4.02 The Cruciferous Vegetable Amplification (Sept. 30)

[Tripper]

"The Cruciferous Vegetable Amplification" - Sheldon realizes he won't live long enough to download his consciousness into a robot body, and attempts to extend his lifespan, on THE BIG BANG THEORY, Thursday, Sept. 30 (8:00-8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Episode Guide | Wiki

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak guest stars as himself in the episode.

[madjk]

Promo

[Irvine]

lol, white_knight, we both got beaten on this one! Althought, madjk, you forgot the ''spoiler warning'' and the ''enjoy''!

Still, thanks for giving it to us!

My comment on it: I'll just say one thing: The ''you're in my spot'' never gets old!

[BillF63]

Oh my, that looks like it is going to be another good one!

[madjk]

Irvine, especially for you:

Spoiler warning at that promo! (actually, there are no spoilers:P)

Enjoy! )

[carl1970]

Thought the episode was good. The Soft Kitty scene at the end was just lame and too forced for me. When you start to overuse something this is what can happen.

[BillF63]

Thought the episode was good. The Soft Kitty scene at the end was just lame and too forced for me. When you start to overuse something this is what can happen.

I really loved the episode , it was very funny. But I had two problems with it. The first one is what you mentioned. The tag at the end seemed a little forced and just an excuse to sing Soft Kitty. Didn't Sheldon say that song was only for when he was sick and not hurt?

The last thing we saw was Sheldon running down the stairs with his old Apple computer and then the next scene was with Penny and singing soft kitty. It made me feel like there was something missing and that the episode felt cut-off at the end.

All in all a very funny episode. The scene with robot Sheldon and Leonard in the car was just great.

[gotbanged]

Sheldon always make the weird decisions huh? He is like the robot.

[Steve]

I agree, the ending was forced and the plot was never resolved. This was an enjoyable episode but not exceptional.

Steve

The Wiki

[white_knight]

Wow, I never thought I would say it or come to it but Sheldon accomplished it!!! For me this is my worst episode so far, this relates to me as the cowboys season (0-2) I hope the third episode is a win because I'm really not liking how this is going, Sheldon doesn't cause me any fun or laughter anymore and I like the other's performances and jokes, but anyway, since Jim won the emmy I believe its fair and expected that they will make more episodes sheldon related so I think it's understandable.

The scene in the car almost got me yelling in spanish: "chin......dre!" after the auto turn on and the bazinga, jajaja for those who speak spanish would certainly know what I said and sorry I can't say what it means :D

As carl1970 said that the soft kitty scene was forced I thought so too, I think it was more something for the sheldon and penny shippers, this is one tv show that has to please many audiences and that was one way to do it I suppose.

Anyway, personally I like more how season 3 started as how this one has, not to mention the bad news about Kaley's injury wich I hope she gets better soon.

[BillF63]

Although I though Sheldon was a riot in this episode I really felt that all of the other cast members were underused. This is my fear for the show. Although Sheldon is a deserved break-out character I do not want to see The Big Bang Theory turn into the Sheldon Show. Part of what makes this program so good and funny is the working together of the entire ensemble cast.

[DA2019]

Hey guys! Does anyone know the name of the song, which Sheldon plays in the car?

[SmartbutSlow]

Although I though Sheldon was a riot in this episode I really felt that all of the other cast members were underused. This is my fear for the show. Although Sheldon is a deserved break-out character I do not want to see The Big Bang Theory turn into the Sheldon Show. Part of what makes this program so good and funny is the working together of the entire ensemble cast.

Great lines as usual...last night.....BUT !.....why was Penny made into a moocher not paying her share of food? I would never do that! She probably makes more money in tips/salary as a waitress than they do. Why is she even there? All she does is belittle them!

I always look forward to Raj speaking when he's enibriated! Doesn't need to talk all the time.....the rest carry him....

[bramwell40]

Hello to all,

I am late coming to the Big Bang Theory. Actually my son really liked the show and convinced me to watch it. After watching a couple of episodes, I purchased all 3 seasons on dvd so I could catch up.

This season, so far, I am really disappointed. Please let me explain. The series, to me, is grounded upon the Leonard/Penny relationship. It seems to me that was the focus from the pilot on; not that every episode dealt with it, but that it was the undercurrent of each episode.

