It all started with a Big Bang... 'The Change Constant' and 'The Stockholm Syndrome' TBBT Finale Review
SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you haven't yet seen the final double episode of The Big Bang Theory yet, do not read this review.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
E4 had a packed TBBT themed lineup from 7:30-10pm.
We kicked things off with Unravelling The Mystery: A Big Bang Farewell, a behind-the-scenes tour of the set with Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki (Penny and Leonard respectively). Unfortunately, I only managed to see half of that so I can't give a full review, although I'm pretty sure I've seen most of it before.
So everyone had their own theory about what would happen, including the cast. Months ago, Penny star Kaley Cuoco revealed that what she wanted was for the elevator to finally be fixed. At that point, even she didn't know how the series would end, despite the fact that the finale airdate was less than 2 months later.
Someone on Twitter had their own, much darker expansion of that theory... WARNING: ONLY CLICK THE LINK IF YOU'RE OK WITH GRAPHIC VIOLENCE AND DEATH
People have theorised that Penny's maiden name would finally be revealed, although the writers have confirmed that that was never going to happen.
So, a quick recap of Season 12 if you haven't been following it. At the end of Season 11, Sheldon and Amy were about to get married, but they suddenly had an idea for a phenomenon known as super-asymmetry. Eventually, they did get married, but they spent the whole of Season 12 developing this idea, which is so prolific and groundbreaking that it draws the attention of the Nobel Committee.
Unfortunately, the Nobel Committee will only accept submissions if they are confirmed by another source, which comes in Ep 13: The Confirmation Polarization, where two other physicists confirm that the hypothesis was correct.
This raises another problem though because only 3 people are allowed to be submitted for the Nobel Prize and the new scientists Drs Campbell and Pemberton want Amy out of the picture. Later in the series, this is resolved by Pemberton being exposed as having plagiarised his college thesis, and both of the other doctors bow out, giving Amy and Sheldon the opportunity to win the Nobel Prize Sheldon has dreamed of since Season 1.
It is also notable that a recurring theme throughout the series is how Leonard wants children, but Penny does not. That will be important later.
So now you're up to date.
We start the double episode with Amy and Sheldon awaiting a call from Sweden confirming whether or not they won. After a number of false starts, including a cameo from Kripke, they finally receive The Call and Amy confirms that they have in fact won.
SIDE NOTE: Kripke's cameo was very in character. Earlier in the series he made another cameo, but that was when he was on Sheldon's side for the first time, in order to expose Pemberton. He pretended to be from the Commitee, saying they have "won the Nobel Prize. In being suckers!". Sheldon comments that 'His Swedish accent was very convincing" (It wasn't. Like, AT ALL).
in recent seasons, Kripke's character seems to have been replaced by another scientist at the university, Bert Kibbler, played by Brian Posehn. Kibbler appears to be similar in character to Leonard circa Series 1&2, awkward around women, but still interested in them, instead of being a direct replacement for Kripke. I suspect that this is because Kripke's actor John Ross Bowie (pronounced like Maui) has been busy with his own comedy Speechless (Expect a review for what could be the final episode of that soon).
Kripke is interesting, because he has a speech impediment, but it's never really addressed. It's not because Bowie has that problem (He doesn't have the impediment on Speechless, ironically), but it's only really mentioned once when Sheldon is mocking him, but immediately retracts his statement.
Back to the episode. Thanks to their Nobel win, Sheldon and Amy are immediately hounded by a pack of journalists, and Sheldon freaks out. Amy follows him back upstairs and he talks about how he is frighted of change, then walks out of the apartment. Leonard follows to calm him down, and just before we cut to the advert break, we encounter another big change. Penny steps OUT OF THE (NOW WORKING) ELEVATOR!
Side note: I would have expected applause or at least a 'woo' from the (fake) audience at this point, but the only had laughter.
Side note: If you want to know why the elevator broke in the first place, click the link.
AD BREAK - WOW. What a place to cut. we're only 10mins into a 40min episode (I don't include ad breaks) and I already love it. And what a place to cut!
OK, we're back. Sheldon, of course, is stressed out because that's even more change in his life that he doesn't need, so he does the only logical thing and stomps down the three flights of stairs he has gone down every day for 12 years. Of course, when he gets there, Penny is already there to talk it over with him.
S: How did you get down here?
P: The elevator. It's really fast!
