‘The Big Bang theory’ season 7, episode 9 review: Penny’s unhappy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving specials tend to bring out the best in many shows, but we’re not quite sure that “The Big Bang Theory” had that for most of its episode. Instead, we had a fight between Leonard and Penny, predictable cow-tipping jokes, but then also potentially one of the worst random series of jokes about slavery ever.
Seriously, who thought that it would be a good idea for Sheldon to go down that road? We’ve always found racial insensitivity to be the worst part of the character; while it makes sense, it is pretty uncomfortable. At least these jokes went away after about ten minutes when we actually saw something pretty emotional in Sheldon bonding slightly with Bernadette’s father. He has not spoken about his father much over the course of the series’ run, and this was actually pretty nice to see this sort of side of him. It informed us more about the character than what we’ve seen in years.
Then, there was Penny’s revelation that she was actually married, and the return of Zack to sign the annulment. This was a story that was funny at times, but not nearly as interesting as we were hoping that it was going to be. Instead, it was just a bunch of bickering, which is what happens the majority of the time that these two fight. Even though they are the couple at the center of the show, it still strangely feels less fun when they argue more than any other character. Amy / Sheldon still are the best bickering lovers, mostly because Sheldon has some sort of retort to almost everything.
The Jim Parsons / Casey Sander seasons were almost enough to make up for the rest of the episode … almost. This felt like a story that showed promise towards the end, but really should have been an hour long. Instead, it was cut short before we really got to the funny part, and two-thirds of the memories that we have (from the fighting to the slave jokes) are not good ones. Sheldon’s daddy issues only go so far. Grade: C.
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Photo: CBS
TVdiva
December 10, 2013 @ 10:47 pm
Your grade of C was generous. The Leonard/Penny thing could have been more creative but they’ve been stuck on making sure that Penny is dumber than a rock. I’ll be waiting for Penny had a lobotomy episode because she was drunk and she signed up for it. Sheldon the character with the eidetic memory couldn’t recall that he had some problems with slavery references in Season 6. He’s a genius but doesn’t learn anything…hmm. “We’ve always found racial insensitivity to be the worst part of the character; while it makes sense, it is pretty uncomfortable.” Yeah we get it. It’s established from his upbringing and momma (Laurie Metcalf) can make those jokes funny but on Sheldon “who thinks he has evolved past his simple rustic upbringing” Cooper it’s hit and miss. More miss. Also I want to know if there is a bet in the writer’s room as to how many fat jokes they can squeeze into an episode or a season. Okay I’ve become snarky but that’s what seasons 6-7 have made me. Happy notes: Guest stars always deliver. Raj was in top form. Melissa sure can make marshmallows funny. Mayim’s Amy getting thrown into babysitter mode AGAIN!!! That was a downer but man the body language and range of facial emotions she delivered in those seconds after the butt-slap saved the scene/episode. Otherwise combined with the Leonard/Penny story-line it was a pretty depressing episode. No, I don’t want hearts and candy. Some of the best holiday episodes/movies have been about how things go wrong / people don’t get along. Sadly this was more about making characters un-likeable. Poor Leonard.
Lucas Corso
November 24, 2013 @ 3:46 pm
“C” was generous. Without a doubt, this was the worst episode of the season. And one of the worst of the series.
Rachel
November 22, 2013 @ 1:40 pm
I laughed out loud so many times. Sheldon had some great memorable lines, so did Zack. I laughed more at this episode than the previous ones. I love this show and I thought it was a great episode. Amy’s expression after Sheldon slaps her butt was brilliant!
arron
November 22, 2013 @ 12:35 pm
it was brilliant. you suck.
anon
November 22, 2013 @ 9:19 am
it was not that bad… Made me laugh atleast …
poop
November 22, 2013 @ 5:17 am
it was effin hilarious. lighten up, francis