Serial review: 'The Big Bang Theory ' (Season 5)

Show: The Big Bang Theory (Season 5)
Channel: Zee Cafe
Time: Monday to Friday, 11pm
Rating:***1/2

The Big Bang Theory, in its fifth season, now further explores the relationships between physicists and roommates Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter, and their friends aerospace engineer Howard Wolowitz and astrophysicist Rajesh Koothrappali with their significant others.

While season 4 ended with the female-shy Raj, waking up in bed with Penny, the attractive neighbour who previously dated Leonard. This season shows that in fact nothing happened between them. Leonard, who had since started dating Raj’s sister Priya, has to have a long-distance relationship as she returns to India. Eventually, the two split up.

Howard who is engaged to the highly successful Bernadette Rostenkowski, in this season is seen planning their wedding. The duo has arguments similar to most other engaged couples, like where they should stay post-marriage (with Howard wanting to live with his annoying mother Mrs Wolowitz) and Bernadette revealing she doesn’t particularly like kids.

The most significant development in this season, perhaps, is in the relationship between Sheldon and his girlfriend Amy Farrah Fowler. Sheldon who shuns physical affection of any kind, is seen ‘spooning’ with Amy in order to comfort her when she’s not taken bridesmaid shopping with her friends Penny and Bernadette. The couple also has typical boyfriend-girlfriend fights and Sheldon is compelled to buy her jewellery as an apology.

The Big Bang Theory in this season, continues to prove why the show is much loved by all. The show highlights the idiosyncrasies of Sheldon, the adorable geek, especially in one episode where he spends all day trying to chase away a magpie, only to later, overcome his fear and want to keep “lovey-dovey” as his pet.
While the beautiful Penny was central to the previous seasons, here we get to learn more about the other female characters, discovering that beneath her hard exterior Amy has typically girly desires like wanting to be Maid of Honour and craving affection from boyfriend Sheldon. Bernadette, too reveals her true dominating nature in this season when she tries to dictate Howard’s career choice and future plans.

The comic-timing and humour in this season may not be en par with the previous seasons, but is still engaging enough for you to keep watching more. Not a typical family bonder, the comedy continues to strike a chord with youngsters dealing with the complexities of inter-personal relationships, be it friendships or romances.