Winston Wolfe

New details about the split: Kind of puts everything in perspective. Guess the split wasn't so sudden after all. Given this, hope the writers go easy on the "Penny-as-closet-alcoholic" theme this season.

Spot on Bazinga. I was just about to post that much of the four male leads' dysfunction could, theoretically, be traced back to their Mother issues (maybe its just the Freudian in me). Leonard could never get Mommy's approval, so he sleeps with any female (or tries to) that looks his way. Raj's mother was so overbearing he couldn't even speak to women for much of his adult life. Howard's mother infantilized him to such a degree that his only realistic marriage prospect was to a woman that subtly does the same exact thing (and Bernadette has actually been known to sound like Mrs. Wolowitz). Still trying to figure out the deal between Sheldon and his mom. Maybe she showed him too much affection and caused that part of his psyche to shut down? LADreamr Yeah, what the Hell was that about? Sheldon made more sexual references in this one episode than he has in the past eight years. Was the inference to Amy that he'll actually, ah, touch her if she comes back to him? terrymct Except that it's beyond tired and gets more illogical with each passing season. Both have gone through tons of relationships over the years (Leonard more than Penny now that I think of it). They've both sampled what's out there and decided they were each other's best match. Not sure where all the uncertainty is coming from. Re: Raj - I get the feeling he and Emily are done, but the writers just haven't gotten around to telling us yet. I'm still holding out hope that we get to see the Vet again. She and Raj had a nice, easy chemistry and it's strange that the show chose not to pursue it. Plus, she was cute and seemed pretty normal. Not everyone in the cast has to be an oddball. The best sitcoms always had at least one "straight" man (or woman) to amp up the comedic effect. Maybe that's why Emily and Lucy haven't worked out; the audience is overdosing on "characters."

shapeshifter said: Maybe he's cheap on top of all his other issues? Took me awhile to process this episode. A few more laughs this time around, so that's a step in the right direction. Glad the Leonard-Penny drama wasn't dragged out. Almost as if the writers sensed fans would be turned-off it it had gone on too long. Seems like the new game is to find out how big an arse hole Sheldon will become before someone (hopefully Amy or Penny) takes him down. From the promos next week's show might just approach the old levels of funny. Here's hoping.

And she's giving off a "trying too hard to appear OK" vibe right now. Posting every 10 minutes on social media it seems. Kaley, just exhale, be quiet and relax for a minute.

On a different note, Kaley says old BBT episodes make her cringe: Funny how some of the posters in that article note that it's recent episodes that make them cringe. Also, as some have pointed out are we getting more commercials per episode now?

This to the hundredth power squared. The writers have driven this bit so deep into the ground that it came up in China and went back down again. For a self-proclaimed "loser" with women, Leonard has been with all types of women since the show began. He should be way over Penny's cute-ness factor by now. Actually, for so-called geeks, all the males on this show (even Sheldon) have had multiple women chasing after them over the years. Stuart even got to date and make out with Penny. Some of us "non-geeky" guys should be so lucky. How can you complain when you get to make out with women that look like Sara Rue and Danica McKellar??? Yeesh.

No, she shouldn't be the same person, but she should at least be happy. By her own admission, nine years ago she met four guys (and later their SOs) and became immersed in their lives. And they in hers. But despite occasional allusions to the contrary, she doesn't always seem happier for it. She even said that to Amy. Sheldon's evolution, on the other hand, has taken him from an unbearable, pedantic, self-obsessed guy who most people would want nothing to do with, to someone who's only slightly less insufferable. His empathy for others may have increased a wee bit (and even that's debatable given last night) so at least there's that. But as they say, mileage varies. Out of the original core five, it looks to me like only Howard (and to a lesser extent Raj) have evidenced consistent, positive character growth.

Love how such a mediocre episode has brought out such insightful posts! I agree with much of what's been said here. The show (and most of its characters) seem to have a "tired-ness" that wasn't even present in the last, abysmal seasons of Friends and HIMYM. Other than Howard and Bernadette, everyone seems miderable, or at the very least unhappy. I don't think the show needs an infusion of new characters so much as as letting some previously seen or referenced characters get some exposure. Leonard now has a new brother-in-law that may still be a meth-head. Let's meet him and see what happens. Sheldon has a brother (and I think another sister) we haven't seen yet, plus a young niece(?). Leonard has siblings we know almost nothing about. Time for the writers to show a little interest and start playing with all the un-opened toys those characters represent. Saw the pilot in syndication a couple of weeks ago. As dungeonwriter said in an awesome post, there's virtually no trace of the sweet, bubbly girl we first met nine years ago. It's almost like hanging with this crew has made her cynical and world-weary. Oh, special note to HelenBaby - would love to know your secret of finding joy after age 50. Some of us "of a certain age" are still searching, lol.

Like HIMYM and Friends before them, BBT is hanging on past its expiration date. There may have been three funny lines in the whole episode. The writers are clearly running out of ideas and I'm feeling like the final three seasons aren't going to be much fun to watch.

Funniest GH line in recent years was when Olivia referred to herself as a "Brenda-Bot," i.e., a big-boobed brunette who will do anything for the dimpled Don.

Totally agree. The whole premise requires a suspension of belief and that's okay. As another poster stated Sutton moves, speaks and has the presence of a 40 year-old woman. If you saw Liza and Kelsey in a restaurant together and didn't know them, most people would think it was a mother- daughter outing.

That could possibly make for the best series finale ever aired. And just deserts for Alicia Florrick if she doesn't change her smug, self-absorbed ways soon.

At this point, "Lemon" Bishop is about as frightening as a can of Lemon Pledge.

My mother had a Jewish Boss (Lou) for most of her life. As a kid, I remember someone in Lou's family died and my mom said his family had to sit in Shiva. I asked her, "momma why are they shivering? Is it cold in the funeral parlor?" True story.

Thanks for posting that, Stacey. Needed to be said. I myself took a pretty hearty pounding over on TWoP's GH Boards for an unpopular opinion right before the site went dark. Was somewhat taken aback, but human nature is what it is. Seldom post anywhere now, may lurk occasionally, but that took all they joy out of posting for me. Nice to see you're setting a tone of respect and civillity here.

From the Jiminy Conjecture: Raj to Sheldon, Howard and Leonard: Insects creep me out. Sheldon: Interesting. You're afraid of insects and women. Ladybugs must render you catatonic.

This is from the episode where Penny takes in an infested couch which freaks Sheldon out: Penny to Sheldon (after three knocks): "What's up, Buttercup?" After another three knocks: "What's the gist, Physicist?" After three more knocks: "What's the word, hummingbird?"

If Nathan says "I just want justice for Nina" one more time, either Silas or Sam should slap him silly. Or sillier.