Raj takes Amy out on a shopping spree to get her a new look to look good in pictures (side note: this may have happened before the first ad break, and may have actually been the trigger for Sheldon leaving the apartment in the first place).
Penny takes Sheldon to a bar, where they discuss how much their lives have changed in 12 years, Penny taking advantage by playing a drinking game of drinking every time Sheldon says 'change'. When he realizes this, he stops saying it because of 'concerns for her liver'. When they get back to the apartment building, Penny persuades Sheldon to use the elevator in order to embrace change.
While Penny and Sheldon are gone, Leonard, Raj, and Amy discuss Sheldon's obsession with status quo, including his control over the heating despite not actually living there anymore and Leonard's hoodies are finally explained. We also finally learn why Leonard has not been allowed to touch the DNA model that has been present in the background of every episode. SPOILER ALERT: he touches it and it instantly completely disintegrates.
Raj: I bet that's why [you weren't allowed to touch it]. (Slurps tea)
Sorry, I should have clarified. that was the end of the EPISODE. The review isn't finished yet.
Next up on E4 was another TBBT-themed show, The Big Bang Theory of Everything (link works as of 4/4/19). This was another 40 min show (again, I don't count adverts) with some famous fans of the show sharing some of their favourite moments. The title comes from the title of the show, as well as one of the other most disputed scientific ideas, the Theory of Everything. In theory, this theory encapsulates all other scientific theories into a single theory which dictates how all matter behaves in the universe. The resulting theory would be so complex though, that it itself is only theoretical.
This is a good way to catch up if you haven't seen the show before, but for longstanding fans, there wasn't really that much new said. The main reason I can think of for watching it is just to find out which of your favourite celebs are fans of the show.
Thanks for reading. I post new reviews every sometimes.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
E4 had a packed TBBT themed lineup from 7:30-10pm.
We kicked things off with Unravelling The Mystery: A Big Bang Farewell, a behind-the-scenes tour of the set with Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki (Penny and Leonard respectively). Unfortunately, I only managed to see half of that so I can't give a full review, although I'm pretty sure I've seen most of it before.
So everyone had their own theory about what would happen, including the cast. Months ago, Penny star Kaley Cuoco revealed that what she wanted was for the elevator to finally be fixed. At that point, even she didn't know how the series would end, despite the fact that the finale airdate was less than 2 months later.
Someone on Twitter had their own, much darker expansion of that theory... WARNING: ONLY CLICK THE LINK IF YOU'RE OK WITH GRAPHIC VIOLENCE AND DEATH
People have theorised that Penny's maiden name would finally be revealed, although the writers have confirmed that that was never going to happen.
So, a quick recap of Season 12 if you haven't been following it. At the end of Season 11, Sheldon and Amy were about to get married, but they suddenly had an idea for a phenomenon known as super-asymmetry. Eventually, they did get married, but they spent the whole of Season 12 developing this idea, which is so prolific and groundbreaking that it draws the attention of the Nobel Committee.
Unfortunately, the Nobel Committee will only accept submissions if they are confirmed by another source, which comes in Ep 13: The Confirmation Polarization, where two other physicists confirm that the hypothesis was correct.
This raises another problem though because only 3 people are allowed to be submitted for the Nobel Prize and the new scientists Drs Campbell and Pemberton want Amy out of the picture. Later in the series, this is resolved by Pemberton being exposed as having plagiarised his college thesis, and both of the other doctors bow out, giving Amy and Sheldon the opportunity to win the Nobel Prize Sheldon has dreamed of since Season 1.
It is also notable that a recurring theme throughout the series is how Leonard wants children, but Penny does not. That will be important later.
So now you're up to date.
We start the double episode with Amy and Sheldon awaiting a call from Sweden confirming whether or not they won. After a number of false starts, including a cameo from Kripke, they finally receive The Call and Amy confirms that they have in fact won.
SIDE NOTE: Kripke's cameo was very in character. Earlier in the series he made another cameo, but that was when he was on Sheldon's side for the first time, in order to expose Pemberton. He pretended to be from the Commitee, saying they have "won the Nobel Prize. In being suckers!". Sheldon comments that 'His Swedish accent was very convincing" (It wasn't. Like, AT ALL).
in recent seasons, Kripke's character seems to have been replaced by another scientist at the university, Bert Kibbler, played by Brian Posehn. Kibbler appears to be similar in character to Leonard circa Series 1&2, awkward around women, but still interested in them, instead of being a direct replacement for Kripke. I suspect that this is because Kripke's actor John Ross Bowie (pronounced like Maui) has been busy with his own comedy Speechless (Expect a review for what could be the final episode of that soon).
