"The Big Bang Theory" The Fish Guts Displacement (TV Episode 2012) Poster

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9/10
"The Fish Guts Displacement" was another very funny ep of "The Big Bang Theory"
tavm10 December 2012
In this ep of "The Big Bang Theory": Raj offers his friends a "movies that killed franchises" night (Leonard mentions Jaws 4 and Daredevil 1) but Howard has a night with his wife's parents and Sheldon has to go to a funeral of one of Amy's relatives. Turns out Amy is sick and can't go so Sheldon now has to take care of her. Meanwhile, Howard still can't get a conversation going with Bernadette's dad (her mom, by the way, only gets a few words going before she's done) so during dinner Bernie suggests her two favorite men to go fishing together which thrills Howard (yes, I'm being sarcastic). So Howard turns to Penny for some fishing lessons...This was another very funny ep of "The Big Bang Theory" that just aired and I very much liked the developments that happened here like what comes between Amy and Sheldon. Oh, and it looks like Raj can at least talk in front of Penny without drinking an alcoholic substance, at least judging from his doing so without such in this one. So on that note, I really liked "The Fish Guts Displacement".
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9/10
Cool Situations
Hitchcoc22 October 2021
Two characters are put in unique, uncomfortable situations. Sheldon agrees to take care of an ailing Amy. She manipulates him into some interesting actions. More funny is Howard being asked (under duress) to go fishing with Bernie's retired cop father. The best part is Penny showing him how to put worms on a hook and how to clean a fish. Very admirable episode.
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10/10
One of the best ever --and got past the censors
orvalle27 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Two excellent story lines in one.

The simple one has Howard making progress becoming closer to his father in-law. Nice advancement in their character development.

But the best and cleverest writing was saved for Amy and Sheldon. The love/lust-starved Amy stumbles into a surprising way to get the sorts of physical attention (though not strictly sexual) she's been dying to get from her boyfriend. Between chest rubs with Vapo- rub and baths by Sheldon she's clearly in heaven. When caught, it turns into light S&M spanking ...at least for Amy. That Dr. Cooper is totally oblivious to any of this just emphasizes the "sweet spot" the writers hit with this entire plot twist.

Mayim's acting as Amy is so perfect as her character realizes that Sheldon will dutifully do things she wants. The contorted emotions expressed as she hears Sheldon saying he's going to rub her all over her chest (or that he should spank her) are perfect and perfectly in character. The surprise, trembling and joy of realization of what's happening is worth replaying again and again.

Echoes of that reaction show up in the following season Thanksgiving episode when Sheldon spanks her again (while drunk). It wouldn't be surprising to find her conflicted getting physically sick and stimulated again.

That what's going on, especially the innuendos at the end, made it into the first hour of family prime time is also testament to the quality of the writing. You can imagine that parents will get the full joke while the kids laugh too at the simple stuff (like a bath or medicine).
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The Big Bang Theory The Fish Guts Displacement
dalydj-918-2551757 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Sheldon wonders about the Spiderman theme song even saying it in front of the guys while playing cards. He brings up how the lyrics are not real to the character. Raj wants to have a film festival with films that ruined franchises. Howard is having dinner with Bernadette's family and is not excited about it. Sheldon is going to funeral with Amy and things he will not offend anyone. When Sheldon goes to pick up Amy he sees she is sick and cannot go to the funeral. Sheldon does not want to take care of her first but she is able to make him by convincing him. He then comes back to the door saying he cares for her. Howard try's to do small talk with Bernadette's dad but it is too awkward and he wants to leave the atmosphere. While trying to take care of Sheldon it does not seem to go well. He then mentions he will rub something on her chest and that gets her excited for him taking care of her. Howard still try's to talk to Bernadette's family but still cannot talk to them. Howard ends up being invited to go fishing with her father. Howard does not know how to fish and the only manly person he can ask is Penny. Penny try's to teach Howard but he still struggles. Sheldon continues to look after Amy and she finally feels like he cares about her. Bernadette then comes with some medicine for Amy. Amy then tells Bernadette she is not sick but just wants Sheldon to look after her which includes him cleaning her in a bath. Penny try's to teach the guys how to cut a fish but they get sick. Sheldon then confronts Amu about her lying about being sick. Sheldon then says he needs to spank Amy and she is letting him do it. When Howard and Bernadette's dad agree not to go on the fishing trip they decide to go to a casino. Without Sheldon really knowing what is spanking is doing she is really into it. Amy getting taken care of was funny especially how they ended it. The other part of the episode was just fine and nothing to write home about.

EPISODE GRADE: B- (MVP: Mayim Bialik)
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3/10
The Fish Guts Displacement
studioAT12 May 2024
This was a distinctly 'meh' episode of 'The Big Bang Theory' for me.

Anything where Howard is given too much screen time tends to have that effect on me to be honest.

There's a fun scene linked to his storyline where Penny is showing him, Raj and Leonard (the latter two very underused here) how to gut a fish, but other than that there wasn't much joy to be found in this plot.

The Sheldon and Amy plot works much better, but then goes to a very weird place in its final scene that feels very out of place in this show. It got through the censors more than likely because of the innocence of Sheldon, but it is odd.

A decent enough episode without ever being good.
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