Big Bang Theory - The Skank Reflex Analysis

Network: CBS

Time: Thursdays, 8:00-8:30pm

Cast: Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Kaley Cuoco, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik



Summary: The gang deals with the fallout from Penny and Raj's night together. Amy counsels Penny when she considers moving back to Nebraska due to her failing acting career. Sheldon takes charge of the paintball team.



Review: I know critics were tough on her, but I think the addition of Amy Farrah Fowler was one of the best things that happened to Big Bang Theory. I love the way her character interacts with both Sheldon and Penny, supporting their stories while still developing as a character in her own right. I also love that the girls' story balances the boys' without changing the basic premise of the show. At its heart, BBT is about nerds (and Penny), and that doesn't change just because now they're sometimes girl nerds (and Penny).



This episode was yet another wonderful use of Amy, who really seems to be growing and evolving in her role as Penny's "bestie." Mingled with somewhat heartbreaking hints at her childhood ("I wish I could tell 13-year-old me it does get better!"), she acted as Penny's confidante while the latter tried to sort through the mess she'd made of her relationships with the guys.



Penny's side of the conversation felt more real to me than most things that happen on this show. Upset that she'd managed to hurt several of the guys she's come to really care about, she makes a decision to return to Nebraska, giving up on the idea of becoming an actress. While a last-minute commercial job eventually changes her mind, they actually had me a little worried that Penny might leave. Also, was I the only one who felt unbelievably happy that Penny got that part? I feel like we've been working towards her acting career since the show started, and even a little progress made me grin.



Meanwhile, Raj was also dealing with the fallout from the season finale. Both Leonard and Howard are mad at him, Leonard because Raj slept with Penny, and Howard because he found out Raj wrote poems about Bernadette ("marionette" also rhymes with Bernadette, BBT writers. I'm just saying). The strained friendship took its toll on everyone, and ultimately Sheldon paid the biggest price, when he stepped unarmed onto the field during the interdepartmental paintball game and insulted...everyone. The reunited friends raced forward to avenge his death.



I liked the way this story was handled, from Raj's belief that he and Penny were now a couple to the kicked puppy look on Leonard's face whenever he thought about it to Sheldon's on-field promotion of himself. But the real shining moment of both this story and the episode was the conversation Leonard had with his mother. His voice when he told her he didn't want to be with Penny (though is there anyone who actually believes that?) but that he didn't want Raj to be with her either was so sincere. I feel like they underused Leonard in the beginning of season 4, and it's nice to see him get to really shine every so often. And it's also good to see Christine Baranski reprise this role.



This was a solid episode to kick of season 5. In some ways, BBT reminds me of a geekier version of Friends, with the way the characters interact with each other. I'm looking forward to seeing the continuing evolution of these relationships as the season progresses.



Rating: 4/5



Favorite line:

Leonard (after telling his mother about Penny and Raj): Got any advice?

Beverly: Yes ... buck up.

Leonard: Excuse me, you're a world-renowned expert in parenting and child development, and all you've got is "buck up"?

Beverly: I'm sorry. (pause) Buck up, sissypants!