# Big Bang Theory, October 17, 2013 -- "The Workplace Proximity" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 17, 2013, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508 "2013-10-17T18:18:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/21 "2013-10-18T15:37:34Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Penny’s Ex—the dumb one that dressed as Superman for the Halloween party Zach ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/22 "2013-10-18T16:23:18Z")
Sheldon as a thoughtless self-centered ass, OK. Sheldon as a thoughtless self-centered ass who hurts people, over the line. Bernadette as a sharp cookie with a tongue, OK. Bernadette as a sharp cookie with a tongue who never shows any other personality, over the line. What’s worse is that these horrible people are being made the primary plot lines. And unfunny plot lines. Sheldon and the monkey were funny, but nothing else was. Three bad episodes out of three. I hope they’re aiming at some reverse plot arc for the season, maybe giving Raj a girl and making him the only one in a happy relationship. So far, though, nothing’s working. ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/23 "2013-10-18T16:37:30Z")
I may be misreading this, but when Sheldon and the subject monkey were having identical reactions to images a subtle and knowing expression came over Amy’s face. We may see this played out in the future and greater length than Sheldon’s manipulation of Penny. I hope so. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/24 "2013-10-18T17:03:16Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Actually, I meant that there were 2 hot gals, not 3. I like Amy and think she has a pleasant face, but she isn’t in Penny’s league at all. Penny in lingerie= great promo ad. Amy in lingerie, not so much. Amy’s looks are intentionally toned down by her costumes and makeup. She’s definitely in Penny’s league if dressed (or undressed) better. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/25 "2013-10-18T17:07:40Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Sheldon is a miserable self-centered ass. I cannot agree with this characterization of Sheldon, as it lacks sufficient profanity. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/26 "2013-10-18T17:22:47Z")
> [@Spavined\_Gelding](#): > > I may be misreading this, but when Sheldon and the subject monkey were having identical reactions to images a subtle and knowing expression came over Amy’s face. We may see this played out in the future and greater length than Sheldon’s manipulation of Penny. I hope so. I thought I saw that too. And I thought after Sheldon left she was going to make some comment about training him. We’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/27 "2013-10-18T17:25:54Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Especially after what happened the last time. > > But yeah, Sheldon really does need to get his metaphorical ass kicked. His mother could do it, but having Amy dump him works better. _Then_ he could call on his mother for help. See I picture _Amy_ being the one to call Mrs Cooper for help controlling Sheldon. You just know she’d move Heaven & Earth to get him married (& use Sheldon finding a wife as proof there is a God). ---
**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:** [October 18, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/28 "2013-10-18T17:27:55Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Amy’s looks are intentionally toned down by her costumes and makeup. She’s definitely in Penny’s league if dressed (or undressed) better. Mayim is 37, while she is attractive I wouldn’t say she’s outrageously sexy. Penny in the Wonder Woman outfit- much more so. To be honest, Mayim’s face is more attractive than Melissa’s. Sure, they do tone down Amy’s looks with makeup and wardrobe. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/29 "2013-10-18T18:25:48Z")
> [@aNewLeaf](#): > > Who is number four? Raj? No, Alex. Definitely Alex. The show needs more Alex. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/30 "2013-10-18T18:54:06Z")
Best line, which I’m very glad they didn’t dumb down / explain for the audience: “As you wish.” ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/31 "2013-10-18T18:57:12Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Sheldon as a thoughtless self-centered ass, OK. Sheldon as a thoughtless self-centered ass who hurts people, over the line. > > Bernadette as a sharp cookie with a tongue, OK. Bernadette as a sharp cookie with a tongue who never shows any other personality, over the line. > > What’s worse is that these horrible people are being made the primary plot lines. And unfunny plot lines. Sheldon and the monkey were funny, but nothing else was. Three bad episodes out of three. This. Plus the joke at the end where Sheldon says “I wasn’t talking about you” was a little telegraphed. And Bernadette is becoming increasingly unlikeable. I suppose it is dramatically plausible,as Howard relates to her shrewishness as he does to his mother, but it is not funny. Jim Parsons is a good comic actor, but he cannot carry the whole show by himself. What was originally funny about the show was the interaction of the character **s** (note the plural) with the “normal” world - not just “Sheldon is a clueless, self-centered egoist and Amy puts up with it because she has no self-esteem”. Add to that “Bernadette is a self-centered bitch and Howard puts up with it because he has no self-esteem” and “Raj can’t find anyone to put up with because he has no self-esteem” and the show is off-balance from a lack of variety of points of view. It’s still funny, but it’s gone from great to good. