‘The Big Bang Theory’ season 6, episode 15 review: Living situations and laughs

It is episodes like these that we are reminded as to why “The Big Bang Theory” is the highest-rated comedy on TV. Is the humor sometimes juvenile and predictable? Sure, but it comes to creating a show that has great performances and chemistry among the cast, there is no one better than Sheldon Cooper and company.

This was not an episode that really did anything new at all in terms of the story: Leonard has moved out before, though not over a spoiler from the sixth “Harry Potter” book. (Though a note on spoilers: generally, we think that you’re at fault if you are that far behind on the times. The “Walking Dead” nod later on in the episode is a different story.) It’s also not the first time that Leonard and Penny along with Sheldon and Amy have been at a crossroads over the speed of their relationship.

Nonetheless, what made the story funny were all of the punchlines in between. Jim Parsons played Sheldon stunned perfectly, as Amy convinced him with logic to allow her to move in and start changing around his comfortable life. Meanwhile, Penny’s relationship now has at least evolved to the point where it is believable, but we also see why she cannot handle Leonard in her tiny apartment. The jokes in here were well-written and spot-on, and this comes as yet another reminder why sitcoms are deceptively the hardest shows on TV to make. Even if the studio audience laughs, you don’t always want to laugh at home … but you really do here.

As for the Raj story, his presence somehow managed to make the character of Hoawrd’s mother feel new again. The whole ordeal was ridiculous as he was literally dragged into staying with her yet again, but the way in which Kunal Nayyar developed such horror in his eyes made it a thrill to see him try to escape from the Alcatraz that was her guilt. It was just a fantastic episode all around, and it ways in some ways a breath of fresh air after a disappointing start to “Community” season 4.

Overall, what did you think about this episode? Be sure to share some of your thoughts below, and you can see what is coming up on “The Big Bang Theory” when it comes to Leonard over at the link here.

Photo: CBS