The Unforgettable Wedding That Stole Big Bang Theory Fans' Hearts
Discover the reasons behind the underwhelming response to Leonard & Penny's wedding episode in The Big Bang Theory Season 9 Uncover the failed plot, lack of comedy, and the introduction of a controversial arc that left viewers disappointed
Summary
"The Matrimonial Momentum" is considered The Big Bang Theory's most hated episode due to poor handling of plotlines and lack of humor.
The wedding scene in the episode failed to deliver the expected comedy and fell short of providing an enjoyable, romantic, and engaging experience.
Following the episode, a disliked character arc was established with Sheldon and Amy's breakup, resulting in a prolonged and frustrating "will they, won't they" storyline in subsequent episodes.
The Big Bang Theory faced criticism for several episodes, but one episode in particular faced a combination of negative factors. Every show has a few episodes that disappoint its viewers, regardless of how dedicated the fan base may be. Whether it's an episode of The Simpsons where it's revealed that Seymour Skinner is an imposter or the infamous Friends clip show, some episodes just can't please everyone. However, The Big Bang Theory's most disliked episode went above and beyond to earn the dissatisfaction of its audience.
"The Matrimonial Momentum," the first episode of Season 9 of The Big Bang Theory, had a lot riding on its brief twenty-minute runtime. As the season premiere, it was one of the most-watched episodes of the entire series. This episode also promised that after eight years of constant breakups and makeups, Leonard and Penny would finally tie the knot by the end. Additionally, the episode aimed to provide resolution to the conflict between Sheldon and Amy, which had been left hanging in the Season 8 finale. Unfortunately, it was this storyline that became the show's downfall.
Why The Big Bang Theory Season 9 Episode 1’s Plot Didn’t Work
Credit must be given to "The Matrimonial Momentum" for successfully concluding both storylines by marrying Leonard and Penny and breaking up Sheldon and Amy. However, the execution of these plots left much to be desired. Leonard and Penny's wedding took place hastily and away from their loved ones, leading to potential tension when Penny discovered that Leonard had kissed someone else years ago. Yet, the lack of stakes diminished the impact, as it was expected that they would reconcile, given their history of frequent arguments.
On the other hand, Sheldon's bitter split from Amy on The Big Bang Theory was simply unpleasant. The clash between Amy's naivete and Sheldon's coldness failed to create the desired comedic effect, exemplified by the episode's plot. Sheldon intentionally provoked Amy into announcing their breakup during Leonard and Penny's live-streamed wedding, seemingly aiming for humor but instead appearing petty and cruel. Fortunately, Young Sheldon's portrayal of the character offered a more enjoyable experience, as episodes like this demonstrated that watching Sheldon could be tiring.
The Big Bang Theory Season 9 Episode 1 Lacked Comedy
The Big Bang Theory Season 9 Episode 1 Set Up A Hated Arc
- Unsurprisingly, the wedding scene in "The Matrimonial Momentum" left a lingering unpleasant aftertaste as it proved to be devoid of humor, according to Den of Geek. IGN further noted that it was uncharacteristically depressing. Given the anticipation built up around Penny and Leonard's nuptials, it was disheartening to witness an occasion that lacked humor, romance, and interest. Thankfully, their subsequent wedding more than made up for this disappointment.
Despite the inconsistencies between Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory, the spinoff successfully maintained Sheldon's characteristic stubbornness. This aspect of his personality began to irritate viewers in season 9 of The Big Bang Theory, particularly in the episode "The Matrimonial Momentum," which introduced one of the most disliked character arcs in the show. To the surprise of many, Sheldon and Amy remained broken up for a much longer period than expected. The season premiere firmly established their breakup, resulting in a half-season filled with tired "will they, won't they" subplots as Sheldon slowly learned humility. By the time they reconciled, it was difficult to cheer him on.
The issue with this storyline was not the initial breakup of Sheldon and Amy. Just like Leonard and Penny, they were one of the main couples in the show, so it was expected for them to face some difficulties. However, the frustrating aspect was that their conflict stemmed from Sheldon's unwavering personality. Sheldon's stubbornness was what made him endearing in The Big Bang Theory, so it was consistent for him to resist committing to Amy. Nevertheless, throughout season 9, the show continuously chipped away at this characteristic until Sheldon and Amy ultimately reconciled.
