04-06-2015, 03:59 PM
'Raj' is total Secret Agent, there. it's apparent how much work wardrobe has to do to make these guys conventionally unappealing.
I entirely agree with you about characters being rendered bit parts in their own lives. Penny is much the same. Sheldon is even worse. There's very much a sense of Protagonist Privilege for a chosen few, and those few are deeply unpleasant people, frankly. They aren't possessed of any characteristics that make them remotely likeable, and I don't understand anyone wanting to emulate or empathise with them. Raj and Howard should have been left as a Buddy Duo, because that was where their strengths lay, KN's straight man to SH's perfect delivery and comic timing. We've been left with the most boring and sickening aspects of the show instead. I'd rather watch Goth!owitcz and his oddly innocent sleaziness, than the disturbing emotional manipulation and destruction of others. Howard coming on too strong in a club is a tolerant roll of the eyes, because he's harmless. Watching an emotionally stunted adult being lured into sexual situations is not funny, it's disgusting.
I entirely agree with you about characters being rendered bit parts in their own lives. Penny is much the same. Sheldon is even worse. There's very much a sense of Protagonist Privilege for a chosen few, and those few are deeply unpleasant people, frankly. They aren't possessed of any characteristics that make them remotely likeable, and I don't understand anyone wanting to emulate or empathise with them. Raj and Howard should have been left as a Buddy Duo, because that was where their strengths lay, KN's straight man to SH's perfect delivery and comic timing. We've been left with the most boring and sickening aspects of the show instead. I'd rather watch Goth!owitcz and his oddly innocent sleaziness, than the disturbing emotional manipulation and destruction of others. Howard coming on too strong in a club is a tolerant roll of the eyes, because he's harmless. Watching an emotionally stunted adult being lured into sexual situations is not funny, it's disgusting.