On The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon and Penny are polar opposites. However, there's no denying the tightknit bond between these sitcom characters.
The focus of The Big Bang Theory was initially the friendship between Leonard and Sheldon, who worked and lived together. But when a pretty, young aspiring actress moved in across the hall, she became part of the clique as well. Soon, rounded out by Howard, Raj, Bernadette and Amy, they were a full-on group, just like on the sitcom Friends. But some were definitely closer.
Two people, in particular, had a unique and underrated friendship: Sheldon and Penny. While they're polar opposites, there's no denying the pair's tightknit bond. Some might even argue that their friendship was the best them all. But why?
Neither Sheldon nor Penny actually ever needed something from the other that they couldn't get without hanging out. Yet they still did. They lived very different lives with very different belief systems and priorities. So when they did get together, it was totally for selfless reasons, even if it didn't always seem that way.
Sure, Sheldon might have bugged Penny to drive him somewhere or Penny might mooched off of Sheldon's Wi-Fi. But for the most part, any time they actually hung out together, they wanted to help each other, even if it sometimes came across as though they weren't friends.
Whether it was while Sheldon was sick in bed, they ran into one another in the laundry room downstairs, or were heading up the stairs to the apartment, he and Penny always seemed to have the best heart-to-heart conversations in the oddest of places, which is something only true friends could do.
Remember that time that the gang threw Sheldon a surprise birthday party and he panicked and hid in the bathroom? Penny was the only one able to get through to him and talk about his insecurities, even if they were awkwardly hanging out in the loo.
Penny was the only other person Sheldon allowed to sing this sacred song to him that his mother used to sing to him as a child. Usually, it was to soothe him when he was sick and help lull him to sleep.
On many occasions, Penny say by Sheldon's bedside, singing the song over and over again in hopes of getting him to fall asleep. That's love.
Despite the fact that he would use every opportunity to insult her intelligence, Sheldon clearly really cared about Penny. He always tried to help her when he knew she was down or facing a dilemma, even if he might have come across as condescending and annoying at times while doing so.
He would usually hit her with logic and reason, which would sometimes open her eyes to a perspective she hadn't considered.
Just as Sheldon cared about Penny, she too cared deeply about him even if she sometimes seemed cold and heartless. She would stay with him when he was going through something tough, like his breakup with Amy, and would attempt to help him with topics like romantic relationships and things he might have done to upset Amy that he didn't realize.
In a way, Penny was like Sheldon's relationship consultant because as smart as he was, the one thing he didn't quite get was social interaction.
The pair had a mutual respect for one another, even though they didn't always show it. Sheldon would never admit that he admired Penny for her ability to live so freely, without anxiety, and without caring about things like he did.
Meanwhile, Penny admired Sheldon's superior intellect, the rational and unbiased way he could look at any situation, and his incredible self-confidence.
Sheldon and Penny couldn't be more different from one another. Sheldon was a bona fide and self-professed geek who loved physics, science, comic books, Star Wars, and Star Trek. He paid no mind to other pop culture, outward appearances, partying, or drinking.
Penny, on the other hand, was a party girl who had the wine flowing every night. She cared about how she looked and the clothes she wore and didn't know the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek — and frankly, didn't care. Academia wasn't wasn't her strong suit either. But as they say, opposites attract, even when it comes to friendships.
It's no secret that Sheldon was socially awkward and had trouble picking up on social cues. He didn't understand sarcasm, took everything literally, and wasn't able to form meaningful bonds with others.
But Penny helped him open up a lot. Together with Leonard, they tried to help him understand how and when people use sarcasm. Penny helped him understand how he might make Amy feel, or what she might like. Overall, Penny helped Sheldon become a better person.
Sometimes all a person needs is for someone to be straight with them and tell it like it is. While others might try to skirt around the issue, pick sides, or tell Penny she was right when she clearly wasn't, Sheldon always approached advice from a completely logical perspective.
Penny never had to worry if Sheldon had a hidden agenda. What he said was what he meant and sometimes that meant giving her valuable advice she would never get from anyone else, or that might come across as being offensive if it came from anyone else but him.
While Sheldon and Leonard were supposed to be best friends, their friendship might not have lasted as long as it did without Penny as the buffer. She not only served as a middleman between them during disputes, but her apartment was a respite for Leonard to go when he was fed up with Sheldon or for Sheldon when he needed to get away from Leonard.
Both Leonard and Sheldon trusted Penny and would open up to her about each other. Even though she could be a bully to them, in many ways, she was both of their best friends.
