I laughed. I howled. From beginning to end. This flashback episode alone is going to have me buy the Season 3 DVD.
Best line:
Howard: I don’t know what happened to the Oreos, Ma. Can’t you take your bath without them?
Leonard initials the time travel clause … five beats …
“Well, that’s disappointing.”
Finding out how the elevator got disabled. How it was exlained was something I couldn’t have dreamed up in a million years.
Leonard: You saved my life. Thank you so much.
Sheldon (in Jim Parson’s deadpan): You’re welcome.
And Sheldon pausing at the frig to turn the flag upside down. How dows Jim Parsons make you laugh at such minor things like that?
Sheldon’s flag looked like an old Saab logo.
“Die Sheldon die”
“You may want to repaint.”
I loved the explanation about the Korean spy. And the guy in drag warning about Sheldon.
And even Penny’s flashback.
But I have to agree the pause waiting for the time traveler, was a moment in TVdom up there near Jim taking the driving test on Taxi.
After five seconds, the “non-event” was funny, but would it have been better if something “spooky” (but very explainable) happened? A knock on the door or a mild earthquake?
I had a lot of fun with this one. It may be the best this season.
I liked the subtle touch of having everybody in the flashbacks wear period-appropriate clothing and hairstyles, but Sheldon was wearing what he still does today.
Agreed. I lost it at that point, and had to rewind. Simply brilliant. The fact that both of them understood the implications of him initialing the clause pushed it over the top.
Raj’s Miami Vice suit was 2003 appropriate?
I doesn’t have to be 2003-appropriate. It just has to be Raj-appropriate for 2003.
My favorite joke was Sheldon’s assuming that Firefly would be on the air for many years to come. I discovered that I can laugh bitterly and heartily at the same time.
One thing kinda bugged me- the “cat playing piano” video Leonard sent Sheldon didn’t exist in 2003. At least, I don’t think it did, if they’re talking about the “Play him off, Piano Cat” video.
I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again: Sometimes Sheldon reminds me of myself so much that it’s both hilarious and frightening.
I also enjoyed his dig at Microsoft and the iPod.
I laughed my ass off, beginning to end. “Sheldon was worse seven years ago.” Oh, yeah, he was. He couldn’t even make eye contact with Leonard.
“Howard, are you having a play date?”
“Is that your dad?”
ETA: And Raj in the Miami Vice look in 2003 was perfect!
What was up with the laughter? I watched this twice and I swear it’s a laugh track. Is it?
I liked the episode though why Raj would go from being a handsome guy with a nice haircut to a nerdy guy who looks like he cuts his own hair is beyond me.
Raj also seemed far too outspoken. Sure he is afraid of girls but at the series start he was always less sure than the others and this flashback didn’t reflect that.
I hope we get to see how Leonard meets Raj and Howard at some point.
Also I wasn’t it a joke that Leonard’s North Korean girlfriend defected BACK to North Korea? Sort of a play on him, as no one in their right mind would go back.
It’s a studio audience, although that audio is mixed into the final cut at whatever levels they feel like. I’ve never been bothered by the laughter, probably because I’m busy laughing.
Was it a video? I could have sworn it was just a picture. Gosh- not even a macro! I’ve done online stuff since I was about 4 (18 years ago) but the idea that a funny picture of a cat didn’t come with a caption or dialogue in Impact or a similar font already seems weird to me.
I think in 2003, Raj had only recently come to the US, so the Miami Vice suit was meant to emphasize how out-of-touch he was with current trends.
As sad as I am to say this, that photo is shopped like a mofo. It is done so poorly, I noticed it. Look at the girl in the blue and white striped shirt, the guy in the khaki overshirt with his hand in the air. There are a lot of twins in that audience.