(S03E07) While the actual plot points were different, didn't this episode seem a lot like last week's? You have Leonard trying to adapt to Penny's outside friends, Raj and Wolowitz marginalized and forced into a weird couples' spat, and Sheldon pretty much carrying the comedy load with his recollections of growing up in Texas.

I'm glad that they're showing Leonard and Penny in an actual relationship and not just finding contrived reasons for them to break up, but as far as relationship storylines go, this was a pretty boring one. I'm kind of on Leonard's side with this one, and believe me, I know how little fights can devolve into something ridiculous, but this whole fight thing was just really shrill and not entertaining.

The comic book store scenes were generally the best, with Stuart showing up to pine after Penny. The last scene in the store was especially fun, since we get to see Penny basically acting as Sheldon's surrogate mother, which is a dynamic between them that I always enjoy.

Other than the comic book store scenes, my favorite one has to be when Sheldon went to Penny's restaurant for lunch. It's not as though it was particularly hilarious, but it was funny to see Sheldon somewhat attempting to be devious. When he told Penny he was there to get her to apologize to Leonard and she blew him off, only to have him loudly call her back under the guise of buying lunch, it was like looking at a whole new Sheldon. One who understands the application of subterfuge!

While I do think that Big Bang Theory boasts a talented cast, the last two episodes have really belonged to Jim Parsons. The first fight that he acted out between his parents completely cracked me up, mainly because Sheldon's father is apparently Jimmy Stewart.

Some of my favorite lines from this week:

"Leonard, when that woman moved in three years ago, I told you not to talk to her-- and now look. We're going to be late to the movies." - Sheldon

"But if she dumps you, she'll have a new boyfriend by tomorrow morning, and you'll have a new girlfriend when you figure out how to build one." - Wolowitz

"'Sorry' doesn't make up for the fact that I had to make chicken and rice with this vegan guy! Do you know what vegan chicken and rice is? Rice!" - Raj

"I should have asked for much more than a comic book and a robot." - Sheldon

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