The Big Bang Theory: The Novelization Correlation (11x15)

This week, we get an example of The Big Bang Theory actually addressing an issue with its lead character, and I'm honestly pleasantly surprised. Does that make the episode good? Well...

Cons:

Leonard's plot involves him working on his book about a bad-ass scientist who solves crimes. When Bernadette and Penny read it, they each believe that the main female character is based on the other, and they think she's a little too mean. When Penny realizes that the character must be based on her, she gets pissed off, but then Leonard talks to his mom on the phone and realizes that the character is actually based on his mother.

The scenes where all of the people from Leonard's life are inserted as characters in his book were just really unimaginative and not very funny. There was so much more that could have been done with this concept, you know? And then there's the fact that this was an opportunity to perhaps address some actual issues with Leonard and Penny's relationship, and once again that opportunity was entirely wasted. Are they ever going to feel like an actual part of this show again, instead of the weird side-characters that nobody knows what to do with?

Pros:

But then there's the Sheldon story, which surprisingly worked very well. Sheldon is determined to hate the new Professor Proton show starring Wil Wheaton, but he finds that he actually enjoys it a great deal. Howard gets to guest star on the show, and Sheldon decides to apologize to Wil and try to get on himself. But Wil is actually hoping to get Amy to guest star, because he wants to feature more female scientists. At first, Sheldon tries to get in on this and star alongside Amy, but then, something incredible happens.

Amy says she doesn't want to go on the show because she knows it will be upsetting to Sheldon and she doesn't want to get in the middle of that. Sheldon seems perturbed at the thought of Amy giving up on things she wants to do because of Sheldon, and when he discusses it with the gang he realizes that his selfishness leads to a lot of people in his life giving up things to accommodate him. He doesn't want his marriage to Amy to be like that, so he decides to change. It's not an instantly successful transformation, but he does convince Amy to do the show, because maybe that will help young girls watching realize that they can be successful, brilliant scientists like Amy is. He even sincerely compliments her after the show, and seems really proud of her accomplishment.

So, on the one hand, it seems a little dicey to praise Sheldon for behavior that, let's be honest, should be standard. But it is encouraging to see this show recognize that it can't keep all of its characters stagnant forever. The most unbelievably successful transformation thus far has been with Howard, who went from creepy misogynist to still somewhat childish but adoring husband and father. And now we seem to be seeing some forward motion with Sheldon, albeit at a glacial pace. This season, we've seen him realize how his selfishness affects the people around him, and he's made actual efforts to be a better person. He wants to be a good husband to Amy.

That's all I've got. I'm always impressed when The Big Bang Theory manages to actually discuss some of its long-term issues. But honestly, episodes like this are only "good" by comparison.

8/10