With Christine Baranski guest starring in the show’s Christmas episode this season, there’s a lot of high expectations in the air for The Big Bang Theory this week.  While I am not a big fan of Baranski’s character (Beverly, Leonard’s mother), the episode is bolstered in entertainment thanks to an immense amount of alcohol.

Beverly the Cruel

Again, I much prefer Sheldon’s mother to Beverly.  Beverly is dry in an undermining way, and she is the carbon copy of Sheldon’s archetype.  While Sheldon has become endearing, having two personalities like that is an overdose.  Story-wise, Beverly’s presence does serve a natural function for Penny and Leonard in that they have to introduce and validate their relationship to an insatiable parent.

With Penny and Leonard largely together and happy this season, Beverly inserts an interesting dilemma for the pair.  Although the idea is the ultimate cliche, it is resolved in a rather comical manner.

Inebriation

Even with my dislike for Beverly, seeing her drunk is more rewarding than I could’ve ever expected.  Seeing her drunk and interact with Penny, Leonard and Sheldon is–quite simply–comedic gold.  In a very awkward manner, Leonard is able to receive drunken affection from his mother, Sheldon is able to kiss a member of the opposite sex, and Penny is ultimately able to receive Beverly’s blessings.

Despite a very bumpy ride, The Big Bang Theory is able to entertain viewers and even receive a little bit of merriness in its own special way.  ‘The Maternal Congruence’ pales in comparison to last season’s Christmas episode but still manages to satisfy my comedic appetite.

Rating: 8.2/10

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