The Big Bang Theory: The Jiminy Conjecture

Posted by: Shane Hallam  •  September 29, 2009 @ 4:14pm

Filed under: Recaps & Reviews

It seems that lately we've been seeing a more emotional, vulnerable side of Sheldon. To be honest, I like it. Last night's Big Bang Theory saw Sheldon actually lose a scientific bet and have to swallow his pride. His continued grappling with emotion contrasted against his hilariously mindboggling inability to yet feel empathy for others in the same circumstances is oddly endearing. It is similar to the experience of watching E.T. or Arnold Schwarzenegger's eponymous Terminator in Terminator 2, in that we feel an affection for the non-human, of which Sheldon is essentially one, as he struggles to cope with an influx of new sensations we call feelings. Sheldon's continued humanizing, set against his robotic affectations, will continue to be the scene-stealing aspect of the program.

Meanwhile, Lewis Black's guest-turn as a Professor of Entomology, while obvious in its material and delivery, was still great. Black was his usual misanthropic self, ranting and raving about the system, but with an undeniably nerdy twist that made his appearance seem, in an agreeable way, as almost silly and cartoonish when contrasted with his usual rabid disdain for everone and everything.

Wolowitz's humour was also at its finest this episode, varied and sharp, which is appreciable considering he is often a very transparent and monotonous character. Koothrappali was also on in his delivery, delivering his usual sarcastic quips. The wider roles of these two in the episode caused me to realize just how sorely they were missing in the last episode. Big Bang is never truly at its best unless the entire cast is working as an equal, cohesive unit.

On the Leonard and Penny front, the two were experiencing difficulties with chemistry, which caused them to reconsider their relationship. As I have stated before, I believe the whole "will they won't they" element of sitcoms is tired, and I think I speak for the majority of the viewers when I say that I would like them to form a stable relationship and be done with it. This is not necessarily due to a distaste for indecision, but rather an affinity for seeing how strong and funny couples approach other circumstances and dimensions of life besides their relationship, as a team. Hopefully Leonard and Penny can do the same and become a tightknit comedic tour de force rather than an abyss of sorrow and misreadings.

Stay tuned for next week's episode, "The Gothowitz Deviation". Wolowitz and Koothrappali go looking for women at a Gothic Nightclub, while Sheldon attempts to reform Penny to his liking using chocolate-based behaviour modification.

Tags: The Big Bang Theory, The Jiminy Conjecture, cricket, Lewis Black, bet, Leonard and Penny, Big Bang Theory

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Original Comments Posted (4)

heroesgirl314 says...

This show is awesome- definitely one of my favorites. I can't wait until next week's episode :).

Oct 1, 2009 6:28am

skalobster11 says...

I thought Lewis Black was great on this episode. And, yes, I'm also looking forward to this Gothic nightclub idea! haha.

Oct 3, 2009 9:33pm

shanehallam13 says...

Thanks for commenting guys. I know from statistics that this is a popular show, but I haven't actually encountered many fans personally. I am pleased to see that I am not the lone fan o this website. Let's show everybody else why this is such a great show!

Oct 3, 2009 10:16pm

moviefreak says...

I just love this show! Very clever and funny. Sheldon is my favourite character in the show.

Oct 6, 2009 3:44pm

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