The Big Bang Theory: The Escape Hatch Identification (10x18)

I admire the fact that this episode, and in fact this whole plot thread for Raj, is trying to push the story and his character in a more serious direction. But... there are some logical fallacies here that I just can't ignore.

Cons:

I don't understand why Raj is in such dire financial straits. I assume he makes about the same as the other guys, and yet he can't afford to live on his own, or at least with a roommate? These guys all have apparently large disposable incomes, if we look at all the takeout they order, and the nerdy stuff they spend their money on. I guess the tension of this scenario just doesn't carry that much weight when I don't understand the logic behind it.

Pros:

That being said, I do enjoy watching Raj's struggle. Basically, he's looking for a new place to live. Howard offers him the garage, but just as he's about to accept, Leonard offers him Sheldon's old bedroom. Raj goes for the indoor option. Raj moving into this old bedroom brings out some problems for the rest of the group. Stuart admits that he plans on mooching indefinitely, while Amy and Sheldon are struggling with the fact that Sheldon resents Raj for taking his old bedroom. Penny and Leonard discover that they're letting roommates live with them to fill a hole in their marriage. How do they come to this conclusion? Leonard's mother, Beverly, skypes with Sheldon about his concerns, and she starts psycho-analyzing the whole group. In the end, Raj, apologizes for causing problems, and it looks like he's still on the search for a more permanent solution to his housing problem.

This is exactly the type of simple scenario that The Big Bang Theory needs to focus on more often. It's not a trivial concern, and it highlights some real drama underneath the comedy. At the same time, it's a basic, straightforward plot that all of the characters can share in.

I like that we're bringing Penny and Leonard's relationship troubles more and more out into the open; hopefully this is actually going somewhere good. I've been burned by this show before. In any case, the unorthodox decision that they've made to pretty much always live with a third person does seem like a sign of trouble for them. Even with Sheldon and Amy across the hall, it still feels like they are all essentially sharing one living space, kind of like how the gang in Friends would go back and forth from one place to another.

Beverly is always a delight. The gag about her not caring about Leonard never gets old, although I sometimes do wish this show would dive a little deeper. In any case, I love that Sheldon goes to her for advice about his psychological well-being. It feels like character growth, of a sort. Sheldon is trusting another person to help him with how he's feeling.

I liked the opening scene when the three couples were all talking about what to do about Raj. Penny and Leonard, Bernadette and Howard, and then Amy and Sheldon. Of course, Sheldon is hoping to make room in the apartment, not for Raj, but for a life-sized Batman figure. Which he gets by the end of the episode. Oh, Sheldon. Amy is a saint, I tell you.

I don't have too much else to say here... this was a fairly successful installment. All this stuff with Raj striking out on his own has been surprisingly compelling. Let's see if they can keep it coming, especially with a likely renewal around the corner.

8.5/10