Should you watch it, wiki it, or wait for the recap? I’m torn. Watch it for Penny’s new hairstyle, but you can Wiki the rest.
Leonard and Amy rescue Sheldon from his self-imposed sabbatical, while Howard and Stuart clash over stewardship of Howard’s mother. Meanwhile, Penny gets a new job at a pharmaceutical company, thanks to Bernadette.
Well, “The Locomotion Interruption” was kind of lackluster for a season opening. The thing is that it was made up of many wonderful moments, but they didn’t quite gel together into a memorable whole. Still, it was interesting to see a different twist on familiar relationships and dynamics. And I like Penny’s new hairstyle. I really do.
Highlights:
Howard’s jealousy of Stuart
Howard’s relationship with his mother has been played for laughs throughout the series, and this seemed like it was going to be another one of those episodes poking fun at it. Instead, we get to see a new side of Howard – he actually values his mother and the position he holds in her eyes. This reversal of roles, where Howard wants his mother more than she wants him, brings fresh jokes and helps develops Howard’s character.
Penny’s new hairstyle
I’m shallow. I like her new short hair. It makes her look fresher and younger. Also, they’re putting in her new costumes – the hot yoga outfit, and that strangely alluring OL suit. Then again, Penny is the eye candy of the show. They’re really milking it for all it’s worth here.
More Sheldon-Amy misleads
There’s another huge “will he or won’t he” moment here, where once again they play on our hopes seeing Sheldon and Amy become a proper (in the American sense) couple, only to have the rug pulled out from under us as the dialogue is revealed to be taken out of context. It still retains its comic element, and the tension between Amy’s physical wants and Sheldon’s physical reluctance still remains as hilarious as ever.
Letdowns:
The train station teaser
I’m not entirely sure why a bottom half-naked Sheldon running around a train station is funny. Granted, it shows Sheldon not being in full control for once, but it’s not a funny enough gag to hold an entire teaser. It grows stale after the first passenger, really, and feels like an artificial way to deliver the exposition from the previous season. Boo. Starting with Howard’s mother would have strengthened the draw of the episode.
Raj’s miniscule role
Raj had virtually no involvement in the plot, besides acting as a sounding board for Howard’s rants. But this is the season premiere! It should be an ensemble episode. Don’t worry, Raj, this viewer here remembers you. Heck, even Stuart had a larger role. Even Bernadette, who didn’t have that much screen time, played a larger role.
The eighth season premiere of The Big Bang Theory didn’t quite so much riddle me with uproarious laughter as it did painting a gentle smile on my face. It wasn’t a dull, boring episode, but for an ep to start the season, I’d have expected a bigger bang (haha), more revelations, or a larger shake up to the status quo.
Oh wait, Penny has a new hairstyle and job. I guess that fulfills it (mechnically) then.
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