Season 8 Musings

[Toad]

::BE ADVISED THERE ARE SPOILERS DEAD AHEAD::

Whether you're tentatively optimistic or cynically resigned (or some weird hybrid of the two) let's see your wish lists, your predictions, your hopes, your fears for 2014/15.

To start I wish they'd jettison the mean spiritedness and the kinky sex as glosser-over-of-everything device. It's not funny, and it diminishes these characters to have them always smugly crowing about their sexual "triumphs." Recurrence, I'm looking at you. *ahem*

Less eye rolling, actual or implied, would be delightful. Too often the show devolves into battle-of-the-sexes storytelling with Penny, Amy and Bernadette congregating in a deadly dull plot B that invariably relies on one or all of them bitching about the menfolk. It's become incredibly tiresome for the guys' hobbies and passions always subjected to derision and impatience.

Dancing cornstarch! Not literally, of course, but I'd love to see the four guys joyfully immersed in little bits of nerdery more often.

It goes without saying that I'd welcome with open arms and heart the return of Vintage Sheldon. For that to happen though Amy needs to be bumped to recurring status and then eventually phased out of the show altogether. Sheldor should never have been remade into someone's "snuggle bunny." It's been utterly disastrous (for Purists, Shamys and Shennys alike) having his core identity callously whittled away until he's little more than an idiotic asshat. THIS IS NOT GROWTH!! Repeat after me. Sheldon works best as the bemused observer, not the glum, pressured participant in someone else's validation.

I'm also hoping that Penny gets her gumption and her street smarts back and finds some measure of success. Having her fail over and over again just so that Leonard can be cast as the supportive, good-guy boyfriend who swoops in and saves the day does disservice to both characters.

I think in order to pull the show out of the romcom banality that it's mired in TPTB need to start thinking outside of the box with fantasy episodes, alternate universe scenarios, and more emphasis on the rivalries and hijinkery between scientists. I still think a Rashomon story could be deliciously funny and meaty enough for the core cast to sink their acting chops into.

Finally, I'll be absolutely ecstatic if just once or twice we get an episode as no-holds-barred intense and funny as The Panty Pinata Polarization, with Jim and Kaley giving full vent to their off the charts chemistry.

Okay, let's see if this Law of Attraction thing works.

[Nutz]

Whether you're tentatively optimistic or cynically resigned (or some weird hybrid of the two) lets see your wish lists, your predictions, your hopes, your fears for 2014/15.

To start I wish they'd jettison the mean spiritedness and the kinky sex as glosser-over-of-everything device. It's not funny, and it diminishes these characters to have them always smugly crowing about their sexual "triumphs." Recurrence, I'm looking at you. *ahem*

Less eye rolling, actual or implied, would be delightful. Too often the show devolves into battle-of-the-sexes storytelling with Penny, Amy and Bernadette congregating in a deadly dull plot B that invariably relies on one or all of them bitching about the menfolk. It's become incredibly tiresome for the guys' hobbies and passions always subjected to derision and impatience.

Dancing cornstarch! Not literally, of course, but I'd love to see the four guys joyfully immersed in little bits of nerdery more often.

It goes without saying that I'd welcome with open arms and heart the return of Vintage Sheldon. For that to happen though Amy needs to be bumped to recurring status and then eventually phased out of the show altogether. Sheldor should never have been remade into someone's "snuggle bunny." It's been utterly disastrous (for Purists, Shamys and Shennys alike) having his core identity callously whittled away until he's little more than an idiotic asshat. THIS IS NOT GROWTH!! Repeat after me. Sheldon works best as the bemused observer, not the glum, pressured participant in someone else's validation.

I'm also hoping that Penny gets her gumption and her street smarts back and finds some measure of success. Having her fail over and over again just so that Leonard can be cast as the supportive, good-guy boyfriend who swoops in and saves the day does disservice to both characters.

I think in order to pull the show out of the romcom banality that its mired in TPTB need to start thinking outside of the box with fantasy episodes, alternate universe scenarios, and more emphasis on the rivalries and hijinkery between scientists. I still think a Rashomon story could be deliciously funny and meaty enough for the core cast to sink their acting chops into.

Finally, I'll be absolutely ecstatic if just once or twice we get an episode as no-holds-barred intense and funny as The Panty Pinata Polarization, with Jim and Kaley giving full vent to their off the charts chemistry.

Okay, let's see if this Law of Attraction thing works.

Agree with everything above. I would love to see Sheldon (or Penny) bump their head and see what "could be" while jumping around in AU's, and a prank war between just Shenny or the group as a whole (with Shenny leading the charge) would be amazing.

