The Big Bang Theory: The Tangerine Factor
By fred | May 20, 2008
(S01E17) Here we go with the first season finale of the night, and the one sitcom from CBS’ comedy night that, at first and based on its premise, I didn’t really expect to enjoy, but thanks to some good jokes and a wonderful performance from Jim Parsons (Sheldon), I had no choice but to fall for. This show was a very nice surprise for me this season, and I’m pretty happy that it got renewed.
As I just hinted before, there is one of the character that most definitely stands above the rest of them all, that always when in the room will steal the scene, and that, more often than you’d think, he’s the reason the show actually is funny. Which is why most of the times, episodes are either about Sheldon, or find something to make him a central character, one way or another.
Take this episode for instance. It was obviously about Leonard and Penny and their relationship, it was the most required plot, the one they’d have to do, at one point or another, and while I didn’t really expect it to come in this early in the life of the show, we all knew it would happen someday. It’s all about those two trying to get things to the next level, and yet the reason laughs were involved – or at least the reason I was laughing – is one again out great friend Sheldon.
If it hadn’t been for the scenes in which he first talk to Penny about Schrödinger’s Cat, while trying to find the place he’ll sit when in here, and then talking to Leonard about the same experiment, there would have been a terrible lack of laughs. It’s not that Penny & Leonard can’t be funny on their own, but it wasn’t really their point here. Plus, anyone can use a Sheldon to make things funnier.
I’m not sure how I feel about Leonard and Penny getting together, or testing it at least. It had to come at some point, and of course it didn’t get resolved, we’ll hate to wait for next season if we want any answer, but I don’t know if they can still work things out to be as funny as they used to, while having them dating. What scares me the most, though, is that it would turn into some kind of Ross & Rachel mess. Sure, I’ll always laugh when I heard someone go “we were on a break!”, but damn that whole soapy thing get messy, and quite tiresome on (too) many occasions.
I’m not saying sitcoms should only try to be funny and not do some drama or character development, some do, some do it in such a wonderful manner it’s impossible not to love it, yes The Office I mean you, but that doesn’t mean every show should. Some sitcoms are more about the laughs, making jokes and being funny, not being afraid to go crazy or dive in to the absurd on occasion, but avoiding drama. There’s no shame in that, the greatest sitcom of all time, Seinfeld, was all about that, and I think The Big Bang Theory is one of those as well.
Again, take Sheldon out of this episode – or even just out of the Penny & Leonard plot – and it was not good. As I saw it happening I was starring to worry, because it felt more like something writers decided to do for their big season finale, just because everyone had been craving over it from the start, than because they had wanted to go there or had an idea for some jokes.
A few quotes and other things :
- Sheldon really can’t talk Mandarin, but that’s not his fault. As he said, he can only be as good as his teacher…
- Howard sucks at being a geek. I mean, everyone from Penny’s life seem to have find that infamous blog relating her sex life, and I doubt they’re all computer-savvy. I would have expected him to get some Google alerts as soon as the blog went live, not to have to search for it… and not be able to find it! Shame on you, Howard, shame on you.
- “I said I’m her friends, not her gay friend.”
“
- Tell me something, am I just an idiot who picks giant losers ?
- No!!
- Okay, so I pick good guys, but turn them into losers ?
- Of course not!
- Well, it’s gotta be one or the other, which is it ??
- *thinks* I’m sorry what were the choices again ?
”
- And after turning the situation over without really realizing it, Leonard could only wonder… “May I am her gay friend!”
- Leonard just can’t get over it, how he fixed Penny’s relationship without wanting to, or knowing how, or some love it. Of course, others don’t…
“
- Boy that story gets better everyone time you hear it !
- Actually I thought the first two renditions were far more compelling. PVC I felt sympathy for the Leonard character, now I just find him whiny and annoying.
- Eat your tangerine chicken !
- I’d love to but I don’t have tangerine chicken…
”
- Honestly, when Leonard then went to talk to Penny, and eventually asked her out… it didn’t work that much for me. I don’t think I was involved enough with the character to really care, I just don’t think such emotional moments fits this show, and the laugh/cry/clap/whatever tracks was getting quite pretty annoying at that point, really. “That’s the spirit!”
- Loved it when Penny scared Sheldon as he was lost in his Mandarin lesson. “Sorry, do you have a second ? – A second what ? Pair of underwear ??”
- After agreeing that Howard is disgusting, and that Sheldon doesn’t necessarily knows Leonard the best, he thought he was done. “Leonard might come home, can we talk at my apartment ? – We’re not done !??”
- Sheldon cannot just sit somewhere, it needs to be his designated place, a place that can’t be chosen without serious consideration. “Why don’t you pick one at random, and then if you don’t like it you can sit somewhere else next time ? – No! No, that’s crazy!” Yes, that is crazy indeed…
- Penny tries to relate to Sheldon, and misses. “He’s the kind of guy that gets into a relationship for, I don’t know, like you would say light years. – I would not say that. No one would say that, a light year is a unit of distance, not time.”
- Of course the mention of Schrödinger’s Cat was perfect, and an obvious & normal choice coming from Sheldon, and throw in little things like having him explain the experiment, and when Penny says she doesn’t get the point he just replies “Of course you don’t get it, I haven’t made it yet!” Aw, Sheldon! And even though you knew it was coming, the way he made the exact same point with Leonard without of course having to explain everything, or anything, but by simply using two words, namely Schrödinger’s Cat, was pretty fun.
“
- Tell me whether or not to go through with the date !
- Schrödinger’s Cat.
- Wow that’s brilliant !
- You sound surprised.
”
- When Leonard tried to talk to Sheldon about his concerns when it comes to dating Penny, obviously Sheldon didn’t really get into it. After Leonard said he doesn’t think he can go out with her, Sheldon just told him not do. “Other people would say ‘why not’ ? – Other people might be interested ! – I’m gonna talk anyway. – I assume you would…”
- And in the end, while their date started with a quite awkward situation, the fear of some even more awkward talk, Leonard was able to save his day using a brief mention of Schrödinger’s Cat (again!) and a kiss to make things go right on track! “Alright, the cat’s alive, let’s go to dinner!“
Posted in Reviews
Shows: The Big Bang Theory
