The Big Bang Theory: The Prom Equivalency (8x08)

This was really cute! I was extremely worried that they were going to have Sheldon and Amy have sex, and I'm super relieved that they didn't go that route. However, I wouldn't be me if I didn't have some things to complain about... Let's dive in.

Penny is cleaning out her closet, and Amy and Bernadette see her old prom dress. This causes the three of them to reminisce about their proms, and the girls have the crazy idea to throw a do-over prom, since Amy of course didn't have a date to hers. Penny is a bit resistant to the idea, but Leonard thinks it would be really fun, so they decide to go for it.

At the prom, Penny and Leonard arrive before anyone else, and they slow dance without music, happy to be with each other. They talk about how they probably wouldn't have asked each other to dance in high school, but they're happy to be together now.

Howard is angry that Stuart is invited to the prom, since he assumes he'll be showing up with Howard's mother. Instead, Stuart brings Howard's cousin Jeanie, the one he had sex with. Howard is pissed at Stuart for having these weird relationships with all his family members. At the prom, Stuart gets a call from Mrs. Wolowitz, causing him to rush off. Emily is also there with Raj, and she continues to show her creepy dark side, which disturbs the others.

As the prom approaches, Sheldon gets nervous about the expected post-prom activities that he and Amy are supposed to engage in. He's not ready for that. At first he tries to cope with his nerves by deciding to go to the prom as an alien, investigating an earth custom. But when nobody wants to do that with him, he drops it. He decides to do all the prom cliches, including spiking the punch, etc. but he's still anxious about what's supposed to happen afterwards. When he picks up Amy for the prom, he starts to have a panic attack. Later, Amy talks to him, saying that there's no pressure for them to have sex, but that she has something she wants to tell him. As she gets ready to say those three words, Sheldon beats her to it, saying "I love you, too." Amy is so overcome that she starts to have a panic attack.

I guess the only complaint I have is that this felt like the first half to a two-part episode. We didn't ever get to see them actually at the prom. There were no shenanigans with the whole group, and it sort of felt like a way to save money on more expensive shots, to be honest. And since I don't think this show is having any cash flow problems, I was a bit annoyed by the lack of a big, creative finish to a really fun premise.

Also, I always get a little twitchy when the word "slut" is used on TV. I know that it was girls saying it to another girl, and I know that Penny is pretty unabashed about her sexual exploits of the past. But even so... that word can be really hurtful, and I just wish it was used with a bit more delicacy.

But then there are the good things about this episode.

First of all, I loved Penny and Leonard's stuff. It was just really sweet, and uncomplicated, and reminded me why I think these two actually make a good couple. I loved how Penny wasn't excited about the prom, but then Leonard said that it was a dream come true to go to a prom with someone so beautiful. Penny's reaction was to be annoyed, because now she couldn't blow it off without being a jerk. When they finally get there, though, they end up having a really romantic time.

The Howard/Stuart/Mrs. Wolowitz/Jeanie plot was a bit disturbing. I've never found Howard's creepy relationship with his mother to be a strong point on the show, although occasionally there is a great joke about it. The incest thing with Howard and his cousin has never been funny to me, though. Just... what? Why do they think that's funny?! Still, though, there were some good things here - I especially loved Emily's weird gory love of original fairy tales, juxtaposed to Bernadette's timid statement that she likes Cinderella. 

Then there's the whole "I love you" thing. This was really sweet. They managed to balance the sappy love confession with a lot of humor, so it didn't feel too wildly out of character for Sheldon to be saying such things. Also, when Sheldon thinks Amy is having a panic attack, he tells Amy she's supposed to lie down and elevate her legs, but when she runs into Sheldon's room, Sheldon kicks her out - "just because I love you doesn't mean girls are allowed in my room!" Silly Sheldon.

I think I'll leave it there. My main disappointment with this one is that they kind of cheated us of actually seeing the prom. Still, there were some great jokes and some genuine moments, too, so I can't complain too much.

7.5/10