Although The Big Bang Theory’s couples all had their issues, one underrated episode of the hit show proved which of them had the strongest relationship. By The Big Bang Theory’s finale, almost all the show’s main characters were in happy, long-term romantic relationships. Raj was infamously left single in an ending that didn’t address his desire for a fulfilling love life, but Howard and Bernadette, Leonard and Penny, and Amy and Sheldon all lived happily ever after. Years later, Young Sheldon’s series finale updated viewers on the latter couple’s future with a flash forward that centered on them.
While The Big Bang Theory’s next spinoff might offer similar insights into the lives of Howard and Bernadette or Leonard and Penny, it is important to note that all of the hit sitcom’s three lead couples were very different. Even though Howard and Bernadette met after Leonard and Penny, they settled down much faster than the show’s main characters. While Amy and Sheldon seemingly had more in common with each other than Howard did with Bernadette or Leonard did with Penny, they also had one of the show’s most tumultuous and dramatic relationships. One underrated episode underlined this reality.
Leonard And Penny Had A Healthier Relationship Than Sheldon And Amy
Sheldon And Amy’s Compatibility Worked Against Them
In season 8, episode 3, “The First Pitch Insufficiency,” Sheldon argue that he and Amy are a better couple than Leonard and Penny since they are incredibly compatible. Leonard and Penny admit they aren’t, but point out that this makes them work harder to bridge the gap between their interests. By the end of the episode, it is clear that Penny and Leonard’s differences contribute to their relationship instead of tarnishing it. The pair is rarely in direct competition with each other since they have different goals and ambitions, and their plans don’t focus primarily on one partner.
Although Amy was seemingly as stubborn as Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory made it clear that Sheldon set the terms of their relationship.
The same can’t be said for Sheldon and Amy, whose relationship was uneven and imbalanced from early on. Sheldon’s feuds in The Big Bang Theory prove that he has a large ego and holds a grudge, so it is no surprise that Amy often ends up working around him. Although Amy seemingly had as stubborn and singular a worldview as Sheldon, as the show progressed, The Big Bang Theory made it clear that Sheldon set the terms of their relationship. This became a real problem for Amy later on, resulting in problems that Leonard and Penny never had.
The Big Bang Theory ’s later seasons made it increasingly clear that Sheldon had little interest in compromising to prioritize Amy.
Sheldon And Amy’s Problems Stemmed From Their Compatibility
The Big Bang Theory’s Lead Took His Love Interest For Granted
Since the pair were so compatible, The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon often took Amy for granted. Amy slotted into Sheldon’s highly regimented life with ease, allowing him to gain a love interest without sacrificing the fastidiousness and peculiar quirks that defined his character. This was very convenient for The Big Bang Theory’s viewers, since it meant that Sheldon didn’t have to grow or change and the sitcom remained as zany as ever. However, it gradually took a toll on Amy. The Big Bang Theory’s later seasons made it increasingly clear that Sheldon had little interest in compromising to prioritize Amy.
Although The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff might change this, Amy and Sheldon’s relationship was mostly centered on him ignoring her demands until they became ultimatums. On occasion, Sheldon was shocked into action by the threat of Amy leaving him. However, even as recently as Young Sheldon’s last episode, he regularly ignored his love interest’s bids for connection and prioritized his work instead. This is epitomized by Sheldon continuing to fine tune his memoir instead of attending his son’s hockey game in Young Sheldon’s finale. He eventually relents and attends the game but, notably, not because Amy wants that.
Leonard And Penny’s Flawed Relationship Forced Them To Grow
The Big Bang Theory’s Main Couple Had Little In Common
In contrast with Amy and Sheldon, Leonard and Penny always had a stronger relationship throughout The Big Bang Theory. There is no denying that the pair’s romance also had serious faults, but Penny and Leonard’s lack of shared interests made their chemistry clearer. On the face of things, the pair had little in common. As such, the two knew that they were in love and not just staying together for the sake of convenience. Amy was never sure of this, and she harbored a fear that Sheldon was only dating her to streamline his life and make it more efficient.
Leonard and Penny overcame a lot of struggles by accepting how little they had in common.
Admittedly, The Big Bang Theory’s most uncomfortable story proves that Penny’s perspective wasn’t centered as often as Leonard’s point of view. However, the fact that Penny and Leonard had to overcome such wildly different interests resulted in the pair growing closer. Penny often prioritized Lenny’s nerdy interests, much like Leonard went out of his way to support Penny’s acting, even though neither character particularly cared about these subjects on their own. Over the years, Leonard and Penny overcame a lot of struggles by accepting how little they had in common and how this reaffirmed their interest in each other.
Sheldon’s obstinacy meant that he was slow to grow and change.
Sheldon And Amy’s Relationship Highlighted An Awkward Big Bang Theory Truth
Sheldon’s Funniest Traits Also Made Him Slow To Grow
While The Big Bang Theory’s Leonard was far from perfect, Sheldon’s relationship with Amy still highlighted an issue that the show’s lead couple didn’t face. Like Barney from How I Met Your Mother or Ross from Friends, the same characteristics that made Sheldon funny made his romantic relationships frustratingly hard to watch. Sheldon’s obstinacy meant that he was slow to grow and change, and his arrogance meant that he rarely admitted when he was in the wrong. This resulted in his fights with Amy often dragging out over numerous episodes or becoming deep-seated resentments when Sheldon refused to apologize.
This is a big part of why Sheldon and Amy’s temporary breakup was one of The Big Bang Theory’s most divisive storylines. Theoretically, the plot should have been a chance for Sheldon to prove that he had matured as a friend and a romantic partner. However, this would have made Sheldon much less funny since the inherent ludicrousness of his character would need to be toned down to make him more understanding. As such, Amy and Sheldon’s breakup stretched out and ended up becoming an annoying quagmire that proved The Big Bang Theory struggled with his character growth.
