The Big Bang Theory: The Panty Pinata Polarization
By fred | November 11, 2008
(S02E07) This episode was constructed with two stories going on at once. The main one, of course, had to involve Sheldon. I say of course because that’s they way this show works, Jim Parsons is brilliant as Sheldon and always makes the show, there’s no question that without him, this would not be funny and have been canceled long ago. Evidently the main plot had Sheldon in the middle of it, and as expected it was hilarious.
The secondary plot however, wasn’t so good I thought. And that starts with the very basic premise of it, because it seemed completely and unbelievably out of character for both Howard and Raj, but especially Howard. There’s no question that he is indeed “creepy” as per every definition you have for that word, and whether or not in involves military satellites.
But I cannot believe for once second that until this day and Penny having TV issues, neither of those geeks knew about such shows as America’s Next Top Model. Sure, them obsessing about it and trying to locate the house was exactly what you’d expect from them, but that they didn’t know about the show felt terribly off. Howard is the kind of guy you’d expect to have season passes for all those reality shows on his TiVo (and backup TiVo), and that from the minute they started, not years after.
If there was a website dedicated to all those shows, or the girls they feature, filled with all possible pictures, whereabouts, self-made compilation videos and all kinds of best-of’s, Howard is the guy you would see behind the scenes, making it all happened. That he of all people doesn’t know this would be like saying he doesn’t know about Mr Skin, it doesn’t work, Howard should be their premium member, put on the hall of fame as he obsessed more than anyone else even they ever seen.
So from the get-go this whole story had this weird vibe that things were a little off, and I didn’t find it all that funny after wards, even those a few jokes did work. But of course the real treat of this episode was in the match opposing the one and only Sheldon to Penny. Those two have had their issues in the past already, but they’ve also became (sort of) friends.
Doesn’t mean Penny can do whatever she feels like though, because Sheldon has rules and Penny touching his food is clearly a violation of those rules. That was strike two, and when Penny decided she wouldn’t take it anymore and sit – again – in Sheldon’s place, refusing to move, that was strike 3 : she’s out, banished from their apartment.
Now in the past weeks I’ve been saying how I felt disappointed that after teasing us with bringing a new regular on the show and the promise of more Leslie, we barely got to see her. But this week made me realize that in fact Penny is a much better character, even as Sheldon’s nemesis. Because, sure, on the science side of things he’s got the advantage, but unlike Leslie – who only shows up to say a couple of “dumbass” to Sheldon and disappear – Penny engages Sheldon in a full-on battle.
And she knows him, after all this time, so she knows that the best thing to do is to play with his mind. When she had to bring him his food, she didn’t have to mess with it, just put the idea that she might have in Sheldon’s mind. “Go ahead, eat it. I dare you!” After saying those words, she knew Sheldon wouldn’t couldn’t possibly touch the food.
Just like she knew that ruining laundry night for him would mess with his head, because of the very reason this all started in the first place : because Sheldon has rules, and he can’t be happy when those rules are broken. That little fight of them was pretty awesome, and we knew Penny wouldn’t stop, ever, just like when she became addicted to video gaming and spent all her time on-line, when she commits to something she doesn’t stop.
And of course, the ending and her final victory couldn’t have been any more Sheldon : calling his mother to tell on him was the only thing Sheldon couldn’t do nothing against. It might actually be because, even if for different motives, neither of them was willing to stop, that those two work so well together : in their own way they’re both crazy.
Side note: Of course she always does look great, but I thought Penny looked extra-hot this week.
What did you think of this episode ? Do you believe that Howard could have never heard of America’s Next Top Model until now ? What was your favorite line ? I Can Has Cheezburger ?
Posted in Reviews
Shows: The Big Bang Theory
