The Big Bang Theory is a show based upon stock characters. Leonard is a genius who wants to get girls but can't. Sheldon is a genius who doesn't care about girls, or other people for that matter. It's hard not to see Leonard as a more pathetic guy when he strikes out. Watching someone strive and fail is more painful than watching someone be funny all the time due to indifference.
"The Desperation Emanation" plays on the two characters in their stereotypes. Leonard is so desperate that he resorts to Howard to get a date, resulting in a date with a woman whose hygiene is a little under par. Then, when she asks for another date, Leonard agrees. It's another head-shaking move which makes us dislike Leonard even more.
Unlike Leonard, Sheldon is just funny without fancy frills. Amy Farrah Fowler wants him to meet her mom, and the episode becomes a hotbed of cringe-worthy scenes where Sheldon does everything wrong, including the final scene where he overexaggerates having sex with Amy.
The lack of Kaley Cuoco is very apparent in the episode. Without Penny as a sounding board and normalizer, the episode is monotone with a basic, predictable plot. Penny adds a complete different dimension to the show, so I'll be glad when she's back.
Score: 7.7/10
Thursday, October 21, 2010
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