Despite their unfair treatment in The Big Bang Theory, upcoming spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe could make great strides in redeeming one of its main characters. It’s long been confirmed that the Stuart Fails to Save the Universe cast is cobbled together of notable Big Bang Theory side characters, allowing their personas to be developed in greater depth.
It probably won’t feel like the secret The Big Bang Theory season 13 fans are hoping it will turn into, but Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a perfect opportunity to fix any slights or oversights in the original. And the new spinoff to 2024’s most binged streaming series owes one of its main characters more love than anyone.
The Big Bang Theory Belittled Bert Despite His Genius
Sheldon Was Unsurprisingly The Main Offender
When talking about unfairly treated characters, some minds may leap to the worst things The Big Bang Theory did to Stuart. But Brian Posehn’s Bert Kibbler is one of the most underrated scientists at Caltech, and the original sitcom rarely misses an opportunity to punch down at him. His size, awkwardness with women, and love of rocks are all fair game.
Bert may be a fairly typical Posehn character personality-wise, but his accomplishments should command more respect than the gang—mostly Sheldon but even bandmates Howard and Raj—tend to give him.
Geology may not be as sexy as physics, but that doesn’t change the fact that Bert won the MacArthur Foundation’s “Genius Grant” in 2016, when it was worth $625,000. Bert may be a fairly typical Posehn character personality-wise, but his accomplishments should command more respect than the gang—mostly Sheldon but even bandmates Howard and Raj—tend to give him.
How Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Can Make Up For TBBT’s Bert Disrespect
Bert’s Series Regular Status Opens Up A Door For Him
Of all the characters confirmed to appear in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, Bert has the second-lowest episode count in The Big Bang Theory with just 15 appearances. This puts him well below Kripke (25 episodes) and Stuart (84 episodes). Denise has fewer appearances with just 8 episodes, but dating the spinoff’s titular protagonist means her character’s development is guaranteed.
Bert, however, needs development in all directions. For one thing, his work has received less focus than just about any other scientist’s in The Big Bang Theory. It only features heavily in two episodes, both of them vehicles for other characters. One revolves around Sheldon keeping their collaboration a secret, while the other’s about Leonard’s obsession with laser-slicing a meteorite.
Not only can Stuart Fails to Save the Universe give Bert’s work more focus, it can develop his personal life as well. Bert’s only relationship in The Big Bang Theory is with a woman who uses him for his money, but Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’s episode count provides just enough time to show a lady Bert’s hidden worth.
Why Bert Is The Most Interesting Character In Stuart Fails To Save The Universe
The Big Bang Theory Left His Potential Largely Unexplored
Ironically, Bert’s lack of character development gives him some of the most interesting ground to cover in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. Stuart and Kripke have already been given fairly well-rounded characterizations compared to Bert, while Denise’s personality and backstory will likely be fleshed out through her relationship with Stuart. Bert’s comparatively a clean slate with room to explore.
Although early interest in the spinoff revolved around whether it will facilitate a The Big Bang Theory cast reunion, rounding out Bert’s relationships with his co-stars gives the spinoff its own compelling hook. Between his work at Caltech and his love of nerd culture, he’s the likeliest bridge to justify Kripke getting into regular hijinks with Stuart and Denise
Bert also has the most room to grow. Stuart can improve his confidence, and Kripke can become a nicer person, but both characters have taken at least occasional baby steps in those directions. Bert’s “sad sack” persona, however, remains ironclad whenever he’s not holding a guitar. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe can finally show a deeper side of him.
