Fans Hated Big Bang Theory Ending, and Kaley Cuoco Actually Agrees With Them
One part of The Big Bang Theory's ending was somewhat controversial. In fact, it was an example of showrunners creating a controversy out of nothing, because they were running out of ideas for the final leg of their show, as it clearly approached a closure.
By the beginning of the final season, the unresolved sexual tension between the main character, Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco ) had long been resolved, in fact, they were married for a while. Successful resolution of the problems plaguing the main relationship of the show meant, of course, lack of material for actually filling episodes of the show. For a time there was a feeling among the fans, that the writers are solving this problem by reducing Leonard and Penny to supporting characters, instead of doing something with their narrative.
To address and remedy that, the Season 12 of The Big Bang Theory revealed, that the couple had conflicting thoughts about having kids. Specifically, Penny did not want to have any. The issue was handled inconsistently, with odd twists and turns, until it was instantaneously resolved when it was revealed that Penny was pregnant. Despite Penny's hesitation to have a child, she eventually appeared not to mind.
The resolution could have been handled better. And showrunners could have selected a better idea for adding a conflict to the relationship, because the one they did select made a lot of fans bring their real-life political viewpoints into discussion of the show, forming arguments to the effect of "Penny's choice not being respected", while others argued that the whole issue was random and stupid, an addition to Penny's characterization that came out of nowhere after 11 seasons.
The controversy lingered for years after the finale, with negative opinions being more prevalent. Eventually, even Cuoco herself chimed in about Penny's final fate in the recent book, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, to agree with those who criticized it. She admitted that she personally didn't want her character to be pregnant:
"I actually wished that they did not [make Penny pregnant], because I loved that message [of Penny not wanting kids] so much. It was cute how the writers did it at the end with Penny's surprise pregnancy, and all in all I'm glad, but I was actually voting for her not to [get pregnant]."
Disaffection with the finale cannot change anything about it, of course – but it can influence the plot in case of The Big Bang Theory's revival, if such thing ever happens.