Kripke is interesting, because he has a speech impediment, but it's never really addressed. It's not because Bowie has that problem (He doesn't have the impediment on Speechless, ironically), but it's only really mentioned once when Sheldon is mocking him, but immediately retracts his statement.
Back to the episode. Thanks to their Nobel win, Sheldon and Amy are immediately hounded by a pack of journalists, and Sheldon freaks out. Amy follows him back upstairs and he talks about how he is frighted of change, then walks out of the apartment. Leonard follows to calm him down, and just before we cut to the advert break, we encounter another big change. Penny steps OUT OF THE (NOW WORKING) ELEVATOR!
Side note: I would have expected applause or at least a 'woo' from the (fake) audience at this point, but the only had laughter.
Side note: If you want to know why the elevator broke in the first place, click the link.
AD BREAK - WOW. What a place to cut. we're only 10mins into a 40min episode (I don't include ad breaks) and I already love it. And what a place to cut!
OK, we're back. Sheldon, of course, is stressed out because that's even more change in his life that he doesn't need, so he does the only logical thing and stomps down the three flights of stairs he has gone down every day for 12 years. Of course, when he gets there, Penny is already there to talk it over with him.
S: How did you get down here?
P: The elevator. It's really fast!
Raj takes Amy out on a shopping spree to get her a new look to look good in pictures (side note: this may have happened before the first ad break, and may have actually been the trigger for Sheldon leaving the apartment in the first place).
Penny takes Sheldon to a bar, where they discuss how much their lives have changed in 12 years, Penny taking advantage by playing a drinking game of drinking every time Sheldon says 'change'. When he realizes this, he stops saying it because of 'concerns for her liver'. When they get back to the apartment building, Penny persuades Sheldon to use the elevator in order to embrace change.
While Penny and Sheldon are gone, Leonard, Raj, and Amy discuss Sheldon's obsession with status quo, including his control over the heating despite not actually living there anymore and Leonard's hoodies are finally explained. We also finally learn why Leonard has not been allowed to touch the DNA model that has been present in the background of every episode. SPOILER ALERT: he touches it and it instantly completely disintegrates.
Raj: I bet that's why [you weren't allowed to touch it]. (Slurps tea)
END OF PART I - THE CHANGE CONSTANT
Review so far: Loving everything so far. Although the show's quality has dropped off in recent seasons (probably due to nerd culture (star wars etc.) becoming more mainstream), this episode has really perked it up, focusing mainly on Sheldon and also managing to fill in a lot of gaps.
PART II - THE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME
Literally just noticed, 2 weeks later, that this title refers to the fact that most of this episode is set in Stockholm and NOT about the phenomenon of hostages becoming attracted to their captors.
The Stockholm Syndrome is set 2 months after The Change Constant. This episode also shows a change of pace, being less Sheldon-centric and having more emotional beats and less comedy, especially as it progresses. That's not to say that the comedy disappears completely though.
This episode revolves around Sheldon and Amy actually receiving the Nobel, but we open with Leonard and Sheldon rebuilding the DNA model, which it turns out is Sheldon's design for the DNA of an advanced human race. Amy and Penny then enter.
L+S: DON'T SLAM THE-
Door: (Slams)
All:( Look at model)
Model: (Stays intact)
S: THAT was exhilarating.
It doesn't look as funny written down.
Amy is very excited because they have been buying dresses for the ceremony and while her dress had to be let in, Penny's had to be let out.
A: Best day of my life!
S: What about the day you met me?
(Pause)
A: I stand by my statement.
After she leaves with Sheldon to try on her dress and practice his speech, Leonard asks Penny if Amy suspected.
P: No. She was so happy, she didn't even question it.
Have you twigged yet? Me neither. One more.
L: Someone's gonna figure it out. Why don't we just tell people?
Nearly there...
P: Yeah, well... if something else had been wrapped, we wouldn't be in this situation.
Not quite...
P: Well, I can't get more pregnant.
Oohhh. Riiiight. NOW I get it. But also, Yay! (See, I told you it was going to come up!)
STILL no woo from the fake audience? COME ON!
