As is the case with most good sitcoms, The Big Bang Theory has characters so deeply flawed to the levels of absurdity, we the viewers often wonder what kind of parenting and upbringing could result in such an outcome. Then we realize that these are fictional characters, they have no parents, and had no upbringing. Luckily, they do have attentive and inventive writers who take advantage of the possibilities, retroactively creating the necessary histories and parental figures for their fictional creations. What follows is dysfunctional family humor that makes our own familial lives look dull and gray by comparison. And just in time for Christmas.
Christine Baranski returns to the Big Bang Theory this week, reprising her Emmy-nominated role as Leonard’s mother. A welcome return, certainly; a character this enjoyable must be revisited. Describing the scholarly stick in the mud is easy. Imagine the demeanor of Lilith from Cheers, crossed with the pomposity of Diane from Cheers, mixed with the poor social awareness of Cliff Clavin from Cheers. This is Dr. Beverly Hofstadter.
Dropping in for the holiday season, Beverly quickly reintroduces herself and reestablishes her character to the cast and the viewing audience. After the formalities, she immediately proffers unsolicited opinions on the central characters; most notable among them, inquiring about Howard and Raj’s latent homosexual attraction towards each other. Either this is a referential self-jab at the characters’ repetitive awkward guy-love themed storylines, or just another example. Either way, it’s nice for the writers to acknowledge the recurring nature of the overused joke. Hopefully, they also know referring to the problem is not the same as fixing it.
Mugging for matriarchal approval, Penny is met only with atypical blonde jokes, gussied up in ten-dollar words. She is also informed that she has unresolved daddy issues. As it turns out, Leonard never bothered to tell his shrewish mother that he was dating Penny. Luckily, before Leonard even gets to formulate a defensive plan, Beverly spills the beans about an upcoming divorce from his father.
Over-rationalizing the way only a psychiatrist can, Beverly is completely confused as to why Leonard would be upset by the news. She and Sheldon drop a bevvy of psychoanalytical terms to rationalize his feelings and justify her decisions, but Leonard cannot be consoled. Especially when he also discovers his pet dog had died.
Because the Christmas spirit has now evaporated faster than dry ice on a hot day, Penny offers to drive Beverly back to her hotel, taking an impromptu detour to a local bar. Upset that Leonard never revealed their relationship, Penny tries to connect with Beverly, easing her into the fact. Intimidated by the combination psychiatrist and neuroscientist, Penny tries her best to convince Beverly that Leonard’s not settling for someone “whose greatest accomplishment is memorizing the entire Cheesecake Factory menu.” Quickly downing repeated shots of tequila, the flighty blonde waitress and the cold brunette scientist try their best to bond, being sidetracked only by a busboy’s shapely behind. The two eventually connect over their one shared interest: Leonard.
Subscribing to the axiom ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend,’ the two inebriated ladies wonder why Leonard would be hesitant to tell his mother about his girlfriend. Thinking Leonard must either secretly hate his mother, or else be ashamed of Penny, the two ladies leave in a drunken stupor, ready to confront Leonard. However, the rage quickly deflates when Leonard rightly points out that there is no ill-will between him and Penny or his mother. Simply, Leonard didn’t tell Beverly about Penny for the same reasons Beverly didn’t tell him about the divorce; the two simply don’t communicate well.
Christine Baranski’s performance is surely a memorable one. While not exactly big on guffaws, her character is a quirky insight into Leonard’s personality; if anything, her character is engaging comedically because it shakes up the entirety of the program, normally heavy on jokes. Beverly has no great one-liners, but a series of poignant observations, dialogues, and uptight mannerisms which, when simmered properly in a medium skillet over low heat produces a unique character and comedic style. It seems almost as if Beverly was created by an entirely different set of writers for an entirely different show, and is merely visiting The Big Bang Theory as a crossover. Then again, the purpose of a guest character is so the writers can expand their writing abilities to previously unvisited areas. Perhaps the writers secretly also wish to escape the realm of science-related puns.
Whatever the reason, Christine Baranski is hilarious here in her own right. Funny, but not overshadowing the rest of the cast. Likable, but satisfactory with one appearance per season. Now the bar has been set. When Leonard’s father assuredly appears on a later date, he’ll have to hold his own against Beverly, playing an equally tightly-wound scientist, but different enough to establish his own unique entity. No short order, but one certainly within the capabilities of The Big Bang Theory writers. Now if they could just ease up on the gay jokes…
