Leonard likes that Penny is hot. And that he got the hot girl. And that she likes him in return. Also Penny lives right next door so he doesn't have to walk too far to see her.

@znexyish said:

Leonard likes that Penny is hot. And that he got the hot girl. And that she likes him in return. Also Penny lives right next door so he doesn't have to walk too far to see her.

That sounds like 2 votes for shallow so far.

He's said other things in the past. Such as that she's (mostly) kind to others. (Except when un-kindness was required, such as the internet bully who took Sheldon's stuff.) And she is (mostly) quick to forgive, although people on these boards might have said that about her more than Leonard has. She also puts up with Sheldon a lot more than anyone in the real world, who is in their right mind, would. And she's also more willing to go toe-to-toe with Sheldon, than Leonard usually is.

@Knixon said:

He's said other things in the past. Such as that she's (mostly) kind to others. (Except when un-kindness was required, such as the internet bully who took Sheldon's stuff.) And she is (mostly) quick to forgive, although people on these boards might have said that about her more than Leonard has. She also puts up with Sheldon a lot more than anyone in the real world, who is in their right mind, would. And she's also more willing to go toe-to-toe with Sheldon, than Leonard usually is.

I will not dispute any of those points, but are any reasons Leonard originally picked Penny? And the Sheldon-related points are not reasons for Leonard and Penny to be together.

Is there something wrong with that? People often first get interested just because of looks, and then find more later.

@Knixon said:

Is there something wrong with that? People often first get interested just because of looks, and then find more later.

Yeah, but did he find anything substantial later? The ability to forgive is a big thing, I'll give you that. But her being nice.... yes she can definitely be nice but then she can be fairly degrading to him, too. Hence the comparison to Amy's parents in this episode.

I'll tell you what, if I agree with you on all of this will you tell me your username on the old board? It's really driving me crazy.

@SpecialFlowers said:

@Knixon said:

Is there something wrong with that? People often first get interested just because of looks, and then find more later.

Yeah, but did he find anything substantial later? The ability to forgive is a big thing, I'll give you that. But her being nice.... yes she can definitely be nice but then she can be fairly degrading to him, too. Hence the comparison to Amy's parents in this episode.

I'll tell you what, if I agree with you on all of this will you tell me your username on the old board? It's really driving me crazy.

I bet I know what Knixons old board name was but I'm not telling.
Penny likes Leonard because he is comfortable like an old shoe, but not a fancy shoe. He is also pretty steady and reliable.

And Penny definitely likes shoes!

@Knixon said:

And Penny definitely likes shoes!

She even made an app for that. Well, had the idea of making a shoe app.

She and Sheldon worked on the app, whether it was actually completed and then marketed or not, we don't know. But I still think it would be interesting if a big check comes in the mail for that. And Penny is definitely the type who could think of apps that people would buy, but she needs Sheldon and the others to actually produce them.

@znexyish said:

Penny likes Leonard because he is comfortable like an old shoe, but not a fancy shoe. He is also pretty steady and reliable.

I think Penny's reasons for being with Leonard are genuine in nature. I just don't think Leonard's original motives were very genuine. This is just where my brain went after Monday's show. The strength of their marriage has been a topic on the show more than once, so clearly the writers see some weakness in their relationship.

With all that said, I'm rooting for them.

@SpecialFlowers said:

So, over the years it has been pointed out that Leonard and Penny don't have much in common, including last night. Does this problem exist because his main attraction to her from the start was based on looks and for Penny, just that Leonard wasn't a jerk?

Is Leonard shallow? What other qualities does he love about Penny? Just throwing this out there.

I don't think he's shallow but he definitely chose her because she's the best he could find. They fell in love after the relationship began, not during the courtship phase.

Was there someone better for Leonard? Leslie? Dr Stephanie? Even Priya? I don't think so. Most guys would be very lucky to find a Penny. But there aren't enough of them to go around.

@Knixon said:

Was there someone better for Leonard? Leslie? Dr Stephanie? Even Priya? I don't think so. Most guys would be very lucky to find a Penny. But there aren't enough of them to go around.

I don't think I want to belabor this thread too much longer. It was not meant to be an attack on Leonard, but more an examination of the possible cause of the weakness in their marriage (that the writers keep pointing out).

I do wonder where the writers are going with the recent seeds of discord they're sewing into their marriage, first with the comparison to Amy's parents and then the preview for next week showing an argument over having kids. It's a little late in the game to be stirring things up too much for them.

All things considered, especially next week's preview, the better question might be "Is Penny Shallow?" (And for all we know, maybe that was her last name!)