Sheldon tries to play peacemaker when Penny and Leonard fight over the prospect of her old musician friend Justin spending a few nights at her apartment.
I’d been looking forward to this episode as the first big argument Penny and Leonard have had since becoming a couple. Conflict is at the heart of all good stories. It has the potential to reveal aspects of character not seen when things are going well, and resolving conflict is one of the main ways a fictional relationship grows.
On one hand, I thought Leonard overreacted to the news of Justin’s arrival and Penny rightfully questioned whether Leonard trusted her. On the other hand, if this had been one of Leonard’s earlier relationships, he would have simply caved and gone along with whatever the woman wanted. His willingness to fight with Penny suggests how much he’s invested in their relationship.
In the heat of the argument, Penny’s insecurity about not being as smart as Leonard resurfaced. Leonard tried to explain that he thought the idea of Justin staying with Penny was stupid, not that Penny herself was stupid. Of course that didn’t work.
Sheldon logically couldn’t understand why his friends continued to fight instead of simply apologizing and communicating with each other. His attempt to talk with both Leonard and Penny only brought more annoying little quirks to light, and he retreated to the relative peace of the comic book store.
Given the real issues of trust and equality here, I expected a scene of Leonard and Penny finally talking things out. Instead, the final scene was of Leonard and Penny just after sex, having resolved where Justin would sleep. By this time, they had found Sheldon and explained that arguments were par for the course in a relationship, but they hadn’t actually settled their argument. Did the writers think a talking-out scene was too pat and predictable an ending?
Too much straight talk is unrealistic, but not enough talk makes a relationship seem shallow. In Leonard’s previous relationship with Stephanie or Howard’s relationship with Leslie Winkle, for example, arguments were brushed aside with offers of sex. I’d like to think there’s more to Leonard and Penny’s relationship, but I’d like to see more this season, too.
I thought this was one of the weakest episodes I’ve seen. I think a lot of the scenes between Penny and Leonard fall flat. They truly need Sheldon (a child) to give their relationship any zing. It may be that Leslie Winkle was a better fit. Neither of these two have enough sharp edges to make a fight seem credible or interesting.
This was my second favorite episode this season, behind the premiere. I love L/P and thought I’d hate it, but since they stayed together and acted like Sheldon’s mom and dad (that was so cute) I was okay with it. I thought the fight was interesting…especially when Leonard was talking for both of them. I liked it.
I love Leonard and Penny, too. What I don’t understand is people who think that they’re not realistic, and then say they want Penny and Sheldon together…what the heck…but anyway…I loved the mom/dad/son dynamic that Penny Leonard and Sheldon have…that episode was the perfect example of how the three of them are together.
Loved Raj too-”as my girl Beyoncé says, ‘if you like it, put a ring on it!’” Not after two months, but I hope Leonard remembers that advice in a few years…
Liked the episode, except there was no point in having Stuart in it…waste of time throwing him in there.
“It has the potential to reveal aspects of character not seen when things are going well”
Sadly this episode didn’t reveal but only heightened to an almost pathetic degree the insecurities of their two ‘leads’ Leonard’s always been insecure and whiny and has already once brought into question Penny’s ‘smarts’ (though not intentionally like Sheldon does with almost anyone). So as far as revealing goes not so much. Funny episode overall but certainly not because of LP. Sheldon brought all the laughs for me and though his ‘regression’ is brought upon by LP’s initial fight his story-line clearly was the main plot last night and for that I’m glad. However like many other episodes this season the beginning was weak, builds up to a better middle and ends weak. The tagline was boring and completely unfair to Sheldon. Also I found Sheldon playing the child to Penny and Leonard’s surrogate-parent roles completely degrading to his character. He’s a genius physicist must they make him act that stupid simply for a couple of laughs? Cringe-worthy!
What are you talking about, of course Sheldon is a child, it’s not degrading, he’s a genius yes but physically and emotionally he’s a child. He likes to play games and read comic books and has a hissy fit every time anything goes against his norm and as for women, I pretty sure he doesn’t know what to do with them, certainly not how to treat them. Definitely a child in all things except his work.
I agree on it falling flat, I think Penny and Leonard need to give it up. It is hurting the show, it was better when there was tension. Now that it is gone, bleh.
Leonard and penny being together is the best thing the writers could do. It has set the show in a great direction and lends itself to some of the funniest scenes I have seen this season. Sheldon training Penny was so funny, Howard being the third wheel, and this last episode
I too would have liked to see them actually make up it does need a bit more substance but the chemistry between Galecki and Cuoco is terrific, I actually buy them as a viable romantic, loving couple. If the writers are smart they will continue on this path. No reason to do the ross and rachael back and forth, this is their chandler and monica… I loved the dynamic this week with them and Sheldon. it was great!
and I loved them setting up Howard with Bernadette, They were so cute being the old seasoned couple, Now if they can have some stuff with Raj and again more substance to their relationship
as mulheres gostam do relacionamento penny e leonard, mas os homens nao ve graca .
A serie devia dar menos protagonismo a penny e leonard.
Sheldon e Howard sao os melhores atores da serie.
women like the penny and leonard relationship, but men do not see grace.
The series was to give less prominence to penny and leonard.
Sheldon and Howard are the best actors in the series.
Sheldon is the best actor in the series!