Was Thursday’s Very Special Episode of “The Big Bang Theory” about sex . . . or a “Star Wars” commercial?
In fact, the show — currently the most-watched sitcom in the country — started by comparing what would be more important: “Star Wars” or sex. Sheldon and his pals had tickets to see the opening night of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”; however, as Penny (Kaley Cuoco) pointed out, Amy’s birthday fell on the same night. After a chat with friendly ghost/spiritual adviser Professor Proton (Bob Newhart, dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi), Sheldon recognized that he had to celebrate with Amy.
So Sheldon gave up his ticket and announced plans for Amy’s birthday present: “That I have coitus with her.”
As a result, Sheldon and Amy’s friends tried to prep the two thirty-somethings for the big night, especially given Sheldon’s aversion to intimacy. (“Maybe we can watch a dirty movie and if anyone has any questions about what happened or how, we can answer them?”) Penny also gave him advice about what women want. As she put it: “After he stopped giggling, he seemed pretty sure of himself.”
It all led up to the big scene, which played out with lots of typical jokes. (Sheldon: “I’m sorry, this is a litigious society. I’m going to need verbal consent.”) Then, you saw the couple in bed together before and after — it’s broadcast TV, obviously, so none of the actual action. Instead, the writers incorporated “Star Wars” at every turn, jumping back and forth between Sheldon’s friends in the “Star Wars” movie premiere and Sheldon and Amy in bed. Turns out the experiences are quite similar!
(In the bedroom)
Amy: “I’ve been waiting for this for so long, I’ve built it up in my head. I don’t know what to expect.”
Sheldon: “Neither do I. But we can find out together.”
(Cut to movie theater)
Leonard: “I’m really nervous.”
Wolowitz: “I know, we’ve been waiting so long for this.”
Raj: “We’ve built it up in our heads so much!”
And then after the deed is done:
(In the bedroom)
Sheldon: “I enjoyed that more than I thought I would.”
Amy: (dreamily) “Me too.”
(Cut to movie theater)
Wil: “I enjoyed that more than I thought I would.”
Raj: “I don’t think I can walk right now!”
Despite the “Star Wars” jokes, the scene was actually low-key for such a broad comedy. That was intentional — as Bialik told Entertainment Weekly, the writers wanted to be respectful with such an important decision for Sheldon and Amy’s characters. “It’s really special to us that we’ve had a relationship that is the longest-running nonsexual romantic relationship you’ve seen on TV,” Bialik said.
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