# The Big Bang Theory, May 15, 2014 -- "The Status Quo Combustion" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 15, 2014, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533 "2014-05-15T16:58:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/1 "2014-05-15T16:58:35Z")
I am starting this thread in anticipation of tonight’s episode. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/2 "2014-05-15T17:19:15Z")
Nice piece on the CBS News this morning about the show’s popularity in China - there are bars/restaurants in Beijing and maybe other cities where they show subtitled episodes continuously. The young woman who writes the subtitles explains that the show teaches her how to be a geek, which she wants to be because “Smart is the new sexy”. The teaser was about the Chinese government maybe starting to censor it, but nothing said about what parts or why, unfortunately. There was also a teaser clip about the crisis of decision facing Sheldon tonight:Leonard is trying to coax him into swapping apartments with Penny, and Sheldon is upset that Leonard is putting his own personal welfare over his own. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/3 "2014-05-15T17:29:50Z")
The teaser was pretty obvious from last week. What will/could be interesting is how it will all shake out. I’m predicting major cliffhanger. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/4 "2014-05-15T17:50:01Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The teaser was about the Chinese government maybe starting to censor it, but nothing said about what parts or why, unfortunately. I read an article recently on this, but can’t find it now. But as I recall, it boils down to money. For every foreign show that airs on Chinese TV, that’s money not going into the pockets of the Chinese government (who own the networks). ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/5 "2014-05-16T03:00:49Z")
“Did you take a marijuana !?!” Sheldon will wind up in Walmart buying bus pants. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/6 "2014-05-16T03:50:31Z")
Well, train pants, actually. I’m sorry about the fire, but it’s good Stuart found a live-in job that he even seems to like. I wonder if he’ll be returning next season. It’d be nice if Sheldon had some sort of non-scientific epiphany on his “walkabout”, but he is Sheldon. I wonder what sort of living arrangement he’ll return to. I’m pretty sure his “walkabout” will last as long as the show’s hiatus. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2014, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/7 "2014-05-16T04:03:54Z")
And he’ll come home to an apartment transformed by Penny, who will move in tomorrow morning. Stuart will have made enough money (along with the insurance check) go into another line of work, Amy will be the target of a new guy at the lab, and Raj will still be humping Emily. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/8 "2014-05-16T04:54:27Z")
I think you nailed it in one. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/9 "2014-05-16T05:48:02Z")
When the new season starts, Stuart could be dating either Amy or Debbie. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2014, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/10 "2014-05-16T05:54:16Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > When the new season starts, Stuart could be dating either Amy or Debbie. Who’s Deb. . .oh God no. . . ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/11 "2014-05-16T06:02:59Z")
They overuse the “character goes on a journey” gimmick to end a season. We’ve had the guys go to the North Pole, Howard go to the ISS, Leonard go on the boat, now Sheldon on a train. “Did you take a marijuana?” is the best line of the season. Possibly the best line in the entire show. The fire at the comic book store is interesting–and suspicious. I could totally buy Stuart being charged with arson. Maybe set up a mini arc with Sheldon going all CSI to save him from prison–and get over the string theory crisis. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/12 "2014-05-16T06:17:11Z")
Stuart and Debbie sitting around a house. And I really do mean, sitting around a house. I’m so glad Stuart has found happiness. And that Howard will have to call him Dad. Howard always wanted a Dad. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2014, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/13 "2014-05-16T09:58:38Z")
I love the idea that Stuart could be Howard’s new dad! I got the giggles just thinking about it. Imagining Debbie as a cougar… :eek: I do hope they take this opportunity to have Sheldon grow up. His transition from socially clueless to a selfish, self-centered brat has killed his character for me. Amy certainly deserves better. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2014, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/14 "2014-05-16T10:43:56Z")
Confession: I drank banana flavoured Quik until my early 30s. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/15 "2014-05-16T11:58:39Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Confession: I drank banana flavoured Quik until my early 30s. Powder or syrup? ---
**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:** [May 16, 2014, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/16 "2014-05-16T12:03:30Z")
Powder of course. The syrup is better. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/17 "2014-05-16T12:09:22Z")
That was a non cliffhanger cliffhanger. In the first episode of the next season Sheldon will come back (maybe in a funny, non Sheldon outfit), they will make a few jokes and then we will start the next season. The shakeup of the living arrangements (however it turns out) is the bigger change. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2014, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/18 "2014-05-16T12:27:59Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > Powder or syrup? I didn’t know there was any syrup until Sheldon mentioned it. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/19 "2014-05-16T12:45:24Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Imagining Debbie as a cougar… :eek: Well, Debbie did hold Raj as a prisoner that time. Did that remind anyone else of “Misery”. Though Debbie used guilt and food as her sledge hammer. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2014, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533/20 "2014-05-16T12:58:17Z")
Kind of a bummer episode to end the year on. First of all, although Penny and Leonard have proposed to each other a few times, it was indeed a big deal that they now appear to mean it. I’d say it trumps the heck out of Raj porking his new girlfriend. Secondly, it was dense even for Sheldon to be surprised that newlyweds would want to live by themselves. And it was dickish even for Sheldon the way he treated Amy- once again. So it’s well established that Sheldon doesn’t like change, which makes it odd that he’s pissed at the university for not letting him change his research. And if he’s as good as he thinks, one would think he just has to apply at another university. So for once they’ve finally found a use for Stuart on the show. For once his character wasn’t totally unlikeable. Still, it would be a plus for the show if he just did an occasional appearance. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-15-2014-the-status-quo-combustion/688533.md?page=2)