This season (and the ending of last season) the break up of their relationship was never really dealt with - at least in my opinion. I would think that Leonard would be devistated, especially after Penny using him in the last episode of last season. Yet, here there are this season and it is as if Leonard never said he loved her. To me, the old undercurrent and spark seems to be gone. Leonard seems an entirelly different person that is just hanging around. Penny is being paird more with Sheldon than with Leonard and there doesn't seem to be that bit of gentleness that was there before. Since the writers have glossed over the whole relationship (again, this is just my opinion), there seems to be no reason for Penny to be around anymore. It was the tenderness toward Leonard that was the reason for Penny to be there. That is totally absent to me in these first two episodes. Leonard seems disjointed and out of place, but without the writers expressing the reason for it.

Well, anyway, I hope this makes some sense. I really like this show, but the first two eps. were just a bit tedious to me. Some funny bits, but no tenderness or gentleness.

Thanks for listening.

[Irvine]

''She probably makes more money in tips/salary as a waitress than they do. Why is she even there? All she does is belittle them!''

Hmm, I don't think so, for this last sentence. Well, maybe in the U.S. And maybe for scientists. But I actually graduated in [chemica] engineering (don't even have a mster degree... yet! ) here in Canada, and I saw some salaries... They are extremely good, seriously!

I'm not getting those salaries, 'cause I'm still jobless! But honestly, it's much more than waitressing, even if you take the tips into account!

Not to mention she doesn't have a roommate to share the rent, while Leonard and Sheldon does (althought Raj doesn't seem to, and Howard... well, he did say in one episode he's paying a rent, but who knows how much it is!), and that they have better skills at managing their money than Penny... Add all that together, it's understandable that she's always broke!

[wunderkind]

Although I though Sheldon was a riot in this episode I really felt that all of the other cast members were underused. This is my fear for the show. Although Sheldon is a deserved break-out character I do not want to see The Big Bang Theory turn into the Sheldon Show. Part of what makes this program so good and funny is the working together of the entire ensemble cast.

I agree and I think the reason the episode wasn't a typical one was that there wasn't any motivation for any of the characters and there wasn't any real conflict between the characters other than "Sheldon you're annoying. Please don't be." That is usually a factor in the show, but there is usually something at stake; emotionally, ego-wise, relationship-wise, career-wise, friendship-wise, or something. Anything. But there was nothing in 'jeopardy' last night. This is the fundamental of sitcom writing.

bramwell40 made a good observation about the Leonard/Penny relationship being a major force and undercurrent in the series. I'd say the grand dynamic of the show is four guys from the physics/comics/"nerd" world interacting with the rest of the world. In a general sense the Leonard/Penny relationship (or lack of one) fits in with this theme. But in this episode there wasn't much personal conflict, and there was no interaction with the rest of the world, other than with Steve Wozniak, who wasn't even surprised by a remote robot. -Which was funny btw, becuase you were expecting him to say "What the hell is this?"

And Penny, -who is the core 'representative' of the "normal non-nerd world"-, wasn't even particularly troubled by Sheldon's robot. And in fact by the end she was singing to the monitor in the hallway. There has been a progression over the seasons where Penny has gotten used to the guys and their science, comics, etc. So I think that the "Is Penny going to think we're total nerds?" motivation is fading away. The writers need to create new motivations, stories, and senarios where the original dynamics and sensibilities of the series can live on.

Another thing I noticed about the Cruciferous Vegetable Amplification was that the B story (Penny's money problems) wasn't really developed properly and was never resolved. There was also something about the interaction between Raj/Howard and Penny that didn't sit well with me. Did anyone else feel it? It was like Raj was being too bold/mean to her (out of the blue), and she was unusually heartless to Raj and Howard. Like when she said "Would either of you geeks want to buy my underwear for $1400?" It might be a funny line, but it didn't really come off well.

Leonard seems disjointed and out of place, but without the writers expressing the reason for it.

I agree that Leonard is in limbo and out his usual groove. I guess your girlfriend breaking up with you for lame reasons and also having to live with the ever-more-insane Sheldon is enough to make anyone disjointed. He wanted more Penny and less Sheldon in his life, and he got the opposite. : ) And she still comes over though, which has got to be weird for him. I'm sure the season will build up to that confrontation. And I'm confident the writers can find their groove again in the mean time.

After this long critique, I'll say that I thoroughly enjoyed the episode. I laughed plenty and found the whole thing amusing and entertaining. Us fans just have high standards for this show, because we know they're capable of more.

