The Big Bang Theory isn’t a show that’s had to do many somber tributes throughout its run. However, on the rare occasion the show decides to pull one out, it can be astoundingly successful. This was certainly the case with “The Spock Resonance,” in which Wil Wheaton and Adam Nimoy guest starred and paid tribute to the recently passed Leonard Nimoy. Big Bang often proves that it can mix the serious and emotional stories with humor, and “The Spock Resonance” does so flawlessly.
This week on The Big Bang Theory: Wil Wheaton is assisting Leonard Nimoy’s son, Adam (as himself, like Wheaton) in the creation of a documentary about Spock to honor Leonard Nimoy. Wil asks Sheldon to be interviewed, and during the interview, Sheldon discovers some things about himself. Howard resists Bernadette as she wants to remodel the house, but finds out from her dad that she’s been resisting him, too.
Perhaps my favorite thing about this entire season is how much depth the Big Bang Theory writers been able to give Sheldon. Sheldon has oft been painted as one dimensional. I mean, he clearly has had issues of some kind, but the more emotional episodes of the show used to push him to the back seat while Leonard, Penny, Howard, Bernadette, and Raj dealt with all of their emotions and problems. It’s clearly Sheldon’s turn, and the creators are rising to the occasion with this story. Never have I felt so much depth to Sheldon. I could not think of a more perfect illustration than Spock, either. Sheldon has always been the least emotional character on the series, but nobody has ever really talked about why. When he explained that he tried to be like Spock, someone he admired, it was inspiring and added so much clarity to the world and the character being created.
I love Howard and Bernadette (and Raj, while we’re at it), but probably the only bit of the episode that didn’t work for me was their bit about Bernadette not wanting kids. It seemed to me like the Big Bang Theory writers were trying to add some extra emotional “oomph” to this episode, and frankly, they didn’t need to. I’d like to spend more time on the insecurities and trials of Howard and Bernadette, but I felt like maybe it deserved its own story in a different episode.
As always, here are some of my favorite quotes/moments from the episode:
- “Don’t take your shirt off just because the director said so.”- Penny’s film advice to Sheldon
- “This is a documentary about Mr. Spock. I’m sure if there’s nudity it will be very tasteful.”- Sheldon
- “Not really…Visigoths are kinda crawling up my butt right now.” “Howard.” “Ooh. Howard. Make room, Visigoths!”- Howard and Bernadette
- “I told you this guy is gold.”- Wil Wheaton RE: Sheldon. Oh how right he was.
- “This better not be a scheme to get me out of my shirt.”- At least Sheldon’s heeding Penny’s advice.
- Raspberry gag? Gold.
- “The first episode of Star Trek: The Original Series that I ever saw was the Galileo 7. Spock had just landed on the planet Taurus Then my brother came in, sat on my head and said ‘eat farts!’ After that day, I was hooked. On Star Trek, not my brother’s sphincter based cuisine.”- The best thing that Sheldon Cooper has ever said.
All in all, this was a really funny episode. It had heart and humor, and I couldn’t possibly know what more you could ask from an episode like this.
What did you guys think? Did you enjoy the episode? Let us know!
[Photo credit: Michael Yarish/Warner Bros. Entertainment]
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