The Big Bang Theory: The Barbarian Sublimation
By fred | October 7, 2008
(S02E03) There’s been some changes taking place on this show for this new season, specifically the addition of Sara Gilbert to the cast. It used to be that the only female regular on the show was Penny, but she was like any other characters, because she was not a geek, or a scientist, or anything like that. Leslie on the other hand is a scientist, and she’s probably the best thing the show could have, as she’s some sort of female version of Sheldon, whom as we all know makes the show.
So it’s no surprise that, once again, while the main story may not really revolve around Sheldon himself, not directly, he still is the central character of the episode, the one everything goes through one way or another. That’s how the show works, that how it makes us laugh. But this week, Sheldon had some competition, and it did not necessarily came from whom you’d think it would have…
Because this week, something Leonard never dreamed of (or did he?) happened : Penny turned into a geek. She was depressed and hitting bottom because after all this time she never had an acting job, never got a raise, stuck her car keys in her apartment door and now Sheldon was, well, being Sheldon. So after inviting her in, Sheldon did the only thing he could do : introduced her to online gaming which, as everyone knows, can become an addiction.
And Penny needed a way to escape her reality and find some sort of success in her life, as Leonard tried to later explain her - though her only response was to cut his head off - so she let herself fall into the trap and became addicted, seriously addicted. So this week Sheldon had not one but two girls messing with him, first was Penny who kept asking for advices in the middle of the night or calling him at work, and of course Leslie who’s always calling him a dumbass, like Red used to do so much in the 70’s.
But for this first time this week, it actually applied to him. So far I used to think she called him a dumbass just because she likes to mess with him, and doesn’t like him, and disagree on many complex theories I’m sure. But whereas last week I believe Sheldon was way smarter than anybody else and did break Leslie and Leonard up without either of them noticing it, this week he was sort of a dumbass.
Because he was so tired and is quite inexperienced with social interactions, he did not see that he was actually asking a guy out, not for Penny but for himself. I can go with that, even if he wasn’t tired it’s Sheldon. But to have him of all people not understand what “oh I see”, or OIC, means, was a bit much, wasn’t it? I’ll admit that I laughed a little, but still.
The most surprising item of the night wasn’t how Penny quickly became addicted and gifted at online gaming though, nor was it the hilarious realization that she needed help after she agreed to go out, online, with Howard’s character, but it was how Leonard took it. Which is, quite well. Sure, there were some easy mistakes, and by asking Sheldon to explain he was sure to get the full truth and nothing but the truth, and it wasn’t what it could look (or sound) like in the middle of the night. Still, I’d have expected him to be a little more bumped down to see her getting into his world though and only relying on Sheldon, no?
Anyways, here are a few quotes for just fun (make sure to post your favorite ones in the comments) :
Sheldon: Sheldor is AFK
Sheldon: Penny, are you experiencing some sort of difficulties ?
Penny: Yes, I can’t get my stupid door opened.
Sheldon: You appear to have put your car keys in the door lock, are you aware of that ?
Penny: Yeah!
Sheldon: Alright then. (He walks away.)
Penny: (Her bags falls over.) Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, …
Sheldon: Would it be possible for you to do this a little more quietly ?
Penny: I am frustrated because I am a failure in everything and my breath smells like fly. (She cries.)
Sheldon: There there… (After a long pause:) Would you prefer to wait in out apartment ?
Penny: No Sheldon I’d rather sit on this freezing cold floor sobbing like a 3 year-old.
Sheldon: Alright then. (He walks away.)
Leonard: You wanna catch me up?
Sheldon: Well let’s see… she attempted to open her apartment with her car key because her face is overly midwestern, she hasn’t had sex in six months, and she ate a fly.
Sheldon: (Waking up:) Danger! Danger!
Sheldon: I’m not wearing pajama bottoms.
Penny: Why not?
Sheldon: I spilled grape juice.
Penny: Well, wear different pajamas.
Sheldon: I can’t wear different pajamas, these are my Monday pajamas!
Leslie: Don’t turn it off, you want miss your call from the Nobel committee letting you know you’ve been nominated as dumbass of the year !
Sheldon: Oh yeah? Well, you wouldn’t even be nominated!
Sheldon: Leonard, you have to do something about Penny. She is interfering with my sleep, she is interfering with my work, and if I had another significant aspect of my Leonard: life I’m sure she’d be interfering with that too !
Sheldon: Why should I do something, you’re the one who introduced her to online gaming.
Leonard: Yes, but you’re the one who said hello to her when she moved in.
Sheldon: If you don’t figure something out, I warn you, I shall become very difficult to live with.
Leonard: You mean up until now we’ve been experiencing the happy fun time Sheldon ?
Sheldon: Yes.
Leonard: I’ll go talk to her!
Penny: Queen Penelopee AFK, whaaaat?
Posted in Reviews
Shows: The Big Bang Theory
