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Info:

• TV Series: The Big Bang Theory
• Episode: The Benefactor Factor
• Starring: Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik
• Written by: Chuck Lorre, Eric Kaplan and Steve Holland
• Directed by: Mark Cendrowski
• Network: CBS
• Series:

The Big Bang Theory: The Benefactor Factor

The Big Bang Theory
© CBS/Robert Trate

 Judging by the still frames at the end of each episode (yes, I pause and read them), Chuck Lorre is a very bitter man these days. I won’t speculate on the reasons, but they’ve seeped into the overall tone of The Big Bang Theory.There’s a cynicism present that wasn’t there before, a general nastiness that clouds the otherwise enjoyable fun. Much of it comes from Sheldon (Jim Parsons) whose social cluelessness now masks a lot of truly ugly insults. The rest of the cast usually responds with nothing more than a pained look, undoing the show’s earlier dynamics in favor of unspoken bullying.

“The Benefactor Factor” compounds that with a torrid little melodrama involving Leonard (Johnny Galecki) hooking up with a wealthy university donor (Jessica Walter). Walter is terrific, as is Joshua Malina as the university president, but their guest star charisma only goes so far. For the rest of the time, we’re treated other people goading Leonard into the coupling, then calling him things like “slut” when he goes through with it. It’s supposed to be funny; instead it just feels mean spirited.  Some funny confusion around the movies 28 Days and 28 Days Later mark the only real laughs this week, all but overwhelmed by the show’s depressing slide into cruelty.    

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