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The Big Bang Theory’s Hidden Gem Was Actually Amy

The Big Bang Theory’s Hidden Gem Was Actually Amy
Image credit: CBS

One storyline they handled well.

Summary:

  • The Big Bang Theory was a CBS sitcom that followed the lives of four young scientists as they navigated their lives.
  • The show ran for 12 seasons and failed to show linear character development with most of its regulars.
  • One character who had a perfect arc with a satisfying finale was Amy Farrah Fowler, portrayed by Mayim Bialik.

Starting with the series pilot, every single regular character on The Big Bang Theory was established as, well, some kind of loser. All of the guys were successful in their scientific careers, but they lacked social skills. Penny, on the other hand, was obviously bubbly, friendly and attractive, but wasn't successful in any way.

Still, there was something so relatable to the young adult audience that made viewers root for them. And even a few seasons later, when the cast expanded to include Amy and Bernadette, they still had that same duality about them.

However, since The Big Bang Theory ran for 12 years, it would be completely impossible for all the characters to stay the way they started.

And judging by the length of the character development and the difficulty of the journey of self-discovery they've taken, one character has gone much further than the others.

What Happened To TBBT’s Amy Fowler?

Although Mayim Bialik's Amy Farrah Fowler was initially met with some skepticism from the fandom, her character arc ended up being one of the most logical and satisfying on the show. Not only did she succeed in her romance with Sheldon, but she also managed to turn her life around.

Compared to just about everyone else, Amy reached the highest of highs by winning the Nobel Prize with Sheldon. While Howard, who eventually went into space, would have been a competitor career-wise, his love life and slightly abusive marriage to Bernadette didn't measure up to Amy and Sheldon's.

While Bernadette started as a character in roughly the same place in the timeline as Amy, her arc was so inconsistent that she ended up being completely ruined. In an unfortunate attempt to make her more comedic, the writers turned Bernadette into a caricature of a bully to everyone, including her own friends and family.

Leonard and Penny, while having a seemingly okay ending, would not hold up to comparison either.

Leonard is barely changed compared to the pilot, and Penny's dreams and principles have been obliterated. An aspiring actress who never wanted kids, she ended up pregnant and settled into a boring corporate job with no hope of ever reaching higher.

Amy's arc was not only successful in terms of career goals, love life, and character development, but also very linear and consistent. She started from point A as a quirky woman who didn't know how to act around people because of the childhood trauma, and managed to get to point B and have her cheesy makeover moment in the finale.

If you feel like you need to freshen up your memories of The Big Bang Theory in general, and the way the show has handled Amy’s storyline, it is available to stream on Max.