The Big Bang Theory Review: "The Robotic Manipulation"

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Last night was a big night for The Big Bang Theory as the show moved to Thursday nights to give CBS an attempt to take down NBC's comedy block.  So how did the season four premiere have what it takes?

Awkward Date

Well, we'll start with the A-story of Sheldon's first date.  The actual premise of what got Sheldon to actually date Amy (Mayim Bialik) was great: because Penny suggest they might try dating before procreating. Even better was Penny's way of talking him out of it: by telling his mother that he wanted to have a test tube baby out of the wedlock. 

Really though, everything about the main story worked amazing.  Mayim fits in perfectly in The Big Bang Theory cast and played off of Kaley Cuoco just as well as Emmy Award-winning Parsons.  We really hope she doesn't go the way of Bernadette and actually sticks it out for awhile.

Of course, we're suckers for any excuse to pair up Sheldon in a scene with Penny so how could we complain when not only was half the episode dedicated to it, but a second Sheldon was inserted into the equation.

Unfortunately, like any episode of TBBT, there had a second story.  In this case, it Howard doing predictably dirty things to the robotic arm he stole from work.  We're sure like everyone else, we had this storyline predicted the moment a severed robot arm appear on screen.

While there were definitely some funny moments culminating with Wolowitz calling upon the guys to his bedroom and them having some fun at his expense, it was an ultimately predictable and cheesy storyline that just didn't hold up to the A.

So overall, we thought it was a decent premiere, but probably won't help CBS take down our NBC favorites anytime soon.  Especially when they take that Outsourced crap off the air and bring back Ron Swanson.

Now for our favorite Big Bang Theory quotes from the premiere:

Sheldon: You have broad hips and a certain corn-fed vigor. Is your womb available for rental? | permalink
Sheldon: Amy pointed out that, between the two of us, our genetic material has the potential of producing the first in a line of intellectually superior, benign overlords to guide humanity to a brighter tomorrow.
Wolowitz: I'm guessing that future historians will condemn us for not taking this opportunity to kill Sheldon. | permalink
Penny: OK. Well, then, there's a couple of things you should probably know.
Sheldon: I have a master's degree and two doctorates. The things I should know, I do know. | permalink
Raj: You slipped and fell into a robot hand?
Wolowitz: Yes.
Raj: Penis first?
Wolowitz: Yes. Now help me!
Leonard: I'd suggest a lubricant, but I have a feeling you fell on some of that as well. | permalink

The Robotic Manipulation Review

Editor Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.7 / 5.0 (50 Votes)

Eric Hochberger is the programmer of TV Fanatic, so please forgive his mediocre writing. His programming is far better. Follow him on Twitter and/or email him. Just don't request threaded comments. They're coming.

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The Big Bang Theory Season 4 Episode 1 Quotes

You have broad hips and a certain corn-fed vigor. Is your womb available for rental?

Sheldon

At best, it's a modest leap forward from the technology that gave us Country Bear Jamboree.

Sheldon