Big Bang Theory's Hot Take: Penny Was Just as Bad for Leonard as Priya Was

The pair were so incredibly different in terms of background, interests, and careers, and it was a frequent observation of their friends that they had nothing in common.

Penny was referred to as a bully, domineering, and even cruel. While Leonard, no angel, often demonstrated a lack of maturity, respect for her boundaries and, ew, ouch, even cheated on her once.

Despite these issues, they stood the test of time, professing their love for each other via two weddings, and even having their surprise pregnancy revealed in the final episodes.

While most fans do seem to agree that Penny was Leonard's soulmate, it remains an unpopular opinion that she was just as bad for him as another flame that was branded toxic by the fanbase, Raj's sister Priya.

During one of Leonard and Penny's "off again" phases, Leonard became involved with Priya, a successful lawyer, sophisticated, well-educated, and highly intelligent.

Priya was beautiful, strong, and determined. She and Leonard seemed like a great match in the beginning, but soon the cracks started to appear…

First, she convinced him to change his wardrobe and trade his glasses for contacts. And then she banned him from spending time with Penny because she was an ex-girlfriend.

Despite these red flags, Leonard persisted in the relationship, even when Priya moves back to India, and they need to try and make things work long distance.

It ends in devastation when Leonard kisses another girl and admits his guilt to Priya, prompting her to confess she'd had sex with her ex-boyfriend.

Fans who were on Priya's side lost her at that moment. She became an instant villain of the series, due to being unfaithful.

But not all fans were on team Penny either. In fact, some people feel that both women were as bad as each other. The words "mean," "manipulative," and "controlling" have been applied to Penny and Priya.

While fans do point out that, unlike Priya, Penny did not ever cheat on Leonard, she is still no more a suitable partner for him than Priya was due to her shortcomings.

These fans believe that the influence of his over-controlling, cold mother is the reason Leonard seeks out toxic, unhealthy relationships.

It's true that the people closest to us can bring out the best as well as the worst in us, and both Penny and Priya excel at this. And perhaps it was their negative influence that finally forced Leonard to grow up.