The Big Bang Theory [01/19/2012] - "The Recombination Hypothesis"

ScubaCat · 01-20-2012, 06:45 AM

Bernadette is starting to be my favorite character on the show.

Bernadette: Boy, I don't know if I could be friends with Howie if we broke up.
Howard: Why not?
Bernadette: I'm a very vengeful person.
Howard: Really?
Bernadette: With access to weaponized smallpox.

Rob Helmerichs · 01-20-2012, 07:13 AM

I guess if Howard had any second thoughts about the marriage after their compromise in the previous episode, he's suppressing them now.

Hank · 01-20-2012, 07:33 AM

My only problem with this episode was when Leonard said on their date "So, are we back together?".... any logical and sane person (which we have to assume Leonard is) would really say something like: "what do you think about getting back together" or "so, can we talk about getting back together?"... I think Leonard is the most tactful of the bunch, and would understand how his statement was really too bold to blurt out like that. Yes, I know it lead to the ensuing argument which was the basis of the show, but still, the writers didn't have to make it so obvious, they easily could have started arguing over something else, or even the softer wording I suggested.

betts4 · 01-20-2012, 07:53 AM

I loved the episode...until they showed that all of it was just Leonard overthinking the situation. That bugged me. Then they went on and had him go thru it anyway so that was good. I hope they stay together.

Cearbhaill · 01-20-2012, 08:01 AM

Leonard is not at all logical and sane where women are concerned- Leonard is a needy, whining idiot who grovels and reeks of desperation.
Leonard doesn't want Penny- for him any woman would do just as well. There is a female shaped hole in his life and he isn't fussy at all about who fills it.

IMO Leonard is the most damaged and irretrievable of the bunch.
His mother really did a number on him and I don't ever see him being a fulfilled and happy person, certainly not without years of therapy, even if then.

Hank · 01-20-2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

IMO Leonard is the most damaged and irretrievable of the bunch.
His mother really did a number on him and I don't ever see him being a fulfilled and happy person, certainly not without years of therapy, even if then.

You know we're talking about a fictional character and not a real person, right?

Cearbhaill · 01-20-2012, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank

You know we're talking about a fictional character and not a real person, right?

You guys can nitpick the physics, plot, continuity, and other nuances in your fictional television shows and I'll nitpick the characters.
It's all a freaking waste of time- it's just a question on what you choose to focus on.

windracer · 01-20-2012, 08:21 AM

"Live long and suck it, Zachary Quinto."

... and you can bet I'm using some of those sheep/wood lines the next time we play Catan.

rondotcom · 01-20-2012, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windracer

"Live long and suck it, Zachary Quinto."

... and you can bet I'm using some of those sheep/wood lines the next time we play Catan.

"He has to be doing this on purpose."

billypritchard · 01-20-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

You guys can nitpick the physics, plot, continuity, and other nuances in your fictional television shows and I'll nitpick the characters.
It's all a freaking waste of time- it's just a question on what you choose to focus on.

billypritchard · 01-20-2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windracer

"Live long and suck it, Zachary Quinto."

... and you can bet I'm using some of those sheep/wood lines the next time we play Catan.

I've never played the game (though I have friends who have), but I was imagining if sheep and wood are truly part of the game like that then those giggling jokes probably come up from time to time. At least among the less mature folks (like me).

classicsat · 01-20-2012, 08:33 AM

I LOLed at the "Wrong Spock", and Lenoard's comeback.

snowjay · 01-20-2012, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank

My only problem with this episode was when Leonard said on their date "So, are we back together?".... any logical and sane person (which we have to assume Leonard is) would really say something like: "what do you think about getting back together" or "so, can we talk about getting back together?"... I think Leonard is the most tactful of the bunch, and would understand how his statement was really too bold to blurt out like that. Yes, I know it lead to the ensuing argument which was the basis of the show, but still, the writers didn't have to make it so obvious, they easily could have started arguing over something else, or even the softer wording I suggested.

Except it was all a dream and that's what his mind was thinking. He probably wouldn't do that in "real life."

ehusen · 01-20-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

IMO Leonard is the most damaged and irretrievable of the bunch.
His mother really did a number on him and I don't ever see him being a fulfilled and happy person, certainly not without years of therapy, even if then.

Okay, I'll play...

Really??? As compared to...

Penny: A borderline alcoholic with major self esteem issues.
Raj: So hungup over women that he cannot even speak to them without being completely drunk.
Howard: He's 30 and still lives with his mom. (enough said) Okay not enough said, he clearly is completely dependent on his mom to take care of him and expects Bernadette to take her place.
Sheldon: Borderline autistic, cannot function in the real world without extensive assistance from his friends, has multiple phobias and compulsions, and quite possibly has no ability to even relate to women.

