One The Big Bang Theory Character That Got Totally Gatekept From Joining The Group
The sitcom really did show the true colors of the geek community.
The Big Bang Theory became a hit not only because of how refreshing it was to see a bunch of nerds as the show's main characters, but also because of how accurately it portrayed geeky groups.
All four of the main male characters were scientists, which made them extremely smart academically, but kind of lost in the real world. They dedicated their free time to playing games, watching movies and shows, going to panels, and trying their best to navigate adult life without losing a childish side.
However, when it came to welcoming others into their circle, they were all so unwelcoming that no one wanted to join.
The only character who was able to fit into the group, make friends with everyone, and not have to change is Penny. Not only was this convenient for the plot, but it also showed how easy it was for her character to use her "pretty privilege" to get where she wanted to get.
Since Leonard, Howard, and Raj have all fallen for Penny at some point, it would be very odd for them not to accept her at some point. Those who didn't fit the "tall, blonde, pretty female" criteria had a much harder time gaining their trust.
One of the characters who was genuinely interested in everything the nerds were working on and discussing was Zack Johnson, Penny's on-and-off boyfriend who had slowly become her ex over the years. Considering the relationship between him and Penny, it's easy to assume that the group didn't accept him out of jealousy, but that wasn't actually the case.
Apparently, Zack wasn't accepted into the group because he wasn't smart enough.
No matter how genuinely interested he was in science and how sincere he was with the other guys, they just brushed him off as if he wasn't worth talking to. This may seem like a simple comedic gesture, but this behavior perfectly translates into the reality of many fans trying to keep what they love away from others.
Whether or not this was an intentional metaphor, we don't know. However, Zack's story and the happy ending he has sends a perfect message of self-confidence to all viewers.