When it comes to The Big Bang Theory, I’m often willing to put up at least a half-hearted defense for the show. I certainly don’t think it’s one of the best shows on television, but I also don’t think of it as the hateful, mocking program that some see it as.
More often than not, it’s just a sitcom. It portrays geeky characters in the exaggerated way sitcoms often do, but it’s never felt as if it’s outright trying to be a bully about it. Yes, the characters on the show often embody some of the worst stereotypes about geek culture, but there are also genuinely funny jokes to be had each week.
However, this past week’s episode was finally the one that made me feel the show was actively trying to laugh at, and not with, the characters of Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj. In the episode, the guys were on their way to a comic convention when they decided to stop in the desert and take some photos in their Star Trek: The Next Generation costumes.
After their car is stolen, though, the episode follows them on a rather cruel expedition. They march through the desert in wool costumes, are pelted with trash by passing drivers and are finally made fun of by the patrons of a local diner as well as the police officer that takes their statement. In the end, the group is left feeling shamed and regretful that they dared to go out dressed the way they were.
In short, the episode’s overarching message seemed to be that the characters had gotten what was coming to them. At one point, Sheldon says this was a chance for the guys to have a real life adventure, only to be hit with a soda before he can get the words out. For trying to have a little fun and express themselves, the characters were punished.
Again, The Big Bang Theory doesn’t really matter much to me as a show. The problem is, it’s one of the biggest shows in the country, and it’s only getting bigger. In fact, this episode saw a record number in ratings with almost 20 million viewers tuning in.
What did those viewers get? A moral that says it’s not okay to want to enjoy pop culture, that you’ll be punished for the way you act if it’s not in line with what society at large deems acceptable. Well, I find that message unacceptable.
As someone who loves reading comics, watching sci-fi television and writing about every aspect of pop culture I can, I never let what others think affect how I behave. I may not cosplay, but I certainly admire the work and skill that those who do put into their costumes.
It goes beyond that, though. The thing that makes The Big Bang Theory so irksome is that it wants to be a part of the geek culture just as much as it wants to make fun of it. The program acknowledges that blockbuster hits like The Avengers and Star Trek have brought geek culture to the mainstream, but it also wants to tell people to suppress that love and keep it hidden.
Truthfully, it’s just one episode, but are the characters still going to be portrayed as lovable losers who can never really win next week? Of course, because that’s the way the show sees those characters.
I’ll keep watching The Big Bang Theory, because there is funny stuff from time to time. However, for all the viewers out there, remember that especially in this day and age, you should never be afraid of letting your geek flag fly.