About the tag, I think the writers missed out on a great opportunity for the ending. As I watched, I was thinking (and hoping) that Instead of Penny singing to Robot Sheldon, she was going to respond differently. If you'll indulge me....

The robot (operated by Sheldon) knocks on Penny's door three times. As Penny opens her door, Leonard, Howard, and Raj walk out the door of the guy's appartment. They stop in the hall to watch the interaction.

[align=center]PENNY

(to Robot Sheldon)

Sheldon, what don't you understand about 'No robot at my door'? This is strike three. I'm going junior rodeo on your robotic ass.

[Penny reaches down and rips out a fist full of wires.]

(Robot shuts off)

LEONARD

(to Howard)

You have an engineering degree and you couldn't figure that out?

[Howard shrugs]

(Robot screen comes back on)

SHELDON (on screen)

Heh heh. Bazinga. I put those fake wires on there to fool you. Do you really think you're smart enough to foil my security measures?

PENNY

I'm smart enough to conduct the following experiment to see how "secure" your little robot is.

[Penny picks up the robot and walks over to the stairs.]

SHELDON'S VOICE

What experiment? What are you doing?

[Penny tosses the robot down the stairs.]

((Crash noises))

PENNY

(to the guys, as she walks back to her door)

Tensile strength minus mass times acceleration.

HOWARD

(staring at Penny)

I am so turned on right now.

[Penny goes into her appartment.]

[sheldon comes out and looks down at the trashed robot.]

SHELDON

First the Apple and now this. This has not been a good day for technology.

LEONARD

I guess the world just isn't ready for your presence.

SHELDON

You mean my remote robotic presence.

LEONARD

Sure.

[end scene/episode]

[/align]

[Steve]

That would have completely rescued this episode for me. Brilliant.

I, for one, am more than ready never to hear Soft Kitty again.

Steve

The Wiki

[Irvine]

Was it foresaw

Hi there! I didn't felt like making another topic about something that happened specifically in that episode! So here I am!

Let me ask you this: What were the first scene and the second-last scene of the episode?

If you don't remember, let me refresh your memory:

In the first scene, Leonard compares what Sheldon is doing to the work of Will E. Coyote. Which Sheldon questions with ''meaning what I'm working on will ultimately backfire and cause me physical harm?'' (or something like that).

Now, the second-last scene, we see Sheldon falling off the stairs and, as we learn afterward, break his ankle in the process. Exactly as Leonard foresaw!

Was this a coincidence, or was it intentional, you think?

[Rockon45]

What killed this episode for me were two things:

An OOP Soft Kitty and that stupid fart joke they made. Really writers? A fart joke?!

-___-

also, I'm noticing flanderization starting to set in...I hope not.

[smeghead]

A zany tech-related main storyline. Beats the crap out of any Loenard-Penny storyline any time. Thats what got me into this show, and thats what I like ot see rather than a rom-com. It was great to see Sheldon enjoying himself so thoroughly throughout he show. I loved the matching tshirts idea. I was just surprised there was not a more despairing wail when he dropped the Mac at the end rather than a subdued exclamation.

[Dr.Sheldon]

Great episode, but not enough scenario

[Skok]

Ill just add that i liked the Apple guys Lack of Surprise at Sheldons VPD. . . . .when i saw the robot approach the apple guy, i was ready for a 5minute story about what this was and ready to walk out of the room for a sec. . . . .when the apple guy immediately knew what the robot was, i was pleasantly surprised as the show didnt waste show time on redundancy. and was reglued to the TV. The Apple guy seemed very comfortable on camera. . . . . Also. . .its a cute song but ill add on that ive had enough of "soft kitty" too.

[Denis_Croatia]

One of heavily Sheldon centred episodes, not bad, but i don't like when other characters are not used in the episode

[Ivana]

The "mobile virtual presence device" idea was brilliant, I loved it! Extremely Sheldon-esque ! Yes, a little bit more of a conversation between Mr. Wozniak and Sheldon would be better, but the show only lasts for 20 min . And the "Soft Kitty" at the end was cute too, I liked the fact that Sheldon picked up Penny's way of singing, which she taught him when she was injured in the "Adhesive Duck Deficiency".

The only thing I didn't like was the scene when Penny and Sheldon went for a run, to be precise, the "fart" part of the scene. It was a bit too much after the awesome first "appendicitis/fart" scene.

[cbolt]

To the one that said that penny makes more money than the guys there's no way a waitress who makes minimum wage plus her tips would make money than them, she's always complains about her money and lack of tips