Underwhelming, but mostly okay. Let's just get straight to it.
Cons:
Are Penny and Leonard really okay now? In this episode, they had some relationship woes as Penny struggled to accept that Leonard had kissed another woman. But by the end of the twenty minute episode, it appeared everything had sorted itself out. If that's really all we're getting, then I'm annoyed. This show needs to learn to stick to its guns and give us some real A-plot every once in a while!
There were a few typically sexist and unfeeling comments from Sheldon, but surprisingly they didn't piss me off to much. Unlike last week, I think we're supposed to feel derision for Sheldon's behavior here. Even so, I wish we could find other ways of getting to the point without having Sheldon come across as such a misogynist.
Pros:
Leonard and Penny have a real talk about their relationship, and about why they are so destructive. Both of them admit that they're worried the other one will leave them for somebody better. Penny thinks Leonard will find someone smart like him, and Leonard continues to insist that he is way out of Penny's league. The two of them decide they should appreciate being together, instead of constantly worrying that they don't really deserve it. This is one of the most real moments I've ever seen Penny and Leonard have. I loved it. It felt honest, and true, and like they're actually looking at their relationship as mature, married adults.
Sheldon gets Penny and Leonard a wedding gift - a week in San Francisco! The only catch? He's coming along. That's the perfect way to humorously remind us that this marriage between Penny and Leonard is always going to involve Sheldon.
The other plot thread, with Amy and Sheldon, was less strong, but still okay. I appreciate the fact that Amy is sticking to her principles. She doesn't let Sheldon worm his way back in. I particularly loved the Fun with Flags episode, where Sheldon made not-so-veiled references to his and Amy's relationship by comparing them to various countries that had split apart. Sheldon was a real ass, but Amy didn't take it. She comes over and angrily tells Sheldon to take the video down. Sheldon, clueless in matters of the heart, declares that Amy's anger is proof that she still cares, and she wants him back. I like seeing Sheldon being the one to pursue Amy for a change, although I do wonder - does he want her back because he really loves her, or because he's insulted that she left? I hope (although I'm not holding my breath) that we can explore some of the complexities here.
Raj, Bernadette, and Howard didn't get a ton of screen time, but they actually had some of my favorite moments in the episode. Bernadette had known about Leonard's indiscretion, because Leonard had told Howard, and Howard had told her. Bernadette has to pretend it's all new to her, as she discusses Leonard with Penny and Amy. I loved her continued insistence that she is still trying to process the brand new information.
Raj is continually upset with Howard for not being totally forthcoming about everything in his life. For example, Raj is mad that Howard didn't tell him about Leonard kissing another woman. He's also angry that Howard didn't confide in him that he and Bernadette had been to couple's counseling a few times. Howard jokingly remarks that if Leonard thinks having a wife is hard, he should try having two!
This show never really blows me away, even when there are strong episodes. But this one was cute, and I had a good time watching it.
8/10
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