We asked, and The Big Bang Theory finally listened! The franchise’s newest spin-off, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, has made plenty of waves in The Big Bang Theory universe since it debuted on HBO Max on July 23. The Stuart spin-off may have changed The Big Bang Theory forever by moving away from a traditional sitcom format and into an action-packed, sci-fi adventure, but Episode 5 of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe makes an even bigger move for the franchise.
The Big Bang Theory‘s lack of LGBTQ+ representation has been a common criticism in the fandom since September 2007, back when the show first started. Almost 19 years later, there are still no officially canonical LGBTQ+ characters in The Big Bang Theory universe. Well, that was very much the case, or at least it was, until now. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Episode 5 takes us to a weird and wacky universe that is both perfect and awful for comic book store owner Stuart Bloom and the rest of the gang, but it also finally confirms The Big Bang Theory’s first LGBTQ+ character.
‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Confirms Barry Kripke as ‘The Big Bang Theory’s First Canonical Queer Character
Episode 5 of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe does the one thing audiences have spent almost 19 years begging The Big Bang Theory franchise for. After arriving in a new universe and befriending an unusual tribe, we learn that Barry Kripke, one of The Big Bang Theory‘s funniest characters, isn’t straight. He exits the tent with several women, and then a man, and we know that Kripke has had a busy and passionate night of lovemaking, as this is something he is vocal about wanting before this; he just doesn’t specify who with.
Yes, it can technically be argued that we discovered Kripke’s sexuality in Episode 4 of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe because he’s married to Gary. However, the universe that it’s set in is different from what we’ve already seen. Stuart’s “dream universe,” as it were, sees all the characters mysteriously appear in ongoing lives. We don’t see them all arrive together; when the episode starts, Stuart is already in the institution, Denise is at home with their kids, and Kripke is married to Gary. In a way, Kripke and Gary’s marriage could be seen as a decision made by Stuart subconsciously, whether that’s because the comic book store owner knows what the physicist’s type is and is being kind, or because it’s some sort of weak joke or “punishment.” However, I think it’s unlikely, as not everything about this universe is really Stuart’s dream. He may be happy about his family with Denise and a successful art career, but despite his past mental health struggles, I doubt he’d consciously want to check into a facility.
What’s so great about the tent scene is that it doesn’t make a big deal out of this reveal, and if anything, it made me realize that Kripke being a member of the LGBTQ+ community makes total sense. Of course, we don’t know what he identifies as within the queer community, but it doesn’t matter, really. What does matter, though, is that after all this time, The Big Bang Theory has finally acknowledged one of viewers’ biggest criticisms of the franchise.
Throughout every season of The Big Bang Theory, many of us hoped we’d see some form of LGBTQ+ representation within the show. The Big Bang Theory ticks a lot of boxes in terms of diversity, and one of the best things about it is how it delves into nerd culture and the people who are a part of it, which makes the lack of LGBTQ+ representation feel even stranger. There are so many jokes, usually involving Howard and Raj, about characters being LGBTQ+, but that’s it. The closest we ever get is the one-off character Blaine, who only appears in the Season 2 Episode “The Barbarian Sublimation” for a brief moment. Blaine is a stranger who Sheldon hits on in the cafeteria, and this only happens because he fails to explain that his interest is on Penny’s behalf rather than his own.
Regardless of whether Kripke’s sexuality becomes an important part of his character or not, I’m excited to see where The Big Bang Theory takes things next. Following the news of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe‘s renewal, I’m intrigued about whether Season 2 will delve further into the characters’ backstories and personalities.
