Episode 10 - The Vartabedian Conundrum
23 January 2012
Review
Synopsis: Leonard is unhappy when he realises that Stephanie has moved in with him. He asks for Penny’s advice and she tells him that he should be honest. But whenever he broaches the subject Stephanie initiates sex. Meanwhile Sheldon is indulging his hypochondria.
The Good: It’s difficult to tell if the writers understand exactly what they are doing with Leonard or if they are looking for the laughs first and foremost and worrying about his character later. But hooray for them refocusing the plot on him and not Sheldon for now.
Leonard’s behaviour is pretty consistent with what we know about him. We have seen him give in to Sheldon a thousand times (including here over their roommate contract) and we have seen him in desperate fear over what Penny might think of him (throughout season one anyway). So for him to not realise Stephanie had moved in and then be afraid of confronting her makes sense. His confession to Penny is a nice moment of honesty “I’m afraid that if I ask her to move out she’ll dump me.” Penny’s response that if it’s meant to be then it will be ok is of course saccharine to the scientist Leonard and his sarcastic “very comforting” is right on the money. And of course like any guy, but particularly a geeky one afraid of losing the sex he keeps avoiding the problem when Stephanie wants to fool around.
Stephanie too is well characterised to a certain extent. She shows a bit of spunk (by silencing Sheldon) which should endear her to some of the audience. Her insecure reaction to Penny wandering in is well played and she emotes in a very acceptable sitcom style. As she does later when her insecurity about Leonard dumping her comes out.
On the surface this is a well told story between too insecure people starting out in their relationship. Leonard going to Penny is ideal for their long term relationship where she is the one encouraging him to be himself and he sees her as his confidant and clearly one day, something more. However it’s not quite as well told as all that (see The Bad).
Sheldon’s hypochondria and general Sheldon-ness is typically amusing at moments. The final scene where he uses his lap top to speak to Penny is a nice riff on their usual interaction. Leonard saying he only agreed to Sheldon’s girlfriend stipulations (in the housemate contract) because he never thought they would actually happen is a clever joke which springs naturally from their characters.
The Bad: It’s just not clear if Stephanie and Leonard are being portrayed as vulnerable insecure people or if they are being made fun of to provide cheap laughs. Is Stephanie’s desire for sex a cry for affirmation because of her fear that he will leave her? Or is it an easy idea to say she likes having sex so that we can laugh at Leonard for being a wuss?
What doesn’t help in this situation are too infuriating moments. When Penny gives Leonard sound advice he foolishly asks her to talk to Stephanie for him. She of course acts like that is insane and ends up in a position where she can only be thinking he is pathetic. It rather damages his credibility and the strength of their scene together. It seems designed to try and get a laugh out of her sighing and exclaiming “Wow!” as if he is as bad as Sheldon.
And even before that a bizarre bit of writing comes when Stephanie first meets Penny. Leonard blurts out “I never slept with her I swear” to which Sheldon adds “In Leonard’s defence it wasn’t for lack of trying.” It couldn’t be more clear from that who Penny is and why she has grown so close to her neighbours. And yet Leonard then goes on to lie about how all the people in the building wander in and out of each others apartments. There is no way Stephanie would believe that after just hearing the truth. It’s completely unbelievable and implies that the writers aren’t paying attention to their own creation and more concerned with jokes about Mrs Vartabedian.
Comic Highlight: It was a tricky choice as there were lots of decent jokes (though no obvious belly laughs). I am perhaps biased but I once again go for Wollowitz and his comic delivery.
W: “See the blonde over there, I can hit on her and you can’t.”
L: “So go hit on her.”
W: (Long pause) “She’s not my type.”
In Conclusion: Despite some irritating moments I think this is a good character episode. Hmm. I think I do. There are decent jokes throughout and Leonard’s dilemma is relatable and enjoyable to watch. For now I will give the writers the benefit of the doubt.
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