The betrayal of Penny’s story in The Big Bang Theory came much earlier than the series finale’s pregnancy twist. Penny has undisputedly been a Big Bang Theory main character since the sitcom’s beginning, with her developments influencing the story just as much as Leonard and Sheldon’s. TBBT getting Penny wrong in season 1 didn’t nevertheless help establish her as crucial.
Although all the friends in the original gang were given a chance to either mature or have TBBT revolutionize their story, Penny’s stopped short with the pregnancy twist not explaining why or how she changed her mind about having children. What’s even worse, The Big Bang Theory had already betrayed Penny’s arc through one character’s atrocious behavior in season 7.
TBBT Dismissed Penny’s Acting Dream Through Leonard’s Lack Of Support For Her
Penny’s dream of becoming an actress was referenced throughout the sitcom’s earlier seasons, even if it had been forgotten by The Big Bang Theory’s series finale. However, it didn’t get past mentions of auditions or acting lessons until Big Bang Theory season 7, when Penny’s scenes in a popular TV show being cut pushed her to go all-in on acting.
Penny’s newfound drive to get her foot in the door by focusing her every moment on acting and auditions was only ever treated as a means to an end for other storylines in TBBT season 7, like Penny and Leonard’s engagement by season 7’s finale. This was made especially evident by how Leonard supported Penny’s acting through words, not actions.
Despite Penny’s career arc taking center stage in The Big Bang Theory season 7, it was never really the focus in and of itself, but only a way to lead Penny to propose to Leonard, as their relationship was the only thing she had to “show for” after her 10 years there.
Between his trying on the gang sentences that might convince Penny he supported her and admitting the truth when he mistook her going to the Cheesecake Factory for her wanting her job back, Leonard evidently didn’t support Penny’s decision to focus on acting without a safety net like her waitressing job. It went deeper than just not believing in Penny.
The dismissal of Penny’s dream wasn’t her not making it in The Big Bang Theory season 7, episodes 12, 13 and 17, but Leonard’s consistent lack of approval of Penny’s choices, when they shared a life and he couldn’t understand her perspective. Even buying Penny a car happened after Leonard pushed her to accept the role in Serial Ape-ist 2.
What Leonard’s Behavior In TBBT Season 7 Reveals About Their Relationship (Unlike Sheldon)
Leonard and Penny’s biggest relationship mistakes in The Big Bang Theory that are commonly pinpointed are their getting together too soon, or season 12’s pregnancy twist. However, Leonard’s self-interest proved itself as a flaw that caused countless fights between them, and it was evident throughout The Big Bang Theory season 7’s Penny acting career arc, but had also appeared before.
Just like Leonard learning about Penny taking a history course became all about him in TBBT season 6, Leonard’s main preoccupation with Penny’s career arc was how it reflected on him. Through his jokes and offhanded comments, it was clear Leonard was more preoccupied with how her choices would affect him than how much she cared about them.
The contrast was even more accentuated by Sheldon’s reaction of complete support to Penny’s choice. Indeed, despite his dismissal of anything that wasn’t his field of study, Sheldon admitted he understood and praised Penny’s choice, as it meant she dedicated all her efforts to achieving her dream. This inevitably showed that Sheldon’s affection for Penny was less self-serving than Leonard’s.
Leonard consistently putting his feelings and fears first is noticeable in Penny’s season 7 acting career arc, but also in their season 12 fights about having children. This shows how their relationship had a massive problem that The Big Bang Theory could have tackled after their engagement, but didn’t, letting it stagnate and leaving Penny worse off as a result.
