Like an old married couple

[Idle Miscreant]

Just an idle comment about something which bemuses me. I think it has been pretty well established over the years that Sheldon and Penny, ie Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco, have a hell of a lot of "chemistry" together (that's the word used over and over again). "Chemistry" between actors, at its heart, is simply an extra level of energy, an interplay which has a heightened vibe about it. It makes for the great pairings and partnerships of film, television and theatre. It is mesmerising to behold.

Now, staggering around social media, I've always found it baffling that certain shippers who dislike Sheldon/Penny scenes, for no other reason, it seems, than the "threat" they pose, feel the need to repetitively classify this chemistry between Parsons/Cuoco as COMEDIC chemistry, not ROMANTIC (or sexual) chemistry. The further implication (sometimes blatantly stated as fact) being that Parsons/Bialik have the latter type.

The problem is that this type of "romantic chemistry" that they're suggesting implies an undercurrent of genuine romantic/sexual interest between the actors that translates to their scenes. In which case...well Parsons isn't going to have that with any of the female cast, is he. If he doesn't have this "vibe" with Cuoco, then he certainly doesn't with Bialik either, by default.

So they've sort of scuppered their own argument...

(Unless of course they're suggesting that Parsons and Bialik ARE having an affair, in which case we're dealing with the fantasy-projection of some very confused shippers)

Personally I feel this distinction and classification of what is essentially an "energy" as either romantic or comedic, is rather ridiculous and arbitrary, and depends on what is being projected by the viewer. Energy is energy. Chemistry is chemistry. Two actors either have it or they don't. The point about Parsons and Cuoco is that THEY HAVE IT. In spades. Which makes them very watchable. That is all we, and a large number of people, are ever pointing out. And that if you're going to put Sheldon in a relationship, surely you should put him with someone with whom he has chemistry of ANY DESCRIPTION AT ALL?