Big Bang Theory ends the series in a metaphorical hug

Big Bang Theory series finale spoilers ahead proceed at your own risk.

Filled with the proper amount of Sheldon angst, balanced with the laughter and tenderness the show took us on one last orbit around the Big Bang Theory Universe. It was the type of episode fans have come to expect from CBS’ long running comedy.

The series finale of the Big Bang Theory opens with Sheldon being Sheldon while, he, Leonard, Penny, and Amy await the news from the Noble Prize committee. Of course Amy and Sheldon win the Nobel Prize. How the couple and their friends deal with this life changing event sets up the rest of the hour long episode.

Sheldon has changes his trajectory

Sheldon grew up and discovered he was capable of empathy and compassion. If there were any curve balls in the finale it was the moment when Sheldon displayed true, deep heart felt emotion for his friends and wife. Kaley Cuoco (Penny) explains to The Hollywood Reporter how Sheldon’s maturation resonated with her the first time she read the scene in the script.

“When I originally read the script, at the Nobel ceremony — when everyone stands up — I was just so amazed by the brilliant writing,” star Kaley Cuoco (Penny) says. “To give everyone their moment and to have Sheldon who, after all these years, can never apologize — actually apologize — to his friends is unbelievable. And to do it in front of people and to give of himself like that was unreal.”

His growth over the last 12 years always foreshadowed Leonard and Penny’s future as parents. If their influence on Sheldon resulted in a functioning, loving, adult capable of considering others as humans then surely they can raise a baby of their own. Science and life rarely end up the way we plan it.

Leonard and Penny have raised a Sheldon what’s next?

You would think after raising Sheldon to become a full fledged adult Leonard and Penny would take a little time off before jumping back into parenthood head first.

But with this being the end for our favorite scientists and their wives there wasn’t much time for resting or basking in the great job they’d done raising their dear friend. A tipsy Penny returns home after spending an afternoon soothing Sheldon who becomes upset. After he realizes winning the Nobel Prize for Physics was going to change his life in ways he never considered Sheldon has a moment where he goes a little off the rails.

We learn later that Penny and Leonard are expecting their first child (second if you include emotionally adopting and raising Sheldon). The pair try to keep the news quiet. Sheldon begins to spin out of control on the plane to Switzerland when he becomes convinced that he will contract Penny’s disease.

Howard, Bernadette, Stuart and Raji

Everyone gets a happy ending in the Big Bang Theory swan song. Everyone that is except Raji and Stuart. We see all three of Howard and Berndette’s children. Howard has evolved as well over the last 12 years. He expresses compassion and concern for his children. It’s clear the love Howard has for his family is the one area of his life where someone else’s needs come before his own. But Howard is still Howard. A fact he quickly reminds us of when he wonders out loud if Bernadette and Penny have showered together.

Raj ends up at the Nobel Ceremony with Sarah Michelle Geller playing herself. But still alone and essentially Raji. Stuart does have a love interest which we saw in one of the episodes which aired prior to the finally.

Final Takeaways

The creators gave us the Big Bang Theory Finale we’ve waited 12 seasons for. It was everything we hoped it would be. Fans were left with satisfied. Everyone’s storyline was wrapped up with a bow. Except for Stuart and Raji the happy endings we were rooting for came true. Raji and Stuart’s storylines didn’t get the happy ending treatment, or a period on the end. In reality isn’t that really how we thought it would end all along?

Johnny Galecki ( Leonard) probably sums up the series and the feelings the finale evokes better than anyone else. Galecki shared his thoughts with The Hollywood Reporter prior to the finale.

The main takeaway is that these friendships will continue; the writers didn’t want someone to move away. We wanted to leave the audience with the idea that these friendships and the love that they have continues.

What would you change about the finale? Did you like the ending, or was it too predictable? Where would you rank it in your list of all time favorite series finales? Let us know what you think in the comments below.