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/32 "2013-10-19T00:04:01Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Best line, which I’m very glad they didn’t dumb down / explain for the audience: > > “As you wish.” And the timing and delivery of it were perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/33 "2013-10-19T00:10:52Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > And Bernadette is becoming increasingly unlikeable. I suppose it is dramatically plausible,as Howard relates to her shrewishness as he does to his mother, but it is not funny. > > Jim Parsons is a good comic actor, but he cannot carry the whole show by himself. What was originally funny about the show was the interaction of the character **s** (note the plural) with the “normal” world - not just “Sheldon is a clueless, self-centered egoist and Amy puts up with it because she has no self-esteem”. Add to that “Bernadette is a self-centered bitch and Howard puts up with it because he has no self-esteem” and “Raj can’t find anyone to put up with because he has no self-esteem” and the show is off-balance from a lack of variety of points of view. They are all good comic actors – the writers just have to give them all better storylines and good material. Agreed, that the self-esteem issues are ruining the show. Sheldon is becoming so despicable, gone from being clueless and self-centered, but lovable anyway, to being clueless, self-centered and actively mean. He has become so awful I’m even starting to dislike Jim Parsons. I’d like to see Amy and Howard have a fling. It would do both of them good. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/34 "2013-10-19T00:20:28Z")
> [@Spavined\_Gelding](#): > > I may be misreading this, but when Sheldon and the subject monkey were having identical reactions to images a subtle and knowing expression came over Amy’s face. We may see this played out in the future and greater length than Sheldon’s manipulation of Penny. I hope so. no, i don’t believe you are misreading this. if she were a mad scientist she would have had quite the evil laugh right then. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/35 "2013-10-19T02:15:28Z")
I guess I’m in the minority here - I thought the Sheldon/monkey scene was trite and obvious. I want an “intelligent” sitcom to surprise me with humor, not go after the easy joke. Then again, I was never a big Sheldon fan - I’d prefer it if he was a bit actor, not a major player. ---
**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:** [October 19, 2013, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/36 "2013-10-19T11:58:09Z")
I was not impressed with this episode at all. I caught the Sheldon/monkey bit right off the bat and it felt too forced. I don’t like what the writers have been doing to Sheldon and Bernadette, and I want Amy to grow a pair and dump Sheldon. Mostly, I want the stories not to suck as badly as this one did. ---
**Author:** ![ruh-roh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ruh-roh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruh-roh)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/37 "2013-10-19T15:16:11Z")
ooh, ooh, ooh… idea for future episode. Amy calls in Sheldon’s mother (my favorite character) and together they go to have a talk with him, walking in on him in his bed with the monkey! His mother then literally crucifies him and we all live happily every after. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/38 "2013-10-20T17:39:00Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Best line, which I’m very glad they didn’t dumb down / explain for the audience: > > “As you wish.” Good one, but the best line was Amy, talking about Sheldon: “I’m hoping to put his love of repetition to good use someday.” ---
**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:** [October 20, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/39 "2013-10-20T17:43:28Z")
I forgot that one, **garygnu** , but I agree, it was probably the best line in the episode. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508/40 "2013-10-20T18:03:19Z")
> [@The\_Controvert](#): > > The show needs more Alex. I have a sinking feeling we won’t be seeing any more of Alex. ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-october-17-2013-the-workplace-proximity/671508.md?page=3)