If given the choice between having sex or seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens, most men know the appropriate response would be: Why not both? Well, for Dr. Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) on The Big Bang Theory, the choice is not so simple, but he surprises everyone in Thursday’s momentous episode (CBS, 8 p.m. ET/PT)
Sheldon picks sex, as a way to celebrate fellow virgin and recently estranged girlfriend Amy’s (Mayim Balik) birthday. His rationale is what better way to show her how much she means to him. Now Star Wars doesn’t get completely shut out, as Sheldon consults with one of his heroes, the late Arthur Jeffries (Bob Newhart), who is transformed into a wise looking Obi-Wan Kenobi. Sheldon tries to reason with his “force” ghost and states that “he is quite sure that Amy would understand if he went to the premiere.” Bob Newhart’s deadpan wit is perfect for Sheldon’s quirky energy.
This being The Big Bang Theory, a show about scientists who are way into pop-culture, it’s not evident whether the title of the episode, “ The Opening Night Excitation,” applies to Sheldon and Amy or to friends Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Howard (Simon Heldberg), Raj (Kunal Nayyar), and Wil Wheaton’s trip to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The most entertaining part of the episode was Sheldon’s clinical approach to sex, so matter-of-factly as he was running through a list of Birthday Ideas with Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) that included “Coitus with Amy.” Kudos to the writing team for keeping this episode right in line with exactly how Sheldon would handle having Sex for the first time with someone. But what surprised me was how sweet the episode was. And, truly, there will be an “awakening” Thursday night for Sheldon and Amy.
