TV-Reviewed

Tattoo sleeves, Goth chicks, and chocolate-based behavior modification – these are just a few of the reasons why The Big Bang Theory is proving to be my favorite sitcom of the season. I really couldn’t stop laughing during this episode, and after thinking about why that was, I have come to the conclusion that it was the comedic timing of the cast. As far as storylines go it was a pretty typical episode, nothing extra special, but after a couple of years together the cast has really found their groove with one another. The banter was spot on, the facial expressions were perfectly executed, and storyline was just ridiculous enough to complement the characters.

This episode starts off with the Penny cooking french toast in Sheldon and Leonard’s apartment, a task made entertaining because it utterly annoys Sheldon who insists it is oatmeal day. The scene establishes that Penny and Leonard’s relationship has obviously progressed since last episode when they almost gave up on each other. Here we find out she stayed the night at Leonard’s because they broke her bed, so obviously the disappointing sex situation has been rectified. Though Penny and Leonard’s friendship was always funny, I think they are funnier as a couple. The dynamic is no longer Leonard embarrassing himself in front of Penny but rather the two of them setting up jokes for one another. It brings a fresh angle to show that I think made it funnier.

Not to mention Penny has always been funny on her own. Unlike Sheldon’s jokes which are funny because they spew from an overly intelligent brain, Penny’s absurd homespun comments are funny for the opposite reason. Example: after Sheldon explains that they are not watching cartoons, they’re watching anime; she responds with, “Anime, ya know I knew a girl in high school named Anna May. Anna May Fletcher. She was born with one nostril, and then she had this bad nose job and basically wound up with three.” WTF!

Sheldon is growing increasingly annoyed at the constant presence of Penny in his apartment. After Leonard basically tells him to get used to it, Sheldon is left with no other choice than to devise his own plan for dealing with Penny. He does what any roommate would do, he starts using chocolates as positive reinforcement for what he considers correct behavior. Every time she agrees to be quite or moves out of his seat, he throws her a chocolate. When Leonard catches wind of Sheldon’s plan he puts a stop to it, refusing to let his girlfriend be trained like a dog. By far one of the funniest moments in the show came when Sheldon then sprays Leonard with a water bottle for being uncooperative yelling, “Bad Leonard!”

Meanwhile, outside of Sheldon and Leonard’s apartment, Wolowitz and Koothrappali have devised yet another way to meet girls. This time the women of choice are “goth chicks” and Wolowitz and Koothrappali have dressed accordingly, hence the name of this episode, “The Gothowitz Deviation.” The showpiece of their new all black outfits are tattoo sleeves. For those who don’t know, tattoo sleeves are thin, flesh colored pieces of material with a tattoo print on them. Worn by posers and douche bags alike, they go over your arms and it looks like you are tattooed. Though this bait works, and Wolowitz and Koothrappali score two genuine goths, their excitement is short lived when the two ladies take them to a real tattoo shop. Wolowitz tries to get a tat on his ass but after the first prick, succumbs to the pain, and their ruse is exposed. The girls ditch them for being phonies and both guys are left fabricating an alternate ending to their night to tell other people.

Both storylines were equally funny and had me in hysterics all night. Although, the element that made this episode, and has been consistently making the show worth watching, is the dialogue. I can’t find smarter or funnier dialogue in any other show. What other show employs behavioral psychology as a comedic plot device? What other show has an astrophysicist wearing tattoo sleeves, talking about John Grisham novels with goth girls? There is an originality to the show that isn’t often found in other sitcoms today and I for one am loving every second of it.

Rating: 9.2