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Big Bang SQUEEEEEEory
May. 2nd, 2013 08:41 amI have something of a love/hate relationship with Big Bang Theory - I refused to watch it until there were more regular female characters than Penny. (Nothing against the character of Penny; I like her, but a show about four brilliant guys and a failed actress? SO not on!)
But M likes it, so we watch it, and as it evolved out of what someone dubbed "nerd-face" and into more rounded characterization, I've come to like it too. It's the Galaxy Quest of TV sitcoms. For all of the gang's personal faults and social issues, the geeks are equally depicted as 1) intelligent 2) working at jobs that showcase that intelligence, 3) capable of forming and maintaining close, loving relationships, 4) capable of working out their interpersonal issues & fights in a reasonably healthy and mature manner, 5) having a life full of hobbies and pursuits that bring them joy.
That's 4 and often 5 counts ahead of most of characters in a sitcom.
Penny comes out pretty well too over time: she's not a genius, but she's not stupid either, and she's shown learning higher sciences when she chooses to. She's also tolerant, adaptable, strong, practical, loyal, and doggedly determined to work towards her dream career because it's *her* goal. Again, that's surprisingly solid for at sitcom role.
Anyway, I went from like to ADORE last week, because last week's episode? Could have been filmed in my living room. If not mine, then the living rooms of just about every person I know. It really raised the bar for me.
And now I get to the news breaking about tonight's guest star - I'll not spoil the surprise for them as don't know it - and I'm dying of pre-squee. Oh, this is going to be excellent. It cannot fail.
But M likes it, so we watch it, and as it evolved out of what someone dubbed "nerd-face" and into more rounded characterization, I've come to like it too. It's the Galaxy Quest of TV sitcoms. For all of the gang's personal faults and social issues, the geeks are equally depicted as 1) intelligent 2) working at jobs that showcase that intelligence, 3) capable of forming and maintaining close, loving relationships, 4) capable of working out their interpersonal issues & fights in a reasonably healthy and mature manner, 5) having a life full of hobbies and pursuits that bring them joy.
That's 4 and often 5 counts ahead of most of characters in a sitcom.
Penny comes out pretty well too over time: she's not a genius, but she's not stupid either, and she's shown learning higher sciences when she chooses to. She's also tolerant, adaptable, strong, practical, loyal, and doggedly determined to work towards her dream career because it's *her* goal. Again, that's surprisingly solid for at sitcom role.
Anyway, I went from like to ADORE last week, because last week's episode? Could have been filmed in my living room. If not mine, then the living rooms of just about every person I know. It really raised the bar for me.
And now I get to the news breaking about tonight's guest star - I'll not spoil the surprise for them as don't know it - and I'm dying of pre-squee. Oh, this is going to be excellent. It cannot fail.