[devilbk]

I think turnabout is fair play. Since Leonard helped Penny lose her film job, she should return the favor and help him lose his dream job.

[SpaceAnJL]

What happens if Leonard starts to pressure Penny about getting a 'proper' job/education again? Possibly because the tenure committee are more likely to look favourably on a guy with a wife who works in a bank/office/salon etc, rather than a porn actress girlfriend.

[queenoftheDales]

I think that Season 8 Premeire will more than likely be Shamy-centric, will a Shenny moment to mask it. Shenny has proven to be successful in drawing in the fewer and I seriously don't think a Shamy promo has enough weight to bring in viewers who are already bored of the the relationship plots.

I want Sheldon to stay out in Texas for at least a couple episodes. Bring in Missy, have her provide some insight to his situations. She isn't a genius, but I'm willing to bet he would take her opinion into consideration just like he does Penny's. I HOPE HOPE HOPE that there will be no Shamy pushing. The writers are trying to ram it and Leonard/Penny into acceptance so hard.

As for the rest of the season, I agree with thetoadoftruth that there needs to be some hijinks remenisnt to the earlier episodes along with the some Shenny shenanigans. Gloomy/Cynic Penny is old already; She used to be a more motivated, stronger character; her blossom is wilting and besides the Sheldon destruction, this is the saddest thing (not a sliver of comedy).

Howardette will remain the same; I don't see a baby on this show until S9. Raj and Emily will not last. There is no room for her on the show (unless she is replaced with some one else HINT HINT).

Now, with all these changes I think there will be a ratings dip. The bandwagon fans of this season will drop off. BUT I think it'll bounce back when some of the fans of the older seasons come back.

SAVE THE SHOW FROM THIS FANGIRL MENTALITY. It's possible, just takes some effort and creativity on the writer's and actor's part. They have 3 seasons left to fix this mess and get back a little respect.

[FlyingMonkey]

Whether you're tentatively optimistic or cynically resigned (or some weird hybrid of the two) let's see your wish lists, your predictions, your hopes, your fears for 2014/15.

To start I wish they'd jettison the mean spiritedness and the kinky sex as glosser-over-of-everything device. It's not funny, and it diminishes these characters to have them always smugly crowing about their sexual "triumphs." Recurrence, I'm looking at you. *ahem*

Less eye rolling, actual or implied, would be delightful. Too often the show devolves into battle-of-the-sexes storytelling with Penny, Amy and Bernadette congregating in a deadly dull plot B that invariably relies on one or all of them bitching about the menfolk. It's become incredibly tiresome for the guys' hobbies and passions always subjected to derision and impatience.

Dancing cornstarch! Not literally, of course, but I'd love to see the four guys joyfully immersed in little bits of nerdery more often.

It goes without saying that I'd welcome with open arms and heart the return of Vintage Sheldon. For that to happen though Amy needs to be bumped to recurring status and then eventually phased out of the show altogether. Sheldor should never have been remade into someone's "snuggle bunny." It's been utterly disastrous (for Purists, Shamys and Shennys alike) having his core identity callously whittled away until he's little more than an idiotic asshat. THIS IS NOT GROWTH!! Repeat after me. Sheldon works best as the bemused observer, not the glum, pressured participant in someone else's validation.

I'm also hoping that Penny gets her gumption and her street smarts back and finds some measure of success. Having her fail over and over again just so that Leonard can be cast as the supportive, good-guy boyfriend who swoops in and saves the day does disservice to both characters.

I think in order to pull the show out of the romcom banality that its mired in TPTB need to start thinking outside of the box with fantasy episodes, alternate universe scenarios, and more emphasis on the rivalries and hijinkery between scientists. I still think a Rashomon story could be deliciously funny and meaty enough for the core cast to sink their acting chops into.

Finally, I'll be absolutely ecstatic if just once or twice we get an episode as no-holds-barred intense and funny as The Panty Pinata Polarization, with Jim and Kaley giving full vent to their off the charts chemistry.

Okay, let's see if this Law of Attraction thing works.

You just want him to die old and lonely in his empty apartment.

Sorry, got a lot of that at the other place.

---

I think that Season 8 Premeire will more than likely be Shamy-centric, will a Shenny moment to mask it. Shenny has proven to be successful in drawing in the fewer and I seriously don't think a Shamy promo has enough weight to bring in viewers who are already bored of the the relationship plots.

