Monday Night TV Thoughts (PLENTY lots on TBBT)
Thoughts on Monday night TV
DWTS - I continue to love Kelly/Louis and Donny/Kym. Those two along with Natalie/Alec is who I want in the final.
HIMYM - I haven't posted about HIMYM in a while and this would be why. Other than the hand-holding moment at the end of the premiere, I haven't been very impressed with the show since Barney's "I love tacos" episode. I didn't buy Robin having feelings for Barney because we followed his journey all throughout the season and got barely a hint of Robin's. I didn't like Lily being so pushy about them defining their relationship in the premiere; I thought Robin disliking the strip-club and Barney was woefully OOC. I thought Robin 101 was lame from beginning to end, and last night's episode was just ridiculous. I never thought I'd say this but Craig Thomas and Carter Bays have completely let me down. I still enjoy the show, but I'm not enamored of it at all and I don't like how they're handling Barney/Robin pretty much at all. *sigh* And I had such faith.
Gossip Girl - I continue to fast-forward through everything but the Blair and Chuck scenes and I'm fine by that. One complaint? I really want Blair's headbands to come back, damnit!
Lie to Me - At least it did better in the ratings last night than it has, but still I fear this show is not long for this world which sucks because Tim Roth is so splendiferously awesome. And I heart Cal and Gillian, and just enjoy this show so much. It's not the greatest, but Roth makes every moment fantastic, and Kelli Williams is fabulous, and she and Roth have terrific chemistry.
Castle - Funny, clever episode with a bit of heart. I quite enjoyed it -- as I continue to also enjoy this show. And I continue to love the fact that Beckett is a total Rick Castle-the-novelist fan. Hee!
The Big Bang Theory - I must admit I was actually dreading this episode a bit. It was rather like how I watched most of season two and three of Veronica Mars, in that I wasn't looking forward to it because I expected couple ickiness shoved down my throat. I needed not fear because, aside from the fact that I simply loathe Leonard and Penny as a pairing, and OHMYGOD, television is a visual medium and KALEY CUOCO IS TALLER THAN JOHNNY GALECKI!!!!!!!!!!! I loved this episode. It was so frickin' hysterical. What rocked?! (Short answer? Everything but Leonard and Penny.)
- Almost every Sheldon moment was pure and utter magic.
- Jim Parsons was sporting facial hair. Oh yes!
- The genius' sitting around the room trying in vain to figure out the solution to Raj's deportation issue being solved by a Penny shouting through the door was hysterical.
- I was amused by the continued references to Sheldon's "Pirate Solution" throughout the group scene. Every time, he'd point out yet another reason it was the best choice, I chuckled.
- Seeing Raj get upset and then swear to cow, it's almost impossible to not laugh.
- The whole "job interview" session itself was a hoot, but two specific things of note are (a) how hot Jim Parsons looked, and (b) the final line. The delivery was king. Oh, and score one for new writer, Steve Holland, this is the first time that Sheldon's use of "Bazinga!" in relation to a practical joke has accurately been labeled thus. (Thank you, Mr. Holland.)
- "The Eye of the Tiger" during the "thinking hard" scene killed me dead, I was laughing so hard. Aww, The Big Bang Theory's first ever action montage. And while some may call it overkill, the music playing over the final moments slayed me all over again.
- Howard missed Raj, awww.
- I know, I know, it's Leonard and Penny, but how frickin' adorable did Kaley Cuoco (Penny) look as Howard re-entered the room?
- The argument was well-played (Jim Parsons and Kunal Nayyar have a wonderful rhythm and chemistry), but the bit with the hand gesture had me cracking up. And Parsons' never fails in execution when we get to witness Sheldon physically failing at something.
