While The Big Bang Theory rarely downplayed Sheldon’s character flaws, one episode of the series highlighted an awkward reality about his romantic relationship with Amy. By the time The Big Bang Theory’s series finale aired, it was clear that the show’s breakout character had become its new protagonist. Although the show originally focused on the romance between Johnny Galecki’s nebbish Leonard and Kaley Cuoco’s glamorous Penny, Jim Parsons’ Sheldon won over viewers and became The Big Bang Theory’s lead in later seasons. This resulted in a lot of funny adventures, but a strange character arc for the antihero.
Sheldon had to become more personable, so viewers could root for him, but his character flaws were a big part of what made him so funny. As such, The Big Bang Theory’s hero went against his personality a lot in the show’s later seasons, often undoing his own growth for the sake of a joke. One week, Sheldon would learn a modicum of social grace from Penny, only for him to be ruder than ever in the next episode. While this seemed like inconsistent writing, one of The Big Bang Theory’s romantic subplots might have another explanation for the issue.
“The Habitation Configuration” Proved Sheldon & Amy Were Both Unreasonable In The Big Bang Theory
Amy’s Dislike Of Wil Wheaton Was As Unfounded As Sheldon’s Judgements
Throughout the series, everyone in The Big Bang Theory acknowledged that Sheldon was ludicrously unreasonable and tough to deal with. According to everybody, from his closest friends to his colleagues to his own mother, Sheldon was obstinate and unashamedly self-important. All these allegations were undeniably true, but they overshadowed an issue with his closest relationship. Amy was as ridiculous as Sheldon sometimes, and the pair empowered each other to avoid character growth. Never was this more obvious than in season 6, episode 7, “The Habitation Configuration,” wherein Sheldon gets caught between Wil Wheaton and Amy in a feud.
The episode begins with Amy taking a baseless dislike to Wil Wheaton, the guest for Sheldon’s latest Fun with Flags episode. The comically clueless Sheldon defends Wheaton, unaware that he is expected to take Amy’s side regardless of how unreasonable this might be. Although Young Sheldon revealed Sheldon and Amy’s relationship lasted long after The Big Bang Theory’s finale, the resulting fight proves the pair weren’t necessarily good for each other. Penny insists that Sheldon should have stood up for Amy when Wheaton insulted her, but ignores the fact that Amy began the fight due to her dislike of the actor.
The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon & Amy Sometimes Made Each Other Worse
The Couple Were Too Similar And Reinforced Their Shared Flaws
Like much of Sheldon’s unreasonable conduct, Amy’s behavior is hand-waved in favor of an argument about how Sheldon should have reacted to the ensuing conflict. In the process, The Big Bang Theory episode points out how both characters inadvertently made each other more toxic by taking advantage of their reputations. While Howard and Bernadette’s Big Bang Theory relationship saw Howard transform from a caddish misogynist into a loving father and husband, Amy and Sheldon’s relationship dynamic sometimes brought out the worst in both characters. Since their ludicrousness was taken for granted, they got away with genuinely deleterious behavior.
This is no surprise in Sheldon’s case, as his defining characteristic was his arrogance. However, as a less extreme character, Amy was less likely to be called out when she caused problems for The Big Bang Theory’s central group of friends. It should not have come as a surprise when Sheldon and Amy occasionally flashed their nastier sides in later seasons, as the pair were encouraged to support each other even when they were being unreasonable. For Sheldon and Amy, that was most of the time. As a result, while they supported each other’s growth, they also hurt their progress.
Sheldon & Amy’s Similarities Highlighted A Strength Of Leonard and Penny’s Romance
Leonard and Penny’s Differences Forced Both Characters To Grow
Amy and Sheldon backed each other up even when they were in the wrong, and this inevitably resulted in both their characters learning the same lessons repeatedly. In one of The Big Bang Theory’s worst Penny plots, Sheldon didn’t know how to politely decline acting lessons from his close friend. Only a few seasons earlier, Sheldon had gotten the hang of knowing how to let people down easy, but his relationship with Amy proved his character growth wasn’t linear.
Leonard and Penny were so different that they had no choice but to change for each other.
Amy wasn’t immune to this either, and her meaner moments from later seasons could be attributed to Sheldon’s unwavering support. Neither character was perfect, much like Leonard and Penny. However, Leonard and Penny were so different that they had no choice but to change for each other. In the process, they became more open-minded and caring toward others as well. Unfortunately, The Big Bang Theory’s Amy and Sheldon didn’t gain as much from their relationship as Leonard and Penny.
