Last week, I finished watching The Big Bang Theory š
Here's a thing about me. I'm a passionate person when it comes to movies. I can't simply treat them the way they should be treated -- for entertainment. No, I make them a way of life.
I ALWAYS go beyond what happens on screen. I get to know the actors. I get to know the creative process. I just love to know MORE. Also, my favorite pastime is nostalgia.
In my moving on process, here I am writing about the things I love about the series. Haha! Writing is a therapeutic process for me. So, allow me to just express my love for the cast and crew of The Big Bang Theory!
Why do I love Big Bang Theory?
From left to right: Bernadette, Howard, Leonard, Penny, Sheldon, Amy and Rajesh
Itās a show like no other. Where would you find a comedy sitcom series about a group of nerds talk about science, math, and comics? Watch them overcome awkward social situations?
But really, I guess what made me really love the characters is because I see a bit of myself in each of the them:
šI am sensitive like Leonard Hofstadter.
šIām a hopeless romantic like Rajesh Koothrapali.
šIām an engineer like Howard Wolowitz.
šIām a fierce career woman like Bernadette Rostenkowski.
šIām a loyal friend like Amy Fowler.
šIām sarcastic like Penny.
šAs for Sheldon Cooper, letās just say I love Comic Con like he does š
Itās a show that highlights the uncool kids. Itās a show for the fanboys and fangirls. Itās a show for smart people with adorable quirks. Itās a show about the cosmic possibilities!
Itās a show that combines intelligence with humor. Because of which, it makes science more appealing. It guests celebrities who have a major contribution to science, technology, and arts. Talk about Bill Gates of Microsoft, Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, Steve Wozniak of Apple, Professor Stephen Hawking, Michael Massimino of NASA, Stan Lee of Marvel Comics, and Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher of the Star Wars franchise!
Ā
Who is my favorite character?
Howard Joel Wolowitz
The character was brilliantly portrayed by Simon Helberg. Heās an engineer with a Masterās degree from MIT and a NASA astronaut.
I felt that he had the most satisfying character arc. Although heās frequently belittled because heās the only one from the group without a Ph.D., heās the only one among the group who went to space and became an astronaut. He was once a creepy frustrated womanizer, but heās the first one in the group to get hitched. He was a Mamaās boy, but later on, he was the first in the group to move away and raise his own family. He has the funniest dialogues. Although rare in a comedy sitcom, most of the dramatic scenes involve Howard.
Heās an underdog Iām rooting for.
My Top 9 Favorite Episodes
To commemorate the 12 years of math, science, history, and unraveling the mystery, Iām going to look into my Top 9 episodes. To keep the list short, Iām gonna eliminate the obvious favorite episodes which portrayed the milestones (e.g. weddings, proposals, and a couple of firsts). Iām just gonna include the memorable episodes that struck my heart and made me really think, or didnāt make me think at all but just laughed hilariously. These are not the actual episode titles. Iāll just rename them as to how it suits me. Enough talk. Here they are:
Disclaimer: The videos are not mine. Credits to the respective Youtube accounts in the video links
šS03E22: How Sheldon and Leonard Became Roommates
Itās on the list just because I love origin stories! After 2 seasons, I already became familiar with the toxic relationship between Sheldon and Leonard. Knowing that Sheldon is an obnoxious person in general, I wonder how Leonard became his best friend. This episode answers how--passing the three barriers and drafting the infamous Roommate Agreement.
šS04E24: The Trophy Husband
Everyone congratulated Bernadette when she announced she got her doctorate degree. However, her husband, Howard, was mocked not only because heās the only guy in the group thatās not a āDoctorā, but because heāll be overshadowed by his doctor wife.
Mr. and Dr. Wolowitz, they mocked š
Personally, I donāt think itās much of an issue. Howard is a brilliant MIT-trained engineer and NASA astronaut. It was his choice not to move forward with doctorate studies. Sometimes, the ego of men could be out of place. But thankfully, Howard ignored all the light jabs by telling them that itās not about him; heās proud of his wifeās success. Attaboy!
šS07E03: The Scavenger Hunt
Just because this is the funniest episode ever! Every scene in this episode is laughable lol. Letās start with Rajeshās DIY hosting show (0:00-1:15)
Whatās remarkable in this episode is that the writers tried odd pairings (these characters do not get a lot of time on-screen, except for SheldonxPenny), but eventually, all pairs turned out to be funny together! My favorite pair is HowardxAmy. When the other 2 pairs were ferociously competitive, Team HowardxAmy totally forgot about the race because they discovered they both loved Neil Diamond. Instead of searching for the next clue, they searched for the next Neil Diamond concert in town š¤£
šS07E06: Howard Composed a Quirky Love Song to Bernadette
Iām a hopeless romantic. Hence, this episode definitely made it to my favorites list. This was Howardās best romantic husband moment!
Ever since I met you, youāve turned my world around. Youāre my best friend and my lover.
The lyrics are so creative, smart, and witty. This song makes me cry, then laugh, then cry again, then pray for a Howard Wolowitz in my life. LOL. Just watch the video, will you? Haha!
šS08E02: Whoās Smarter, Howard or Sheldon?
