# The Big Bang Theory 2/10--"The Benefactor Factor" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 10, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-10-the-benefactor-factor/570896 "2011-02-10T15:04:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-10-the-benefactor-factor/570896/41 "2011-02-14T21:29:30Z")
In the first place, I’m fairly new to the show, so I’m pretty much just enjoying the funny, rather than concerning myself overmuch with whether the characters stay true to their previously-demonstrated motivations. But, in the second place, I can fan-wank this as Penny being kinda distracted from her residual feelings for Leonard by her irritation with (and maybe a little bit of defensiveness over) Sheldon’s innuendos regarding her own use of sex-as-commodity. Not that I’m prepared to join Sheldon in his implied accusation. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-10-the-benefactor-factor/570896/42 "2011-02-14T21:46:01Z")
I think the show doesn’t let feelings get in the way of comedy. But also I’d interpret it as Penny and Leonard not being jealous people, they are broken up so really both are free to see whoever they wish. Leonard has a harder time over it than Penny. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-10-the-benefactor-factor/570896/43 "2011-02-14T21:52:41Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] So this episode was a disappointment, because Penny’s reaction when Leonard comes back from the “walk of shame” having slept with the wealthy donor was not in the least discomfited. On the contrary, she seemed genuinely amused and not in the least bit upset. Rats. Did I miss a memo? (cross posted from a thread I started after failing to find this one!) [/QUOTE] I think she knows that a senior citizen isn’t really likely to result in a relationship as neither one of them is likely to want it, so she still has Leonard as her “safety” boyfriend. That said, judging by the walk of shame, do you think Leonard enjoyed his evening? ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-10-the-benefactor-factor/570896/44 "2011-02-14T21:57:39Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I think she knows that a senior citizen isn’t really likely to result in a relationship as neither one of them is likely to want it, so she still has Leonard as her “safety” boyfriend. This was my thought. Penny just can’t take seriously a sexual encounter between Leonard and the donor. And she knows that Leonard probably has some weird feelings about it. > [@Sampiro](#): > > That said, judging by the walk of shame, do you think Leonard enjoyed his evening? I think he doesn’t know yet 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-10-the-benefactor-factor/570896/45 "2011-02-14T22:38:35Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I think she knows that a senior citizen isn’t really likely to result in a relationship as neither one of them is likely to want it, so she still has Leonard as her “safety” boyfriend. \ Agreed. Also, based on my experience, it is possible to be amused _and_ feel some jealousy. But in that situation I would have shown the amusement. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-10-the-benefactor-factor/570896/46 "2011-02-14T23:08:51Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I think she knows that a senior citizen isn’t really likely to result in a relationship as neither one of them is likely to want it, so she still has Leonard as her “safety” boyfriend. That said, judging by the walk of shame, do you think Leonard enjoyed his evening? It’s hard to say. I think his initial reluctance was overcome not by her promises of a donation, but her implications about her own prowess (“How do you think I managed to marry such a rich man?”) So it’s possible that her performance didn’t live up to the hype, or (hopefully) he came away thinking that mere technical expertise didn’t make as fulfilling an experience as one where there’s an emotional connection. (Speaking of fan-wanking…) I don’t think she sees Leonard as merely the safety boyfriend. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-10-the-benefactor-factor/570896/47 "2011-02-15T12:23:09Z")
No one’s mentioned this yet- Sheldon: This might help get you in the mood. I looked on the Net and found this picture of Mrs. So&So when she was 25. Look at those saddle shoes. _eyebrow wiggle_ THAT was priceless! ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-10-the-benefactor-factor/570896/48 "2011-02-15T15:47:36Z")
OK, Now I think it would be hilarious if there was an episode about Penny being upset with Leonard’s lessons with the older benefactor, UNTIL Leonard used some of the trick he learned to really blow Penny’s mind. The episode could end with her hair all frazzled out like she was electrocuted. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-10-the-benefactor-factor/570896.md?page=2)