7.20 - The Relationship Diremption

[Toad]

I was prepared to hate this episode because I had formed the erroneous notion that Sheldon was being "kneecapped" yet again. But having learned since then that string theory is pretty much a laughingstock among real-life physicists anyway, I'm somewhat encouraged now that the writers might at least allow him some professional victories by having him pursue other theories. And who better to help him through his quandary than Vintage Penny? Dipping into the grab bag of her chaotic life she actually dispenses some rather practical advice. It's a pleasure watching Sheldon interact with someone who has his back and who's not determinedly scheming how best to exploit the situation for her own gain.


But then Amy walked in and sucked all the fun out of the room.

Apart from that though it's a largely enjoyable and fluffy departure from the ships-driven episodes that dominate nowadays. It's refreshing to see Sheldon and Penny's "precious bond" acknowledged. And even though she clearly becomes exasperated with his inability to follow her meaning, Penny doesn't have to rely on ugly head-jutting, table-thwacking "pass the butter" histrionics in order to puncture Sheldon's bubble of oblivion. Thank heavens. Jim and Kaley have an indelible chemistry that elevates the parry and riposte of their characters into the great sublime. Why TPTB are stubbornly deadset with their "swamp of unbalanced formulas," as I tend to think of Lenny and Shamy, beats me with a sex on a stick. Whatever that is.