The Big Bang Theory: The Spock Resonance (9x07)

This episode made me miss Leonard Nimoy again. Seriously, I loved that man and I love Spock so much. In many ways I was hoping for more with this setup, but it also makes sense that they would want to focus on the characters rather than on making a full-episode tribute to a dearly missed man. Let’s dive in.

Cons:

Leonard, Penny, and Raj all felt like distractions in this episode. Raj was there to say a couple of one-liners about Howard and Bernadette’s situation, while Leonard and Penny just sat on the sidelines and reacted to what was going on with Sheldon. In Raj’s case, I almost wish they had left him out entirely. With Leonard and Penny, I wish they could have integrated into the story a little more strongly.

Pros:

The main plot focused on Sheldon being interviewed for a documentary about Leonard Nimoy. Nimoy’s son Adam is the interviewer, and of course Wil Wheaton is there as well. Sheldon talks about how he has always related to the character of Spock, and has striven to live by the same emotionless life principals. Penny points out that Sheldon may have missed the point of Spock – he was half human, and couldn’t fully suppress his emotions, even when he tried. I loved this exploration of Sheldon’s character, and how he’d always taken comfort in the character of Spock. I love Spock, and Leonard Nimoy, and it was sweet to see Sheldon’s love for the character being treated with serious consideration and respect.

On the more humorous side, we also learn that Sheldon keeps his valuables in numerous safes hidden about the apartment, none of which Leonard knew about. Along with the napkin signed by Leonard Nimoy, he also kept the ring he was going to give Amy, which causes a lot of excitement when Leonard and Penny realize that Sheldon was going to propose. Quickly, the focus turns from Leonard Nimoy to Sheldon’s big news. He gets increasingly upset, and Wil Wheaton is delighted by the drama that’s going to make it into the documentary. In the end, Sheldon decides he needs to just go for it, embrace his feelings, and propose to Amy anyway. As he goes to do so, he finds her with another man.

I’m really happy they’re sticking to a drawn-out A-plot. Amy needs to establish some independence before the inevitable Shamy reunion. At the same time, it’s sad to see Sheldon struggling with his emotions.

In the subplot, Bernadette and Howard set about to remodel the house, but Howard feels some resistance. He’s struggling with the memory of his mother. When Bernadette’s dad comes over to help, he asks Howard why he doesn’t want kids, and Howard says that it’s Bernadette who doesn’t want kids. This delves into a conversation about Howard’s level of responsibility. Howard admits that he could do better with helping out around the house, but promises Bernadette that it will be different when they have kids. After his dad left, he promised that if he was ever a father he’d be there for his kids.

I always like seeing Bernadette’s father. He’s a funny guest character. And I liked this inspection of Howard and Bernie’s relationship. In some ways I think these guys would be train wrecks as parents, but their relationship has done a lot to humanize both of them. Howard might be, believe it or not, my favorite thing about this show. It’s difficult to believe, given the excessively sexist and smarmy way he often acted at the beginning of the show. It’s a compliment to the actor that he’s been able to pull such nuance out of Howard’s character.

That’s all I’ve got. In some ways I wanted more of Adam Nimoy, but I did like what I got.

8/10