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The Big Bang Theory: Season 6 Premiere

By Andrew Stires · September 29, 2012

By the end of The Big Bang Theory season five, I was no longer laughing, apathetic towards the characters, and pretty much ready call it quits. Yet here I am, ready to give the show one last shot. Am I hopeful the writers may still be able to salvage a once funny show, or did I simply volunteer to write this review because, well, someone needs to write it? It's a little bit of both, and unfortunately the first episode of season six, entitled “The Date Night Variable,” proves not much progress has been made making this once geektacular show laugh-out-loud funny again; instead, we're still mired in the bleak swamplands of relationship hell. Last season ended with Howard (Simon Helberg) blasting into space to begin his stay at the International Space Station. Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) were squabbling about Leonard's ill-timed proposal. Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayim Bialik) were navigating the perils of dating Sheldon. Raj (Kunal Nayyar) was being Raj, still searching for someone to love. Season six begins right where we left off, punishing viewers with the same, tired story lines and little forward momentum.

Now that Howard is at the ISS, one would think there are a lot of opportunities to have some fun with his character, but no, we open with the very uninspired, unfunny, nerve-grating shouts of Howard's mom as Howard once again struggles to tell her he and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) aren't going to live with her now that he is married. Really? This is all you've got? Hey look everyone, even in space Howard's mom yells at him. Howard nails it when he says, “Well, space is ruined.” I couldn't agree more. Not only space, but the entire scene. And surprise, Bernadette is upset that Howard hasn't told his mom about their plans, so he'd better get to it or else he's not going to get laid once he sets foot on Earth again. It was painful to watch, but that was Howard's storyline this episode. Even though he is now a full-fledged astronaut, he still doesn't have the guts to cut the umbilical cord. So much for all that character development I thought I witnessed last season. Perhaps creative, hilarious story lines are to be found with the other characters?

Not a chance.

Amy and Sheldon embark on an evening out as outlined in the Relationship Agreement to celebrate the anniversary of their first date. Once again, Amy is excited at the possibilities a romantic evening with Sheldon entails, including conversation and casual physical contact. How original. Sheldon, of course, uses a loophole in the agreement to outsource these duties to Raj who joins them on their date. Unfortunately, Raj's presence isn't all that funny with more stale jokes. Amy gets drunk and comes on to Sheldon, who of course is as clueless as ever until Amy threatens to end the relationship. As she storms out, Sheldon confesses that he needs her because, wait for it, she's his ride home. We can see that joke coming from a mile away. Not funny. And just when I think Amy might really leave Sheldon, creating some genuine conflict, Sheldon busts out a line from the first Spider-Man movie and all is forgiven. Who knows if Peter Parker's words channeled through Sheldon are genuine, but the fact that he asks Amy to split the check shows their relationship is still progressing at glacial speeds. How will it all play out over the course of this season? Do I even care?

After playing third wheel on Sheldon and Amy's date, a role he's played in many episodes, Raj ends up with Penny and Leonard on their date night. Leonard and Penny are still hung up on Leonard proposing during sex. This has gone on for three episodes now, an eternity in sitcom time. Again, Leonard plays the whipped, submissive boyfriend, while Penny avoids relationship issues. The only interesting reveal is a semi-amusing exchange where Raj commands Penny to tell Leonard she loves him. Apparently, she's never said this to Leonard, so we can hope this adds something interesting for future episodes to examine. Then again, we may end up with the usual break up, make up, rinse repeat relationship story line. Again, the real question is whether we even hope and fear for these characters.

The episode ends with the overused “Raj might be gay” insinuations. Hell, why not? Everything else in this episode as been status quo. After sharing an awkward, Bosso nova nightcap with Stuart (Kevin Sussman) in the comic book store, Raj pretty much asks Stuart out on a date. It's sort of amusing, but considering both of them have dated women (Stuart even went out with Penny at one point), I'm not sure if the writers are just having some fun or are actually considering bringing Raj out of the closet. Is this even a big deal? Would it add anything to the show? In this day and age, isn't it kind of sad that the possibility of a character being gay would even matter? I for one couldn't care less whether or not Raj is gay; I just want the show to be funny and entertaining again, not a chore to watch.

Overall, I was completely disheartened by the season six premiere. Honestly, if I hadn't signed on to review this season, I would stop watching. Sheldon nicely encapsulates my current feelings about The Big Bang Theory during the lunchroom scene when he says, “As I've stated before on numerous occasions, the only sea creature I would even consider being eaten by is the kraken because the last words I would hear are 'Release the kraken.' That never gets old.” Actually Sheldon, people bellowing that line got old real fast. But in a show filled with old, why not include a joke that was never that funny in the first place?