In the latest episode of The Big Bang Theory, Leonard offered a crucial insight that may explain why he is letting Penny have her way when it comes to having kids. He is afraid of losing her.
The blink-and-you-may-have-missed-it revelation came during an exchange between Leonard and Stuart. Stuart said that while things were going great with Denise, he lived every moment in fear of screwing them up. Leonard encouraged him not to let his fear get in the way.
When Stuart asked if the fear of losing the person you love goes away, Leonard responded that he would let him know. A piece of dialogue that seemed to reveal Leonard still lives in fear of losing Penny. He does not directly state that fear is what motivated him to let the issue of having kids go. As Screen Rant points out, there is a potential connection.
Penny was right there when Leonard expressed his feelings, and she did nothing to reassure him. The Big Bang Theory moved along to the other storylines and did not catch back up with Leonard and Penny before the episode ended. So, if it was a huge reveal, the sitcom did not seize on it right away.
It was as if what Leonard said did not prick Penny at all. Failing to give her pause to realize that Leonard may be holding back from asking for things in their relationship. Not because he does not want them, instead he is settling to keep from losing her. That should have sent off alarm bells.
Whether Penny and Leonard will have kids has been a featured storyline on The Big Bang Theory during Season 12. Both have differing views on the issue. Penny does not want to have any children, while Leonard expressed a desire to.
In a previous episode of The Big Bang Theory, Leonard seemed to settle the conflict by resolving not to have kids. His move seemed to push the issue aside. However, the casting of a new character should bring it the fore again.
Penny's ex-husband Zack will be returning to the sitcom, alongside his new wife. Having learned that Zack is infertile, the couple is set to turn to Leonard for assistance. The hint is they will ask Leonard to donate his DNA to make a baby. That is not confirmed, though.
If that is the case, Penny will likely have a strong opinion about that. She does not want to have kids with Leonard. How would she feel about her husband biologically fathering a child that her ex-husband will raise? It sounds like the issue of starting a family is about to get a reprise.
Tune in to find out how Penny and Leonard resolve their family dilemma when new episodes of The Big Bang Theory air Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. The beloved sitcom is one of many shows airing new episodes in the midseason.
