TBBT Finale: Internet backlash regarding Penny

[errorsinconduct]

 The fourth season of the Big Bang Theory drew to a close few weeks ago, and as we all know, the writers decided to go out with a bang and give us a Penny and Raj hook up. The hook up has caused a lot of controversy. Some are calling this the moment the show jumped the shark. Some are angry at both Raj and Penny, or congratulate Raj and shame Penny

Comments

[fujiidom]

But, really though. They act as though Penny is just up for hooking up with anyone. Sure, she's probably had the most sex/partners (although we only know this through canon, that it's probably at 33 or so counting Raj) but that's almost purely for the whole concept of the show to stay secure. Geeks don't get hot girls. Whoops on all of them doing exactly that (including peripheral characters like Stuart and one can assume Wil Wheaton).

Getting down the facts of it all, I think the show relies on a lot of backstory to sell this. Because think about it: Leonard's hooked-up with Joyce Kim, Leslie, Stephanie, Plimpton, Priya, Penny. Several of those were based almost entirely on the sex, so it wasn't as though he's hurting in that area or anything. Then Penny's dated: Kurt, Doug, Stuart, Leonard, Zack, Raj. Objectively speaking, that's less than him, if you count the depth of the relationships as well (which I think would in turn inform how much sex he/she were having). And Leonard's only less because he's been shot down by Alicia,

[errorsinconduct]

No problem :) I asked the mods for permission to start the conversation precisely because I was worried over the negative implications in the comments within the fandom left by its members.

There were kind of negative comments here too. I made a conscious decision not to put in any comments from this community to avoid any hurt feelings and blaming against any of our own, so we could go ahead and concentrate on the actual subject at hand.

[fujiidom]

I figured as much. I know we try and do our ~titles proud and squash as much of that kind of talk as possible, but when things are stream-of-conscious, there always ends up being some backlash that you'd rather not see even if it's not being said with all that much calm/rationality to it at the time.

I also like that we've got great write-ups like this, here, whereas other places: not so much. I remember the days where I could stand looking through a comments section on a EW article or a TWOP thread. They are long, long behind me. I'm happy to know that even if we've got our own issues with keeping the anti-women sentiments in check, there's always a handful more people who've noticed it, pointed it out, and explained why it needs to stop. A+

[errorsinconduct]

Thank you :]

[sylvan_dweller]

I was going to post a comment on here, but it turned into a rant that was better suited to my journal.

If you are interested you can find it Here:

[errorsinconduct]

I also wish they had developed her earlier remark about him. Although, Penny has had trouble expressing emotions in the past, so maybe she could only do it under the influence of alcohol, and come morning it was easier to pretend nothing ever happened. I belive/hope that next season they will develop Raj and Penny together and separately, and maybe something good will blossom :)

[errorsinconduct]

I wish they would have non-romantic growth and there would be more episodes with science stuff in them like they used to have. Where are Klingon Boggle, crazy experiments and the robots? If they backed off the romantic elements for a while (yes please) we could have some actual growth from the characters and most likely less sexist story lines in general. Showing Raj and Penny grow as friends could be nothing short of amazing.
(Rory and Amy are pretty much the only canon couple I ship <3)

[alicornmoon]

I don't have a problem with them being a couple at all. No symbolism or anything, I'm fine with it. Of course I will always like S/P more, but really, meh -.-
IMHO Raj is more of a catch than Leonard anyway, and if this one night fling grows into something more it has the ability to grow both characters, not just somehow get her back with Leo :P

[mmooch]

Call me crazy, but I'm still holding out hope that the past four seasons have been one long dream. When season 5 begins, we'll be back at the sperm clinic where Sheldon bumped his head on something and was knocked out. He gets back to the apartment and sees Penny, realizes that if he doesn't get over his issues about others, Penny will not live up the person she was meant to be and he'll be left out in the cold by his three minions.

Wow...

[ghidorah15]

Anybody want to make a fic out of this? Sounds like it could be a nice mix of drama and cracky fun. :)