The Big Bang Theory – Killer robots; Penny packs a punch for Wolowitz

(Season 2, Episode 12 – “The Killer Robot Instability”)

I’m usually not pleased as punch when this show has an episode which is non-Sheldon-centric. That’s for two reasons. The first one being that I adore Jim Parsons and the Sheldon character. The second reason is that the stories which don’t prominently feature Sheldon usually run along the lines of Leonard having a relationship with his little doctor woman (who seems so not a doctor), or something of that ilk. Although Sheldon was just a bit more than a supporting character tonight, I almost hit that pleased-as-punch level. That can’t be confused with Wolowitz, who did get punched, mind you. Read on.

Totally not surprising to me at all, the boys are into making a monster robot for a robotic fighting league tournament. They named him M.O.N.T.E. and let him destroy a toaster oven. What I found surprising is that a character named Kripke (or something to that effect) who speaks like Tweety Bird just appeared on the scene like I should know him. Am I going senile? Have we been introduced to Mr. I Towt I Taw a Puddytat before? All of a sudden, he’s the boys’ arch-nemesis in the battle of the killer robots. How could I not remember this dude if he’s been on the show before?

Anyway … as much as the killer robot was a storyline, so was Wolowitz hitting on Penny. But this time she really called him on it. More to the point, she called him “pathetic and creepy” and told him he would die alone. Cue “Feelings” as we discover that Howard is just a vulnerable little boy who’s been hurt by all of the women and girls in his life. His cool veneer is out of defiance, fighting the inevitable letdown which will come his way at each turn.

Ah, but that doesn’t stop him from trying for a huge sloppy open-mouth kiss once Penny’s defenses are down as she tries to apologize to him. Sucker-punch! That was the best moment of the show — the laugh out loud bit for the night. Now I’d like to see Penny apologize to Sheldon for mocking his robot. Nah, that’s not a sexual innuendo. She mocked his robot and called it a toy. Tsk, tsk. He has feelings, too.

Best lines and bits:

• Howard thinking calling a girl “doable” is a compliment.
• Penny sucker-punching Howard.
• Sheldon trying to play tough guy with Kripke and ending his taunting with, “Your mother is overweight.” Then apologizing in case it’s a glandular condition.
• Penny telling Howard, “I’ve been told you have feelings and I’ve apparently hurt them.”
• M.O.N.T.E. running from Kripke’s robot.
• Sheldon: “Engineering is the slower younger brother of physics.” (I’d hate to think what he thinks of an English degree. Not worthy! Not worthy!)

All in all, a solid episode and no strange women who don’t come across as doctors having sex with Leonard. That’s a good thing.

Clacked by Jackie Schnoop
on Jan 12, 2009 @ 21:56 EST5EDT