Summary
AlthoughThe Big Bang Theory’s couples all had their issues, one underrated episode of the hit show proved which of them had the strongest relationship. ByThe Big Bang Theory’s finale, almost all the show’s main characters were in happy, long-term romantic relationships. Raj was infamously left single in an ending that didn’t address his desire for a fulfilling love life, but Howard and Bernadette, Leonard and Penny, and Amy and Sheldon all lived happily ever after. Years later,Young Sheldon’s series finaleupdated viewers on the latter couple’s future with a flash forward that centered on them.
WhileThe Big Bang Theory’s next spinoffmight offer similar insights into the lives of Howard and Bernadette or Leonard and Penny, it is important to note that all of the hit sitcom’s three lead couples were very different. Even though Howard and Bernadette met after Leonard and Penny, they settled down much faster than the show’s main characters. While Amy and Sheldon seemingly had more in common with each other than Howard did with Bernadette or Leonard did with Penny, they also had one of the show’s most tumultuous and dramatic relationships. One underrated episode underlined this reality.
Young Sheldon’s Secret Funeral Cameo Pokes Fun At A Long-Running Spinoff Plot Hole
Young Sheldon’s finale hid a secret cast member cameo, and this made light of a plot hole that plagued The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff for years.
Sheldon And Amy’s Compatibility Worked Against Them
In season 8, episode 3, “The First Pitch Insufficiency,”Sheldon argue that he and Amy are a better couple than Leonard and Pennysince they are incredibly compatible. Leonard and Penny admit they aren’t, but point out that this makes them work harder to bridge the gap between their interests. By the end of the episode, it is clear that Penny and Leonard’s differences contribute to their relationship instead of tarnishing it. The pair is rarely in direct competition with each other since they have different goals and ambitions, and their plans don’t focus primarily on one partner.
Although Amy was seemingly as stubborn as Sheldon,The Big Bang Theorymade it clear that Sheldon set the terms of their relationship.
The same can’t be said for Sheldon and Amy, whose relationship was uneven and imbalanced from early on.Sheldon’s feuds inThe Big Bang Theoryprove that he has a large ego and holds a grudge, so it is no surprise that Amy often ends up working around him. Although Amy seemingly had as stubborn and singular a worldview as Sheldon, as the show progressed,The Big Bang Theorymade it clear that Sheldon set the terms of their relationship. This became a real problem for Amy later on, resulting in problems that Leonard and Penny never had.
The Big Bang Theory’s later seasons made it increasingly clear that Sheldon had little interest in compromising to prioritize Amy.
Sheldon And Amy’s Problems Stemmed From Their Compatibility
Since the pair were so compatible,The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon often took Amy for granted. Amy slotted into Sheldon’s highly regimented life with ease, allowing him to gain a love interest without sacrificing the fastidiousness and peculiar quirks that defined his character. This was very convenient forThe Big Bang Theory’s viewers, since it meant that Sheldon didn’t have to grow or change and the sitcom remained as zany as ever. However, it gradually took a toll on Amy.The Big Bang Theory’s later seasons made it increasingly clear that Sheldon had little interest in compromising to prioritize Amy.
AlthoughThe Big Bang Theory’s spinoffmight change this, Amy and Sheldon’s relationship was mostly centered on him ignoring her demands until they became ultimatums. On occasion, Sheldon was shocked into action by the threat of Amy leaving him. However, even as recently asYoung Sheldon’s last episode, he regularly ignored his love interest’s bids for connection and prioritized his work instead. This is epitomized by Sheldon continuing to fine tune his memoir instead of attending his son’s hockey game inYoung Sheldon’s finale. He eventually relents and attends the game but, notably, not because Amy wants that.
Leonard And Penny’s Flawed Relationship Forced Them To Grow
In contrast with Amy and Sheldon, Leonard and Penny always had a stronger relationship throughoutThe Big Bang Theory. There is no denying that the pair’s romance also had serious faults, butPenny and Leonard’s lack of shared interests made their chemistry clearer. On the face of things, the pair had little in common. As such, the two knew that they were in love and not just staying together for the sake of convenience. Amy was never sure of this, and she harbored a fear that Sheldon was only dating her to streamline his life and make it more efficient.
Leonard and Penny overcame a lot of struggles by accepting how little they had in common.
Admittedly,The Big Bang Theory’s most uncomfortable storyproves that Penny’s perspective wasn’t centered as often as Leonard’s point of view. However, the fact that Penny and Leonard had to overcome such wildly different interests resulted in the pair growing closer. Penny often prioritized Lenny’s nerdy interests, much like Leonard went out of his way to support Penny’s acting, even though neither character particularly cared about these subjects on their own. Over the years, Leonard and Penny overcame a lot of struggles by accepting how little they had in common and how this reaffirmed their interest in each other.
Sheldon’s obstinacy meant that he was slow to grow and change.
Sheldon And Amy’s Relationship Highlighted An Awkward Big Bang Theory Truth
Sheldon’s Funniest Traits Also Made Him Slow To Grow
WhileThe Big Bang Theory’s Leonardwas far from perfect, Sheldon’s relationship with Amy still highlighted an issue that the show’s lead couple didn’t face. Like Barney fromHow I Met Your Motheror Ross fromFriends, the same characteristics that made Sheldon funny made his romantic relationships frustratingly hard to watch. Sheldon’s obstinacy meant that he was slow to grow and change, and his arrogance meant that he rarely admitted when he was in the wrong. This resulted in his fights with Amy often dragging out over numerous episodes or becoming deep-seated resentments when Sheldon refused to apologize.
This is a big part of whySheldon and Amy’s temporary breakup was one ofThe Big Bang Theory’s most divisive storylines. Theoretically, the plot should have been a chance for Sheldon to prove that he had matured as a friend and a romantic partner. However, this would have made Sheldon much less funny since the inherent ludicrousness of his character would need to be toned down to make him more understanding. As such, Amy and Sheldon’s breakup stretched out and ended up becoming an annoying quagmire that provedThe Big Bang Theorystruggled with his character growth.
