Sheldon and Amy consummate their relationship on "The Big Bang Theory"
ADSENSE HERE
After more than five years of dating,
Sheldon (Jim Parsons, left) and Amy (Mayim Bialik, right) spend their
first night together on "The Big Bang Theory."
BURBANK, Calif. -- In the same week, "Star Wars" returns and scientists-in-love Sheldon and Amy finally consummate their relationship on "The Big Bang Theory." Could even the geekiest fan ask for more?
On Thursday's episode (8 p.m. ET, CBS), Jim Parsons' Sheldon and Mayim Bialik's Amy have sex for the first time, with each other or anyone else, more than six TV seasons after meeting through an online dating site.
But let the stars of the top-rated comedy tell you about it.
"Amy's been eager all along for a different kind of connection, but it's actually initiated by Sheldon," Bialik said.
"Sheldon's
eager for her to know she's special to him, and this is one of the
items on the list that he feels could show that," Parsons said.
Sheldon
(Jim Parsons) doesn't know how to act after Amy (Mayim Bialik) pushes
pause on their relationship, on the ninth season premiere of "The Big
Bang Theory."
Sonja Flemming/CBS
So romantic! And how explicit is the scene?
Bialik: "More than we thought. We're in bed."
Parsons: "Well, of course we are. We aren't going into the back of a car."
Bialik: "I thought we would just talk about it when it finally happened."
Parsons (dismissively): "Oh, no!"
Bialik: "There's a before and there's an after. There's no during."
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens," out Friday in the real world,
is used as a comic device throughout the episode and even threatens to
derail the couple's coupling.
After deciding to give Amy the gift
of sex on her birthday, Sheldon realizes there's a conflict with his
opening-day movie ticket. He gets sage advice from the late Professor
Proton, his childhood hero resurrected in ghostly form as a figment of
Sheldon's subconscious.
The great Bob Newhart returns as the professor, grandly decked out in Obi-Wan Kenobi robes.
"It's
hard for him (Sheldon) to understand that Amy won't accept the fact
that this is the premiere of 'Star Wars,' so I have to present that
side," Newhart said.
His delivery is as droll and his timing as impeccable as ever, Newhart milks the scene for all it's worth.
"Can I get out of this muumuu now?" Proton asks after counseling Sheldon.
"Those are the robes of the Jedi, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy," Sheldon replies.
"And they don't wear underwear," the professor complains.
Parsons
and Bialik also make the most of the smartly -- and sweetly -- written
episode, stumbling toward intimacy with tender regard for each other.
Series
executive producer and co-creator Chuck Lorre, a master of network TV
comedy whose credits include "Two and a Half Men," ''Mike & Molly"
and "Mom," had a look of eager anticipation when he arrived for the
episode's taping last month at a Warner Bros. soundstage.
"It's
exciting to see how far these characters have grown," Lorre said
afterward. "We would never have anticipated that they would have
progressed to the point where they're having real, in-depth
relationships."
"It happened rather naturally, slowly, incrementally, but it's really delightful to get to see it play out," he said.
This fall Bialik told CBS News that she's enjoyed watching her character grow through the years.
"She's
evolved a lot," Bialik said. "She went from being very insecure,
socially, to much more confident ... With Sheldon (played by Jim
Parsons), she's gotten a lot more clear in her communication, which has
led to some conflict, but we see her more comfortable socially in a way
that Sheldon doesn't -- he's comfortable where he is, but Amy really
wanted to evolve."
While newer cable and streaming comedies such
as "Veep" and "Transparent" are reaping more Emmy and Golden Globe
attention these days, "The Big Bang Theory" audience is steadfast.
Each episode is getting nearly 21 million views within seven days after it airs, up 10 percent compared to last year.
It's set to return for another season, No. 10. And after that?
"As
long as we're telling good stories and the audience still wants to
watch, why not?" Lorre said. "We're having a great time making the show,
and hopefully a little of that gets on television."
