"Specialist in Houston" reference I don't get
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Big Bang Theory
ianquiksilver — 9 years ago(November 11, 2016 12:56 PM)
Hey all! There's a reference in Season 5, made by Sheldon's mother, that I don't really get. When she says something to the effect of "..but I wish I had followed up with that specialist in Houston", what does that refer to exactly?
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MurphAndTheMagicTones — 9 years ago(November 11, 2016 01:00 PM)
It's part of a running joke whenever Sheldon was accused of being crazy, he'd respond "I'm not crazy; my mother had me tested!" Clearly she regrets not getting that second opinion.
Chicago Cubs
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ianquiksilver — 9 years ago(November 14, 2016 01:48 PM)
Nah, it has to be deeper than that. The way jokes and references are set up in the series, its never just 'superficial', there's always a deeper reference. And the way this one is set up, clearly the joke is more the type of specialist it would have been. Now, I'm not an american, the only thing I think of when hearing houston is obviously Nasa/space related, but I don't believe that to be it.
The question is, what would that 'speciality' have been, what kind of irregular science or specialization was taking place specifically in houston in what would have been the mid to late eighties?
Without that piece of information the comment she makes is completely devoid of any point which would be completely uncharacteristic of those kind of reference-based jokes in BBT. -
MurphAndTheMagicTones — 9 years ago(November 14, 2016 02:18 PM)
Sometimes a joke is just a joke. Besides, she DID have him tested. Now she regretting not having him tested enough after some of the crazy things he's done.
Chicago Cubs
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WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!! -
barbarapaulmayer — 9 years ago(November 18, 2016 08:33 AM)
Sometimes, like in this case, it is not deeper.
I am also not American, but I do know there are more things in Houston than Nasa and space related stuff, also we can deduct from context that she means some sort of medical professional.
My guess is that she got the recommendation from her doctor to seek this specialist to come up with a diagnosis for Sheldon, which would be either a medical or psychological/psychotherapy specialist. -
wreckingball34 — 9 years ago(November 18, 2016 12:02 PM)
You are WAY overthinking the joke. She regretted not getting a second opinion. There is nothing else to it. Move on. LOL
"You are a smelly pirate hooker!"
"Why don't you go back to your home on Whore Island?" -
kerryedavis — 9 years ago(November 18, 2016 04:53 PM)
What you seem to be missing is that the joke/reference isn't about Houston, or about a second opinion, it's about a SPECIALIST. The idea being that a regular family doctor wouldn't be able to accurately determine what Sheldon's problem is. But since she didn't take him to see a specialist for a proper diagnosis, Sheldon uses the excuse to say he's not crazy, because "my mother had me tested."
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MurphAndTheMagicTones — 9 years ago(November 19, 2016 06:03 PM)
And what you seem to be missing is that IT'S A F'KING JOKE! Quit looking for deeper meaning!
I knew this guy who thought there was a hidden message to Motley Crue's "Girls Girls Girls." Hidden message: the song was about GIRLS!
You know you've gone over the top when
I
have to tell you to lighten up.
Chicago Cubs
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WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!! -
kerryedavis — 9 years ago(November 19, 2016 06:11 PM)
Of course it's a joke, and there is no deep meaning, the obvious meaning is right on the surface. The problem comes if someone thinks the joke is that Houston is just the nearest big city, or whatever.
Yes, it's definitely a joke. And "Houston" is not the punch-line. Not even if you're thinking "Planet Houston" from the Superman movies. -
SevernSarge — 9 years ago(November 18, 2016 07:32 AM)
Texas Medical Center, in Houston, is the largest, and one of the most advanced, medical centers in the world.
IMO, a follow up with a specialist from any of its hospitals would be a major help to Sheldon.
Cheers!
What in the wide, wide world of sports is a-goin' on here?