# The Big Bang Theory, Feb. 14, 2013 -- "The Tangible Affection Proof" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 15, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407 "2013-02-15T17:21:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/21 "2013-02-15T22:51:40Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > Raj tends to turn into an ass when he’s had too much, which tends to be somewhere between his first and second drink. I think Howard’s explanation early on was right - Raj has always been an ass, but before he started drinking it wasn’t as obvious. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/22 "2013-02-15T23:08:23Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > Yes, after I saw the episode, I knew most of this website was not going to like it. Most, but not all. We liked it. Raj has always been a douche, Leonard has always been an asshole. No changes there. Sheldon is slowly but surely letting Amy into his life, and Howard will always be a man-child, being in space or not. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/23 "2013-02-16T03:14:45Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > She’s also had roles in\* Scrubs \*and _Raising Hope_, both shows with strong casts, and pretty much stole every scene she was in. I haven’t watched the BBT for years, but heard she was going to be on. Hardly worth it - everyone was an asshole, then she has like 3 lines at the end. Still, I’ll keep watching as long as she’s on. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/24 "2013-02-16T05:07:47Z")
> [@Dr.Righteous](#): > > Who is half of [Garfunkel and Oates](http://www.garfunkelandoates.com/) The other half played Sheldon’s accolyte Ramona. I loved when Penny walked in on her giving Sheldon a pedicure. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/25 "2013-02-16T08:56:10Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Raj has always been a douche, Leonard has always been an asshole. No changes there. Leonard an asshole? That seems a bit harsh. A bit timid and whiney and insecure, maybe, but that doesn’t make him an asshole. Of all the guys, he’s the one who’s consistently had something more like a real life (however minimally). ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/26 "2013-02-16T14:46:24Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Could be their way of saying “The honeymoon’s over.” ☹ > > Raj has been getting creepier and creepier ever since he started hanging out with Stuart, and Stuart senses it. :rolleyes: “Then I’ll take you home, slip off your little black dress, and pile drive you into oblivion.” I sure hope he senses it. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/27 "2013-02-16T14:55:35Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > The other half played Sheldon’s accolyte Ramona. I loved when Penny walked in on her giving Sheldon a pedicure. That was a great scene! I loved how Penny was so totally creeped out. ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/28 "2013-02-16T15:26:48Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Leonard an asshole? That seems a bit harsh. A bit timid and whiney and insecure, maybe, but that doesn’t make him an asshole. Of all the guys, he’s the one who’s consistently had something more like a real life (however minimally). Agreed. Leonard is the only one who is a human being, with moments of kindness and empathy. Penny is becoming one of the nastiest, most self-centered, selfish characters on tv. I loathe her, and, when I stop watching the show, it will be because of her. Okay, Sheldon is self-centered and selfish, but he has a reason for it. Leonard makes mistakes, yeah, particularly early on when he tried to generalize from Penny’s and (Melissa Gilbert)'s sexual behavior, not knowing that women can get away with behavior that men can’t. But he knows it when he does screw up, and generally learns from the screw up. Considering how the humor is getting meaner, I guess I’m about ready to quit the show. ---
**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 16, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/29 "2013-02-16T15:34:59Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > That was a great scene! I loved how Penny was so totally creeped out. “Crap on a cracker! _To Leonard_ What is that?!?” Leonard _obviously disturbed_: I… I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/30 "2013-02-16T15:40:57Z")
> [@Tapiotar](#): > > Leonard makes mistakes, yeah, particularly early on when he tried to generalize from Penny’s and (Melissa Gilbert)'s sexual behavior. Sara Gilbert. Melissa Gilbert was “Half-Pint” on _Little House on the Prairie._ I’m glad they dropped her character (“Leslie Winkle”) too. She had a really, really mean streak in her. ---
**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:** [February 16, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/31 "2013-02-16T16:36:38Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Leonard an asshole? That seems a bit harsh. A bit timid and whiney and insecure, maybe, but that doesn’t make him an asshole. Watch his behavior any time he thinks he is in a power position with a woman. Total asshole, every single time. