A Lot of Action, A Lot Less Direction - The Big Bang Theory Season 4

By Ryan Matthews "montvil"

Season 4 of 'The Big Bang Theory' had only one thing that separated it from every other show in regards to a number of friends within their late 20's/early 30's: Sheldon Cooper. 
A Lot of Action, A Lot Less Direction - The Big Bang Theory Season 4

When the show first began, it had been about a stereotypical Midwestern blonde girl who moves to California to make it big, and she happens to move over the hall from two Caltech geniuses who severely don't have the social skills from the average individual. At the outset of the series, Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj were absorbed by science. The humor would be a product of the "experiments" and their wherewithal to squeeze into the social environment. Here i am four seasons later, which concept is becoming scarce as the story has progressed. Sheldon was the only real facet of the reveal that gave it originality this year. I really like the show, however it pains me to express that S4 of 'The Big Bang Theory' began to get away from what managed to get so excellent. 

It baffles me why the show would decide to introduce a lot of new cast members in this short time. As a guy, initially when i first watched the show, I did not decide to try some:1 guys to girls ratio. However, that's one of the things managed to get unique (see: Seinfeld). Penny could hold up that femininity that many actresses couldn't. She was an ideal solo female star. Not only does evening the gender ratio make this show like every other comedy on tv, however it reduces Penny's role on the program. She didn't require a "posse." The show spent much of Season 4 attempting to balance seven main characters (eight once Priya became a regular) once the only ones who really are crucial to its continued excellence are Sheldon and Penny. 

My synopsis of our "new" characters: 
*I'm unfortunately this, but Amy Farrah Fowler is a mess of the character. First, she was introduced because the lady Sheldon, somebody that only communicated with Dr. Cooper through webcam and text and had no curiosity about developing any real social relationships. Then the show decides that Amy need to befriend Penny and Bernadette and the three of them would become their very own girl group. Since that time, Amy has become a complete one-eighty of her former self, awkward and clueless but trying desperately to fit into the social scene. And that i hate to say it, but it is nowhere near as funny as it should be. The strangest thing is that her relationship with Sheldon is basically hardly any more than circumstantial now. Sheldon constantly asks, "what happened for you?", and here I'm wondering exactly the same thing. 

*Bernadette, I will admit I actually do like as a complimentary girl in the show. The only real downfall with her is in dating Howard; I always liked the way Howard thought he was so a lot more suave and debonair with females than he actually was, and putting him inside a relationship takes that element of his character away. Bernadette can stand on her own. She's a sweet, cute, sometimes airheaded but lovable character (and also to be rather honest, I could pay attention to her voice all day). She didn't have to be one of the boys' love interests to find a role on the program. In either case, I believe she'd work best in a recurring role, something similar to those of Leslie Winkle in the first couple seasons. 

*It's a paradox which i liked the thought of Leonard dating Raj's sister, but I can't stand Raj's sister. The concept was good because of the dynamic it created between Leonard and Raj, Raj and Priya, Penny and Priya, so on and so forth. The problem is I did not discover that her character brought much else to the show. The truth that she was attractive and that threatened Penny was a clever twist because it made Penny re-think her decision to end things with Leonard (and ultimately, we discover out that it's a choice she regretted). So I thought the problem they developed by having Leonard date Priya was good, but Priya just doesn't seem to fit on the show. Now from what we should learned within the season finale, her role on the show might be hanging within the balance. I'm not aching for her to depart the show, but I wouldn't miss her too much if she went that route. 

The show suffered a minor slump when Kaley Cuoco broke her leg coupled with to become absent for two full episodes. Those episodes perfectly showcased how vital the character of Penny is to the show's success. In "The Desperation Emanation" (ep. 4.05), Leonard is set up by Bernadette with a girl named Joy. Her character wasn't only unfunny, she was downright repulsive. Inside a season with peaks and valleys, it didn't have any lower than Joy. 

By no means am I saying this show has jumped the shark. It had many redeeming moments and some classic episodes: 

*"The Robotic Manipulation" (ep. 4.01) so perfectly personifies Howard Wolowitz. 
*"The Love Car Displacement" (ep. 4.13) was a great episode head to feet. Together with a guest appearance from former NBA player Rick Fox, it is the best the writers got from their extended cast. There was great balance, funny storylines and laugh out loud moments. 
*"The Justice League Recombination" (ep. 4.11) re-introduces us to Zack, a hilariously dumb ex-boyfriend of Penny's. The brand new Year's Eve costume contest is classic 'Big Bang.' 
*"The Plants Germination" (4.20) is the high school rumor mill, 'Big Bang' style. I loved it (and it's probably Amy's best episode). 
*When the group starts hanging out at Raj's apartment, Sheldon decides he'd rather just replace them with new friends in "The Toast Derivation." (ep. 4.17) Clever episode and very well executed. 
*"The Zarnecki Incursion" (4.19) is a brilliant depiction of the gang looking to settle the score when Sheldon's Wow account gets hacked. 
*"The Zazzy Substitution" (ep. 4.03) is the very first time we see any sort of fallout from Sheldon's insufficient social connection, and it results in a pretty hilarious new gig. I'm also a big fan of whenever Mrs. Cooper or Mrs. Hofstadter make an appearance. 
*"The 21-Second Excitation" (ep. 4.08) proves that any episode can be created epic by having an appearance from Sheldon's nemesis, Will Wheaton. ^Side note: (This episode can also be the perfect example of why I don't like Amy; the humor related to her character for most of year is perfectly on display within this episode) 

- Sheldon and Penny's back and forth in the Cheesecake Factory bar in "The Apology Insufficiency" (ep. 4.07) is incredible. It's astounding how funny the above actors can make simple conversation. Throughout the series, it has been most evident once they walk together up the three flights of stairs to their apartments. 
- "Shelbot" was an inevitable story for a sci-fi show to tell. "The Cruciferous Vegetable Amplification" (ep. 4.02) 
- Raj's infatuation with Bernadette through the season creates some good love triangle moments. 

I didn't particularly love the growing season finale, but the way the stories all joined together at the conclusion was fantastic and should send the show into Season 5 with a head of steam. I loved the idea of having Penny get caught inside a scandalous mistake. With Priya seemingly leaving the picture (at least for now), the possibilities are endless. Also worth asking: Will Howard be Comfortable with Bernadette "wearing the pants" within the relationship, or will he finally pursue his PHD in Season 5? The questions are plentiful. 

It was an uneven season. It had been a season that did a lot of things but did not really go anywhere definitive by using it. I thought the emphasis was an excessive amount of on developing social relationships and not enough about the science of the show. 

- Should you asked me what Leonard did in Season 4 other than date Priya, from the surface of my head I couldn't let you know. 

- Penny spent the whole season in denial within the fact that she wanted Leonard back. Consequently, other than a brief stint with Zack and her drunken night with Raj, Penny was associated with no one in S4. Rather, the writers decided to develop her "posse", a decision you know I wasn't a big fan of. 

- Once Howard started dating Bernadette again, Howard stories became "Howard and Bernadette" stories. I'm type of torn on this, because I believe Howard is a better character when he's single, however i do like Bernadette for him. In either case, the writers must find a way to channel vintage Wolowitz again. 

- Sheldon Cooper may be the anit-Fonz, and i believe when all is said and done, he'll drop as one of the better characters in television history. He is a comedy pioneer for nerds, and he may be the redeeming quality when anything isn't working. Jim Parsons is well deserving of the Emmy he won in Season 3, and when again he demonstrates why he was the perfect choice for Sheldon. 

A small decline from its predecessors, but nonetheless of the same quality a comedy as you'll find on TV.

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