What I love about “The Big Bang Theory” is that every season sees the series gradually evolve in to a new animal. The shtick about a bunch of geeky guys and their gorgeous neighbor was discarded a long time ago. Now “The Big Bang Theory” is about a group of geeky guys learning to have their love for their hobbies, while also figuring out adulthood and responsibilities. Most of all, they’re learning how to embrace reality when it comes knocking down their doors. Particularly character Howard Wolowitz. This year, actress Carol Ann Susi (also known as Howard’s mother) suffered an untimely death. The show tastefully wrote in her death and provided audiences with a multi-episode arc to allow us to deal with her passing. More so the arc has allowed Howard to grow as a person and find his footing in a new character mold.
When we first met Howard on the show he was a mama’s boy and overgrown man child. Now with the death of his mother, he has to figure out how to stand on his own two feet and learn to let go of some of the aspects of her life that brought them so close together. Most importantly the death of his mother allows Howard to evolve in to a new character who can rely more on his interaction with wife Bernadette. Melissa Rauch is a consistently funny and utterly talented actress who has more than proven her role on the show to be indispensible, so it’s satisfying to see her role as loyal, but headstrong, wife cemented in to the series’ canon.
There are a lot of surprises with the arc of the death of Howard’s mother that ends up being both hilarious and shockingly heart wrenching. This includes Sheldon displaying an amazing amount of compassion when the announcement of Mrs. Wolowitz introduces itself to the show, and a last dinner comprised of her stored food allowing the group to reflect on themselves and on the happiness she brought everyone. There’s also the introduction of Howard’s long lost brother. How this will play out in the final seasons remain to be seen. That said, there are a lot more really good episodes for season eight before the arc of the death of Mrs. Wolowitz. The show just keeps finding new ideas and has yet to show a lull in the often laugh out loud writing.
Finally, the whole Penny wants to be an actress idea has become an afterthought, with the season providing her a new direction in life, and a brand new pixy haircut. This year Penny aims for a steady financial future now that she’s engaged in Leonard, and this creates a lot of tension between the couple, especially when Leonard learns Penny earns more during a podcast with Wil Wheaton. We also get to know Raj’s new girlfriend Emily, as played by Laura Spencer, who is a mix of eccentric, demented, and unusual. Spencer plays the role well and even gets an episode with the cast, where they engage in a game of Room Escape. There’s also the hilarious “The Expedition Approximation,” where Sheldon and Raj consider possibly studying in salt mines by locking themselves up in confined pipe tunnels under the university resulting in hilarious interplay between both characters.
Among some of the best moments of the season, there’s the guest spot by Billy Bob Thorton who plays a fellow geek hopelessly obsessed with Penny, and the guys’ intrusion on the Skywalker ranch in hopes of meeting George Lucas. There’s also the fateful meeting of the moms as Leonard and Sheldon’s mothers inevitably clash as their differences cause a rift. “The Big Bang Theory” season eight proves the show has a few good years left, and continues evolving every year keeping its knack for utter hilarity and creativity.
Featured in the Blu-Ray release is the five minute “Shooting Stars” a look at the appearance by Billy Bob Thorton, how he became involved In the show, and his experiences filming with the cast. The “2014 Big Bang Theory Comic-Con Panel” is a nearly thirty minute panel featuring the show’s writers, the show’s science consultant, and a performance by Garfunkel and Oates. “It’s a Quark…It’s an Atom…It’s the #BBTSuperFans!” is a fun twelve minute segment featuring three contest winners who got to travel to the set, experience a live taping and meet the entire cast.
“Constellation Prize: Chuck, Jim and Kaley Make the Hollywood Walk of Fame” is a nearly four minute look at the trio of actors garnering stars on the walk of fame, and the odd exclusion of seasoned veteran Johnny Galecki. Seriously, what the hell? “Here’s to You, Carol Ann Susi” is a nearly ten minute dedication to Ms. Susi and the loss of her character on the show. Many of the cast and crew remember the actress, and the experience of working with her. Finally, there’s a seven minute gag reel.