangTheoryFan

[bfm]

To me it was amusing, creepy, and sad.

It was funnier than many other episodes this year, thankfully.

The Zero G plot was very good IMO, Howardette were great, Simon and Melissa were great. 

The donation plot... I felt it was somewhat creepy and cringed somewhat in the beginning (including Wyatt pressuring Penny right when he comes through the door). Zack and Marissa were great and very funny, Sheldon was amusing although I think Amy spelling out what he was doing was redundant, it was explaining a joke. Penny was funny with the comic book although as I'd said before, this feels like a regression, I see her wanting to be supportive but she could've just told him. Oh, and I liked that he could turn Penny down. He wasn't a slave to hid sexual urges and Penny doesn't have unlimited power over him just because of her body.

It felt weird that Leonard needed Amy to realize he won't be the father of the child and that would be hard for him, the same way it was weird that he needed Sheldon, Sheldon, to point out to him the emotional aspect of the donation last time. This proves IMO how contrived the donation plot was. Anyway, I liked that Leonard confronted Wyatt in Penny's sake. 

I also liked that Wyatt agreed to respect Penny's decision and told her he was not disappointed at her. That was important and I'm sure some people who decided not to have kids have been through conflicts with their parents. 

It seems though that this is the end for the possibility of Hofstadter children. Penny said she regreted her plan because she felt she was disappointing Leonard and Wyatt. That is not a reason to have kids, that is not having some underlying fear while wanting to have kids. That is not wanting kids. As much as this change of mind, IMO, did not make sense for the character and what we've seen on the show before, this is the situation now - Penny truly doesn't want kids. 

Now, the writers can have her suddenly change her mind like kn the last episode, sure, but then why have her say her reason to regret this is just not wanting to disappoint her husband and her father...?

I disagree with the Glamour title that says Leonard and Penny are on the same page about kids, though. Leonard does want to have kids, but he sadly accepts not having them because of his love for Penny.

Glad we finally have a name for Penny's sister. 

Edited February 8, 2019 by bfm

[margarete]

I really liked this one!

[Itwasdestined]

Love how different everyone’s opinions are on this episode. Me - I thought it was consistently the funniest episode since Scavenger Vortex in Season 7. Clearly others disagree and it depends on your enjoyment of different comedy styles and whether you can ignore the stupidity of the premise of the plot ( I’ve been extremely critical of the Lenny plot ) but I laughed regularly during every scene and it’s been a LLOONNGG time since my wife has laughed throughout an episode. She even commented on it being the funniest for a long time.

Anyway, I loved the Lenny plot. I loved Wyatt’s talk with Penny. I was emotional about both Leonard’s and Penny’s responses to Wyatt’s and Amy’s opinions and advice. I was impressed with Amy’s conversation with Leonard and how Sheldon contributed minimally. ( as an aside it seems there is a minimum number of minutes Jim Parsons must appear on screen written into his contract - surely the only reason for the minute of watching him make breakfast in silence). Zac and Marissa were cute, Zac at his stupid best.

I found the Howardette plot funny. They weren’t needed in the Lenny plot - Shamy were enough - and they have to be there so it was a nice fluffy B plot with a good amount of playful snark and Raj comedy relief

I said in the Lenny thread that I wished the writers followed this episode up with Lenny sharing what they opened up about with Amy/Wyatt with each other to continue the story, which I personally enjoyed tonight ( clearly others didn’t; that’s cool). That Lenny hug had a lot of unfinished business in it that made it obvious this is not over. It appears the writers are stretching this out until the end. I found this episode making me feel I can accept what ever ending they go with. I felt sympathy for BOTH Leonard and Penny tonight.


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[3ku11]

Yeah I have to concur. I have been very critical of this show for a long time. But this was most I have laughed at a episode of TBBT since Season 7. I Thought Wyatt was brilliant in this episode. Yes the Donation plot is absurd. But absurdity is the root of all great comedies. The opening was actually right out of the gate funny. That has been what been missing for some time now. The pacing felt alot more consistent through out. IT is not that confusing with Penny. She has always been a free spirited, independent. And she is entitled to not want kids. But her guilt has manifested itself. I felt alot of depth with the Lenny scenes. Penny came across very genuine. The Wyatt/Leonard/Penny plot might be the most compelling stuff TBBT has done in about 5 seasons. I Also loved how Leonard stood up for his relationship with Penny infront of Wyatt. This is the best version of Leonard. When he is take charge, and not being a wimp. 

The other plots were good too. I liked the Howardette Plot with Raj and Anu. Shamy were used sporadically which was good. They contributed just enough, without derailing the Lenny plot. Sheldon was actually tolerable for once lol. I laughed at loud. When Sheldon woke up and Leonard was on the couch. And he went back to Amy. And she was like Don't worry I Well trap it later lol. Main thing is you felt sympathy for both Leonard and Penny tonight. I Think it is obvious this storyline ain't over though. I Think Penny well give Birth in the Penultimate episode. 

Edited February 8, 2019 by 3ku11

[chucky]

1 hour ago, 3ku11 said:

Yeah I have to concur. I have been very critical of this show for a long time. But this was most I have laughed at a episode of TBBT since Season 7. I Thought Wyatt was brilliant in this episode. Yes the Donation plot is absurd. But absurdity is the root of all great comedies. The opening was actually right out of the gate funny. That has been what been missing for some time now. The pacing felt alot more consistent through out. IT is not that confusing with Penny. She has always been a free spirited, independent. And she is entitled to not want kids. But her guilt has manifested itself. I felt alot of depth with the Lenny scenes. Penny came across very genuine. The Wyatt/Leonard/Penny plot might be the most compelling stuff TBBT has done in about 5 seasons. I Also loved how Leonard stood up for his relationship with Penny infront of Wyatt. This is the best version of Leonard. When he is take charge, and not being a wimp. 

The other plots were good too. I liked the Howardette Plot with Raj and Anu. Shamy were used sporadically which was good. They contributed just enough, without derailing the Lenny plot. Sheldon was actually tolerable for once lol. I laughed at loud. When Sheldon woke up and Leonard was on the couch. And he went back to Amy. And she was like Don't worry I Well trap it later lol. Main thing is you felt sympathy for both Leonard and Penny tonight. I Think it is obvious this storyline ain't over though. I Think Penny well give Birth in the Penultimate episode. 

I totally agree with your entire post! My only question is where has this quality writing been the last couple of seasons?

[bfm]

Am I the only one who did not understand what was funny about the Sheldon making breakfast sequence? What was the audience laughing at? I really have no clue.