In 2019, Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter, Raj Koothrappali, Howard Wolowitz and Penny finally signed off. The finale of The Big Bang Theory was watched by 23 million people, and bundled the 12 seasons of the show into one neat package. Fans did not discuss the finale last year because of what happened in the episode. Instead, they have been speculating about the name of the episode. The finale was titled “The Stockholm Syndrome”, and fans have a theory as to why the finale was named after a psychological phenomenon.
What is Stockholm Syndrome?
Stockholm syndrome was first observed in the 1970s, when a robber took control of a bank for six days. According to the BBC, the hostages who were terrorized for six days refused to testify at trial, and even tried to raise money for the robber’s legal fees. Briefly, the syndrome is described as a misplaced affect for the person who has caused an individual psychological trauma.
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Over the years, Stockholm Syndrome has been mentioned in a variety of cases. Generally, however, Stockholm Syndrome is associated with prison situations. Leonard, Penny, Howard, Raj, Bernadette and Amy were not held hostage just like Shageon. They could of course come and go as they pleased, of course. Yet the group seems to be making a litany of unreasonable requests, and although they showed annoyance with Sheldon every year, no one was willing to just run away.
Fans theorize that The Big Bang Theory’s finale was named after the psychological phenomenon
The Big Bang Theory was known for its original title tracks. Many of the show’s titles have a play on words, and the finale of the series is no different. However, one Reddit fan pointed out that “The Stockholm Syndrome” could have a deeper meaning. The user claimed that one could argue that the group of friends all suffered from Stockholm Syndrome after being held hostage by Sheldon’s quirks and eccentricities.
Sheldon had no problem setting boundaries with his friends. Often, his restraints were completely nonsensical and disrupted the normal life of his pals. He did not seem to care, and in the end almost everyone accepted fairly for Sheldon’s sake. Even Penny, who initially resisted Sheldon’s formation, eventually gave in. So, has the whole group made an unusual addition to Sheldon as their captor, or is there a much simpler explanation for the title of the final?
However, there may be a much simpler explanation for the name of the episode
While the fantasy that Sheldon’s friends suffer from Stockholm Syndrome is particularly interesting, there may be a much simpler explanation for the name of the episode. In the final of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon and Amy received a Nobel Prize for their work in physics. It’s the whole plotline of the episode, and all her pals traveled to support her. The award ceremony and banquet are traditionally held in Stockholm, Sweden.
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According to the official website of the Nobel Prize, prizes for the hard sciences, such as physics, will be awarded at a ceremony in Stockholm. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in a separate service in Norway. The ceremony is held according to the instructions set forth in the will of Arthur Nobel. It seems likely that the title of the episode had absolutely nothing to do with the eccentricities of Sheldon that caused psychological changes in his friends. Instead, the episode was probably named after the location of the famous ceremony.