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/32 "2013-02-16T18:18:36Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > That was a great scene! I loved how Penny was so totally creeped out. “The only way I could describe it would be in a therapist’s office with dolls…” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/33 "2013-02-17T16:27:02Z")
List me as another viewer who is puzzled by the increased jerk behavior being added to the show. I know, that in a TV show like this, couples like Howard and Bernadette will need to go thru up and down cycles. But between this episode and the the one with the 3-D printer, they’re going off in an ugly direction. Howard isn’t that dumb that he would do all these things. He knows that it would irritate the woman he is sleeping with and that is his highest priority. Xbox or sex? Howard always picks the latter. He makes mistakes, but not one this basic. It would have been better to stick with Bernadette teaching Howard to do things for himself that his mother used to do. E.g., the laundry issue would have been how to use the machine at all. (“But you have a masters in engineering from MIT!”) Why was it a double date for Valentines? So Howard lost his little engraving. (Saw that coming a light year away.) Why does that invoke doubling up with Leonard and Penny? Very artificial. Forget reservation issues. Leonard would have one for 2, not 4. Kate Micucci is great when she plays a certain type like on _Scrubs_ or _Raising Hope_. But the little I saw here doesn’t bode well. The weird looking-away thing was too obviously acting and far from natural. (G&O have a great NSFW song out there. Look for it on YouTube using their name and “because I love Jesus”. Like I said. NSFW.) It’s been over a year since Dale’s ([Josh Brener](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3091777/)) previous appearance on the show. Nice touch. The only other thing I liked about this episode was being surprised at the implication of being Sheldon’s emergency contact number. I should have seen it coming but … IMDb lists [Briana Cuoco](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4053303/) as “Gretchen” in this episode. So Penny’s “sister” was the slut who slept with her boyfriend! ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/34 "2013-02-17T16:48:54Z")
Of course, they’ve now established one of two things: either the climactic moment of one of the final episodes, or the series’ triple-megalodon-jump moment. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/35 "2013-02-17T22:21:10Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Watch his behavior any time he thinks he is in a power position with a woman. Total asshole, every single time. Leonard was always belittled by his mother so he has a lot bottled up. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/36 "2013-02-17T22:23:28Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Sara Gilbert. > > I’m glad they dropped her character (“Leslie Winkle”) too. She had a really, really mean streak in her. she did stand up to Sheldon well. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/37 "2013-02-17T23:04:05Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > she did stand up to Sheldon well. Yeah, isn’t the Kripke character basically her replacement? I liked her better as Sheldon’s foil. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/38 "2013-02-18T04:39:11Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > Yeah, isn’t the Kripke character basically her replacement? I liked her better as Sheldon’s foil. Kripke’s been around about as long as Leslie has. She didn’t just stand up to Sheldon, she went out of her way to antagonize him. ---
**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 18, 2013, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/39 "2013-02-18T12:52:35Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > List me as another viewer who is puzzled by the increased jerk behavior being added to the show. > > I know, that in a TV show like this, couples like Howard and Bernadette will need to go thru up and down cycles. But between this episode and the the one with the 3-D printer, they’re going off in an ugly direction. Howard isn’t that dumb that he would do all these things. He knows that it would irritate the woman he is sleeping with and that is his highest priority. Xbox or sex? Howard always picks the latter. He makes mistakes, but not one this basic. > > It would have been better to stick with Bernadette teaching Howard to do things for himself that his mother used to do. E.g., the laundry issue would have been how to use the machine at all. (“But you have a masters in engineering from MIT!”) > > Why was it a double date for Valentines? So Howard lost his little engraving. (Saw that coming a light year away.) Why does that invoke doubling up with Leonard and Penny? Very artificial. Forget reservation issues. Leonard would have one for 2, not 4. > > Kate Micucci is great when she plays a certain type like on _Scrubs_ or _Raising Hope_. But the little I saw here doesn’t bode well. The weird looking-away thing was too obviously acting and far from natural. > > (G&O have a great NSFW song out there. Look for it on YouTube using their name and “because I love Jesus”. Like I said. NSFW.) > > It’s been over a year since Dale’s ([Josh Brener](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3091777/)) previous appearance on the show. Nice touch. > > The only other thing I liked about this episode was being surprised at the implication of being Sheldon’s emergency contact number. I should have seen it coming but … > > IMDb lists [Briana Cuoco](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4053303/) as “Gretchen” in this episode. So Penny’s “sister” was the slut who slept with her boyfriend! Missy Cooper [Courtney Henggeler - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1136435/?ref_=tt_cl_t6) I’m really fearing another “Bollywood” type episode x10; with a flash mob and fireworks and goodness only knows what else that Penny will convince the other nerds to help her engineer for this proposal. I foresee them having to close DisneyLand for the day in order to film it. ETA: Oh wait, you said _Penny’s_ sister. Sorry. Must drink coffee now. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407/40 "2013-02-18T14:51:23Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Kripke’s been around about as long as Leslie has. She didn’t just stand up to Sheldon, she went out of her way to antagonize him. Kripke has been more deliberately antagonistic than Leslie. I think a Sheldon vs Leslie story with Amy in the mix could make a good episode. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-feb-14-2013-the-tangible-affection-proof/650407.md?page=3)