# Big Bang Theory, March 8, 2012 -- "The Weekend Vortex" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 9, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281 "2012-03-09T15:52:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/41 "2012-03-11T08:13:19Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > I don’t recall alcohol being on the list of beverages they had on hand, and his personality usually undergoes a major change that I didn’t notice when he’s drunk. He only has to have a sip of beer and he can speak in front of girls, and that was the beverage he had at the very end of the rant, where he said “Can’t believe this is only 64 calories.” ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/42 "2012-03-11T10:01:01Z")
Yeah, the beer was on the counter in front of the bags as Raj unpacked them and he made a point of mentioning it: “Low fat turkey jerky, low carb beer, 100 calorie snack packs.” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/43 "2012-03-11T16:31:21Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Just like there are people who don’t know the difference between Green Arrow and Green Lantern, or DC and Marvel, or **Robert De Niro and Al Pacino**. The latter example is completely understandable. The other two not so much. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/44 "2012-03-12T14:34:25Z")
Leonard Nimoy on 3/29. Stephen Hawking on 4/5 (USA). ---
**Author:** ![Brandus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Brandus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brandus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/45 "2012-03-12T15:00:23Z")
I hope they do more with sheldon/amy relationship. At this point it is completely unrealistic that she would stay with him, given how unnattentive and mean he can be. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/46 "2012-03-12T15:10:50Z")
Penny can be so nice to Sheldon, I live in constant fear that there will be a story arc making them a couple. Oh the horror!!! Altho it could make a funny “it was only a dream” episode… ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/47 "2012-03-12T15:20:58Z")
> [@Brandus](#): > > I hope they do more with sheldon/amy relationship. At this point it is completely unrealistic that she would stay with him, given how unnattentive and mean he can be. Is it? Based on real world observations, I’d place this somewhere around “hydrogen atom” on the camel-to-gnat scale. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/48 "2012-03-12T16:48:23Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Mama Wolowitz is now a stalker. I hope this means they aren’t going to ruin the gag and show her. I certainly hope not. That would ruin everything! Well, not everything… but you guys know what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/49 "2012-03-12T16:53:29Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Penny can be so nice to Sheldon, I live in constant fear that there will be a story arc making them a couple. Oh the horror!!! Altho it could make a funny “it was only a dream” episode… In the “Infestation Hypothesis” episode (Season Five, Episode Two – aired September 22, 2011), Penny and Sheldon actually remarked about how they were bantering like an old married couple. Funny! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/50 "2012-03-12T19:28:35Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > Leonard Nimoy on 3/29. Will his restraining order against Sheldon come into play? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/51 "2012-03-12T19:35:34Z")
> [@Kal](#): > > Yeah, the beer was on the counter in front of the bags as Raj unpacked them and he made a point of mentioning it: “Low fat turkey jerky, low carb beer, 100 calorie snack packs.” If Raj’s mutism can be solved by miniscule amounts of alcohol (such as there is in a sip of beer) - why in the world doesn’t he just carry capsules with a couple of milligrams of alcohol in them? Need to talk to women - pop one, chomp down, talk away… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/52 "2012-03-12T20:49:55Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > If Raj’s mutism can be solved by miniscule amounts of alcohol (such as there is in a sip of beer) - why in the world doesn’t he just carry capsules with a couple of milligrams of alcohol in them? Need to talk to women - pop one, chomp down, talk away… I’ve been thinking that, too - easiest psychological fix ever! Keep a hip flask with him at all times, have a nip when he needs to talk to a woman - bam! Fixed! ---
**Author:** ![Coup\_Fourre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@Coup\_Fourre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coup_Fourre)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/53 "2012-03-12T20:59:27Z")
I downloaded the “Whip Sound” app right after the show. My 8 year-old follows the dog around the house and “whips” at him. We’re all easily amused in our household. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/54 "2012-03-12T21:26:00Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > Leonard Nimoy on 3/29. > [@Johnny\_Q](#): > > Will his restraining order against Sheldon come into play? there is a way it won’t pertain. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/55 "2012-03-13T12:36:19Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > If Raj’s mutism can be solved by miniscule amounts of alcohol (such as there is in a sip of beer) - why in the world doesn’t he just carry capsules with a couple of milligrams of alcohol in them? Need to talk to women - pop one, chomp down, talk away… > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I’ve been thinking that, too - easiest psychological fix ever! Keep a hip flask with him at all times, have a nip when he needs to talk to a woman - bam! Fixed! The flask, maybe not such a great idea at work and so forth, but the capsule idea might work. I don’t suppose such a thing already exists, though, so Raj would need to take the time and effort to prepare a supply to keep on hand, which may help explain why he doesn’t do this. I’ve noticed that they don’t dwell on this trait so much anymore, which is a good thing. He’s mute when it makes for a good joke, and when the situation calls for him to speak, they’ll just shorthand it by putting a cocktail in front of him or a beer in his hand. I’ve been saying for a while that it’s long past time to “cure” Raj of this affliction, but not drawing so much attention to it is the next best thing. ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/56 "2012-03-13T13:45:11Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > If Raj’s mutism can be solved by miniscule amounts of alcohol (such as there is in a sip of beer) - why in the world doesn’t he just carry capsules with a couple of milligrams of alcohol in them? Need to talk to women - pop one, chomp down, talk away… Wasn’t there an episode where he was chatting up a girl while drinking a non-alcholic beer and only clammed up when it was pointed out to him what he was drinking? This alcoholic “cure” would seem to be then psychosomatic. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/57 "2012-03-13T13:50:45Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I’ve been saying for a while that it’s long past time to “cure” Raj of this affliction, but not drawing so much attention to it is the next best thing. i don’t recall what might have been tried but there still might be hypnotism, ayurvedic medicine, yoga or Vulcan mind-meld. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/58 "2012-03-13T13:57:25Z")
I don’t think the writers know what to do with Raj. It’s hard to think of a show that would have been much worse if he wasn’t in it. The Penny-Amy subtle gay undercurrent is a lot more well done than that between Howard and Raj. Raj’s role has been entirely eclipsed by the newer cast members, Bernadette and Amy. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/59 "2012-03-13T14:47:01Z")
> [@Barking\_Dog](#): > > Wasn’t there an episode where he was chatting up a girl while drinking a non-alcholic beer and only clammed up when it was pointed out to him what he was drinking? This alcoholic “cure” would seem to be then psychosomatic. Not just any girl. Summer Glau, on a train. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281/60 "2012-03-13T16:10:12Z")
It may be time for Raj to get a girlfriend. He’ll have to be drinking when they get together, but at some point he’ll suddenly realize that he’s talking to her sans alcohol, and that will end his problem. What might be funny is if his girl is supermodel-hot. Even better looking than his sister. That would cause all sorts of tension with the other women, and much amazement among the guys. ETA: I don’t suppose Katee Sackoff is free for a recurring role as herself. That would destroy Howard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-march-8-2012-the-weekend-vortex/615281.md?page=4)