The Big Bang Theory: The Planetarium Collision (12x05)

This episode is a good example of how The Big Bang Theory can sometimes succeed in its emotional beats, and sometimes fail. We get both examples here.

Cons:

Raj and Howard have a plot thread that has an emotional resolution that was kind of sweet. Sure. But the setup of this plot thread did not earn its ending. Here's what I mean: Raj doesn't want to share the spotlight with Howard in his planetarium presentation, because he's worried that Howard being an astronaut will upstage him. That's the conflict. Raj's insecurity. When Howard talks to him about this, Raj decides to let Howard join him after all, because he doesn't want Howard to think he's insecure. Again, Raj's insecurity is the conflict here. When the presentation starts, both Howard and Raj try to out-compliment each other, each listing the other's accomplishments. Raj is trying to show that he's not jealous of Howard's success, while Howard is trying to be encouraging and not brag about himself too much. The emotional beat that ends the conflict is when Raj tells Howard that he's proud of him, and Howard indicates that Raj has never said that before. The two share a hug. So... again: the conflict is that Raj is insecure. And the resolution is Raj encouraging Howard and saying he's proud of him. Those two things don't match. It's sweet to see them hug, but it doesn't resolve the character beats leading up to it.

Pros:

I do have to admit that Raj and Howard are kind of adorable, and I did like how their competition to compliment each other started as a way to get one up on each other, but then turned into a mutual appreciation thing. Leonard getting weepy at the display while Bernadette and Penny are just bemused was also a good little button for the scene.

The other plot in this episode actually showed a good way to get to an emotional, thoughtful conclusion for a story. (I mean, using a scale created for this show. Not... like... actually very good, or anything). Basically, Sheldon and Amy are working on a project at work together, but Amy's ongoing projects are taking up too much time. Sheldon gets Amy reassigned so she'll have more time, but Amy is upset by this and the two get in a fight. Sheldon pushes Amy for an explanation, and Amy explains that she doesn't want the things that are hers to be subsumed by the things that are theirs. You know what Sheldon says? "Thank you for explaining."

See, it's things like this that used to make me so angry when I was watching this show, because I'd keep deluding myself into thinking there was real potential here. Sheldon obviously has trouble understanding some basic social cues, but in this instance he asks his wife to help him understand, and she uses good communication skills to do so. It's important to note that while Sheldon doesn't realize why exactly his behavior was so hurtful to Amy, he does apologize before the explanation. This is one of those episodes that makes me believe in Sheldon and Amy as a couple.

That's all I've got for now. I can't wait for this show to be over, but I'm always glad when an episode can come along and do a pretty good job.

8/10