Steve Molaro Explains ‘Big Bang Theory’ Finale

CBS’ The Big Bang Theory ended its ninth season last Thursday with quite a cliffhanger.

Showrunner Steve Molaro explains why the series ended its season with a cliffhanger, where season 10 picks up as well as the future of the show.

“In the vein of cliffhangers, there tends to be an abruptness to it. Everything that we needed to take care of in that episode got taken care of. If it left you feeling like you wanted more, then hopefully we wrote it correctly…It started a few months back when Johnny and Judd met [at NBC’s James Burrows tribute] and started talking, and Judd expressed an interest in playing Leonard’s father. We thought he was amazing as Alfred. We started wondering how and why he comes to town and what could be fun about that. We know there’s always electricity and energy between Sheldon’s mom and Leonard’s mom. That was the beginning building blocks that led to [the idea that] if there was another little wedding ceremony to take place, that would be a legitimate reason for all the family members to come back and meet. Once that was floating around, this ending of Sheldon’s mom and Leonard’s dad hitting it off started to seem really fun to us. ”- Molaro.

If Leonard’s father and Sheldon’s mother really do get together, they’d be brothers. And that’s kind of what their friendship has become. Why don’t they like the idea of their parents together?

“It is weirdly approaching that at the moment, isn’t it? But aren’t they kind of brothers already? I think it’s a weird thing to think about their parents together. I’m fond of my parents, but I don’t want to think about what they’re doing in the bedroom! So I’m going to put it in that category.”- Molaro.

Why create a romantic connection between Leonard’s dad and Sheldon’s mom?

“Leonard’s father and Sheldon’s mother, all they did was go off and have a nightcap and turn off their phones. I don’t think there’s any thoughts of those two actually getting married or running off to do anything like that. This is just an initial baby step in whatever that can be.”- Molaro.

So what’s the plan for season 10?

“The plan for now, and it’s not set in stone, is that we’re coming right back into the situation that was created the night before [with their nightcap].”- Molaro.

Will Penny and Leonard have a formal wedding or will this second ceremony be it?

“It could happen — and I don’t have all answers yet — but the pieces are in place, certainly at least to be meeting new family members. If we make it that far into the ceremony, great. Or the events of the night before with Leonard’s dad and Sheldon’s mom start to derail that. That much I don’t know yet; we haven’t really started writing.”- Molaro.

Howard is super paranoid about the Air Force taking over his guidance system, potentially making him, Leonard and Sheldon all wildly successful in their careers. What’s the goal with that story?

“That guidance system is the child of Leonard, Sheldon and Wolowitz. That’s tying the three of them together in what I think is a nice way that doesn’t get to happen a whole lot on the time.”- Molaro.

Are you approaching season 10 as if it’s the last? Will there be any dream cast members to fill in family members we haven’t seen yet?

“Even if that were the case, that’s still 24 episodes away. So no, I’m not looking at it as the end… It’s premature to talk about but we have a couple of fun ideas. Howard’s father has not been at the top of that list but it’s always floating around. If and when the time is right, we’ll dig into it…Right now, it’s to continue with the stories that are in play. We have all these family members that are there and hopefully more to meet for the first time. We can continue with this guidance system and see where that goes professionally, personally and financially. There’s a baby on the way [for Howard and Bernadette], Penny is unhappy with her career. There are a lot of pieces already in play that for now, we just want to continue with. ”-Molaro.

Do you already have an idea of how this show ends?

“I have some thoughts floating around but we’ll see. Sometimes as the show goes along — and it’s not terribly planned out in advance — even I’m surprised by the things that the characters do and the places we end up going. I do have some thoughts but for all I know, based on what’s to come, they may be useless thoughts. Time will only tell.”- Molaro.

What stands out the most from season nine?

“The Star Wars episode with Sheldon and Amy consummating their relationship is one of our finest moments ever. It’s something I’m probably the most proud of in terms of what we’ve been able to write and [where we’ve been able to] take the characters. Everybody in that episode shines, and all their stories converge in this lovely way as Star Wars is premiering and Sheldon and Amy are in bed. It’s one of the high points, not just of season nine but of the series for me.”- Molaro.

 

What did you think of the Big Bang Theory season finale?

 

Source: The Hollywood Reporter