I definitely liked last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory much more in theory (har har) than in practice. 

The A story had a great nerd setup we haven't had this season: the guys were waiting on line to see the midnight premiere of Raiders of the Lost Ark, replete with 21 seconds of new footage.

Add Wil Wheaton into the mix and how can you lose with a story like that?  Oh, and it gets better: Penny is not only back, but she has a slumber party with Bernadette and Amy, who have both been promoted to series regulars.

So with great storylines and amazing comedic setups, how could "The 21-Second Excitation" be anything short of hilarious? 

Unfortunately, despite all the funny references to Indiana Jones - like calling Leonard "Short Round" and the guys being chased out of the movie theater, a la Indy's retreat to the seaplane - the humor just wasn't there in the main story.

As for the slumber party, that really comes down to what side of the camp you are on Amy.  With Sheldon out of the scene, Amy clearly took over that character's role, trying her best to play off Penny and Bernadette.

Personally, I'm torn on Amy.  I liked the concept of her when she was first introduced at the end of season three.  But now that we've had for nearly half a season, her character just comes across as a mean female Sheldon that delivers her lines in a flat, dull way.  There's truly only one Jim Parsons.

Do some of her lines make me laugh?  Absolutely.  One of my favorites was Penny telling her to wear something comfortable and her response of: "Then I need to go shopping."   Or even Amy announcing that she and Bernadette won Truth or Dare.

Pretty much the quicker and more basic her quotes are, the better.  It's when she goes into the longer diatribes that only Sheldon can pull off that her character falls flat.

So, what do you guys think?  Are you on Team Amy?  Did you find the episode funnier than I did?  Or do you just come here for our collection of The Big Bang Theory quotes?  'Cause don't worry, we're ending with those:

Sheldon: I find zombies dancing in choreographed synchronicity implausible. And also it's really scary. | permalink

Penny: Okay, help me out here. How does an archeology professor get that good with a whip?
Wolowtiz: Maybe he took a class at the adult book store. That's how I learned. | permalink

Bernadette: Gee, I don't know if I should drink more. I have to drive home and I've got enough trouble seeing over the dashboard as it is. | permalink

Wolowitz: I'm guessing 21 seconds had something to do with that, too. | permalink

Sheldon: Well, if it isn't Wil Wheaton, the Jar-Jar Binks of the "Star Trek" universe. | permalink

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.