02-06-2015, 10:21 AM
(02-06-2015, 09:57 AM)wellplayedpenny Wrote: In tonight's episode we have an actual plot in the form of the guys' troubles with an internet troll. Granted, this all begins rather ominously with Leonard coming up with the ground-breaking idea even though 'this is totally not [his] area' and that Sheldon is 'way better' with the math. Apparently Amy isn't the only character who can make significant contributions to other scientific fields. Who knew when I was cutting up the fetal pig for biology class that I could have simultaneously solved the proton dilemma in dark matter theory instead of mulling how the ovary looked like a kidney bean. Leonard's in a different field than Sheldon, but as all physics is just math 'doodles' I, apparently, shouldn't be too particular.
Aside from this issue, the rest of the plot turned out reasonably well; Sheldon was within the realm of being Sheldon instead of the later seasons' redneck. It was nice seeing him working on science(!) and I was at least appeased by him taking Leonard's idea and fleshing it out with his own ideas, turning it into a paper even Leonard couldn't downplay. Leonard's paper became more than just 'their' paper as Hawking noted that it was the 'Cooper-Hofstadter' paper—Sheldon was lead author. Sheldon also noted that his affiliation with the paper would give it credibility so apparently Sheldon isn't the washed up physicist we've been seeing this season. Sure, they might devote entire episodes to his losing his way, his doubts, his failings, but apparently the writers only see these as 'minor issues' that we shouldn't think of as canon. Of course, anyone who does follow canon already know how well the writers actually stick to it (in The 43 Peculiarity Sheldon thanked Leonard for being a quiet sleeper who is 'a real catch compared to some snoring guy' so you can take Leonard's nasal surgery and stuff it!) so we shouldn't be surprised.
As for the girls' 'plot' (hey, says a writer, here's an idea: while the guys actually come up with an idea, publish it and deal with the consequences of doing so let's get the girls together so they can take turns humiliating each other and otherwise making each one feel grossly uncomfortable. Hurray for gender equality!) the girls take great glee in being shit-disturbers, with Bernie and Amy cackling at Penny's movie, Penny and Amy at Bernie's beauty pageant video.
Then there comes Amy's fan fiction about Sheldon and she in the midst of Little House on the Prairie. The writers show that they are aware of what's out there in Shamyland fan fiction writing with the general view that early Sheldon was robotic and boring until Amy came along to 'change him'. It's good writing, Amy insists, but also admits it's 'wishful thinking'. In the story, Amelia is intrigued at the man from the future for all the knowledge Cooper possesses but the parts of the story that get fleshed out include her interest in his underwear and his knowledge about sexual practices in the future. (On second thought, the writers on the show are trying to pass off Shamy as a relationship of the mind so maybe Amy could get a job with TPTB.)
And then we get to the poignant part of the 'plot'—Amy's reading of Cooper's declaration of his love for Amelia. Again I take issue with the direction as 'THIS IS A MOMENT' is stamped all over it with MB taking the story from Penny, reading it in a straight tone, the silence of the audience. I've seen more subtle product placements in Toy Story 3. It was staged, not organic at all, and played for heartstrings because, after all, the audience is supposed to side with the long-suffering (and sexually starved) Amy. No one's supposed to side with Sheldon because the audience 'knows' that Amy's 'good' for him.
I think it's rather apt that there are two choices for Cooper: his life back home in the future or a life with Amelia. It's Amy's story so of course he chooses her. Goodbye old life and long live the Shamy.
On second thought maybe Amy did get hired to write for TPTB....
I really enjoy the Sheldon and Leonard friendship. It reminded me of the Sheldon and Leonard Friendship before Leonard was obsessed with getting with Penny. both being very supportive of each other and sharing in their mutual love of science. I thought Howard and Raj were more forgotten characters and it was not a bad thing. I thing this episode was about the Sheldon and Leonard team.
I thought the plot with the women came up very small and was been there and done that. It added nothing to the episode. Amy's fanfiction was again trying to force something that is not there with the Shamy. There is no natural flow with the Amy character and everything seemed forced. This episode also showed that Penny, Bernadette, and Amy make lousy friends. I would lump in the Women's scenes with the Shamy and Lenny. Just trying to hard with very little return.