The Big Bang Theory
WhileThe Big Bang Theoryoften pursue the sitcom playbook , the show ’s Howard and Bernadette relationship offered a cunning subversive activity of one stock figure . In many ways , The Big Bang Theory ’s cast of characterswasn’t so different from most sitcom lineups . They may have shared nerdy interests , but Leonard , Penny , Sheldon , Amy , Bernadette , Howard , and Raj had a lot in coarse with the lead fictional character ofHow I Met Your Mother , Friends , andNew Girl . There was the perpetually unmarried virile character , the happily married couple with children , and the central couple who always flummox together and broke up repeatedly .
Kaley Cuoco ’s Young Sheldon cameo proved the spinoff could fetch back The Big Bang Theory ’s wiz , but the show never repeat this neat antic .
ByThe Big Bang Theory ’s finale , the show had follow many of the same formulae that made those string up - out exhibit successful . The popular but blatantly flawed breakout fiber , Sheldon , became a humbler , more palatable edition of himself , much like Schmidt and Barney Stinson . However , not allThe Big Bang Theory ’s relationships were so predictable . One mates managed to shoot down a sitcom course with their frank conversations about kid . astonishingly , it wasThe Big Bang Theory ’s most otherwise - static union that asterisk in this plot line . Howard and Bernadette ’s courtship was traditional , but their wedding drift far from situation comedy norms .
Bernadette’s Dislike Of Children Was A Sitcom Subversion
Howard Assumed His Love Interest Was Eager For Children
In most sitcom , the male partner continued to work on after the couple had children , while the female partner became a homemaker . Some more progressive shows depicted both parent working , but the female collaborator almost always wanted children and was happy to do the lion ’s share of domestic labor . As surprising as it sounds , The Big Bang Theorysubverted sitcom sex norms when Bernadette and Howard discussed childrenand Howard learned that Bernadette did n’t fit this confined bill . In their first serious conversation about kids from time of year 5 , installment 12 , “ The Shiny Trinket Maneuver , ” Bernadette revealed that she could n’t stand child .
Howard ’s love life involvement softened on the idea of shaver as clock time passed , and the couple eventually became parents . However , whereThe Big Bang Theory ’s Sheldon fixedhis ego - centered character reference flaw as the show went on , Bernadette ’s investment in herself was n’t portrayed as a demerit . She stay inexorable that she did n’t want to have children unless Howard stand for to quit his business and become a homemaker , since she refuse to give up vocation chance that he did n’t need to sacrifice . This was an untypically bold stance for the situation comedy character and one that was a welcome change from situation comedy norms .
Howard and Bernadette’s The Big Bang Theory Setup Shifted Sitcom Norms
Bernadette Told Howard He Could Be A Stay-At-Home Parent
Bernadette travel against the standard apparatus seen in traditional kinsperson sitcomswhen she recount Howard that he could quit his job and become a stay - at - home Father-God if he need children so gravely . Since Howard was primarily motivated by a vague phantasy of house life and his female parent ’s desire for grandchild , he had never conceive this prospect . WhileThe Big Bang Theorywasted some defend character , Bernadette ’s defiant viewpoint proves the show ’s character piece of writing could be sharp and perceptive . Clever , clever , and undaunted in every other esteem , Bernadette was n’t a character who would give up her dream for others .
Howard and Bernadette married inThe Big Bang Theory ’s season 5 finale , " The Countdown Reflection . "
This forced Howard to oppugn why he wanted nestling , resulting in the couple ’s eventual gestation feeling apologise in narrative terms . The Big Bang Theorywas more thoughtful than many sitcoms when it came to the subject of shaver , portraying the conclusion to have tike as one that need fourth dimension , retainer , and emotional legwork . Howard and Bernadette ’s journeying to parenthood was more involved than many sitcom romances , where kid are viewed as an inevitability after marriage . Admittedly , The Big Bang Theorydid waste Penny ’s potentially dare decision not to have children when the finale found her unexpectedly pregnant .
Custom image by Debanjana Chowdhury
The Big Bang Theory’s Howard and Bernadette Arc Highlighted Real Issues
The Couple Struggled To Manage Childcare And Work Demands
However , Howard and Bernadette ’s relationship made up for the show ’s shortcomings when it came to Penny and Leonard ’s sudden about - face . In season 11 , episode 17 , “ The Athenaeum Allocation , ” neither Howard nor Bernadette were glad to give up work or to give up staying at menage with their children . Howard and Bernadette ’s parenting struggles highlighted the very genuine problem of parents equilibrise clip with their children and their earning potential drop , something that has become more predominant in late decades . As societal norm have shifted , the prospect of remain - at - home fathers , breadwinning mothers , and splitting domestic labor has become more commonplace and accepted .
Howard and Bernadette shared an untypically credible apparatus .
WhileYoung Sheldon ’s Georgie and Mandy spinoffis fix to focus on a twain from the more traditional cultural landscape of the ‘ 90s , The Big Bang Theoryreflected more recent social changes in Howard and Bernadette ’s parenting . The pair ended “ The Athenaeum Allocation ” at an impasse , accept that they both wanted more clip with their tiddler but also wished they could keep their careers afloat . In a boob tube sub - genre where one - income home remain strikingly vulgar , this was a relatable , naturalistic floor that pushed back against situation comedy average . For many real - life parents , Howard and Bernadette share an atypically credible frame-up .
Howard and Bernadette’s Relationship Made The Big Bang Theory’s Finale Worse
Leonard And Penny’s Parenting Journey Remains A Mystery
Unfortunately , not all the show ’s relationship choices were as cannily treat asthis underratedThe Big Bang Theorymoment . Although Leonard and Penny ’s relationship was the show ’s original focus , the couple ’s choices around parenting were handled poorly . By revealing that Penny was pregnant in the closing curtain , The Big Bang Theoryleft viewers without the hazard to see how Leonard and Penny handled the same issue that Bernadette and Howard face season sooner . To make matters speculative , this twist also undermined a major component of Penny ’s characterization . Until the finale , Penny had been percipient about not wanting children .
It is rare to see a happily married sitcom dyad actively take not to have children .
As noted byVulture ’s Kathryn VanArendonk , The Big Bang Theory ’s centime was vociferous in her selection not to become a female parent . She endured cajole from Leonard , confusion from her parent , and snide jokes from Amy and Bernadette but remain solid in her judgment of conviction . It is rarefied to see a happily married sitcom brace actively take not to have children , so this was a welcome corruption of expectations . However , the show ’s finale undo this intriguing story with a twist that was both predictable and simultaneously lacked foreshadowing . The Big Bang Theoryrevealing Penny ’s maternity feel inevitable , but was n’t also steady down in an on - screen alteration of heart .
Source : Vulture
