Poll: Vote for this episode (Guests welcome)
3 Penny Blossoms
2 Penny Blossoms
1 Penny Blossom
The Neutral Zone
1 Dirty Sock
2 Dirty Socks
3 Dirty Socks
[Show Results]
 
 
1.08 The Grasshopper Experiment
#1
Week 9 of the Rewind Imperative.

This weeks vintage Big Bang episode on Thursday May 7, 2015 is:

The Grasshopper Experiment
Originally aired Monday, November 12, 2007
Written by David Goetsch & Steven Molaro


"Raj's parents set him up on a blind date and he fears he won’t be able to talk to her. Penny needs to practice her bartender skills for work and once Raj drinks alcohol, he finds that he can talk to girls."

[Image: kaley-cuoco-e-kunal-nayyar-nell-episodio...-80443.jpg]
[Image: 334]

This is when Sheldon first made me swoon. Talk about romantic! It makes Shamy look like an old smelly sock.





[Image: MV5BMTQ2NzA1ODU3Ml5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNDU5...SY720_.jpg]

[Image: tumblr_n0uy654y6h1sj94muo1_250.gif][Image: tumblr_n0uy654y6h1sj94muo2_250.gif]
Reply
#2
Looking back Grasshopper is not an episode I'd classify as a top 10 vintage episode. Although we do get to different sides to Sheldon's personality

His innocent naïve side
Sheldon: Damn you, walletnook.com.

Leonard: Problem?

Sheldon: The online description was completely misleading, they said eight slots plus removable ID, to any rational person that would mean room for nine cards, but they don’t tell you the removable ID takes up one slot, it’s a nightmare.

Leonard: Okay, now, do you really need the honorary Justice League of America membership card?

Sheldon: It’s been in every wallet I’ve owned since I was five.

Leonard: Why?

Sheldon: It says keep this on your person at all times. (Knock on door) It’s right here under Batman’s signature.

Sheldon: What did I do?

Leonard: You left with his date. Friends don’t do that to each other.

Sheldon: Oh. Alright, noted. Sorry.

Sheldon: Okay, well, good night.

Leonard: Hold on. What happened with you and Lalita?

Sheldon: We ate. She lectured me on the link between gum disease and heart attacks, nothing I didn’t already know, and I came home.

Leonard: So you’re not going to see her again?

Sheldon: Why would I see her again? I already have a dentist. (Exits)
Blossom

His "helpful teacher" side:
Mrs Koothrappali: Lalita’s parents approve the match.

Dr Koothrappali: If you decide on a spring wedding, we can avoid monsoon season.

Raj: Spring wedding?

Mrs Koothrappali: It’s up to you dear, we don’t want to meddle.

Raj: If you don’t want to meddle, then why are you meddling.

Sheldon: If I may, your parents probably don’t consider this meddling, while arranged marriages are no longer the norm, Indian parents continue to have a greater than average involvement in their children’s lives.

Raj: Why are you telling me about my own culture?

Sheldon: You seemed confused.

Raj: Excuse me, hello? My parents are trying to marry me off to a total stranger, what am I going to do?

Sheldon: I suggest you go through with it.

Raj: What?

Sheldon: Romantic love as the basis for marriage has only existed since the nineteenth century. Up until then, arranged marriages were the norm, and it served society quite well.

Howard: It’s the entire premise of Fiddler on the Roof.

Leonard: I’m not a big fan of musicals, but I love that show.

Howard: Me too. Of course, it speaks to me culturally.

Sheldon: Understandable, but there’s a universality to that story which transcends ethnicity.

Howard: Let’s not forget it’s got some really catchy tunes.

All: (various noises of agreement)

Raj: Okay, I know what I’m going to do.

Leonard: What?

Raj: Find new friends.

Penny: I need some guinea pigs.

Sheldon: Okay, there’s a lab animal supply company in Reseda you could try, but if your research is going to have human applications may I suggest white mice instead, their brain chemistry is far closer to ours.

Penny: I swear to God, Sheldon, one day I’m going to get the hang of talking to you.
Blossom

and a pick up line so suave Howard actually was impressed and the audience could see why he should be the leading man in the show.
Sheldon: Forgive me your highness, for I am but a monkey, and it is in my nature to climb. I did not mean to gaze upon you as you comb your hair.

Lalita: I’m sorry?

Sheldon: You are the living embodiment of the beautiful Princess Punchali.

Lalita: Oh, no kidding? Oh, who is that?

Sheldon: A beloved character from an Indian folk tale.

Lalita: Oh. Us Indian, or “come to our casino” Indian?

