The Big Bang Theory’s New Spinoff Needs To Fix One Ending Mistake

While The Big Bang Theory’s upcoming spinoff does need to fix a major ending mistake from the original show, this will be surprisingly easy for the series. The Big Bang Theory’s finale wasn’t a disaster like How I Met Your Mother’s infamous ending, but the popular hang-out show’s ending wasn’t a home run either. Unlike Young Sheldon’s finale, which set up its spinoff perfectly, The Big Bang Theory’s ending featured numerous unexpected twists that weren’t entirely appreciated. Penny’s last-second pregnancy was an unwelcome surprise for Vulture’s Kathryn VanArendonk, who noted the character’s previously established disinterest in having children.

Similarly, the finale’s focus on Sheldon meant that some supporting stars were comparatively short-changed. Admittedly, it had been clear since midway through The Big Bang Theory’s run that Jim Parsons’s obstinate antihero was the show’s breakout star. Sheldon became the show’s main focus by the time Penny and Leonard were paired off for good, and both Young Sheldon and its spinoff Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage prove he was the center of the sitcom franchise. However, The Big Bang Theory’s next spinoff can fix one character arc that the original show forgot about while focusing on Sheldon’s redemption.

The Big Bang Theory’s Stuart Spinoff Must Fix Raj’s Finale Fate

Raj Remained Single Despite His Desire For A Romantic Relationship

Raj’s fate was frustrating in The Big Bang Theory finale, but the show’s upcoming spinoff can change this. Raj ended up single and seemingly happy about it in the show’s last episode, but this ignored an important part of his character throughout the series. Raj was always searching for love and, even when he couldn’t speak to women due to his debilitating shyness, he was desperate to find a romantic partner. Throughout The Big Bang Theory’s run, Raj was the member of the gang who took the most interest in traditionally feminine-coded movies and activities and showed the most sensitivity.

While this was mostly used as fodder for jokes about his masculinity, it was also evidence that Raj was an emotional guy who wanted to connect with someone. Now that Variety reported The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff will center on Stuart, Bert, and Denise, the new show is perfectly poised to bring back Raj as a recurring character. The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff can’t become a glorified continuation of the original show by relying on its main cast members, but Raj’s story felt uniquely unfinished and merits a better conclusion. Thus, his search for love could provide connective tissue.

Stuart Could Help Out Raj In The Big Bang Theory’s Spinoff

Stuart Ended Up Happy With His Partner Denise

Although Raj was apparently happy as a single man in The Big Bang Theory’s ending, it seems fair to say that this didn’t ring entirely true. Raj was a hopeless romantic at heart throughout The Big Bang Theory, and although he could be surprisingly callous in his dealings with some of his later love interests, his desire to share his life with someone seemed genuine. The Big Bang Theory’s best Thanksgiving episode saw Raj join Amy and Bernadette in preparing Thanksgiving dinner, and numerous other outings proved that he was an unexpectedly caring partner to any potent love interest.

Where Howard had to be nagged into taking on any housework, Raj wasn’t as overly invested in his macho self-image. Raj was also less aggressively arrogant than Sheldon and, although he shared Leonard’s self-pitying streak, that didn’t stop his friend from ending up with Penny. In The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff, Raj will need more help than ever now that his best friend and former wingman, Howard, is a busy family man. In this regard, Stuart, the comic store owner who was once an unlucky-in-love sad sack and ended up in a happy relationship, is a perfect protagonist.

The Big Bang Theory’s Spinoff Could Fix Raj’s Character Decline

Raj Became Less Likable In The Show’s Later Seasons

Arguably, the main reason that Raj should return for The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff is to undo his character’s devolution in the show’s later seasons. The Big Bang Theory did Raj dirty after he learned to talk to women, turning him into an uncaring partner almost immediately. Raj repeatedly mistreated his love interests, although he was admittedly mistreated by them in turn, and his romantic plots were never taken as seriously as those of Leonard, Sheldon, and Howard. This culminated in a brutal episode where all of Raj’s many exes met up to share the reasons they left him.

In The Big Bang Theory season 10, episode 14, “The Emotion Detection Automation,” Raj brought together Emily, Lucy, Claire, and his other ex named Emily to find out his flaws and attempt to improve as a boyfriend. Raj’s The Big Bang Theory girlfriend reunion backfired as his exes began berating him more than he could handle, Howard started defending him, and he ended up learning nothing. While over-the-top, some of the criticism that Raj’s exes voiced rang true. However, Raj never took any of it on board. He could have swallowed his pride, but he instead doubled down on his behavior.

The Big Bang Theory’s Raj Return Solves Another Issue

The Original Show’s Heroes Will Be Expected To Come Back

Raj might not have listened when his exes told him he needed to gain more independence from his parents, but all hope is not yet lost. Out of all the main cast members of the original show, Raj has the most reason and freedom to return in The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff in terms of story and character. Compared to the three busier couples, Raj has no children to look after and no marriage to maintain. He can pursue relationships while also hanging out with Denice, Bert, and Stuart, thus ensuring that The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff works as a follow-up.

Stuart’s show is in a tricky position where the spinoff should feel like an extension of the show’s universe, but can’t feel like a knockoff or a straightforward sequel. The easiest way to get around this is to hone in on one exciting character who has a reason to return, like Raj, and put them center stage in the new show. This way, The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff can feel like its own beast while also doing justice to its predecessor. Meanwhile, Raj’s unfair fate from The Big Bang Theory’s ending can be replaced with a more romantic, optimistic coda.

Source: Vulture

Variety

Release Date

September 24, 2007

Seasons

12