Everyone wanted a non-Sheldon-focused episode, and that's what you got. And it wasn't as funny. You get what you ask for! :)

While Sheldon overkill is always possible, I think the more palatable thing would be to keep the amount of Sheldon in it, but figure out a way to have more of the characters involved in the scene, rather than a Sheldon-vs.-Leonard or Sheldon-vs-Penny scene.

You can still have the nuances of Sheldon's funny lines in the context of an ENTIRE scene....you keep the comedy but you distract the view from looking at it as completely Sheldon-centric......

i think i was more excited that this episode wasnt all about sheldon. Hopefully this is the beginning of refocusing the show.

My fave scene was Leonard returning to the laundry room after sex, and Penny glances down at her watch--very apparent she took a mental note. haha

I think Kona Gallagher - and some of the commenters - is(are) making a basic mistake as regards the chemistry of Rue and Galecki. It's SUPPOSED to be awkward and stilted and not real. I think we're supposed to be rooting for them to break up because the real couple is, and forever shall be, Sheldon and Leonard.

Plus, the truth is, Stephanie is attracted to Sheldon - as are ALL the women Leonard dates - only he veneer of neurotic nonsense prevents women from getting close, so they settle for the nerd they can get - Leonard. what Stephanie really wants is a nerd she can manipulate but one that is also a challenge, which clearly Leonard is NOT.

SO...the mistake I think some are making is reacting to the show like people that WRITE about TV...you are analyzing how the sausage is made, not the taste of the sausage itself. The reaction you are feeling is wanting to see Stephanie and Leonard break up, and as people writing about TV you interpret that as a technical issue between actors.

I think maybe the actors are just doing a good job and some people are misinterpreting the feeling their having.

Hey, it's just a theory. :)

I think that was LaRue's last episode. She was only slated for 3. At least that's what she said in an interview I just read. Maybe she should go back to 'Two & Half Men' and hook up with Alan again??? I loved the itchy pants Leonard was wearing and commented they were made of wool and fire ants!!

Guess what, where I live this episode didn't air last night. Instead, there was a 30 minute PSA about the DTV switch. Wtf? No one who watches this show would benefit from that.

I love the continuing tease of Penny-Sheldon... its there, and its gonna happen at some point...

By the by, to the reviewer, Stephanie didn't confirm Sheldon's fears about his inflamed larynx, she exploited them by confirming his bogus claim, therefore causing him to shut up for the rest of the episode...

I'm gonna agree with the majority here. While I was excited for a more Leonard-centric storyline, I was somewhat disappointed with last night's episode. I like Sara Rue, and I think she does a good job playing Stephanie, I just don't find Stephanie to be a very likable character (except when she interacts with Sheldon). She seems kinda, well, easy, and we never really find out why she and Leonard like each other, aside from the physical reasons. Makes me wonder if all men (or all people?) are really that into physical relationships (as opposed to, you know, relationships based on things other than hormones).

To me, this episode felt very stereotypical sitcom-y, and therefore not very believable.

Also, it kind of bugged me that we never got a real resolution at the end of the episode. Why was Stephanie okay with Leonard's text? Are we going to hear more about this next week?

penny will eventually be under the covers with leonard in an upcoming episode. there seems to be some unresolved tension between penny and leonard. while i like the leonard has a girl thread and like the girl - it isn't leonard enjoying it (except for the sex!). he still likes penny and vice versa. let's watch and see.

Well, I'm in the minority in that I really enjoyed and laughed at last night's episode and was happy to see an episode that centered on Leonard again for once. This show is really teetering close to turning the Sheldon character into another Fonzie/Urkel and we all know how those instances turned out. So it was a nice breath of fresh air to see some other people getting some screen time without Sheldon always front and center.

Yeah, I felt this was one of the weaker episodes of the year. The running gag that when they were going to fight or have "the talk" they would end up having sex was good the first time, a couple of episodes ago, now, ehh, it has run the course. We're beating a dead horse, we get it. The funny stuff is when the guys interact and struggle with their geekism. And where is Sara Gilbert? Her character certainly would have an opinon on Leonard's new squeeze.

Need more Howard and Raj!