The Big Bang Theory Season 8 Episode 24 Review: The Commitment Determination

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I had no idea what to expect for the season finale of The Big Bang Theory, but it definitely wasn't this.

Somehow, The Big Bang Theory Season 8 Episode 24 manages to be both perfectly funny and emotional all at once.

It's Sheldon and Amy's five year anniversary, but as usual, Sheldon botches the chance for any romance by focusing more on his own interests than on his girlfriend.

In this case, he interrupts a make-out session to ask Amy whether or not she believes he should start watching The Flash. She's understandably frustrated, though for Sheldon, it seems reasonable to include her on what he believes to be a big decision.

Starting to watch a television show that might run for years isn't a decision to take lightly. I'm wrestling with a big commitment issue here.

Sheldon

When Sheldon asks advice from Penny and Leonard, they agree with Amy, particularly with how slowly Sheldon and Amy's relationship has progressed. They say what the audience has been thinking for a while now, since that relationship is moving at such an unnaturally slow pace.

Sheldon turns the tables on Leonard and Penny, saying their relationship really isn't progressing, either. Yes, they're engaged, but they still haven't set a date for their wedding. Leonard and Penny immediately become insecure about their own relationship, then make the impulsive decision to head to Vegas.

This is the relationship I'm frustrated by. Leonard and Penny have had too many ups and downs, and this season, they really haven't functioned well as a couple. Sheldon's right that their relationship hasn't been going anywhere -- in fact, it feels as though it has headed in the other direction.

Still, I don't want to see them break up. The change I want to see is for them to get married and move in together for real (keep in mind, Sheldon is the reason they haven't fully done that yet). More than that, I want to see their relationship grow, with Leonard adapting to Penny's new career, and Penny continuing to adapt to Leonard's lifestyle as well.

On the way to Vegas, though, there aren't the happy couple you'd want to see about to get married. They are both hesitant and defensive, particularly when Leonard admits to kissing another woman years ago on his research trip. The car ride becomes tense, and you have to wonder if they are going to go through with it. Well, I was hoping they wouldn't get married in Vegas without their friends, but now I don't know that there will be any wedding any time season. It looks like we'll have to wait until next season to find out.

Back to Sheldon, he finally gets on a call with Amy, and Amy does what I've been dying for her to do for a long time. She tells Sheldon that she's had enough, and that she needs a break. Amy has let Sheldon treat her badly for too long. So, good for her in finally taking a real stand. This is just what Sheldon needs.

Except for one, tiny detail.

All that talk about committing to a television show earlier, and Amy being upset that he wasn't instead thinking of committing to her, suddenly feels very different as Sheldon pulls an engagement ring out of his desk drawer. It looks like he's been considering that kind of commitment after all. Unfortunately, it's too little, too late.

What did you think of the season finale of The Big Bang Theory? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Commitment Determination Review

Editor Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 2.6 / 5.0 (233 Votes)

Ashley Bissette Sumerel was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in September 2017. Follow her on Twitter and on Google+.

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