The Big Bang Theory The Meemaw Materialization

To be honest, this is one of the episodes from this season of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ that I was truly looking forward too, as I love Sheldon’s dynamics with his family, and since we have never seen his beloved Meemaw before, I could not wait to see how he acts around her. Thankfully, their relationship did not disappoint.

bbt sheldon meemaw letterThe episode opens with Sheldon explaining how the inside of a mailbox is Federal jurisdiction, meaning that if Leonard broke his thumb inside the mailbox, the FBI would be involved (to which Leonard pointed out if he was going to jail it would be for killing Sheldon, not breaking his thumb). In the mail Sheldon receives a letter from his Meemaw, informing him that she is coming to town to visit, which of course makes Sheldon exceptionally happy. When he and Leonard pick her up from the airport, Sheldon can barely contain his excitement, which is soon shared by Leonard as he learns how cool Meemaw is, especially in terms of keeping Sheldon in line, and making him be nicer to his friends.

bbt meemaw and sheldon on couchSheldon and Leonard take Meemaw back to the apartment where she meets Penny, and eventually, Amy. Meemaw seems to have some issues with Amy, which she demonstrates by her confusion about how Penny and and Leonard know the Moon Pie nickname explanation and Amy does not. While she sends Sheldon to look for presents in her bag (he finds a toy train set back there, which proves you are never too old for gifts from your Meemaw), Meemaw explains to Amy that she is not there just for a visit, she is there to seize up Amy. She is unhappy that Amy broke Sheldon’s heart when they broke up, and she is not sure Amy is the right woman for her Moon Pie. Amy knows how much his Meemaw means to Sheldon (hell, Meemaw is even allowed to sit in his spot, his SPOT people), but she cannot help but defend herself to the older woman. Eventually she decides to leave, but not before Sheldon tries to stop her, and Meemaw forbids Sheldon from ever giving Amy her engagement ring. At this point Leonard and Penny flee to Penny’s apartment, as Amy starts asking questions about who knew about the ring, and the situation gets tense in main apartment. After suggesting that both of the important women in his life might be cranky because their cycles might have synced up, Sheldon decides to retreat to Penny’s apartment as well to let the ladies talk it out.

bbt raj and howard with claireMeanwhile at the comic book store, we learn that Howard and Raj have been engaged in an hour-long discussion on the merits of ‘Frozen,’ with Howard not impressed at all by the storyline, while Raj defends the film, and points out how another Disney film, ‘The Good Dinosaur,’ might have changed his life.  They are overheard by a blonde woman who may or may not have started flirting with Raj, claiming she is a screenwriter who could use his scientific help with writing her next script. Back at the Wolowitz house, the married couple and Raj discuss the merits of the new woman, and whether or not Raj should break up with Emily so he could date this new woman, an idea that gets shot down when Raj calls the new girl (Claire) and she claims they were not flirting, even though they did have a vibe. Raj decides to help her with the script, but as Howard and Bernadette notice, he does not tell Emily about it.

Back at the Wolowitz house, the married couple and Raj discuss the merits of the new woman, and whether or not Raj should break up with Emily so he could date this new woman, an idea that gets shot down when Raj calls the new girl (Claire) and she claims they were not flirting, even though they did have a vibe. Raj decides to help her with the script, but as Howard and Bernadette notice, he does not tell Emily about it.

bbt amy and meemawAmy and Meemaw speak one-on-one, and we begin to realize the similarities between the two woman. They briefly bond over being in relationships with stubborn men, as Sheldon clearly takes after his grandfather, especially, as Amy uses an example, date night can be “ruined because Google changed their font.” Their talk is interrupted by Sheldon returning to the apartment (led and cheered on by Leonard and Penny) and standing up for Amy, telling his Meemaw that Amy is too important to him, and that his grandparents’ relationship is his inspiration, as they both made each other better people, same as with him and Amy. Meemaw relents and gives her blessing to the Shamy relationship, and while Amy waits for Sheldon to pop the question, he reminds her that she already took his virginity, and she needs to calm down.

In the episode close, we see Raj helping Claire with her script, but even as she is making modifications to what she has written, Raj daydreams about being married to Claire with children, though even in his daydream he still has not told Emily about Claire.

QUOTES OF THE NIGHT:

PENNY: Last time I got a handwritten letter it was from someone who told me I parked like a blind person.
LEONARD: That person has a name.
SHELDON: Thank you!

SHELDON: That’s not her.
LEONARD: REALLY? The old Asian man is not your Meemaw?

SHELDON: Oh! There’s Amy! I just know you’re going to hit it off! You both have the same fashion sense!

MEEMAW: Oh no wine for me. Sheldon is bringing me my whiskey.
SHELDON: Here ya go Meemaw. I made it just how you like it. A lot. In a glass.

HOWARD: Instead of “Let It Go,” she should sing “Look at Me Hiding in a Freezer Like a Dove Bar.”
RAJ: She built an ice castle, made a snow monster, and gave herself a makeover in one day! Do you know what I saw you do today? Eat a block of cream cheese straight from the foil and lie about it to your wife.

MEEMAW: (to Amy) I don’t like you very much.
AMY: (to Meemaw) Well I don’t like you very much either.
SHELDON: No no no NO. You have to like eachother! We have a 4:30 reservation at AppleBee’s!

MEEMAW: Let her go. And under no circumstances will you give her that engagement ring.
AMY: What ring?
LEONARD: Maybe we should give them some privacy.
PENNY: (watching intently) Yeah, yeah yeah- you go ahead I’ll catch up with you.
AMY: You have an engagement ring?
SHELDON: Yes.
AMY: Penny did you know about this?
PENNY: (to Leonard) Alright let’s go.

SHELDON: I realize you’ve only known each other for a day, but is it possible that your crankiness is because your cycles have synced?

Solid episode, solid casting of Meemaw, and definitely a step in the right direction for the Shamy engagement, which I’m convinced will finally happen in this year’s season finale. I hope next week we get more solid story and comedic moments from Bernadette and Howard, but in an episode centering around Sheldon’s Meemaw, it’s understandable that they got sidelined. Either way, looking forward to next week!