Leading up to tonight’s winter season finale of CBS’ The Big Bang Theory, “The Opening Night Excitation,” the breathless anticipation of Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayam Bialik) having sex was palpable. The mocking was crude and vulgar, to say the least. Spoiler alerts flew as entertainment writers couldn’t bear to keep the secret. The show’s creator and executive producer, Chuck Lorre, says nothing is off the table for the next season – most probably a wedding for the two conservative characters. The CBS website posted a slide show of some photos from the episode.
A five year-long non-sexual relationship between two healthy, heterosexual young adults with thriving careers and longtime friendships isn’t enough for liberal Hollywood. In the minds of Hollywood writers, adult virgins are like unicorns – they don’t really exist. And science nerds are a limitless source of jokes.
Sitting for an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Parsons and Bialik spoke about their thoughts on the episode. Bialik said, “I’m just grateful my kids don’t watch the show.” Parsons said he warned his sister for the sake of his nephew.
Why do we have to go there? This is an early prime time television show. There is nothing to be ashamed of – it is a show that is written for and depicts brilliant, though socially awkward, scientists. The humor comes from how relatable the characters are to so many viewers.
Sheldon is a Peter Pan kind of character. He’s in a world of his own filled with action heroes, comic books and science fiction. Though his friends urged him to spend the evening with Amy, Sheldon was uncertain of what to do. Sheldon, the atheist, kneeled and began to pray after saying, “It goes against everything I stand for” – Sheldon believes that scientists can’t believe in religion. His childhood hero, Arthur Jeffries (once a well known kiddie science show star, Professor Proton) is played by veteran actor Bob Newhart. How much more wholesome can you get than Bob Newhart?
Arthur Jeffries comes to Sheldon as an apparition (dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi) to help him with a life changing decision – does he sleep with Amy on her birthday (both he and Amy are virgins) or does he go to see the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie on opening night? Newly reunited with Amy after many months of separation, he decides to spend Amy’s birthday with her and take the relationship to the next level.
“Amy’s birthday present will be my genitals.” Yeah. Sheldon actually said that to Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch). Really. That is how Sheldon talks in the mind of a mocking liberal writer.
In the end, all the viewer saw was Sheldon and Amy in bed together. They kissed then it cut away to the guys at the Star Wars movie. When it came back to Sheldon and Amy, the Star Wars style narration: “A few hours later, in a bedroom not far away…” Clever. And back to the guys after the movie ended – they were splayed in their seats, exhausted talking about how great it was. Get it?
Amy: Hi.
Sheldon: Hello.
Amy: So, um... Should I get under the covers with you?
Sheldon: All right. Hello.
Amy: Hi!
Sheldon: Why are you shaking? Are you cold?
Amy: I'm just, um... Really nervous.
Sheldon: Why?
Amy: Well... I've been waiting for this for so long, I've just... Built it up in my head. I don't know what to expect.
Sheldon: Neither do I. But... We can find out together.
Amy: Okay.
Leonard: I'm really nervous.
Howard: I know. We've been waiting so long for this.
Raj: And we've built it up in our heads so much.
Will: Guys, it's just a movie.
Leonard: That's true.
Howard: He's right. It is.
Will: Although, we all remember Jar Jar.
Raj: Leonard, I-I'm scared again.
Sheldon: Well, I enjoyed that more than I thought I would.
Amy: Me, too.
Sheldon: I look forward to your next birthday when we do it again.Amy: That works for me.
Will: I enjoyed that more than I thought I would.
Raj: I don't think I can walk right now.
Yeah.
The best part of this predictably lame episode was the Star Wars opening narration and Bob Newhart as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Otherwise? Sometimes Hollywood writers seem to be on a planet far, far away.
