The Big Bang Theory (TV Series) The Isolation Permutation (2011) User Reviews

Amy feels rejected in "The Isolation Permutation" ep of "The Big Bang Theory"

[tavm · 7/10 · 21 November 2011]

In a nutshell of this ep of "The Big Bang Theory" from this season: Because Amy keeps weirding out Penny and Bernadette when shopping for wedding dresses, she's kept out of the most recent one which makes her sad. So sad she wants Sheldon to make mad love to her. Since Sheldon is uncomfortable with the whole intimacy thing, she settles for simply cuddling which is still too much for him and which has him telling Leonard and Howard to "keep your women in line"! I'll stop there and just say Mayim Bialik keeps the dramatic and comedic side of her Amy character in a good balance as one feels for her and can still laugh at her attempts to adjust to whatever social situations she gets into. And as always, Jim Parsons just gives in to the Sheldon character in full force with hilarious results. Not a great episode but "The Isolation Permutation" is still a good enough edition of "The Big Bang Theory" to get by.

I'm single. I don't need this crap...

[Doctor_vanNostrand · 7/10 · 1 June 2012]

A fitting sentiment from Leonard after his breakup with Priya and when he forces Sheldon into an uncomfortable situation. Some may find "The Isolation Permutation" cringe-worthy or an indication of the show becoming too Amy-centric, but those who have been rejected by people they thought were their friends can certainly relate after Penny and Bernadette go dress shopping without Amy. Sheldon shows that he is both Sheldon and a stereotypical male when he is in the position of consoling a female friend who has been crying, but is willing to show some flexibility where Amy is concerned. While he may not admit it here, he cares about Amy more than anyone else as indicated by how upset he was the next day. He is notorious for complaining about the slightest changes of plans, but was never that livid. He may have been outwardly outraged the future of String Theory and his Lego fun time were disrupted, but he was clearly upset that Amy was upset. Thankfully, Amy gets her happy ending by being named Bernadette's maid of honor as a more concrete demonstration of the girls' acceptance of her.

The Isolation Permutation

[studioAT · 7/10 · 9 April 2024]

This was one of the better episodes of Series Five so far for me.

The reason for this is because they almost just give the episode over to Mayim Bialik and just let her be very very funny. She is an absolute scream here.

It's a good episode overall, with the Sheldon/Amy dynamic continuing to be the gift that keeps on giving for this show as it develops further. It's odd to think of a show still finding its feet in the fifth series of its run, but that is the case.

The Howard/Bernadette wedding prep is going to take up a lot of this fifth series, but in small doses I suppose it's not too bad.

Just Didn't Grab Me

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 14 October 2021]

While there is a funny scene where Amy and Sheldon snuggle, the rest of it is pretty much one person feeling left out and getting depressed. Of course, it could be my male perspective kicking in. The whole wedding thing is rather boring to me. Not the people getting married--the whole process.

The wild permutation

[raulfaust · 6/10 · 6 November 2011]

I haven't been enjoying this season from the get go, and this episode just reinforces what I was already thinking about it. Some characters are losing their manners and we're getting to see the personality of the actor; Amy for instance, she's getting closer and closer to the real Mayim Bialik in every episode. It's a bad thing, she used to be way funnier when she was geekier and less human. The plot of this episode is decent, but there are too few real funny jokes-- little Leonard thing is one of these. It's also sad that Sheldon has too few lines, comparing to last season when he was the center of attentions. But hey that's my thought of it, some of my friends consider this one of the best TBBT's episode, so you may enjoy it much more than me. I won't complain that the plot is too different from what it was in the beginning, since I agree the show needs to change some details to not become boring and repeating.

Deal with it.

[wkozak221 · 2/10 · 21 June 2021]

This is an interesting episode. This clearly shows Amy's personality. It amazes that she is a doctor and hasn't a clue what is going on. She is needy. Also, she constantly says bizarre things all the time to everyone. What made the writers think that neuroscience jokes would be funny or watching Amy dissect a brain onscreen? Sick.. Also, I can understand why Penny and Bernadette went by themselves.