The recent 19th episode of season 8 of “The Big Bang Theory” left fans with a mixed taste in their mouths, and it made some of them wonder if the show’s producers are actually aware of who they’re making their production for, and what kind of audience they have in their fans. Because the main point of the episode seemed to focus on making fun of certain fan bases, specifically those of “Star Wars” and “Doctor Who”, despite the fact that there is probably a large overlap between them and fans of “The Big Bang Theory”.
Of course, it could also be seen as an attempt at self-aware humor, as the show has certainly tried doing that before. However, the general reception of the new episode was mostly negative, or mixed at best, so no matter what the producers were aiming for, they didn’t pull it off that well.
It should be noted that the actual quality of the comedy in the new episode was commended by most critics and fans, and they were generally pleased with the episode in technical terms. We got to see Leonard and Sheldon paying a visit to the Skywalker Ranch, hopeful to meet George Lucas himself, and meanwhile we see Bernadette and Howard having an argument over a TARDIS replica which Howard can’t seem to find a proper place for.
The fact that it’s a life-size replica probably doesn’t help his case either. As can be expected, we got to see some funny exchanges during the argument about the TARDIS, and the writing quality was definitely top notch during those moments in particular.
The road trip that Leonard and Sheldon went on was also remarkably good, according to most fans, as the two shared some funny but also equally touching moments, and many seemed to agree that this has actually been missing from the show for some time now, and its return has been welcomed heartily. These “intimate” moments between the two characters are something special indeed, and part of the reason some people like the show so much.
In the end, most people didn’t seem to have a problem with the fact that “Star Wars” and “Doctor Who” fans were made fun of in the new episode, but rather with the very idea that the writers chose those topics in particular. They’re among the most clichéd examples of nerd culture nowadays, and there are much better and more creative alternatives if they wanted to present nerds in a humorous way. The show was practically based on this premise, so it’s a bit odd that they wouldn’t know how to continue executing it properly.
I didn’t find the episode offensive, but it was pretty weak. It seems like since they were renewed for 3 years, they don’t even try anymore.