Their trip to Sweden will be Howard and Bernadette's first trip away from kids (Neil) Michael and Halley. Despite this only being 2 months later, the 2 kids have aged about 5 years, and we finally see Halley's face for the first time, which the writers have previously stated would never happen as a homage to Debbie Wolowitz, Howard's deceased mother. Bernadette is stressed by this, but Howard calms her down, saying Stuart will be able to look after them.
Meanwhile, Raj is leaving his dog Cinnamon in the care of Bert. Bert casually asks where he can buy an identical dog in case of emergency, and is hopefully joking. He then says if Cinnamon dies he'll just tell him, which is better, I guess?
Later, we see Amy and Sheldon trying to explain Swedish etiquette to the group in preparation for their trip, including punctuality and the shaking of everyone's hands at the start and end of every meeting, something which they practice at the end of this meeting. In case you were wondering, that's a total of 21 handshakes. How I worked this out.
When they leave, they take advantage of the working elevator by putting all their luggage into it, causing much hilarity with trying to fit 7 people and all their luggage into the small space. Unsurprisingly, Bernadette gets crushed. The gang then come up with the smarter idea of sending the luggage down in the elevator while they walk down the stairs and prepare to leave. I guess no one else in the building uses the lift?
Cut to: On the plane.
All the gang are all sitting separately in pairs (apart from Raj, who I'll get to in a second). We start with Howard and Bernadette. Bernadette is watching Jack Reacher with headphones in, and Howard nudges her to talk about how far they would have to go if something happened to one of their kids. When she asks why he is making her worry, he claims it was because he 'thinks they should do stuff together'.
Enter Raj for some comic relief. He shows Howard a picture on his phone and asks if it looks like the woman he's sitting next to. Howard says no, and Raj responds by covering her eyes.
R: How about now?
H: *Sighs*
Sheldon and Amy's turn! Shamy are (is?) sat next to the toilet, which Penny keeps running to. Sheldon thinks she's sick (logical), and naturally assumes that she might infect him and/or others in their party (also logical) and that she'll infect the King of Sweden and start a war (less logical, although not impossible as it is the King who issues the medals).
Sheldon sits concernedly (is that a word? It's my blog, so here it's a word) next to Leonard, saying he thinks Penny is sick. Leonard assures Sheldon that he cannot get what Penny has.
P: Hey, what's going on?
S: (Covering his mouth) Unclean! Unclean!
P: What?
L: He thinks you're sick
P: Oh. Should we tell him?
L: If we don't he might jump out of the plane
P: Doesn't answer my question.
S: Tell me what?
P: I'm pregnant.
S: You're right, I can't catch that. (Goes back to his seat)
S: (To Amy) It's OK. She's just pregnant.
Leonard gets irritated with Sheldon for not being more supportive.
L: Are you kidding me? You just found out that a woman who has loved and cared for you for twelve years is pregnant, and all you can say is you're relieved that she's not gonna get you sick?
S: There's no need for a recap. I was there.
Sheldon points out that he doesn't see why he should congratulate them because Penny didn't want children anyway, but Leonard replies that she has changed her mind and explains that they didn't want to tell anyone so they didn't upstage Shamy (It's quicker to type). Sheldon disagrees.
S: Oh, please, you couldn't upstage us. We won a Nobel Prize. Any idiot can have a baby.
Howard: Hey. What's going on?
S: Case in point.
Meanwhile, Penny, Amy and Bernadette are discussing the conception.
A: What happened to "I'm never gonna have kids"?
P: Well, it was accident. I went out drinking with Sheldon.
A: Oh, my gosh. We're sister wives?
P: No! Then I went home and slept with Leonard.
A: While fantasizing about...
P: Leonard! And a little Idris Elba.
B: Woof!
And we're finally in Sweden. Howard and Bernadette Skype with Stuart, who is having some trouble with the kids. The quotes are lengthy and only make sense in context, so here's the link to some of the best.
Meanwhile, Penny discovers her love for pickled herring:
P: Sounds gross. Looks gross. Smells gross. (taking a bite) It's delicious!
Sheldon knocks on their door and apologizes for his earlier reaction, but Howard interrupts and says that he and Bernadette are leaving as they can't stay away from the kids for that long. Leonard says he and Penny will join them.
P: Oh, wait. Do I get a vote in this?