Aside from the continued discomfort and unbelievable factor of the ill-advised Leonard/Penny pairing, this really was the best episode of the season thus far, and fortunately, L/P were featured to a much lesser extent than previously. Unfortunately, Penny is still being presented as mostly Leonard's girlfriend. However, for the first time since they become an item, we had moments where the wonderful Penny of last season made an appearance. But enough of those two, out with the old and in with the new pairing of Sheldon and Raj; they were magnificent. Jim Parsons (Sheldon) and Kunal Nayyar (Raj) play opposite one another beautifully, and it was a delight seeing the two interact on a one-on-one basis. New writer to the show, Steve Holland, equipped himself quite well. While there were a few continuity errors, overall, the flow and humor was fantastic with some truly stand-out moments that will go down as some of the show's best ("Eye of the Tiger" anyone?) This episode was overall so enjoyable that I didn't even notice until after it was over that we got very little Sheldon and Penny interaction. Good for the show, but please to be bringing back those delicious Sheldon/Penny scenes.
As for what we did get in relation to Sheldon and Penny, well, although, there was very little, there are a few things I want to broach. First of all, the simple fact that Sheldon has taken note of such an inconsequential thing as Penny's endearment usage when generally he is so above such matters is telling. He notes and pays attention to Penny and her idiosyncrasies. That is a lovely, lovely nugget. Furthermore, not only has he noticed the differentiation in her use of terms (more on that later), he does seem slightly miffed about it. Intended for the punchline of the non-veiled insult or not, it remains so that Sheldon noticed and is not not-happy about it. On the note of Penny-endearments, however, new writer Steve Holland, did create a continuity error because Penny called Raj "Honey" -- as early as the eighth episode of season one, "The Grasshopper Experiment" ("Raj, honey, you say you can't talk to women but you've been talking to me.") -- and she's called Sheldon the term several times.
On the topic of Leonard and Penny ... *sigh.* They weren't as unbearable in this episode, but that was partly because we had to deal with very little of them. What we did, though, felt so forced and uncomfortable. He thanks her after they have sex? Really? Show, that's not funny, that's pathetic and yet another bit of proof as to just how much Leonard and Penny do not work. She's not the woman he loves; she's a prize to him. And speaking of carnal relations of a sort, while on the surface one could look at Penny suggesting they make out in Sheldon's spot as a negative for the Sheldon/Penny agenda, however, think about it. In the middle of alone-time with Leonard, she's thinking about Sheldon, and a way to sneakily get under his skin. Yes, let me repeat that, during an intimate moment with her boyfriend, she is *thinking about Sheldon!* Aha!
Finally, a bit about the characters separately and let's start with Penny. One of the most disheartening aspects of the Leonard/Penny relationship coming to fruition is that Penny has been relegated mostly to the role of "girlfriend" and that's quite frustrating because Penny really came into her own as a viable, interesting character in season two. To see so much of that discarded and a return to the Penny of season one -- one who was defined mostly by her string of failed relationships -- is not fun. Watching this episode, I found myself thinking of Sara Rue's "Dr. Stephanie," and how Penny was being played almost exactly as that three-episode character. That's just sad. Fortunately, we did get to see a bit of the season two Penny here and there in this episode (mostly in the opening scene), but overall? The Big Bang Theory writers have given us yet another reason to strongly oppose the Leonard/Penny relationship. As for Sheldon, this is the third out of four episodes so far this season where Sheldon has been proven to, or admitted to, being wrong. On one hand, it's not fun seeing Sheldon not in the right, because he excels so infrequently in any other area other than his intellect, but on the other hand, what it is doing for the character of Sheldon is wonderful in terms of humanizing him. If the conjecture is correct that the show is slowly setting up a foundation for a future Sheldon and Penny romantic relationship, one of the key things that needs to be done is that Sheldon needs to become an individual who believably would be in a romantic relationship with anyone. Sheldon accepting that he can be wrong, and humanizing him in the process is a big step in that direction.
DWTS - I continue to love Kelly/Louis and Donny/Kym. Those two along with Natalie/Alec is who I want in the final.
