downtonabbeyonce:

UPDATE: HOORAY! NOW EVERYBODY KNOWS!

HE IS FINALLY GOING TO PUT A RING ON IT.

deefuller:

…but mostly I cried..a lot

Don’t mess with The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper. Because Sheldon Cooper knows just how to put someone in their place. Like this one time when confronting his nemesis Leslie Winkle in Season 1 he said:

 ”I’m polymerized tree sap and you’re an inorganic adhesive, so whatever verbal projectile you launch in my direction is reflected off of me, returns on its original trajectory and adheres to you.”

 See cause at the end of the day, Sheldon kicks some serious ass—he may even be one of the best characters on television. My personal explanation as to the validity of the previous statement is twofold.

 One- the writing is truly exceptional. There is a level of comedy that I truly believe that every sitcom needs to aspire to, a level that does not belittle itself with cheap tricks and crude double entendres. Unlike Chuck Lorre’s other hit show Two and A Half Men, Big Bang Theory is not alcohol-induced comedy. In reality, Big Bang is intelligent humor—literally- written in a way that makes fun of its own intelligence. The magic of the writing also extends to the thorough characterization of its five leads.

 Even after four seasons, these characters are 100% true to the pilot. Everyone loves Leonard, sympathizes with him, rides the Leonard and Penny relationship roller coaster right along side him. We relate to Penny- the normal, average bombshell- who keeps the idiosyncrasies of the others in check. We roll our eyes at Howard and his inflated sense of self, his obsession with the opposite sex—and a clingy relationship with an overbearing mother. We cheer for underdog Raj as he struggles to speak with women. But mostly we keep coming back episode after episode—year after year—for Sheldon Cooper.

Sheldon Cooper is the core of The Big Bang Theory. He is one of a kind. Brilliant and Narcissistic. Needy and independent. Bat-shit crazy and Batman? Sheldon deigns to associate with less intelligent beings and envelopes them into his perception of reality. He is an alien creature- the supreme intellectual being that is brought to his knees by benign societal norms. If he could eliminate human interactions from his daily life and leave only theoretical physics and his Green Lantern lantern in its void he would be euphoric. Sheldon is one of the quirkiest of all characters- fundamentally unlovable- and yet so deeply loved.

 Two- the Writers created the character but Jim Parsons brought him to life. Sheldon can win any verbal spar and Parsons delivers each line with articulate grace. The speed in which he can rattle of complex idioms is astonishing. Parsons plays an abrasive character with delicacy and charm, so that not only are you laughing at his antics but you are entranced by his spell. Sheldon’s weapon of choice is his brain but Parsons uses a certain unexpected physicality. Every twitch or head nod is in perfect sync with the dialogue a scene. He plays the character with both body and soul.

The current sitcom arena is filled with complex male characters that audiences adore even though they inherently question why. Michael Scott is a prime example. But now Steve Carrell has parted ways with The Office and taken Michael Scott with him. Jack Donaghy and Tracy Jordan still grace 30 Rock, but I sense that their days are numbered as well. With The Bang Theory signed on for AT LEAST another three years, I firmly believe that Sheldon Cooper is televisions reigning oddball. 

So in the dregs of a long day at work, I was perusing the Internet, biding my time and HOPING something would entertain me for longer than half a second. Well, I came across spoilers for the upcoming Season 7 of my beloved Bones. Words cannot express how torn I am about the direction the show has taken.

Well maybe they can…

 The recent season 6 finale found MOST of the team at the Jeffersonian in flux. Cam is still adjusting to being the mother of a teenage daughter. Sweets is still sans Daisy and is as always, monitoring the goings on between the show’s central characters, Booth and Brennan, aptly providing the audience with necessary insight into their psyche. Next up, Angela and Hodgins have just become parents to a beautiful and most importantly, healthy baby boy—to the relief of the audience who had to endure a painful arch involving baby Hodgela’s potential blindness. The biggest change that occurred in the finale, aptly named The Change in the Game, naturally occurred between Booth and Bones, because magically, out of thin air, Bones is pregnant with Booth’s child.

 What does this mean?

The episode made a point of the “change” in the dynamic that occurred between the two characters, most likely in the previous episode when Booth was “comforting” Bones after the loss of one of their squinterns. You clearly saw them in bed together BUT there was nothing sexual about it. If it weren’t for an innuendo filled conversation between Brennan and Angela, one would never have suspected a thing. SO—my first problem is—the show has been on for six years, and for SIX years we have waiting patiently for Booth and Bones to finally get together. We have endured all that sexual tension WE DESERVE TO SEE A LITTLE SOMETHIN SOMETHIN! I’m not talking rated R material here but something a little more than a hug please.

 The game has been changed. They will be having a child together. But if feels as if this was a cop out—most people who support the show as diligently as I have would have been aware that Emily Deschanel (Ms. Bones herself) was pregnant in real life. That is why it feels like a B&B baby is simply an excuse to allow the writers to deal with Deschanel’s pregnancy. Don’t get me wrong—I love my show, always will love my show, I just feel a little let down. I always suspected that Hart Hanson had a big plan for Bones, and now to adjust that plan based on present circumstances disappoints me a little. I would almost rather they pull an Elaine and mockingly cover up Deschanel’s pregnant belly.

On the other hand…

My initial reaction after having viewed the episode was a squeal and a sigh of relief. Without even giving myself a moment to think I was thrilled! What I have been waiting for has finally happened. Despite my greater reservations, I truly believe that one of the greatest moments in the show’s history was Booth’s slow smile upon hearing that Brennan was pregnant with his child. Besides the fact that I always enjoy looking at David Boreanaz’s face, I can’t remember having seen a more genuine expression of joy on television or in a movie, in a long time. It was quite the acting feat. In the moment, I too felt good about the potential for what was to come.

And then I read a spoiler….

Now. I know that there is something to be said for avoiding spoilers like the plague. But I always like to be aware of what I am facing and it USUALLY gives me something to look forward to. The spoiler went something like this: Season 7 will pick up well into Brennan’s pregnancy, something like the third trimester.

 Well hmph, this means that we as viewers will miss out on everyone’s adjustment to the pregnancy.  We’ll miss out on seeing what really happens when the novelty wears off and B&B have to face the fact that they are going to be parents. Are they going to be a couple now? If yes, then we miss out on the blossoming beginning of their relationship. If no, then has the complexities of their relationship really been reduced to a one nightstand? The reality of a change in the game has ramifications, and in accepting that reality as a viewer, one needs to be able to see how they handle those ramifications.  What happens right after Booth and Brennan stop smiling on that street corner? That’s what I want to see, a real relationship—from start to finish.