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Full Version: 2.01 The Bad Fish Paradigm
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Aired 22nd September 2008

Story by : Bill Prady


Teleplay by : Dave Goetsch & Steven Molaro


"Penny opens up to a reluctant Sheldon after a less-than-stellar first date with Leonard, placing him in the uncomfortable position of having to keep a secret."





Why the show used to be amazing... interaction between Sheldon and Penny. Heart Heart  Regardless of the fact they are talking about Leonard.

And this...





And why Sheldon SHOULD have stayed Sheldon.



Sheldon went through all those troubles, just to not disappoint or betray her. As if he never met such a person before in his life, for whom he would do anything.
This episode showed a glimpse of the future, who his true and only friend is and will remain. There should be a scene, when Penny would thank him and appreciate his sacrifice. Kinda like in the 1st ep of S3. Visiting him when he's recovering from being drugged. Trying to understand all of it.

Leonard is concerned only about his date and her being dumb, while Penny and Sheldon grew closer much more. Compared to Sheldon's actions, Leonard's attempts come out as completely pathetic and shallow. Shutting the door to his face is the best response from her.

It's funny, because Leonard tries so hard to make good impressions and suck up to her, while Sheldon is so much more comfortable around her, realizing he became her friend, coming to her workplace and not letting her down. He's acting genuine, unlike Leonard, who's all fake and only wants her to put out for him.
I feel like with this episode we really saw into Lenard's character...what he clearly thought of Penny...as dumb, arm candy. He also seemed to assume that she'd want to jump in the sack after one date. Which made it much more difficult to even understand why a year later, she'd be jumping in the sack with him.

I also loved that Sheldon proved once again that he didn't care about Lenard's personal issues, like the guys watching his date.

However, this is the first episode that they mentions being friends...yet, in Season 3 they seemed to have retconned that. Which annoys me. Anyway, I loved Sheldon's inability to lie so much so that he moved out of his apartment.

I also hate that Howard drugged him. How is that okay or funny? Future hints?

Loved Penny standing her ground.
(10-15-2017, 04:27 AM)Jenger Wrote: [ -> ]I feel like with this episode we really saw into Lenard's character...what he clearly thought of Penny...as dumb, arm candy.  He also seemed to assume that she'd want to jump in the sack after one date.  Which made it much more difficult to even understand why a year later, she'd be jumping in the sack with him.  

I also loved that Sheldon proved once again that he didn't care about Lenard's personal issues, like the guys watching his date.  

However, this is the first episode that they mentions being friends...yet, in Season 3 they seemed to have retconned that.  Which annoys me.  Anyway, I loved Sheldon's inability to lie so much so that he moved out of his apartment.

I also hate that Howard drugged him.  How is that okay or funny?  Future hints?  

Loved Penny standing her ground.

And this is why the Shenny shipping 'movement' was so huge back in 2008. I remember all the women watching the show were rooting for Sheldon to 'get the girl' and not Leonard. Much to the bewilderment and of the hapless writers who just assumed this shallow love story between Leonard and Penny would be enough. Sheldon was a knight in shining armour with his profound honesty compared to Leonard's creepy desparation. It was so stark, I was surprised there are any Lenny shippers at all.

Sheldon and Penny had conversations which didn't revolve around him salivating over her which meant they actually got to know each other in a normal way. I saw a review for this episode which criticised the 'over use' of Sheldon and the fact the writers weren't concentrating on the main love story. But there never really was one. It was an empty concept which failed due the fact something much more magic was happening right before their eyes. Sheldon wasn't supposed to be making people swoon but he most definitely was back then!

I don't know of the writers simply didn't understand how real human relationships are formed or if they were just running with the chemistry to stay on air. There was no way Penny would fall for Leonard and I remember much discussion at the time over where this movitation was coming from. All of the sudden she was interested when they had nothing in common and were basing everything on his reaction to her appearance. Something girls like Penny get very used to experiencing.

The drugging of Sheldon was an early indication of what was to come. Sheldon wasn't as 'human' as the other characters because he was different and they always through this gave them license to treat him less humanly. These days he's an idiot, they have warped his character to such an extent he's an unpleasant person, removing most of the sympathy towards him.