HIMYM - I haven't posted about HIMYM in a while and this would be why. Other than the hand-holding moment at the end of the premiere, I haven't been very impressed with the show since Barney's "I love tacos" episode. I didn't buy Robin having feelings for Barney because we followed his journey all throughout the season and got barely a hint of Robin's. I didn't like Lily being so pushy about them defining their relationship in the premiere; I thought Robin disliking the strip-club and Barney was woefully OOC. I thought Robin 101 was lame from beginning to end, and last night's episode was just ridiculous. I never thought I'd say this but Craig Thomas and Carter Bays have completely let me down. I still enjoy the show, but I'm not enamored of it at all and I don't like how they're handling Barney/Robin pretty much at all. *sigh* And I had such faith.
Gossip Girl - I continue to fast-forward through everything but the Blair and Chuck scenes and I'm fine by that. One complaint? I really want Blair's headbands to come back, damnit!
Lie to Me - At least it did better in the ratings last night than it has, but still I fear this show is not long for this world which sucks because Tim Roth is so splendiferously awesome. And I heart Cal and Gillian, and just enjoy this show so much. It's not the greatest, but Roth makes every moment fantastic, and Kelli Williams is fabulous, and she and Roth have terrific chemistry.
Castle - Funny, clever episode with a bit of heart. I quite enjoyed it -- as I continue to also enjoy this show. And I continue to love the fact that Beckett is a total Rick Castle-the-novelist fan. Hee!
The Big Bang Theory - I must admit I was actually dreading this episode a bit. It was rather like how I watched most of season two and three of Veronica Mars, in that I wasn't looking forward to it because I expected couple ickiness shoved down my throat. I needed not fear because, aside from the fact that I simply loathe Leonard and Penny as a pairing, and OHMYGOD, television is a visual medium and KALEY CUOCO IS TALLER THAN JOHNNY GALECKI!!!!!!!!!!! I loved this episode. It was so frickin' hysterical. What rocked?! (Short answer? Everything but Leonard and Penny.)
- Almost every Sheldon moment was pure and utter magic.
- Jim Parsons was sporting facial hair. Oh yes!
- The genius' sitting around the room trying in vain to figure out the solution to Raj's deportation issue being solved by a Penny shouting through the door was hysterical.
- I was amused by the continued references to Sheldon's "Pirate Solution" throughout the group scene. Every time, he'd point out yet another reason it was the best choice, I chuckled.
- Seeing Raj get upset and then swear to cow, it's almost impossible to not laugh.
- The whole "job interview" session itself was a hoot, but two specific things of note are (a) how hot Jim Parsons looked, and (b) the final line. The delivery was king. Oh, and score one for new writer, Steve Holland, this is the first time that Sheldon's use of "Bazinga!" in relation to a practical joke has accurately been labeled thus. (Thank you, Mr. Holland.)
- "The Eye of the Tiger" during the "thinking hard" scene killed me dead, I was laughing so hard. Aww, The Big Bang Theory's first ever action montage. And while some may call it overkill, the music playing over the final moments slayed me all over again.
Click to view- Howard missed Raj, awww.
- I know, I know, it's Leonard and Penny, but how frickin' adorable did Kaley Cuoco (Penny) look as Howard re-entered the room?
- The argument was well-played (Jim Parsons and Kunal Nayyar have a wonderful rhythm and chemistry), but the bit with the hand gesture had me cracking up. And Parsons' never fails in execution when we get to witness Sheldon physically failing at something.
Aside from the continued discomfort and unbelievable factor of the ill-advised Leonard/Penny pairing, this really was the best episode of the season thus far, and fortunately, L/P were featured to a much lesser extent than previously. Unfortunately, Penny is still being presented as mostly Leonard's girlfriend. However, for the first time since they become an item, we had moments where the wonderful Penny of last season made an appearance. But enough of those two, out with the old and in with the new pairing of Sheldon and Raj; they were magnificent. Jim Parsons (Sheldon) and Kunal Nayyar (Raj) play opposite one another beautifully, and it was a delight seeing the two interact on a one-on-one basis. New writer to the show, Steve Holland, equipped himself quite well. While there were a few continuity errors, overall, the flow and humor was fantastic with some truly stand-out moments that will go down as some of the show's best ("Eye of the Tiger" anyone?) This episode was overall so enjoyable that I didn't even notice until after it was over that we got very little Sheldon and Penny interaction. Good for the show, but please to be bringing back those delicious Sheldon/Penny scenes.
