CBS' The Big Bang Theory was much more than a show about "that really smart guy" and his friends. Sheldon and co. took viewers on a ride through relationship mishaps, work adventures, and personal achievements for 12 seasons. While science was always on the minds of Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, and Howard, friendship was at the heart of the show.
The sitcom covered far more than just scientific findings and relationship goals; deep issues were tackled in various episodes. Every character had their own strengths and weakness that were highlighted as time went on, and they all learned from each other. Likewise, viewers related to these deep issues and commended the show for its authenticity.
Bullying
Leonard, Howard, Raj, and Sheldon are all incredibly smart men who have dedicated their lives to science. Their adult lives are full of positivity and friendship but it hasn't always been that way. Everyone (except for Penny) was bullied in their youth. And sadly, the bullying continued.
Penny's ex-boyfriend bullied Sheldon and Leonard on two occasions: when they tried getting her TV back from him and when Leonard tried getting him to pay Penny the money he borrowed from her. In "The Speckerman Recurrence," Leonard also confronted his bully from high school.
Hoarding
The closer Sheldon and Amy became, the more Sheldon opened up to her and showed her the inner workings of his world. He claimed to be a man of the mind, someone who lived minimally and focused on science, but that turned out to be a facade.
While Sheldon truly did devote his life to science, he also had a problem with hoarding. He told Amy that the thought of getting rid of his belongings gave him anxiety. He had trouble parting with everything he owned. Luckily for him, Amy let him know there was nothing to be ashamed of and that they could work on his attachment issues slowly.
Fear Of Intimacy
Everyone isn't as free and open in relationships as Penny and Howard were. Others were a little more reserved and felt vulnerable about getting intimate. Amy was ready for the next step in her relationship with Sheldon but he wasn't ready until they were dating for over five years. Sheldon and Amy proved that every relationship goes at their own speed and that there shouldn't be pressure on a person if they're simply not ready.
Missing The Maternal Gene
Bernadette was relatable to many women when she told Howard that she wasn't sure if she wanted kids. Just because she was a married woman didn't mean that she had to have children. Some women aren't maternal and there's nothing wrong with that.
Later when Bernadette did get pregnant, she was nervous about the kind of mother she would be because she wasn't excited about the pregnancy. It was refreshing and raw to see a woman unsure of children and unexcited during her pregnancy because it's not shown much on TV.
Parental Issues
Leonard, Howard, and Penny are proof that adults can have parental issues. Just because they're no longer living under their parents' roofs doesn't mean they're not still affected by their youth.
Leonard's relationship with his mother was incredibly toxic. Even as an adult, his mother gives him anxiety. Penny also had her issues when her dad treated her like a boy because he wanted a son. For Howard, although he adored his mother, her neediness had a negative effect on his personal life.
Women In Science
It wasn't spoken of often but being a woman in science is a big deal. It's a male-dominated workforce and Amy and Bernadette were trying to change that by doing incredible work in their respective fields. They wanted to be taken seriously at work. Bernadette specifically faced this problem when she became pregnant. She didn't want people at work treating her differently.
Death & How To Cope
For a sitcom, The Big Bang Theory tackled plenty of serious topics, death being one of them. Howard had to learn how to navigate life without the presence of his mother, but he wasn't the only one who lost a parent. Sheldon lost his dad when he was 14. And although Sheldon and Mr. Cooper weren't close, Sheldon noted how it negatively affected him in various episodes. Viewers caught a glimpse at how Sheldon coped when Professor Proton passed away.
Financial Woes
Financial issues can happen to anyone and it can be a heavy topic to talk about, and yet The Big Bang Theory does a good job at it. Stuart was struggling financially until the last two seasons. He asked the gang for help on numerous occasions and was lucky enough to have friends like Howard and Raj. Funny enough, although Raj came from money, he too suffered from financial issues when he became more independent.
Body Insecurities
Self-confidence can be a hard conversation for some people. In a world where everyone shows off their lives on social media, it leads to people comparing themselves to others. Amy Farrah Fowler was no stranger to this. When she and Sheldon won the Nobel, she panicked when she saw pictures of herself. She hated how she looked and was crying in the bathroom before Raj found her and gave her a pep talk. With the help of her friends, Amy changed up her style to reflect her new journey.
Fear Of Change
Change can be scary but it's that one consistency in all of the characters' lives. Whether it was a project at work, a new relationship, or moving apartments, change was inevitable for our favorite group of brainiacs.
For years, Sheldon was terrified to move out of his apartment with Leonard because he was comfortable there. It's where he lived for 10+ years and it worked for him. But eventually, it came time to start a life with Amy and he had no choice but to face his fears and embrace change. It was the right move for him.