# The Big Bang Theory, February 21 2013 -- "The Monster Isolation" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 21, 2013, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984 "2013-02-21T17:13:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/21 "2013-02-22T17:47:36Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > Hey, Sheldon’s sexy assistant (can’t remember her name right now) likes Leonard, so that solves the problem, I think… Alex. And if you can’t remember her name, you don’t deserve to have one. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/22 "2013-02-22T18:02:52Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Alex. And if you can’t remember her name, you don’t deserve to have one. Drat. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/23 "2013-02-22T18:47:01Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I was surprised they were having her do it without any kind of accent. While southern accents are often done poorly or over the top, Blanche Dubois (because she exists behind such a facade anyway) is one character for whom an over-the-top poorly done southern accent can work. I think they chose not to do that, because a poorly done accent could reinforce the “Penny is a bad actress” thing, when what they wanted was the opposite…she’s reasonably decent, maybe even good. ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/24 "2013-02-22T19:04:38Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I’d actually rather see Stuart receive a break than Raj. At least the others have their degrees and careers; poor Stuart is living in borderline poverty for running the business he loves. > > Though a Stuart-Raj-New Girl love triangle might have potential, with each member neurotically resenting the time the other two spend together. I like the Raj - Stuart rivalry for New Girl. That would expand Stuart a little more, and make for some comic nerd competitions. ---
**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:** [February 22, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/25 "2013-02-22T19:17:22Z")
> [@janis\_and\_c0](#): > > …Amy is a lot like his mother, only she would love him… Right down to working in the name field; neuroscience. They seriously need to get both of those characters to interact. > [@Oakminster](#): > > I think they chose not to do that, because a poorly done accent could reinforce the “Penny is a bad actress” thing, when what they wanted was the opposite…she’s reasonably decent, maybe even good. Penny needs to get some kind of professional acting job; even if it’s the most cheesy, low-budget, SyFy weekend movie possible. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > …Raj in his underwear wasn’t a good visual… Speak for youself. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/26 "2013-02-22T19:36:25Z")
The actor who plays Stuart (Kevin Sussman) can play romantic comic lead, actually. He had chemistry with America Ferrera in _Ugly Betty_ as her nebbish longtime boyfriend Walter in the first season. His character on that show was not a bad guy, just kind of dull with no romantic spark- yet ironically he had more chemistry with America than a couple of characters who came later that her character was supposed to click with. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/27 "2013-02-22T19:54:35Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Penny needs to get some kind of professional acting job; even if it’s the most cheesy, low-budget, SyFy weekend movie possible. She did a douche or hemorrhoid commercial in the episode where she was thinking about moving back home to Nebraska. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/28 "2013-02-22T22:55:50Z")
> [@janis\_and\_c0](#): > > Actually, **FCM** , I’ve always thought that Amy should end up with Leonard. They both crave affection & I think they would be a good match. Actually, it could solve some of Leonard’s Mommy issues. Amy is a lot like his mother, only she would love him. Please. Speaking of Mommy issues, what character’s mother does Penny most resemble? Not too bright, rural background, promiscuous sexual history, affectionate but doesn’t put up with his crap. Ringing any bells? ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/29 "2013-02-22T23:58:50Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > Please. Speaking of Mommy issues, what character’s mother does Penny most resemble? Not too bright, rural background, promiscuous sexual history, affectionate but doesn’t put up with his crap. Ringing any bells? Well, you’re really “spot-on” with that observation. Insightful! ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2013, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/30 "2013-02-23T00:27:30Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Right down to working in the name field; neuroscience. They seriously need to get both of those characters to interact. > > Penny needs to get some kind of professional acting job; even if it’s the most cheesy, low-budget, SyFy weekend movie possible. > 🙂 OMFG, that would be awesome! Manshark Vs The Octosquid or something. I would totally watch that! ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2013, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/31 "2013-02-23T00:47:33Z")
> [@BrassyPhrase](#): > > OMFG, that would be awesome! > Manshark Vs The Octosquid or something. I would totally watch that! That would be an awesome plot for the show! I wonder if any of the writers / producers frequent this message board? ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/32 "2013-02-23T01:59:22Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Sheldon’s got a knack for physical comedy. My favorite came last week when he clicked his heels and asked Alex to blow his socks off. > [@](#): > > So where does Raj pick for his date? Probably an observatory. Stars are his game. It’s gimme. ---
**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 23, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/33 "2013-02-23T15:24:41Z")
The overall good thing about this episode was the lowering of the jerk quota for the characters. I am a big fan of Kate Micucci, but what they are asking her to do, with the weird tics and all, just isn’t something she seems to be able to pull off well. This isn’t going well. The best part was Sheldon trying to “relax and open up”. It’s really hard for an actor to deliberately act badly and still keep it natural. Kudos. Also a nice variation of the triple knock-knock-Penny gag. The bit at the comic book store where Raj and Howard are saying the usual weird stuff had a nice touch: Just visual takes from Leonard, no lines. A lot of times in comedy, that’s all you really need. Almost all of the episodes are shot entirely in the studio. Even car and outdoor shots are almost always done in front of a screen or backdrop. But the brief shot of Raj running in the street in his underwear was clearly shot outdoors. And possibly not even on a studio lot. Sheldon and Penny have an ersatz son-mother relationship. The _Soft Kitty_ singalongs for example. In _The Spaghetti Catalyst_, where Leonard and Penny have broken up and are like divorced parents sharing their kid (Sheldon), was full of this. A romance would be icky. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/34 "2013-02-23T16:04:59Z")
Sheldon and Penny? You guys are insane. 🙂 ---
**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 23, 2013, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/35 "2013-02-23T16:40:12Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Speak for youself. 🙂 +1. There was way too much bib in that scene. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2013, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/36 "2013-02-23T18:04:26Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > +1. There was way too much bib in that scene. Glad to know I wasn’t the only one thinking that! ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2013, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/37 "2013-02-23T21:07:09Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > Please. Speaking of Mommy issues, what character’s mother does Penny most resemble? Not too bright, rural background, promiscuous sexual history, affectionate but doesn’t put up with his crap. Ringing any bells? I’m not so sure about the “not too bright” part with regard to the mother mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/38 "2013-02-23T21:26:37Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Raj in his underwear wasn’t a good visual. I agree, from the neck down only. His beard stubble and tousled hair were hot though. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > Loved Sheldon’s inability to converse without going through the knocking ritual. I have mild OCD, and I totally identified with him in that scene. ---
**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 24, 2013, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/39 "2013-02-24T01:46:02Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > I think she will be a great addition to the show. I love her in every thing she has done. I will forever love her just for the fact that she did a musical show called “Playin’ with Micucci”. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984/40 "2013-02-24T02:47:28Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Sheldon and Penny? You guys are insane. 🙂 No we’re not. Our mothers had us tested. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-february-21-2013-the-monster-isolation/650984.md?page=3)