L: They'll have pickled herring on the plane.
P: Bye-bye.
Back in their room, Amy berates Sheldon (wait a minute, where's Raj in all this? Never mind, I'm sure he'll pop up in a bit) for pushing all their friends away in one of the more emotional scenes of the episode.
Meanwhile, the others (still no Raj? Where are you?) are feeling guilty about leaving and they decide to stay, but Bernadette's parents will take over from Stuart, who now has a cracked rib (Babysitting: Extreme Edition).
And we're in the main auditorium. Amy and Sheldon are onstage receiving their medals, and Amy makes a brief speech:
A: I would just like to take this moment to say to all the young girls out there who dream about science as a profession: go for it. It is the greatest job in the world. And if anybody tells you can't, don't listen. And now, speaking of not listening, my husband, Dr. Sheldon Cooper.
Sheldon takes a moment to respond, then gives a brief but emotional speech:
S: I have a very long and somewhat self-centered speech here. But I'd like to set it aside.
P: Yeah!
H: Way to go!
S: Because this honor doesn't just belong to me. I wouldn't be up here if it weren't for some very important people in my life. Beginning with my mother, father, meemaw, brother, and sister. And my other family, who I'm so happy to have here with us. Is that Buffy the Vampire Slayer? [Sarah waves from her seat next to Raj]
S: I was under a misapprehension that my accomplishments were mine alone. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have been encouraged, sustained, inspired, and tolerated not only by my wife, but by the greatest group of friends anyone ever had. I'd like to ask them to stand. [they do so as he acknowledges them] Sheldon Cooper: Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali. Dr. Bernadette Rostenkowski Wolowitz. Astronaut Howard Wolowitz.
(Side note: this is the first time Sheldon acknowledges Howard's accomplishments. His lack of a Ph.D. is a constant source of humour through the entire series)
And my two dearest friends in the world, Penny Hofstadter... and Dr. Leonard Hofstadter. I was there the moment Leonard and Penny met. He said to me that their babies would be smart and beautiful. And now that they're expecting, I have no doubt that that will be the case.
P: (crying) Thanks, Sheldon. I-I haven't told my parents yet, but thanks.
S: Oh. I'm sorry. Don't tell anyone that last thing. That's a secret. Howard, Bernadette, Raj, Penny, Leonard, I apologize if I haven't been the friend you deserve. But I want you to know in my way, I love you all.
(to Amy) And I love you. Thank you.
We now cut to an acoustic version of the theme song over a visual of the main cast eating takeout in the main apartment, just like in the opening credits. There was even a bonus Easter Egg for people who were really paying attention (so not me).
Side note: Have you ever noticed how 'take out' can refer to food, dating OR assassination? Just something to think about.
It should also be noted at the beginning of the episode when they are rebuilding Sheldon's DNA model, Leonard comments:
L: This might be the glue talking, but that was a very pleasurable 139 and a half hours.
So that was it. The end. Gone and done and been and had. 12 years, culminating in an hour of satisfying conclusions. Thanks for reading my review, I post new reviews semi-regularly.
The Big Bang Theory of EverythingReview so far: Loving everything so far. Although the show's quality has dropped off in recent seasons (probably due to nerd culture (star wars etc.) becoming more mainstream), this episode has really perked it up, focusing mainly on Sheldon and also managing to fill in a lot of gaps.
PART II - THE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME
Literally just noticed, 2 weeks later, that this title refers to the fact that most of this episode is set in Stockholm and NOT about the phenomenon of hostages becoming attracted to their captors.
The Stockholm Syndrome is set 2 months after The Change Constant. This episode also shows a change of pace, being less Sheldon-centric and having more emotional beats and less comedy, especially as it progresses. That's not to say that the comedy disappears completely though.
This episode revolves around Sheldon and Amy actually receiving the Nobel, but we open with Leonard and Sheldon rebuilding the DNA model, which it turns out is Sheldon's design for the DNA of an advanced human race. Amy and Penny then enter.
L+S: DON'T SLAM THE-
Door: (Slams)
All:( Look at model)
Model: (Stays intact)
S: THAT was exhilarating.
It doesn't look as funny written down.
Amy is very excited because they have been buying dresses for the ceremony and while her dress had to be let in, Penny's had to be let out.
A: Best day of my life!
S: What about the day you met me?
(Pause)
A: I stand by my statement.