I think Leonard is the least maladjusted of them all. Heck, I made the comment to my wife that at the dinner with Penny he really didn't have any sort of "nerdish" left about him.

Now maybe all the rest of them are 'happier' but I'm not sure it is in a good functional way.

TonyTheTiger · 01-20-2012, 09:31 AM

Best line in the show was not even a line. It was the look Penny gave Leonard when he said "...or I might dump you".

LoadStar · 01-20-2012, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

Leonard doesn't want Penny- for him any woman would do just as well. There is a female shaped hole in his life and he isn't fussy at all about who fills it.

Disagree completely. Penny has always been the person he wants, from episode 1 on. The other women he's been with - Pria, Dr. Stephanie Barnett, Leslie Winkle - clearly just filled the void temporarily because his need to be with someone overcame his want to be with Penny.

betts4 · 01-20-2012, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoadStar

Disagree completely. Penny has always been the person he wants, from episode 1 on. The other women he's been with - Pria, Dr. Stephanie Barnett, Leslie Winkle - clearly just filled the void temporarily because his need to be with someone overcame his want to be with Penny.

Completely agree with this.

Bierboy · 01-20-2012, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

....Leonard doesn't want Penny- for him any woman would do just as well. There is a female shaped hole in his life and he isn't fussy at all about who fills it....

Wow, you are SO WRONG about this I don't know where to begin. We've seen time and again Leonard rejecting or dumping women (see ---> Prius: yes she cheated, but he manned up and dumped her) because he's in love with Penny. How can you not see that?

Maui · 01-20-2012, 10:08 AM

I want to be broken like Leonard if it means I get to sleep with all of the women he has.

DancnDude · 01-20-2012, 10:28 AM

I really don't like that the whole episode was a dream. And I'd think that Leonard wouldn't have been the one to ask Penny out again because he was dumped by her. Not sure that he really would ask her out because it was her decision before to dump him. What would make him think that she changed her mind?

Hank · 01-20-2012, 10:35 AM

Because he knows that she'll always have feelings for him.

busyba · 01-20-2012, 10:50 AM

I was shocked at how smooth Leonard had gotten. Then, when it was revealed that it was all just his imaginings, it made sense. I know I'm waaaaay more smooth in my head than I am in real life.

I liked how when he finally asked her out for real at the end, he wasn't nearly as Joe Cool as he was when we saw it playing out in his head. That was a nice subtle touch.

Cearbhaill · 01-20-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bierboy

Wow, you are SO WRONG about this I don't know where to begin. We've seen time and again Leonard rejecting or dumping women (see ---> Prius: yes she cheated, but he manned up and dumped her) because he's in love with Penny. How can you not see that?

I just don't?

I don't think Leonard even knows what love is.
IMO he just thinks he cares for Penny because she is handy and he sees her often.
If another girl walks by he forgets about her quickly enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank

Because he knows that she'll always have feelings for him.

In his dreams.

Hank · 01-20-2012, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

In his dreams.

Unless you're watching BBT in some alternate universe, she actually does still have feelings for him.

Cearbhaill · 01-20-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank

Unless you're watching BBT in some alternate universe, she actually does still have feelings for him.

I think she is fond of him because he is a safe, non-threatening, easily manipulated guy that she can pick up and toss away as many times as she wants while knowing he will always come back.
That does not make him long term boyfriend material.

It's OK if no one else feels the way I do about him, really.
I have no use for Leonard whatsoever.
Since the electric can opener stunt I have barely been able to tolerate him.
I feel pity for little boy Leonard and his hugging machine, but IMO the adult Leonard needs help.

busyba · 01-20-2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

Since the electric can opener stunt I have barely been able to tolerate him.

gonna need a reminder on this one...

Cearbhaill · 01-20-2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busyba

gonna need a reminder on this one...

He fubared Sheldon's North Pole data.

pmyers · 01-20-2012, 12:07 PM

wow...I guess I must be watching a different show! lol

snowjay · 01-20-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

He fubared Sheldon's North Pole data.

If you were trapped on the North Pole with Sheldon for 3 months you would too!

MarkofT · 01-20-2012, 12:21 PM

I forget which show I was watching, but there was a scene with one of the main characters who was of the opinion that Darth Vader was the hero and Luke, Leia, Han and the rest were all villains. It was either Barney from HIMYM or Sheldon.

It seems that Cearbhaill is of the same viewpoint.

Oh, Raj doesn't have to be completely drunk. Just has to have alcohol in his body, not even in his system. It's obviously a psychosomatic reaction to the presence of a female body.