The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season – DVD Review

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Behold the glory of Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons)! Every few seasons a character comes along that is supposed to merely be colorful support for the stars, but ends up being the stick that stirs the drink. The Fonz on Happy Days or Seinfeld‘s Kramer were just too powerful on the screen to be bit roles. Such is the destiny of Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory. At first the uber-geek was merely the goofy roomie for Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) to provide support in his wooing of neighbor Penny (Kaley Cuoco). Sheldon was the kook to let us know that Leonard might have a chance with the Cheesecake Factory waitress. The end of season one had Leonard finally hook up with Penny. Seemed like the next batch of episodes would be about the beauty improving the geek with Sheldon reduced to third wheel duties. But The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season dared to defy the formula with a smart adjustment.

“The Bad Fish Paradigm” smashes the intimate time between Leonard and Penny. Instead of Penny dumping the geek because he’s really not her type, she ruins the relationship because of a fear that he’s too smart for her. Turns out she didn’t even graduate from community college. The episode is amazing for it is Sheldon that keeps up the comedy level as he fights to keep Penny’s non-graduation secret. The stress of being a confident makes him move out of the apartment and becomes the worst roommate in the world to Howard (Simon Helberg) and Raj (Kunal Nayyar). He wants to move away rather than blurt out the truth. Can they really have the first episode end with Sheldon departing? Of course not. The ending to the start gives us a relief that this season won’t be 23 episodes about Leonard and Penny shopping at Ikea.

Don’t get too heartbroken over Leonard. “The Codpiece Topology” has the hobbit rebound with Leslie Winkle (Sara Gilbert). However she isn’t quite looking for a relationship. She’s a lab partner with benefits. Sheldon steals the show with his inability to deal with inconsistencies at a Ren Fair. The episode is a hook up reunion since Galecki and Gilbert were married on Roseanne. Being around so many geeks becomes fatal for Penny in “The Barbarian Sublimation.” She becomes addicted to a Conan the Barbarian computer game. In her sleep deprived mania, she turns to Sheldon for help. Leonard fears there’s something more going on between them. “The Griffin Equivalency” gives Raj a chance to shine. He’s picked by People Magazine for “30 to Watch Under 30.” He also discovers that this new found fame and a few drinks allows his normally shy self to say words to Penny. However he becomes a major jerk. Will this douchebag nature work for him since she does fall for jerks?

“The Euclid Alternative” forces Sheldon to learn how to drive. Because he over thinks everything, the man is hopeless behind the wheel. He destroys a driving simulation program. “The Cooper-Nowitzki Theorem” surprises us with a female student who takes a liking to Sheldon. But she wants something for her attention. She goes the one place he won’t be taken. “The Panty Pinata Polarization” makes Howard and Raj use their NASA connections to locate the house being used for America’s Next Top Model. The Lizard-Spock Expansion introduces a new way to play Paper-Scissors-Rock. Howard uses his Mars rover gig to get time with Sara Rue (Less Than Perfect). She finds herself more attracted to Leonard. They carry on their secret relationship even while Howard’s mother makes brisket for what she thinks is her son’s girlfriend.

“The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis” explains why Sheldon hates receiving gifts. Not to give away the ending of the episode, but Penny makes him go bonkers with the ultimate gift. “The Friendship Algorithm” has Sheldon discover the secret of being pals by creating a formula. There’s a wonderful moment at a bookstore where he has what could be considered an inappropriate talk with a kid. His tackling of a rock wall shouldn’t be missed. “The Financial Permeability” does show that as prickly as Sheldon appears, he’s a loyal pal. Penny needs cash and he loans it to her without judgement or a time limit. But his calmness upsets her. “The Maternal Capacitance” has Sheldon appear to be the son Leonard’s mom always wanted. “The Terminator Decoupling” guest star the geek boy’s dream date, Summer Glau of Firefly. During the season, there was a strange vibe that Sheldon and Penny would hook up. Not so much in a romantic way, but more like Penny being curious as to what would happen if the logic driven freak got laid. “The Monopolar Expedition” reminds us that she still has feeling for Leonard. Even though Leonard has hooked up with two different women, he wants her. Their reunion is interrupted by Sheldon’s amazing new project that will let them spend the summer at the North Pole. If you need anymore episode descriptions, read my Big Bang Theory blog over at primetimepulse.com.

What makes The Big Bang Theory click is that it deals with real characters that normally get turned into momentary comic relief. The smart guy hasn’t been pure comic fodder since Revenge of the Nerds. Having once hung out with a group of kids that graduated from a school of science and math, the personalities and conflicts are real on this TV show. This gifted advanced placement kids do have these issues. The series is insightful and hilarious without being dumb. The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season is a landmark in nerd humor and Sheldon is a geek god.

The Episodes
“The Bad Fish Paradigm,” “The Codpiece Topology,” “The Barbarian Sublimation,” “The Griffin Equivalency,” “The Euclid Alternative,” “The Cooper-Nowitzki Theorem,” “The Panty Piñata Polarization,” “The Lizard-Spock Expansion,” “The White Asparagus Triangulation,” “The Vartabedian Conundrum,” “The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis,” “The Killer Robot Instability,” “The Friendship Algorithm,” “The Financial Permeability,” “The Maternal Capacitance,” “The Cushion Saturation,” “The Terminator Decoupling,” “The Work Song Nanocluster,” “The Dead Hooker Juxtaposition,” “The Hofstadter Isotope,” “The Vegas Renormalization,” “The Classified Materials Turbulence” and “The Monopolar Expedition.”


The video is 1.78:1 anamorphic. The transfer is pristine since it’s a brand new. You’ll be able to make out all the goofy toys in the apartment. The audio is Dolby Digital Surround Stereo. The levels are good and the sound is clean. You’ll be able to follow every word from Sheldon’s lips. There’s a dub track in Portuguese. Sheldon sounds smart even if he’s from Lisbon. The subtitles are in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Portuguese and Thai.


The Big Bang Theory: Physicist to the Stars (10:09) introduces us to Dr. David Salzberg, the show’s technical advisor. He’s the geek’s geek who keeps the stars sounding legit. Who knew that a life of science would lead you to the glamour of Hollywood? The producers had wanted him him to recommend a grad student, but he took the job.

Testing the Infinite Hilarity Hypothesis in Relation to the Big Bang Theory (15:31) lets the cast discuss what was done during the second season. They seemed happy that they producers focused on the characters and their relationships. Jim Parsons is so soft spoken on camera.

Gag Reel (8:52) reminds us these genius actors aren’t one-take wonders. Thrill to the sight of Sheldon laughing like a human. Audio levels vary in these outtakes.


The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season is a series on the rise to stardom. Sheldon Cooper has become a cultural sensation with his intense logic attitude and OCD peculiarities. He’s a comic book store manager’s biggest nightmare. Jim Parson’s ability to play Sheldon with such sincerity makes him the finest comic actor on TV. If you can only catch up on one TV sitcom, let it be The Big Bang Theory. You’ll feel a little more educated at the end of 21 minutes.


Warner Home Video presents The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season. Starring: Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar. Boxset Contents: 23 Episodes on 4 DVDs. Released on DVD: September 15, 2009. Available at Amazon.com

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.