Sheldon: You Indian.

Lalita: Oh.

Sheldon: The resemblance is remarkable. I can practically smell the lotus blossoms woven into your ebony hair.

Lalita: Thanks. I imagine you smell very nice too.

Sheldon: I shower twice a day and wash my hands as often as I can.

Lalita: Really, so do I.

Raj: But you’re a dentist, he’s nuts.

Lalita: Don’t be insulting Rajesh. So, Sheldon, tell me more about this princess you say I look like.

Sheldon: It was said that the Gods fashioned her eyes out of the stars, and that roses were ashamed to bloom in the presence of her ruby lips.

Lalita: Oh my.
Blossom

It should be a classic and yet I cant help thinking "here's where they started going wrong with Raj". I give it 1 1/2 Blossom basically for Sheldon.
“There are no scenes more fun to do, I feel like, than the ones between Sheldon and Penny. They are such a wonderful odd couple.” - Jim Parsons
The following 3 users Like Nutz's post:
  • queenoftheDales, Jenger, Shellsyke
Reply
#3
Overall it was a good episode, a rare Raj-based episode. I do wish that the writers didn't turn him into an asshole when he was with Lalita (being drunk is such a bs excuse) I imagined Raj as the silent lady killer, but oh well Rolleyes

Anywhoo, Howard imitating Raj was funny, and it still is every time I watch this episode





And the bartending scene was funny too.



"Then swim to Cuba" Big Grin

I saw TP posted the scene where Sheldon inadvertently putting the moves on Lalita, I thought it was so funny that Sheldon wasn't even trying to and got himself a "date".

Vintage rating: Blossom and a half (It gets a 1 for HQ poll purposes, I don't want round up Angel )
Reply
#4
Yeah it was an early indicator of how they could have played a romantic encounter for Sheldon. It blew me away and proves that Jim Parsons could play a romantic lead easily AND that Sheldon could be successfully hooked up, without destroying the character. If Sheldon were my creation he would treat his partner differently to everyone else. The Shamy just doesn't work for me. He's treated her the same as everyone else for years and it's just looks like a slow breaking of his spirit, and makes her look desperate and a little bit pathetic. All that scheming she does and all for a few kisses. She's stupid at best, and manipulative at worst.

Whereas if they had made him bias towards his girlfriend and kept his arrogance towards others, they wouldn't have to change his character. Then they could make it a running gag of how Sheldon can't see he treats his girlfriend so much better than anyone else. Another missed opportunity.

Instead they made Shamy. So awful... Plus I think their choice of actress was very wrong, Bialik makes Amy seem oddly creepy.
The following 3 users Like Tuesday Pajamas's post:
  • CassandraElise, Jenger, Shellsyke
Reply
#5
I watched this just now. Nutz is right that it's not as much of a LOL-funny ep as some, but it's nice. What makes the biggest impression on me now is how young everyone looks, and the air of innocence. JG looks *much* different, KN is much slimmer. SH is so cute and youthful and his hair is so shiny! He looks like a teenager.

I kinda like these low-key eps where not much really happens.
Reply
#6
This episode is interesting in that A) Raj wants to be a bachelor, yet later on feels like he's the only one without a girlfriend and is now desperate, B) His parents first appearance suggest that they would be okay with their son being gay (kuroon and tamberie) and they also seemed okay with Sheldon and Leonard being there, C) Sheldon didn't make Howard move from his spot (when did he start that?), and D) It's never addressed how Raj answers the phone if there could be a woman on the other end?

I also loved this episode for the interaction between the boys and Penny. I love that one day, Penny did get the hand of talking to Sheldon. I wish we could see how long it would have take Raj to figure out he was talking to a woman. I can't believe Raj is so obnoxious, drunk, and it's not a wonder ten years later, he still can't ind a woman. Also, loved Sheldon being truthful...and I loved that it is apparent that he can get around without Leonard in this season...and until season like 5.

I loved that Sheldon could be very complimenting of women and spend an enjoyable time with them, and Lalita could have been a perfect match for Sheldon.

I just want to make a comment on Penny's mixing drinks, and Sheldon's denying the alcohol, I think it's unfair of Penny to force it on him, especially knowing that his father's an alcoholic. I know it's funny, but at the same time, it's not, at least to me. Another thing as well, there's nothing wrong with not wanting to drink and no one should feel like it is required to be an adult to drink, which the shows seems to imply.

I like how Leonard says, "You don't leave with your friend's date." and then turns around and does it in early season two. He's a hippocrate.
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)