The Big Bang Theory – Sheldon makes a new friend … or not

(Season 2, Episode 13 – “The Friendship Algorithm”)

This is getting a bit odd. Sure, I know the whole show can be a bit odd at times — that’s why I like it so much! But I’m talking character odd. First we had Leonard’s doctor-woman-sex friend for a few episodes, then she vanished. Now, a new character I’m sure I never saw before the last episode has now been a major player once again. I’m not all that thrilled with him, although I thoroughly enjoyed the episode. Read on to see my fuss about Kripke.

My Kripke complaint? I don’t like the “accent,” as Raj put it so nicely. I understand that it gives them room for some funny lines about it. But it’s kind of like mocking someone for having a speech impediment. Plus, it’s way over the top. No one (or a rare few) speaks like Tweety Bird past the age of three or so. I honestly would have liked to see them do this character without the speech impediment issues. It kind of cheapens the show for a quick laugh or something. What do you think?

Tonight’s premise

“Accent” aside, the show was a hoot! Leave it to Sheldon to try a scientific method to analyze how to make new friends. Of course, Sheldon is Sheldon. He’s a sole man, a man who really doesn’t understand friendship at all. You know … kind of like Mr. Spock without that pesky green blood or pointy ears. He doesn’t really want to be friends with Barry Kripke; he just wants to use his computer at work.

A 221 question questionnaire, given to his only four friends in the world (Leonard, Penny, Raj and Howard), should be printed out on the show’s website. I’d love to see the questions people could come up with, and the show just touched on a few. It would be fun to write up the questions which would come to Sheldon’s mind, wouldn’t it? Let’s see, they mentioned the “favorite amino acid.” Hmmm … here’s one based simply on a previous episode — “Who is Sheldon’s favorite Catwoman?” I’m out on the essay question, though. I couldn’t be Howard’s big-balled raccoon.

The bookstore scene was so Sheldon. We all know that any little girl would be entirely safe with him. But the world (outside of us) wouldn’t know that he’s rather asexual. I thought the children’s book he chose and then created his friendship algorithm was perfect.

Sigh … then it was back to Kripke. He’s just a rather disgusting and annoying dude along with that overly faked speech impediment. The rock-climbing scenes were as I expected, but Sheldon did better before fainting than I thought he would.

Cute bits

• Sheldon dropping Raj as a friend when Penny expected the boot.
• I have to snicker every time Sheldon knocks on Penny’s door. KNOCK – KNOCK – KNOCK – PENNY! – PENNY!
• The “no whistling” restriction on Sheldon’s original ad for a roommate.
• The whistling they all did while he was having his big adventure with Kripke.
• The fact that Sheldon had already read Gerry Gerbil and the Bullies on the Bus — and it didn’t work.
• The thought that five friends is too unwieldy and one must go.

Overall, a fine episode indeed. However, since it’s too late to retract Kripke’s “accent,” he may leave now.

Clacked by Jackie Schnoop
on Jan 19, 2009 @ 22:59 EST5EDT