The Big Bang Theory Season 6 Review “The Decoupling Fluctuation” – Didn’t We See This Already?

I hate to say it, but with the exception of a couple of key moments “The Decoupling Fluctuation,” this week’s episode of The Big Bang Theory, totally depressed me. I’m not sure I’m up for another round of Penny breaking Leonard’s heart only to date other guys, find out they’re stupid, then get crazy jealous when Leonard starts dating someone else. There’s only so many times that will fly.

I guess it just seems like everyone else is growing up except Penny and Leonard. Amy’s evolving into a real girl, Bernadette is married and happy, Howard is floating around in space, Raj is making new friends and Sheldon is slowly, but steadily, growing a heart. The scene in which he asked Penny not to hurt his friend made me choke up. He’s come so far. They all have.

Except Penny and Leonard. I had high hopes for Penny, but it seems like whenever she takes a step forward, she’s forced to take two steps back. What was the point of getting her back together with Leonard if she’s just going to decide he’s too boring for her to marry? I used to root for them. Now I find myself far more invested in Sheldon and Amy. Penny acts like she’s trapped in a relationship with someone beneath her; there’s no affection, no sweetness between them anymore.

So, I repeat…what was the point of getting them back together? Just to break them up again? That’s not what makes good TV. Over the past five years, I’ve gotten seriously invested in these characters. It won’t be fun to watch Penny dump Leonard again because she isn’t ready to tell him she loves him. We’ve already seen that once. Now I want to see something different.

Actually, what I really want to see is Amy make a man out of Sheldon, but I accept that she has much harder task with that than Penny does with Leonard.

Oh yeah, in B-plot land, the other astronauts on the space station are hazing Howard. It’s funny and cute, but I’m ready for him to come back down to Earth.

I feel like to say any more would just be repeating myself, but I just want someone to slap Penny and tell her that if she doesn’t want to be with Leonard then she needs to stop leading him on, but if she’s just having one of her emotional freakouts, she needs to get some therapy. I realize this logic breaks all rules of sitcoms, but that’s just how I feel.

Sorry, I’m too annoyed by this episode to have noticed any really great lines. Hopefully next week will be better.

What did you think of the episode? Let me know below. And you can always follow me on Twitter @krieli1.