This is one of my favorite episodes because:
- Howard stands up to Sheldon after years of mocking him for being ājust an engineerā and for not having a Ph.D
- As an engineer myself, Iām proud of Howard when he said: āEngineers are just as smart as physicistsā (1:28-2:39)
- The classroom scene was so damn funny! (3:49-4:50)
- I just love listening to science stuff š¤
Iāve always been annoyed how Sheldon belittles Howard the most. But he, later on, admitted that heās threatened by Howardās intelligence. Iāll take that as a compliment!
šS10E08: Sheldon Seduces Amy
I never would have imagined Sheldon to be involved in a romantic relationship. With his poor emotional intelligence, I doubt he was capable. So, it cracked me up seeing him seduce Amy! To be fair, it was for the pursuit of science. Earlier, Sheldon and Amy mixed their cell tissues together to experiment with any brain activity. Sheldon was thrilled with the findings that he wanted to procreate with Amy right there and then. Because his genes are a gift to humanity lol. Amy would have wanted it but sheās not ready to get pregnant yet.
Just like the Scavenger Hunt, I love this episode for the comedy. It showed a different side of Sheldon that I don't want to see ever again. Haha!
šS10E14: Emotion Detector
Well I will prefer it if people told me exactly whatās on their mind. It certainly would be easier. You have no idea what itās like to struggle with recognizing emotional cues.
For such a smart and profound brain, Sheldon lacks empathy. But despite that, he still has a lot of friends who stayed by his side no matter how overbearing he may get. He has hurt his friendsā feelings many times but he only gets away with it because he doesnāt mean it. I find that very endearing of his friends. Although, you can really see heās trying to be better at being a considerate friend. Day by day, heās learning. The credit goes mostly to his wife, Amy, having to point out and explain the emotional complexes of situations.
šS12E03: Women ā Mothers
Penny told his husband, Leonard, that she doesnāt want to be a mother ever. Leonard was shocked and upset that he stormed off to think about it. At some point, the news spread like wildfire within the group and Amy knew.
I think itās unfair that there is so much pressure on women when it comes to bearing children. Itās a sensitive topic when a woman really wants but canāt bear children. That must be really tough for the coupleās relationship.
However, if a woman chooses not to be a mother and just enjoy her life as it is, then we shouldnāt judge her for that. Certainly, you donāt want to pressure her. That topic is left between the couple to discuss. As a best friend, I think Amy shouldnāt have stormed and harassed Penny like that. She should have approached the topic cautiously and respect her decision.
Becoming a mother is not what all there is to be a woman. Sheās first and foremost, a human who has a choice over her own body.
šS12E22: Leonard and Beverlyās Confrontation // Rajesh and Howardās Notting Hill Moment
This has got to be the most memorable episode for me. The Big Bang Theory is a comedy sitcom, but they have seamlessly touched social issues especially involving relationships and what it is to become a career woman. My most favorite intense scene was when Leonard forgave Beverly for failing him as a mother.
Leonardās complacency and his low self-esteem especially when it comes to making decisions are all tied up to his motherās upbringing. Dr. Beverly Hofstadler is an accomplished psychiatrist and neuroscientist. As a mother, she is methodical, cold, and dry. He thinks of Leonard as her failed experiment. Always comparing him to his more successful siblings. Always chastising Leonard for being sensitive. Ugh, the worst, right?
Despite that, Leonard had always needed his motherās approval. Until, he decided it's enough. Leonard was ready to list all of the ways how Beverly has failed him as a mother. Except he didnāt.
He realized that in order for her to accept him the way he is, he must do the same for her. Resigned, he finally accepted that sheāll never change. And so, the bravest thing to do at that point was to forgive her. It resonated with me that forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give to yourself and the bravest act you can ever do to the person who wronged you. Even if they did not ask for your forgiveness, youād still forgive them because youāre doing it to let go of the hate in your heart. Youāre doing it to set yourself free.
Another heartwarming scene was when Howard stopped Rajesh from leaving Pasadena forever. Raj was supposed to follow the woman she was about to marry despite not really knowing her that well. After several turn-downs of arranged marriage from his parents, he finally gave up finding love on his own. I think he was just so tired of being single especially when all his friends are now married. To conform and not be left out, he has to be with someone just for the sake of it. I honestly hate the writers for a weak character arc for Rajesh. Anyway, with a forceful push from Bernadette, Howard rushed to the airport and stopped Raj from leaving. This is their Notting Hill moment š
This bromance scene was funny. But underneath it, Rajesh is really lucky to have thoughtful friends. He shouldnāt have exchanged them for a woman he just met. Heās a hopeless romantic. It breaks my heart to see him force himself to settle down. He deserves better. God, I love the writers for everything except for Rajesh's story. He deserved a better ending.
Closing Notes
This show is for the nerds who love comics, superhero movies, space, science, and a bit of math. I'm exposing myself too much, aren't I? Shoutout to all the nerds out there! Haha! But Iām relieved to write down my insights beyond the comedy of this lovable series. Itās a weight off my shoulders.
If you watch Big Bang Theory, comment down below your favorite scenes or episodes!
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