# The Big Bang Theory 2/3--"The Thespian Catalyst"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-3-the-thespian-catalyst/570046>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [February 3, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-3-the-thespian-catalyst/570046 "2011-02-03T17:02:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**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:** [February 5, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-3-the-thespian-catalyst/570046/41 "2011-02-05T22:32:19Z")

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> [@JoelUpchurch](#):
>
> I should point out that Leonard Nimoy nailed it in the sense in that he fired a shot and drew the bullseye around it. Every actor performing a part as a Vulcan are trying to imitate Leonard Nimoy, because he defined what a Vulcan is supposed to act like.

I know, and they never got it right.

And that’s what Penny is doing - imitating how she thinks Spock behaves, and not actually seeing how Nimoy really performed it. Not that she should be able to nail it, really, all things considered. (Nor would Kaley get it, though she could probably do a decent T’Pol)

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**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-3-the-thespian-catalyst/570046/42 "2011-02-06T01:17:30Z")

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I think Penny portrayed what would be the standard American idea of a Vulcan: An emotionless humanoid who values only logic. Trekkies know that Vulcans actually have strong emotions, rigidly controlled, which is a much taller order. I would never have expected Penny to get it.

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**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-2-3-the-thespian-catalyst/570046/43 "2011-02-06T01:48:40Z")

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> [@GuanoLad](#):
>
> I know, and they never got it right.
> 
> And that’s what Penny is doing - imitating how she thinks Spock behaves, and not actually seeing how Nimoy really performed it. Not that she should be able to nail it, really, all things considered. (Nor would Kaley get it, though she could probably do a decent T’Pol)

Was it just my imagination, or did Penny seem to be doing Spock by way of Amy Farrah Fowler? Her vocal mannerisms were definitely reminiscent of AFF. (Makes sense that Penny would use Amy for insight into the Vulcan character.)

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