The Big Bang Theory: The 2003 Approximation (9x04)

This was a surprisingly enjoyable episode. It actually got a lot of laughs out of me. I'll start with a few problems, but surprisingly I really don't have a lot to complain about.

Cons:

Emily is back. Which is great, but where the heck has she been? I get annoyed with the long gaps between her appearances, because it means I literally can't remember what happened last time she was on the show. Did she and Raj ever break up, or did that go away? I honestly can't remember, and that bothers me.

The main focus of the episode is on Leonard finally moving out of Sheldon's apartment and into Penny's. The only problem is, after a lot of really great material about how hard it's going to be, and how it will be a big adjustment, Penny and Leonard cave and decide to keep things how they are. They'll spend some nights in one apartment, and others in the other. This is annoying because it's another example of this show refusing to take risks. I wish we could have some real change to shake things up!

Pros:

Despite being annoyed at the copout, I did enjoy all of the stuff about Leonard moving. It was oddly touching to see how hard it was going to be on both of them to live apart. Leonard actually needs the structure and surety that life with Sheldon provides, even though he always complains about it. And Sheldon really needs human companionship, even as he says he was better off before he had such deep feelings for the people around him. That's an interesting dynamic. Now, if only they'd stick to their guns and try to actually change things!

There were a lot of funny jokes in this episode, most of them coming from Sheldon. I liked the "all hail the hive queen" moment, the Roommate Agreement stuff, and I loved Sheldon's tirade against change, where he talked about how Leonard and Penny would stop hanging out with him all the time, and they'd be limited to special occasions, like "when Bernadette divorces Wolowitz," or "when Koothrappali's weird girlfriend admits where she buried his body." Sheldon's interviews for possible other roommates were great, especially the moment when he says that the element Argon is "too big for its britches." Oh, Sheldon.

Then of course there was the subplot with Raj and Howard. Stuart wants some live music at his comic shop, and Howard has the idea to start a band with Raj. They write a song about Thor and Indiana Jones fighting. When Emily doesn't like it, the band nearly breaks up, but they end up performing the song for everybody at the end of the episode. The song was pretty funny, and oddly catchy despite the horrendous singing. The funniest part, though, was when they have a fight and Raj storms off. Howard waits a beat, and then calls after him - "Raj, wait." Raj rounds the corner, weepy - "what took you so long?" and they embrace.

I guess that's all I've got. I'm annoyed with this show's inability to take risks, and stick to its guns. But that being said, this was a solid installment!

8.5/10