Despite being the beloved sitcom that it is, The Big Bang Theory hasn’t been without its issues and problematic moments. One such instance occurs in the very first episode of Season 5 after the storyline entangles Penny with Raj in a controversial twist.
The episode, packed with awkward interactions, crosses into sexism as nearly everyone questions Penny’s decision to sleep with Raj, leading her to reflect on herself in the most negative light.
The Problematic Big Bang Theory Episode That Crossed the Line into Sexism
The Big Bang Theory Season 4 takes an unexpected turn as Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Raj (Kunal Nayyar) are shown sleeping together in Leonard’s room, with everyone witnessing Penny’s awkward exit from the apartment with Raj close behind.
Season 5 follows the incident in The Skank Reflex Analysis, with almost everyone in the circle judging Penny. The episode opens with Sheldon puzzling over the situation, concluding that “Knowing Penny, they obviously engaged in coitus.”
While Sheldon is eventually able to move on from that matter, with his excitement for the paintball tournament, others just can’t let it go. Leonard (Johnny Galecki) is visibly upset that his ex slept with his friend, and Howard, who is now engaged to Bernadette, even reflects that it could have been him if he weren’t engaged.
Amy, meanwhile, doesn’t hesitate to throw sharp critiques at her “best friend,” dismissing Penny’s reaction as part of a “skank reflex.” The whole situation pushes Penny into self-reflection, making her question if she’s destroyed some of her best relationships in Los Angeles. Overwhelmed, she even considers moving back to Nebraska.
But the twist comes when Raj reveals that they didn’t actually sleep together. Penny agrees to keep this secret, and for the first time, seems relieved.
The episode also becomes a prime example of sexism, not only in its treatment of Penny but also through a brief subplot involving Bernadette. After Leonard mentions that Raj being Raj, also had a thing for Bernadette, she is later seen bursting into his apartment asking him what is wrong with him as Howard believes that something is going on between the two.
Throughout, Penny bears most of the blame for how things unfolded, with everyone chalking it up to Penny being Penny. The episode relies heavily on the problematic trope of scrutinizing the women involved in these situations. The angle between Raj and Penny has continued to be counted under some of the worst storylines of the series, which eventually prompted the uncomfortable and sexist episode of The Big Bang Theory.
The Big Bang Theory Showrunner Steven Molaro Was Upset With Such a Development
The Season 4 finale involving Raj and Penny has been a sore spot not only for fans but also for showrunner Steven Molaro, who later admitted his strong dislike for the storyline of Penny and Raj sleeping together.
He recalled how bothered he was with how things progressed in the Season 4 finale, as per TV Line,
I spent the entire hiatus being upset about it… I went upstairs to [Lorre’s] office right when we got back to work [on Season 5] and said something like, ‘This is really bothering me. I think I have a way that we can… get out of it and preserve the characters as they are.’
It was then that the show’s creators came up with the premature ejaculation angle to establish that nothing really happened between Penny and Raj. Lorre also reflected on Penny’s character, admitting that she had initially been underdeveloped.
“It was really obvious immediately that we hadn’t developed that character beyond the pretty girl next door,” he said during an interview, admitting that Cuoco had the potential to bring so much more to the character.
The showrunners managed to develop Penny’s character significantly, with her and Leonard eventually marrying and preparing to start a family by the series finale. With a new spin-off in development, fans are hopeful that the beloved couple might return alongside their family, though no concrete details have been shared yet.
The Big Bang Theory is available to watch on Max.
