09-22-2015, 10:58 AM
As an antipodean, in order to watch new season TBBT, I have to navigate carefully through a virus-riddled webpage filled with scantily-clad women, and download the appropriate file. Consequently I am rather hesitant to risk this for an episode that might annoy me in some fashion. I am still hemming and hawing over this one. To download or not to download...
I think the S/P tea scene might sway me.
However, I've been skimming the comments, like the rest of you, and have likewise seen the same carping about how it's "depressing", "unfunny", "boring".
But the one that leapt out (and one I've seen increasingly on social media over the last few years) was;
"hearing Sheldon talk about relationships and break-ups like an actual functioning man was very jarring"
This is an enormous point. Sheldon's "growth" is rendering him unrecognizable. He has been almost constantly OOC since Season 5.
His character was the creators' masterpiece. It should have remained constant. All else can swirl and shift around him, but Sheldon remains in his Spot, observing, commenting, interfering, but unalterable. Inexorable, even!
We've been saying this for years. It's not that they've put him in a relationship, it's that they're CHANGING him in the process. And the change is towards the NORMAL. That's the kicker. If they had to change him, it should have been towards the other extreme. Towards the great eccentrics and thinkers of the age.
The chief trouble is that they didn't choose a relationship where Sheldon being Sheldonic was celebrated, they chose one where being Sheldonic was considered a FLAW. By his very girlfriend. So he had to change for her. And you can't change the main character without changing the whole soul of the show.
Sheldon, the breakout character of TBBT, and the one upon whom the fate of the show rests, was known for three things;
1) His enormous intellect, 2) His alien eccentricities, 3) His superior (enraging to some) disinterest in human relationships, particularly romantic ones.
NOW;
1) He has become markedly less intelligent, and more childish, 2) He has abandoned most of his routines and specific personality traits, odd speech patterns, and general alienness, becoming less "weird" and more "boyfriend" 3) Most of his plot arcs now revolve around his romantic relationship. REVOLVE AROUND ROMANCE. Sheldon. THAT Sheldon, yes.
![[Image: tumblr_n110gvD8Bi1so9v0co10_r1_500.gif]](http://37.media.tumblr.com/78897ed396716970eabd95b85a4f2a04/tumblr_n110gvD8Bi1so9v0co10_r1_500.gif)
Regarding obsessional fan opinions, I suspect (although I haven't checked) amongst some of shippers there might be a dusting of "Well the bloody Nostalgics and Sheldon Purists should be happy now. Sheldon and Amy have broken up, so they've got their wish! And the show's miserable now, they must be fucking delighted. I hope the ratings plummet and that'll show them how sucky TBBT is WITHOUT ROMANCE" Etc.
I suspect this because it's what a handful of folk always say when there's "trouble in paradise". That we must be happy when the couples are all ranty and angst-drippy.
Not even a jot (well maybe a mild jot...). We don't want ANY relationship bollocks on the show. Amy stamping around yelling at Sheldon, Sheldon either cringing or simpering or being a vengeful git towards Amy is STILL ALL RELATIONSHIP BOLLOCKS. Whether the couples are together or apart, cooing or shouting, if the plot is ABOUT the couples, it's relationship bollocks.
What we want - Plots about Sheldon's scientific work, Howard's inventions, Raj and Howard's adventures (starting a rock band was a good idea! But then Emily scuppered it. WHY? What is it with these Buzzkill women? Women aren't all bloody like that! Where are the geek women forsooth!), Sheldon learning new skills from Penny, and vice versa, more prank wars, Sheldon going on a rampage, Penny's acting career, or indeed Penny doing anything unrelated to Leonard, experimental episodes, dreams, surrealism, film homages!
Etc etc.
If they stick to their guns, keep Sheldon and Amy separated, but friends, and return Sheldon to being TRIUMPHANT IN HIS INDEPENDENCE, the old, superior alien Sheldon, THEN the show will be saved, and we'll be happy.
![[Image: tumblr_n3jeul2HhG1rv3w77o1_500.png]](https://41.media.tumblr.com/912bd2bcb62305d83f29a1b1bd912b7a/tumblr_n3jeul2HhG1rv3w77o1_500.png)
I think the S/P tea scene might sway me.
However, I've been skimming the comments, like the rest of you, and have likewise seen the same carping about how it's "depressing", "unfunny", "boring".
But the one that leapt out (and one I've seen increasingly on social media over the last few years) was;
"hearing Sheldon talk about relationships and break-ups like an actual functioning man was very jarring"
This is an enormous point. Sheldon's "growth" is rendering him unrecognizable. He has been almost constantly OOC since Season 5.
His character was the creators' masterpiece. It should have remained constant. All else can swirl and shift around him, but Sheldon remains in his Spot, observing, commenting, interfering, but unalterable. Inexorable, even!
We've been saying this for years. It's not that they've put him in a relationship, it's that they're CHANGING him in the process. And the change is towards the NORMAL. That's the kicker. If they had to change him, it should have been towards the other extreme. Towards the great eccentrics and thinkers of the age.
The chief trouble is that they didn't choose a relationship where Sheldon being Sheldonic was celebrated, they chose one where being Sheldonic was considered a FLAW. By his very girlfriend. So he had to change for her. And you can't change the main character without changing the whole soul of the show.
Sheldon, the breakout character of TBBT, and the one upon whom the fate of the show rests, was known for three things;
1) His enormous intellect, 2) His alien eccentricities, 3) His superior (enraging to some) disinterest in human relationships, particularly romantic ones.
NOW;
1) He has become markedly less intelligent, and more childish, 2) He has abandoned most of his routines and specific personality traits, odd speech patterns, and general alienness, becoming less "weird" and more "boyfriend" 3) Most of his plot arcs now revolve around his romantic relationship. REVOLVE AROUND ROMANCE. Sheldon. THAT Sheldon, yes.
Regarding obsessional fan opinions, I suspect (although I haven't checked) amongst some of shippers there might be a dusting of "Well the bloody Nostalgics and Sheldon Purists should be happy now. Sheldon and Amy have broken up, so they've got their wish! And the show's miserable now, they must be fucking delighted. I hope the ratings plummet and that'll show them how sucky TBBT is WITHOUT ROMANCE" Etc.
I suspect this because it's what a handful of folk always say when there's "trouble in paradise". That we must be happy when the couples are all ranty and angst-drippy.
Not even a jot (well maybe a mild jot...). We don't want ANY relationship bollocks on the show. Amy stamping around yelling at Sheldon, Sheldon either cringing or simpering or being a vengeful git towards Amy is STILL ALL RELATIONSHIP BOLLOCKS. Whether the couples are together or apart, cooing or shouting, if the plot is ABOUT the couples, it's relationship bollocks.
What we want - Plots about Sheldon's scientific work, Howard's inventions, Raj and Howard's adventures (starting a rock band was a good idea! But then Emily scuppered it. WHY? What is it with these Buzzkill women? Women aren't all bloody like that! Where are the geek women forsooth!), Sheldon learning new skills from Penny, and vice versa, more prank wars, Sheldon going on a rampage, Penny's acting career, or indeed Penny doing anything unrelated to Leonard, experimental episodes, dreams, surrealism, film homages!
Etc etc.
If they stick to their guns, keep Sheldon and Amy separated, but friends, and return Sheldon to being TRIUMPHANT IN HIS INDEPENDENCE, the old, superior alien Sheldon, THEN the show will be saved, and we'll be happy.
"WHERE THE HELL'S MY PARACHUTE?"