The Big Bang Theory: The Birthday Synchronicity (10x11)

A decent episode with a heartwarming new addition to the family. Say hello to Halley Wolowitz!

Cons:

I feel like a broken record saying this, but I have to point out that Raj and Stuart have been useless at best and infuriatingly annoying at worst for most of this season. While Bernadette is about to give birth, we also have to contend with Raj and Stuart competing over who has the more pathetic life. Not. Interesting.

Also, there was this moment when everybody was in the hospital waiting for Bernadette to give birth, and they all discuss the progress they've made in their lives. Leonard brings up the government contract, which ended up annoying me because we literally have not heard a word about that in weeks. What is with this show's inability to have a through-plot?

Pros:

I actually found this episode to be refreshing in how it handled the birth. There was no unnecessary drama, no silly hospital hi-jinks. Bernadette goes into labor, and she's rushed to the hospital with Howard, Stuart, and Raj. They're too early, so they go home, then come back later. We don't actually see any of the birth, and then Howard comes out and tells everybody that little Halley Wolowitz has been born! I love the name Halley, because it's a great reference to science, something that Howard and Bernadette both feel passionate about.

I'm continually surprised by the fact that Howard Wolowitz has become my favorite character on this show. But he really has become a lot more complex and likable than most of the other characters. Howard and Bernadette talk about baby names while Bernadette is in labor. Wolowitz laments the fact that his mother isn't around to be a grandmother to the little kid. It's a touching moment that got me a little choked up. They treated the whole thing with such restraint - we don't have the baby being named after her dead grandmother, which would probably have come across as a little too sentimental. But this moment of reflection was needed, and it was quite sweet.

Speaking of sweet - I was annoyed with Raj for most of the episode, but I have to admit I loved the moment at the end when Howard oh-so-casually announces that Raj is going to be Halley's godfather. I mean, of course he would be, but it's a nice affirmation of Raj's importance to the whole Wolowitz family.

The subplot features Sheldon and Amy. It's Amy's birthday, which means it's time for their annual birthday sex. They are continually interrupted by Bernadette going into labor, or by Sheldon getting angry that Amy went to the Harry Potter theme park without him. But in the end, Sheldon set aside his pettiness, and the two of them went off to have sex.

There's something so amazing about how this show is treating Sheldon's asexuality. He's not sex-repulsed, but it's not something he needs or craves. Amy doesn't seem to be asexual, but she respects that her partner is. However, it's not a particular hardship for Sheldon to give Amy a physical relationship sometimes, so they have an arrangement. This is actually a very realistic look at a relationship where one person is ace and the other isn't. I can't believe I'm saying this, but on this issue and on this issue only, I actually think The Big Bang Theory has its representation game on point. Amy and Sheldon's sex life gets some laughs, like when Amy does some Harry Potter role play, and Sheldon is scandalized by the idea of a Hufflepuff and a Gryffindor sleeping together. But it's also treated with respect, and these characters are given time to discuss their comfort level. Amy is always checking in with Sheldon to see if he's okay with how things are going. That's surprisingly respectful, especially for this show.

Penny and Leonard have been nothing more than comic relief on this show for a while now, and this week is really no different. However, they are used to great effect! I love the running gag about Leonard needing to get to his inhaler before he and Penny can have sex. The best moment with the two of them was towards the beginning. Amy, Sheldon, Leonard and Penny are all about to go off to the hospital, when they get a call that it's still too early. Penny suggests that they all go to a diner or something and hang out while waiting, but Amy wants to get back upstairs and in bed with Sheldon. Penny is totally oblivious to this until Leonard, who has been trying to get his breath back from the trek down the stairs, clues her in that they want to have sex. There was just something really funny about Leonard being the insightful one, and Penny being the one failing to pick up on social cues.

I think that's all I've got. I was pleasantly surprised at the understated way this episode chose to present the birth of Halley Wolowitz. Now I can only pray that as the show progresses, the fact that Bernadette and Howard are parents will actually make a difference in their day-to-day lives. This could be a new chapter for these characters, if the show chooses to capitalize on it.

8/10