Growing pains: S9 of the Big Bang Theory

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“Excuse me, do you have any books about making friends?” asks Dr Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) in Season 2, episode 13 of hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory (2007-current; the first nine seasons can be streamed or downloaded on Showmax). Watch now »

Sheldon is just one of the brainy characters in the show about a bunch of nerds trying to find their place in the normal world. But he’s also the most annoying, irritating, funny, difficult, testy, cold, oblivious and out-right frustrating character thanks to his eccentric ways.

Name one other TV character who keeps their urine-measuring jug in the kitchen where all the pancake-making equipment is? Or someone who has developed a dozen different escape plans should Godzilla ever attack the Los Angeles suburb of Pasadena? You can’t! Because there’s only one Sheldon Cooper. Thankfully.

But you’re not alone if you’re thinking that Sheldon has a condition like Asperger’s – Jim did too. “I went to the writers and I asked and they said, ‘No’,” explains the 37-year-old actor (yes – 37!) of his character’s quirks – and boy, are there many, including not understanding “normal” people!

“For Sheldon, it’s different. He’s more obtuse than me. He’s not even thinking that far into, like, ‘I don’t want to hurt their feelings.’ In fact that’s one of the keys to him as a character. He says things all the time that could hurt someone’s feelings. He doesn’t check it through a filter and go, ‘Oh, they’ll be fine with this.’ He skips that barrier completely. He just says it.”

At least Sheldon’s got a helping hand in getting by in life – his equally brainy roommate Leonard (Johnny Galecki), their work pals Howard and Rajesh (Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar), as well as Sheldon’s girlfriend Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik).

Yes, we said girlfriend – because in Season 9, the great and mighty Dr Sheldon Cooper PhD is proving that he’s growing up and cable of more than just theoretical physics! Here’s proof.

1. The 2003 Approximation

   Sheldon’s two-bedroom apartment becomes lonely in episode 4 after Leonard marries their neighbour Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and moves out. That forces Shelly to do the one thing he never thought he’d be able to do: dissolve the Roommate Agreement and look for a new roomie.  Watch now »

2. The Perspiration Implementation

   Amy and Sheldon’s relationship takes a knock in episode 5 and they agree to see other people, but it makes Sheldon so sad, glum, depressed and miserable that you’d swear someone had told him that Star Trek was the worst TV show in the world. How does he deal with life without his love? Sheldon does the responsible thing and adopts cats. Not just one… a whole apartment full!  Watch now »

3. The Spock Resonance

   Heavens to Betsy! Sheldon’s a romantic! In episode 7 he confesses to his nemesis actor Wil Wheaton that he was going to propose to Amy with a ring that’s been in his family for ages. But then she ripped out his heart!  Watch now »

4. The Opening Night Excitation

   It’s a special day in episode 11 when the newest movie in the Star Wars franchise premieres… but unlike the other nerds, Sheldon knows that he’s got to give Amy some love and attention and prove that she’s more important than a galaxy far far away.  Watch now »

5. The Celebration Experimentation

   Getting older is a big deal for Sheldon in episode 17. But he’s still a child at heart, which keeps him feeling young. Amy invites his childhood hero to his birthday bash – Adam West aka TV’s Batman.  Watch now »

6. The Soldier Excursion Diversion

   Amy gets Sheldon to de-clutter in episode 19 and that’s difficult for the hoarder. He’s got a secret storage facility where he keeps his old toothbrushes, golf balls and everything else he’s ever had of value. Can Sheldon man up and throw away keepsakes for the woman he loves? Maybe…  Watch now »

7. The Big Bear Precipitation

   There is a couples’ trip away in episode 20 for Sheldon, Amy, Leonard and Penny, and if there’s one thing Sheldon detests, it’s camping. But that’s what he’s got to do. At least he’s coming prepared to deal with ticks, mosquitos, bugs and “the smell of nature”. Well done, Shelly – such a good boy!  Watch now »

8. The Convergence-convergence

   Sheldon’s in for a huge shock in episode 24 at Penny and Leonard’s second wedding (the official one, this time). His mom Mary (Laurie Metcalf) hooks up with Leonard’s dad Alfred (Judd Hirsch) and he’s got to accept that his mom has moved on and is slipping between the sheets with someone other than his late father.  Watch now »

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