The Big Bang Theory Review: The Collaboration Contamination (Season 11 Episode 5)

On The Big Bang Theory Season 11 Episode 5, “The Collaboration Contamination,” Howard’s decision to join Amy on a work-related project causes some problems for Raj and Sheldon while Leonard and Penny find a new way to deal with Sheldon.

After The Big Bang Theory Season 11 Episode 4, “The Explosion Implosion,” I started to think about Howard as a character and quickly realized that alongside Penny and Raj, he is the character I would like to see more of. I honestly think he is a much more entertaining character than, for example, Leonard and often the source of actual moments of laughter for me while I watch the show.

More importantly, I think he works well with the other characters on the show, as was proved by “The Collaboration Contamination,” on which he is paired with Amy. 

As Howard and Amy start to work together Sheldon and Raj quickly notice that they have less time for them. Believing that Bernadette shares their frustration they turn to her with their complaints.

I love how chill Bernadette is about the situation. After all, it must be obvious to pretty much everyone that nothing could ever happen between Howard and Amy. Maybe on a different kind of show, but not on The Big Bang Theory, since it is very likely this whole collaboration between the two is not even brought up in the upcoming episodes.

Bernadette’s very nonchalant reaction also makes the reactions of Sheldon and Raj more entertaining, since it is quite obvious that the way they are reacting is quite ridiculous.

One of my favorite scenes of the episode takes place when Amy comes home after a long day of working with Howard. Sheldon, hoping to be the center of Amy’s attention, tries to get her excited about their shared project. Unfortunately, Amy is too tired.

The dialogue plays around with double entendres — they can “work together” if they do it quickly, Amy used to love the idea of “working together” all through the night, and so on — and though the jokes are quite a cliche, the scene works well by providing a few solid points worth of laughter.

While Amy and Howard work on their project, Penny starts reading through a parenting book left to their apartment by Bernadette. Soon, she makes discoveries that she believes could help her and Leonard in dealing with Sheldon.

While on an idea-level this story-line sounds fairly interesting, its execution does not really work, especially since it feels strange that this would be the first time they realize they could try to use something like this on Sheldon. 

My theory is that this storyline is used to connect Leonard and Penny with the idea of parenting, since following the show’s narrative logic it feels kind of obvious that their next step will be discussing the possibility of starting a family together. I must admit that I am not super into the idea of them as parents, mostly because I think it would change the show drastically.

The fact that Howard and Bernadette have a baby works because the show is less centered on their house and hiding the baby from the sight of the camera does not seem too weird. The fact that there would suddenly be a baby who is never shown to the viewers in Penny and Leonard’s apartment just seems like something that would not work at all.

Obviously, this is still very much speculation, but in my opinion, it seems quite logical. I am honestly going to be really impressed if The Big Bang Theory manages to surprise me and introduces some sort of unexpected storyline for Penny and Leonard.

They’ve gone through marital problems already, so that probably won’t be repeated. What else could happen? Only time will tell.

What did you think of this episode of The Big Bang Theory? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Big Bang Theory airs Mondays at 8/7c on CBS.

 

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