As for what we did get in relation to Sheldon and Penny, well, although, there was very little, there are a few things I want to broach. First of all, the simple fact that Sheldon has taken note of such an inconsequential thing as Penny's endearment usage when generally he is so above such matters is telling. He notes and pays attention to Penny and her idiosyncrasies. That is a lovely, lovely nugget. Furthermore, not only has he noticed the differentiation in her use of terms (more on that later), he does seem slightly miffed about it. Intended for the punchline of the non-veiled insult or not, it remains so that Sheldon noticed and is not not-happy about it. On the note of Penny-endearments, however, new writer Steve Holland, did create a continuity error because Penny called Raj "Honey" -- as early as the eighth episode of season one, "The Grasshopper Experiment" ("Raj, honey, you say you can't talk to women but you've been talking to me.") -- and she's called Sheldon the term several times.
- "The Pancake Batter Anomaly" - "Can you sing soft kitty?" / "What?" / "My mom used to sing it to me when I was sick." / "Sorry, honey, I don't know it."
- "The Killer Robot Instability" - "Sheldon, honey, don't you think you're over-reacting, it's just a toy robot."
- "The Friendship Algorithm" - "Oh, honey, I don't want things to be weird between us."
- "The Work Song Nanocluster" - "Honey, do you want some coffee?"
- "The Dead Hooker Juxtaposition" - "Okay, honey, did you even know the people moving out?"
On the topic of Leonard and Penny ... *sigh.* They weren't as unbearable in this episode, but that was partly because we had to deal with very little of them. What we did, though, felt so forced and uncomfortable. He thanks her after they have sex? Really? Show, that's not funny, that's pathetic and yet another bit of proof as to just how much Leonard and Penny do not work. She's not the woman he loves; she's a prize to him. And speaking of carnal relations of a sort, while on the surface one could look at Penny suggesting they make out in Sheldon's spot as a negative for the Sheldon/Penny agenda, however, think about it. In the middle of alone-time with Leonard, she's thinking about Sheldon, and a way to sneakily get under his skin. Yes, let me repeat that, during an intimate moment with her boyfriend, she is *thinking about Sheldon!* Aha!
Finally, a bit about the characters separately and let's start with Penny. One of the most disheartening aspects of the Leonard/Penny relationship coming to fruition is that Penny has been relegated mostly to the role of "girlfriend" and that's quite frustrating because Penny really came into her own as a viable, interesting character in season two. To see so much of that discarded and a return to the Penny of season one -- one who was defined mostly by her string of failed relationships -- is not fun. Watching this episode, I found myself thinking of Sara Rue's "Dr. Stephanie," and how Penny was being played almost exactly as that three-episode character. That's just sad. Fortunately, we did get to see a bit of the season two Penny here and there in this episode (mostly in the opening scene), but overall? The Big Bang Theory writers have given us yet another reason to strongly oppose the Leonard/Penny relationship. As for Sheldon, this is the third out of four episodes so far this season where Sheldon has been proven to, or admitted to, being wrong. On one hand, it's not fun seeing Sheldon not in the right, because he excels so infrequently in any other area other than his intellect, but on the other hand, what it is doing for the character of Sheldon is wonderful in terms of humanizing him. If the conjecture is correct that the show is slowly setting up a foundation for a future Sheldon and Penny romantic relationship, one of the key things that needs to be done is that Sheldon needs to become an individual who believably would be in a romantic relationship with anyone. Sheldon accepting that he can be wrong, and humanizing him in the process is a big step in that direction.