The Big Bang Theory is a CBS sitcom about a group of geeky adults that has run for 12 staggeringly long years. In that time period, it has attracted critical ire, many Emmys, and earned its stars million-dollar salaries. But now this show is dying and I, a pop culture critic with a heart made of onyx who has never even seen a single episode, have decided to watch the program weekly to pay my respects—and also roast it to death one last time.
Season 12, Episode 6: The Imitation Perturbation
Summary: It’s the Halloween episode, baybaaay. Since these adult men dress up in costumes at the office, Leonard is Inspector Gadget, Raj has the audacity to go as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and I sincerely couldn’t tell if Sheldon was the Doc from Back to the Future or the scientist from Rick and Morty? I guess my references are dusty. Howard, however, chooses to dress up as Sheldon, but his funny impression of him makes Sheldon angry (to be honest, it’s not even that good of an impression.)
Sheldon asks Amy if he really is that annoying (“Do I always correct people?”) and what I thought was going to be a moment of apologetic reflection for him ends up turning into Amy asking Bernadette if Howard can apologize to Sheldon, like these two women are moms dealing with dueling toddlers. Bernadette tells Amy that if Sheldon has a problem, he should speak to Howard directly (yes, seriously!)
Meanwhile, Penny throws a Halloween party with Leonard, which has a delicious looking spread. I mean, damn just look at these snacks.
Anyway, Leonard reminds Penny that years ago they shared their first kiss on Halloween. Penny is like “Oh, I remember that party as the one where I threw up in a pumpkin,” and Leonard is upset that he and Penny have different memories of this party. Clearly, Penny has been to a lot of parties, how can she remember all the details? THEN, Amy and Sheldon show up at the Halloween party dressed as Bernadette and Howard to… I don’t know, get back at them for Howard dressing like Sheldon?
Basically, everyone makes up in the end, but my god are the characters on this show so unbelievably sensitive.
Worst joke: At the party a fellow employee, Bert, is excited that Raj and Anu are getting an arranged marriage, and frankly I am, too, because I like them together (she dressed up as the Constitution.) Bert says, “Is that just an Indian thing or can I get a piece of that?” To which Anu replies, “You do know the woman has a choice, right?” “There’s always a catch,” Bert replies, resigned. Ew?!
Nerdiest moment: Sheldon points out that a danish Amy is eating isn’t really Danish at all, but imported from Austria.
What I learned this week: That everyone on this show is a big baby. Also, that Penny knows there is a double standard against women’s Halloween costumes always being “sexy,” but then still chooses to dress up as what appeared to be a sexy barmaid.
Did I laugh?: No, but I did genuinely gasp and say “OH NO” out loud in my empty apartment when Amy and Sheldon walked into the party dressed as Bernadette and Howard.
How dead is this show?: I’ve just dug a fresh grave plot for this show, just waiting to be filled!