7 Big Bang Theory Episodes That Have Not Aged Well

Ever since its debut in 2007, “The Big Bang Theory” has been one of the most successful sitcoms on television and its popularity endures, boosted by streaming platforms and spinoffs like “Young Sheldon,” “Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage.” This long-running series continues to captivate audiences and contribute to our popular culture. However, as societal norms have shifted over time, some episodes of the original series have become dated, causing discomfort today. As we approach the 20th anniversary of “The Big Bang Theory,” there are certain episodes that no longer resonate positively due to their outdated content. In this article, we’ll be discussing 7 such problematic episodes from years ago.

“Pilot” (Season 1, Episode 1)

In this installment, Sheldon and Leonard meet an individual they label as a “transvestite,” however, the issue runs deeper than just this episode. Not only does it employ a term for transgender or non-binary individuals that is now deemed outdated and disrespectful, but it exploits the character’s identity for laughs – a tactic that was once thought humorous but is no longer acceptable in today’s more enlightened audience. This increased awareness emphasizes the significance of inclusive portrayals, as such jokes are considered inappropriate nowadays.

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“The Pork Chop Indeterminacy” (Season 1, Episode 5)

In this installment, Sheldon’s sister, Missy, drops by Howard, Leonard, and Raj, prompting them to vie for her attention awkwardly and inappropriately. Howard stands out, overstepping boundaries with advances that reduce Missy to a prize to be claimed. The series, however, portrays his unwanted advances as charming rather than the offensive behavior they truly are.

Furthermore, instead of being portrayed as a multidimensional character with rich emotions, Raj is often oversimplified to his shyness around women, which is clearly demonstrated in this episode. When Missy suggests that he was the one who had a chance with her, he failed to express his genuine feelings, and even humorously mocked people with social anxiety during this interaction.

“The Dumpling Paradox” (Season 1, Episode 7)

In the initial part of this episode, Raj, Leonard, and Howard endeavor to use voice commands on Howard’s smartphone to reach Leonard. Despite several unsuccessful attempts, they decide to switch tactics. Leonard tries to trick the device by instructing it to dial “M’kflono M’kflooniloo”, but surprisingly, the phone dials “Rajesh Koothrapalli” instead.

In this specific instance, the scene carries undertones of racism, particularly through the portrayal of Raj’s name and culture, mocking his accent and long name. The episode acknowledges that it was degrading, with Raj himself expressing, “It’s quite impressive and a touch racist.” However, they continued to revisit these stereotypes, not just in the series as a whole, but even within the same episode. Not long after, he is depicted alone in the kitchen once everyone has gone to bed, implying that he’s “harder to see” in the dark, which further perpetuates the joke.

“The Cooper-Nowitzki Theorem” (Season 2, Episode 6)

In this episode, Sheldon encounters Ramona Nowitzki, an overzealous graduate student, who seems to have an unhealthy obsession with him. The series highlights her clinginess, painting her as a driven woman employing flattery and emotional manipulation to advance herself. Her actions are portrayed in such a way that they border on the absurd, with the plotline presenting her as a relentless stalker. This depiction perpetuates an outdated stereotype suggesting that ambitious women who pursue their objectives persistently are off-putting and “crazy,” and it has become increasingly problematic over time.

“The Hofstadter Isotope” (Season 2, Episode 20)

In this episode, Howard’s attempts to flirt with women at a bar become crude when he opens with “Initially, we let lawyers and jocks weed out the crowd, then we target the feeble, elderly, and disabled.” He continues with another questionable line, “If you spot a woman with a guide dog, she’s mine.

This scene oversteps many lines of decency and disrespects both characters and viewers. The store scene where Stewart flirts with Penny isn’t great either – even though his motives might have been innocent, it begins with several men staring at her for too long. This scene perpetuates the stereotype that women in geeky environments are seen as exceptions rather than equals. Unfortunately, this episode’s handling of female characters is problematic and regrettably, not an exception to the series’ pattern.

“The Lunar Excitation” (Season 3, Episode 23)

In this episode, Raj and Howard set up a dating profile for Sheldon, introducing one of the show’s most memorable characters, Amy Farrah Fowler. Initially, humor is used, but it often pokes fun at Amy, with numerous jokes being made at her expense throughout the series. For instance, in Season 6, Raj confesses that he had feelings for both Bernadette and Penny, but not for Amy. This pattern suggests that the show’s creators have their own perspectives on Amy’s appearance and serious personality, which they find less “appealing” compared to the other two female leads. Consequently, Amy becomes the target of jokes, and in doing so, the other female characters are objectified as well.

“The Speckerman Recurrence” (Season 5, Episode 11)

In this particular episode, Leonard encounters his old high school tormentor, Jimmy Speckerman, who seems to be trying to mend fences. However, the show chooses a humorous approach instead of delving into the profound impact that bullying can have on someone. Leonard’s efforts to discuss the past mistreatment are ignored, with Jimmy showing little regret for his actions. Despite Leonard asserting himself physically towards Jimmy, the narrative shifts to teasing him about his masculinity and both he and Sheldon fleeing in supposed fear. This portrayal of a stereotype related to bullying victims is disrespectful and problematic, especially for those who have personally endured such experiences.

Every season of The Big Bang Theory is now streaming on Hulu.

2025-01-05 01:10