After she leaves with Sheldon to try on her dress and practice his speech, Leonard asks Penny if Amy suspected.
P: No. She was so happy, she didn't even question it.
Have you twigged yet? Me neither. One more.
L: Someone's gonna figure it out. Why don't we just tell people?
Nearly there...
P: Yeah, well... if something else had been wrapped, we wouldn't be in this situation.
Not quite...
P: Well, I can't get more pregnant.
Oohhh. Riiiight. NOW I get it. But also, Yay! (See, I told you it was going to come up!)
STILL no woo from the fake audience? COME ON!
Their trip to Sweden will be Howard and Bernadette's first trip away from kids (Neil) Michael and Halley. Despite this only being 2 months later, the 2 kids have aged about 5 years, and we finally see Halley's face for the first time, which the writers have previously stated would never happen as a homage to Debbie Wolowitz, Howard's deceased mother. Bernadette is stressed by this, but Howard calms her down, saying Stuart will be able to look after them.
Meanwhile, Raj is leaving his dog Cinnamon in the care of Bert. Bert casually asks where he can buy an identical dog in case of emergency, and is hopefully joking. He then says if Cinnamon dies he'll just tell him, which is better, I guess?
Later, we see Amy and Sheldon trying to explain Swedish etiquette to the group in preparation for their trip, including punctuality and the shaking of everyone's hands at the start and end of every meeting, something which they practice at the end of this meeting. In case you were wondering, that's a total of 21 handshakes. How I worked this out.
When they leave, they take advantage of the working elevator by putting all their luggage into it, causing much hilarity with trying to fit 7 people and all their luggage into the small space. Unsurprisingly, Bernadette gets crushed. The gang then come up with the smarter idea of sending the luggage down in the elevator while they walk down the stairs and prepare to leave. I guess no one else in the building uses the lift?
Cut to: On the plane.
All the gang are all sitting separately in pairs (apart from Raj, who I'll get to in a second). We start with Howard and Bernadette. Bernadette is watching Jack Reacher with headphones in, and Howard nudges her to talk about how far they would have to go if something happened to one of their kids. When she asks why he is making her worry, he claims it was because he 'thinks they should do stuff together'.
Enter Raj for some comic relief. He shows Howard a picture on his phone and asks if it looks like the woman he's sitting next to. Howard says no, and Raj responds by covering her eyes.
R: How about now?
H: *Sighs*
Sheldon and Amy's turn! Shamy are (is?) sat next to the toilet, which Penny keeps running to. Sheldon thinks she's sick (logical), and naturally assumes that she might infect him and/or others in their party (also logical) and that she'll infect the King of Sweden and start a war (less logical, although not impossible as it is the King who issues the medals).
Sheldon sits concernedly (is that a word? It's my blog, so here it's a word) next to Leonard, saying he thinks Penny is sick. Leonard assures Sheldon that he cannot get what Penny has.
P: Hey, what's going on?
S: (Covering his mouth) Unclean! Unclean!
P: What?
L: He thinks you're sick
P: Oh. Should we tell him?
L: If we don't he might jump out of the plane
P: Doesn't answer my question.
S: Tell me what?
P: I'm pregnant.
S: You're right, I can't catch that. (Goes back to his seat)
S: (To Amy) It's OK. She's just pregnant.
Leonard gets irritated with Sheldon for not being more supportive.
L: Are you kidding me? You just found out that a woman who has loved and cared for you for twelve years is pregnant, and all you can say is you're relieved that she's not gonna get you sick?
S: There's no need for a recap. I was there.
Sheldon points out that he doesn't see why he should congratulate them because Penny didn't want children anyway, but Leonard replies that she has changed her mind and explains that they didn't want to tell anyone so they didn't upstage Shamy (It's quicker to type). Sheldon disagrees.
S: Oh, please, you couldn't upstage us. We won a Nobel Prize. Any idiot can have a baby.
Howard: Hey. What's going on?
S: Case in point.
Meanwhile, Penny, Amy and Bernadette are discussing the conception.
A: What happened to "I'm never gonna have kids"?
P: Well, it was accident. I went out drinking with Sheldon.
A: Oh, my gosh. We're sister wives?
P: No! Then I went home and slept with Leonard.
A: While fantasizing about...
P: Leonard! And a little Idris Elba.
B: Woof!
