Sheldon Was Meant to Stay Asexual on TBBT (And Maybe He Should Have)
Dr. Sheldon Cooper was one of the most unique and beloved characters on The Big Bang Theory.
Sheldon was known for his remarkable intelligence, peculiar behavior, and lack of social skills. However, one of the most debated aspects of his character was his sexuality.
In the early seasons, it was clear that Sheldon was not interested in physical intimacy or romantic relationships. He had no desire for sex and showed no interest in pursuing a partner until the end of season 3.
However, as the show progressed, the writers started exploring Sheldon's romantic life, which many fans argued was unnecessary.
In season 4, Sheldon met Amy Farrah Fowler, a neurobiologist with whom he formed a relationship. The couple's dynamic was endearing, and their quirks complemented each other well.
However, as their relationship in the series progressed, Sheldon's behavior changed significantly. He began to show interest in physical intimacy and eventually even considered consummating his relationship with Amy.
This shift in Sheldon's personality disappointed many fans, who felt the show had lost one of its defining traits.
There has been a lot of debate among fans as to whether Sheldon's repulsion to sex and romance was a crucial aspect of his character or a stereotype that needed to be broken.
Some have argued that the initial portrayal of Sheldon as an aromantic asexual and his subsequent "change of heart" only reinforced negative stereotypes about people who identify as asexual.
Others pointed out that asexuality is not necessarily a complete rejection of the ideas of romance and physical relationships, and that Sheldon's portrayal was necessary for a community that is often overlooked.
While the show did handle the issue of asexuality with sensitivity, some fans say that it could have done more to represent the asexual community.
Instead of portraying Sheldon's orientation as a quirk, the show could have explored the challenges and experiences of asexual individuals.
Asexuality is still a relatively unknown and misunderstood orientation, and TBBT had an opportunity to educate its viewers on the topic.
What's more, Sheldon's asexuality added a layer of complexity to his character that set him apart from his friends. It was a significant aspect of his identity, which benefited the show overall. The series could have chosen to go on and develop it further.
Whether Sheldon's change from celibacy to his relationship with Amy was good or bad for the series is down to the viewer's perspective.
On the one hand, many fans were happy with his character's development over the seasons. However, others cannot help but wonder about the missed opportunity for TBBT to break down some stereotypes and increase awareness of asexuality and its spectrum.
Ultimately the writers' decision to give Sheldon a romantic interest was endearing. But did it come at the cost of losing something that made the show so unique?