I want Sheldon to stay out in Texas for at least a couple episodes. Bring in Missy, have her provide some insight to his situations. She isn't a genius, but I'm willing to bet he would take her opinion into consideration just like he does Penny's. I HOPE HOPE HOPE that there will be no Shamy pushing. The writers are trying to ram it and Leonard/Penny into acceptance so hard.

As for the rest of the season, I agree with thetoadoftruth that there needs to be some hijinks remenisnt to the earlier episodes along with the some Shenny shenanigans. Gloomy/Cynic Penny is old already; She used to be a more motivated, stronger character; her blossom is wilting and besides the Sheldon destruction, this is the saddest thing (not a sliver of comedy).

Howardette will remain the same; I don't see a baby on this show until S9. Raj and Emily will not last. There is no room for her on the show (unless she is replaced with some one else HINT HINT).

Now, with all these changes I think there will be a ratings dip. The bandwagon fans of this season will drop off. BUT I think it'll bounce back when some of the fans of the older seasons come back.

SAVE THE SHOW FROM THIS FANGIRL MENTALITY. It's possible, just takes some effort and creativity on the writer's and actor's part. They have 3 seasons left to fix this mess and get back a little respect.

YES YES YES!

[FlyingMonkey]

Unless the show takes a dramatic drop in the ratings I can't see tptb making any changes in direction. They'll continue to slowly advance the ships throwing in a few speed bumps along the way to create phony "drama". But we all know that Vintage Sheldon is doomed in the end. There is no escaping lazy writers.

The season 7 finale is a perfect time to jump off the train for good. Amy shows her incredibly unlikable pushy desperation, selfishness, bitterness and anger, and Sheldon leaves. That's the way I want the show to end. SHELDON ESCAPES!!!

[SpaceAnJL]

I still kind of want an alternate tag to the final scene -

Sheldon turns back on the step of the train carriage, his eyes incredibly blue. Reaches out a hand.

"Come with me if you want to live."

Penny takes it.

[Trust No One]

::BE ADVISED THERE ARE SPOILERS DEAD AHEAD::

Whether you're tentatively optimistic or cynically resigned (or some weird hybrid of the two) let's see your wish lists, your predictions, your hopes, your fears for 2014/15.

To start I wish they'd jettison the mean spiritedness and the kinky sex as glosser-over-of-everything device. It's not funny, and it diminishes these characters to have them always smugly crowing about their sexual "triumphs." Recurrence, I'm looking at you. *ahem*

Less eye rolling, actual or implied, would be delightful. Too often the show devolves into battle-of-the-sexes storytelling with Penny, Amy and Bernadette congregating in a deadly dull plot B that invariably relies on one or all of them bitching about the menfolk. It's become incredibly tiresome for the guys' hobbies and passions always subjected to derision and impatience.

Dancing cornstarch! Not literally, of course, but I'd love to see the four guys joyfully immersed in little bits of nerdery more often.

It goes without saying that I'd welcome with open arms and heart the return of Vintage Sheldon. For that to happen though Amy needs to be bumped to recurring status and then eventually phased out of the show altogether. Sheldor should never have been remade into someone's "snuggle bunny." It's been utterly disastrous (for Purists, Shamys and Shennys alike) having his core identity callously whittled away until he's little more than an idiotic asshat. THIS IS NOT GROWTH!! Repeat after me. Sheldon works best as the bemused observer, not the glum, pressured participant in someone else's validation.

I'm also hoping that Penny gets her gumption and her street smarts back and finds some measure of success. Having her fail over and over again just so that Leonard can be cast as the supportive, good-guy boyfriend who swoops in and saves the day does disservice to both characters.

I think in order to pull the show out of the romcom banality that it's mired in TPTB need to start thinking outside of the box with fantasy episodes, alternate universe scenarios, and more emphasis on the rivalries and hijinkery between scientists. I still think a Rashomon story could be deliciously funny and meaty enough for the core cast to sink their acting chops into.

Finally, I'll be absolutely ecstatic if just once or twice we get an episode as no-holds-barred intense and funny as The Panty Pinata Polarization, with Jim and Kaley giving full vent to their off the charts chemistry.

Okay, let's see if this Law of Attraction thing works.

Really love this post Toad. It will not happen, but I'd love to see all the Ships be broken up. I want the show to be about the friends vs the world. I want the great Shenny scenes returned and a slow building to Shenny getting together. The same for Leonard and Amy.

[SpaceAnJL]

I want Amy gone. She poisoned the whole show with her arrival. Leonard is a loathsome little shit, but has potential as a chewtoy for Fate. She's just a blight that needs removing.