‘Big Bang’ recap: Dare you not to laugh
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I don’t give this show enough credit for the feast of one-liners it serves up every week. The writing on this show is fast and furious, the ensemble is quirky, talented and original. ‘Bang’ deserves more credit than it gets from dopes like me. And though I sometimes wish it would dig a little deeper, it consistently delivers good escapist television.
Leonard: “Is there a history of heart disease in your family?”
Howard: “My family is the history of heart disease.”
This week’s episode is one of the season’s three funniest, drawing on character and offering some terrific visual gags. Many weeks, you could watch this show with the sound off and still laugh. Aside from “Modern Family,” I don’t think any other television show could make that boast.
And how about an Emmy for Melissa Rauch as Bernadette, the show’s sweet center. Only Jim Parson steals as many scenes, and she is the perfect antidote to his goofy, dysfunctional self-centeredness. We don’t have that much funny stuff in our lives anymore –- Newt Gingrich’s candidacy, Barbara Walters’ diction (can’t understand a thing she says anymore). So, the anticipation of Howard and Bernadette’s wedding scene, whenever that happens, is rich and valued stuff. Rauch is irresistible. If Howard doesn’t marry her, I will.
Bernadette: “How can we be together if the thought of us getting married might kill your mother?”
Howard: “It’s the circle of life, sweetie.”
This episode was funny right out of the blocks, and never slowed. Rauch’s impersonation of Howard’s mother might’ve been the best moment of the season. Great job, Bangers. Till death do us part.
--Chris Erskine