And we're finally in Sweden. Howard and Bernadette Skype with Stuart, who is having some trouble with the kids. The quotes are lengthy and only make sense in context, so here's the link to some of the best.
Meanwhile, Penny discovers her love for pickled herring:
P: Sounds gross. Looks gross. Smells gross. (taking a bite) It's delicious!
Sheldon knocks on their door and apologizes for his earlier reaction, but Howard interrupts and says that he and Bernadette are leaving as they can't stay away from the kids for that long. Leonard says he and Penny will join them.
P: Oh, wait. Do I get a vote in this?
L: They'll have pickled herring on the plane.
P: Bye-bye.
Back in their room, Amy berates Sheldon (wait a minute, where's Raj in all this? Never mind, I'm sure he'll pop up in a bit) for pushing all their friends away in one of the more emotional scenes of the episode.
Meanwhile, the others (still no Raj? Where are you?) are feeling guilty about leaving and they decide to stay, but Bernadette's parents will take over from Stuart, who now has a cracked rib (Babysitting: Extreme Edition).
And we're in the main auditorium. Amy and Sheldon are onstage receiving their medals, and Amy makes a brief speech:
A: I would just like to take this moment to say to all the young girls out there who dream about science as a profession: go for it. It is the greatest job in the world. And if anybody tells you can't, don't listen. And now, speaking of not listening, my husband, Dr. Sheldon Cooper.
Sheldon takes a moment to respond, then gives a brief but emotional speech:
S: I have a very long and somewhat self-centered speech here. But I'd like to set it aside.
P: Yeah!
H: Way to go!
S: Because this honor doesn't just belong to me. I wouldn't be up here if it weren't for some very important people in my life. Beginning with my mother, father, meemaw, brother, and sister. And my other family, who I'm so happy to have here with us. Is that Buffy the Vampire Slayer? [Sarah waves from her seat next to Raj]
S: I was under a misapprehension that my accomplishments were mine alone. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have been encouraged, sustained, inspired, and tolerated not only by my wife, but by the greatest group of friends anyone ever had. I'd like to ask them to stand. [they do so as he acknowledges them] Sheldon Cooper: Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali. Dr. Bernadette Rostenkowski Wolowitz. Astronaut Howard Wolowitz.
(Side note: this is the first time Sheldon acknowledges Howard's accomplishments. His lack of a Ph.D. is a constant source of humour through the entire series)
And my two dearest friends in the world, Penny Hofstadter... and Dr. Leonard Hofstadter. I was there the moment Leonard and Penny met. He said to me that their babies would be smart and beautiful. And now that they're expecting, I have no doubt that that will be the case.
P: (crying) Thanks, Sheldon. I-I haven't told my parents yet, but thanks.
S: Oh. I'm sorry. Don't tell anyone that last thing. That's a secret. Howard, Bernadette, Raj, Penny, Leonard, I apologize if I haven't been the friend you deserve. But I want you to know in my way, I love you all.
(to Amy) And I love you. Thank you.
We now cut to an acoustic version of the theme song over a visual of the main cast eating takeout in the main apartment, just like in the opening credits. There was even a bonus Easter Egg for people who were really paying attention (so not me).
Side note: Have you ever noticed how 'take out' can refer to food, dating OR assassination? Just something to think about.
It should also be noted at the beginning of the episode when they are rebuilding Sheldon's DNA model, Leonard comments:
L: This might be the glue talking, but that was a very pleasurable 139 and a half hours.
So that was it. The end. Gone and done and been and had. 12 years, culminating in an hour of satisfying conclusions. Thanks for reading my review, I post new reviews semi-regularly.
Sorry, I should have clarified. that was the end of the EPISODE. The review isn't finished yet.
Next up on E4 was another TBBT-themed show, The Big Bang Theory of Everything (link works as of 4/4/19). This was another 40 min show (again, I don't count adverts) with some famous fans of the show sharing some of their favourite moments. The title comes from the title of the show, as well as one of the other most disputed scientific ideas, the Theory of Everything. In theory, this theory encapsulates all other scientific theories into a single theory which dictates how all matter behaves in the universe. The resulting theory would be so complex though, that it itself is only theoretical.
This is a good way to catch up if you haven't seen the show before, but for longstanding fans, there wasn't really that much new said. The main reason I can think of for watching it is just to find out which of your favourite celebs are fans of the show.
Thanks for reading. I post new reviews every sometimes.
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