04-22-2016, 09:39 AM
9.21 The Viewer Party Combustion
For years people like me have been called crazy for pointing at the elephant in the room otherwise known as the Shenny dynamic. How neat to see in tonight's episode that Those In Charge decided to not only acknowledge the Sheldon and Penny bond but also reveal how it's actually the healthiest relationship on the show.
Leonard refused to attend Sheldon's Roommate Meeting. Yes, he had every right to refuse to go, and yes, discussing which Raisin Bran to buy isn't exactly a pulse-pounding issue, but it's how he reacts that's problematic. Leonard asserts that he is the 'only adult' because he's taking a stand against Sheldon's insanity, even though Leonard has spent every single moment sulking like a little baby, and thus ruins the party.
For too long the call by pro-Canon viewers has been, 'look at the poor suffering Leonard who has to put up with Sheldon's craziness', and I'm sure they think this justifies Leonard's pissy behavior tonight.
In contrast, Penny has not only made it a point to memorize the Roommate oath but also agrees to go to the meeting because she had signed the Roommate Agreement (how adult!). Does this cater to Sheldon? Yes. But in the grand scheme of things, is what Sheldon's asking a big deal? Not really. That's the beauty of the Shenny dynamic, both Sheldon and Penny are able to accept each other's differences with an, 'eh, that's just Sheldon/Penny'. That's something which friends do.
Leonard says that the Sheldon and Penny relationship is akin to Eliot and ET whereas his relationship with Sheldon is like the little girl and the thing in the tv from Poltergeist. Now, one of these relationships is between best friends and the other, between two antagonists who don't really like each other (as some Canon viewers assert with Penny and Sheldon). Leonard and Sheldon as besties? Yeah right.
Do Sheldon and Penny fight? You better believe it. The thing is, it isn't a whiny, angsty dripfest. It's witty and inspired. Sheldon and Penny go at each other as equals. There isn't underhanded manipulation, it's war. But the key to this all is the passion involved. Penny is not just the one who takes care of Sheldon when he's sick or can make him take his medicine. She's also the one who can make his lips tremble, eye twitch, fists clench and even threaten forces against her ken. Penny is the only one who can push Sheldon's buttons, much to the enjoyment of viewers like me who adore their quasi-screwball nature.
Even after systematically dismantling Sheldon from the brilliant alien to a sexified toddler, Amy is still jealous of their 'brother/sister' relationship. This, above all, speaks of what lies at the heart of those who continually shit on Sheldon and Penny fans—jealousy—because Penny is a pretty blonde and is therefore a threat. So much for a belief in a Relationship of the Mind.
Penny is married to Leonard. Sheldon has given Amy his virginity. Penny and Sheldon have been sibling-zoned in The Intimacy Acceleration (8.16). So what is the problem? Why is it so threatening that Penny has a close bond with Sheldon? Why does Amy not have a problem with Sheldon's closeness with Leonard?
This isn't a case of Penny being the threatening cheerleader out to steal a man. Penny and Sheldon are friends. Men and women have been known to do that. Not every relationship is based on sex and manipulation. And yes, that makes the Penny/Sheldon relationship 'threatening' but only because it's one based on genuine, agenda-free affection—quite unlike the manipulative Canon offerings.
That's the ultimate thing about positive relationships. They challenge each other to be their best.
Penny has Sheldon alter the Roommate Agreement so she doesn't have to hear Leonard whine.
Against Sheldon, Penny was willing to risk 'electrocution' by getting her clothes off the telephone wire.
One is a boring kind of love and the other, breathless excitement.
Obviously some writers can see the elephant, too.
For years people like me have been called crazy for pointing at the elephant in the room otherwise known as the Shenny dynamic. How neat to see in tonight's episode that Those In Charge decided to not only acknowledge the Sheldon and Penny bond but also reveal how it's actually the healthiest relationship on the show.
Leonard refused to attend Sheldon's Roommate Meeting. Yes, he had every right to refuse to go, and yes, discussing which Raisin Bran to buy isn't exactly a pulse-pounding issue, but it's how he reacts that's problematic. Leonard asserts that he is the 'only adult' because he's taking a stand against Sheldon's insanity, even though Leonard has spent every single moment sulking like a little baby, and thus ruins the party.
For too long the call by pro-Canon viewers has been, 'look at the poor suffering Leonard who has to put up with Sheldon's craziness', and I'm sure they think this justifies Leonard's pissy behavior tonight.
In contrast, Penny has not only made it a point to memorize the Roommate oath but also agrees to go to the meeting because she had signed the Roommate Agreement (how adult!). Does this cater to Sheldon? Yes. But in the grand scheme of things, is what Sheldon's asking a big deal? Not really. That's the beauty of the Shenny dynamic, both Sheldon and Penny are able to accept each other's differences with an, 'eh, that's just Sheldon/Penny'. That's something which friends do.
Leonard says that the Sheldon and Penny relationship is akin to Eliot and ET whereas his relationship with Sheldon is like the little girl and the thing in the tv from Poltergeist. Now, one of these relationships is between best friends and the other, between two antagonists who don't really like each other (as some Canon viewers assert with Penny and Sheldon). Leonard and Sheldon as besties? Yeah right.
Do Sheldon and Penny fight? You better believe it. The thing is, it isn't a whiny, angsty dripfest. It's witty and inspired. Sheldon and Penny go at each other as equals. There isn't underhanded manipulation, it's war. But the key to this all is the passion involved. Penny is not just the one who takes care of Sheldon when he's sick or can make him take his medicine. She's also the one who can make his lips tremble, eye twitch, fists clench and even threaten forces against her ken. Penny is the only one who can push Sheldon's buttons, much to the enjoyment of viewers like me who adore their quasi-screwball nature.
Even after systematically dismantling Sheldon from the brilliant alien to a sexified toddler, Amy is still jealous of their 'brother/sister' relationship. This, above all, speaks of what lies at the heart of those who continually shit on Sheldon and Penny fans—jealousy—because Penny is a pretty blonde and is therefore a threat. So much for a belief in a Relationship of the Mind.
Penny is married to Leonard. Sheldon has given Amy his virginity. Penny and Sheldon have been sibling-zoned in The Intimacy Acceleration (8.16). So what is the problem? Why is it so threatening that Penny has a close bond with Sheldon? Why does Amy not have a problem with Sheldon's closeness with Leonard?
This isn't a case of Penny being the threatening cheerleader out to steal a man. Penny and Sheldon are friends. Men and women have been known to do that. Not every relationship is based on sex and manipulation. And yes, that makes the Penny/Sheldon relationship 'threatening' but only because it's one based on genuine, agenda-free affection—quite unlike the manipulative Canon offerings.
That's the ultimate thing about positive relationships. They challenge each other to be their best.
Penny has Sheldon alter the Roommate Agreement so she doesn't have to hear Leonard whine.
Against Sheldon, Penny was willing to risk 'electrocution' by getting her clothes off the telephone wire.
One is a boring kind of love and the other, breathless excitement.
Obviously some writers can see the elephant, too.
Let's go exploring!