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Over the past two decades, few sitcoms have left as big of an impact as “The Big Bang Theory.” The brainchild of renowned producers Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, the show graced CBS for 12 seasons, racking up nearly 300 episodes. It even gave birth to multiple spin-offs, with “Young Sheldon” being the most prominent. However, like all good things, the show came to a conclusion in 2019 with its twelfth season finale. Not everyone was pleased with how things wrapped up, particularly fans of Kunal Nayyar’s character, Raj, who were left a bit in the lurch regarding his romantic life. However, the writers had a reason for this.
Throughout “The Big Bang Theory,” Raj had several romantic partners, but by the series end, he was single. So, what was the reasoning behind this decision by the show’s creators? The simple answer is that it’s not truly the end. In a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the creators delved into their thought process. Lorre began by explaining how Raj’s finale arc was conceived:
“Having Sarah [Michelle Gellar] on board added a humorous element to an otherwise serious scene at the awards ceremony. With Steve Holland’s presentation of the finale, we didn’t feel the need to tie up every character’s story. Such a move would feel artificial and unnecessary since life doesn’t have neat endings for everyone simultaneously unless it’s forced into a series finale. It didn’t seem realistic or comfortable. So, Raj’s story remains open-ended.”
As Lorre mentioned, the presence of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Sarah Michelle Gellar in the “Big Bang Theory” finale set the stage for Raj’s future. He didn’t end up with Rati Gupta’s Anu, as that path closed a few episodes before the finale. This left Raj’s love life somewhat uncertain, but remember, the end of the show doesn’t signify the end of these characters’ journeys. The finale simply marks the point where we stop watching their weekly adventures.
The Big Bang Theory’s attempt to respect the series’ roots in the finale
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Steve Holland, the executive producer and showrunner, offered further insights into this decision, revealing that several other ideas were entertained, such as Raj meeting his soulmate. However, the creative team ultimately felt that the series’ conclusion should not necessarily be about tying up all loose ends, considering that the characters’ lives continue to evolve. While “The Big Bang Theory” season 12 marked the end of the series, Raj’s life, as Holland underscored, moves on:
“We discussed numerous ideas; everything was a possibility and on the table early in the year while considering what the finale could entail, and Raj finding his person was one of them. We concluded that we didn’t need to resolve everything neatly. Their lives were still unfolding. We provided him with an emotional and enjoyable closure in episode 22 with Howard. It felt right to leave him still searching for love — and I believe that he will eventually find it. However, we didn’t think it necessary to depict it.”
The episode referred to, “The Maternal Conclusion,” saw Raj being tempted to relocate to London for Anu at the airport, but that didn’t transpire. Regardless, Raj was one of the most endearing characters on “The Big Bang Theory,” and it’s understandable that fans hoped he would find love before the series concluded. Co-showrunner Steven Molaro also chimed in, explaining how this decision somewhat brought the series full circle:
“I think this show began with all four guys being single. To respect the essence of the series, it’s fine that someone still hasn’t found their perfect match.”
True, the series started with Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj as single men. Having at least one of them remain single in the end pays homage to that. Does it mean he’ll remain single forever? Not necessarily, but remember, not all finales need to resolve everything neatly.
“The Big Bang Theory” is currently available for streaming on Max, or you can purchase the complete series on Blu-ray via Amazon.
FAQs
Q: Why did the creators of the show choose to leave Raj single at the end of “The Big Bang Theory”?
A: The creators felt that it was more realistic to leave some storylines open-ended, as life doesn’t always provide neat resolutions for everyone at the same time.
Q: What was the significance of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s appearance in the finale?
A: Sarah Michelle Gellar’s cameo added a humorous element to an otherwise serious scene, and it also provided a hint into Raj’s future romantic prospects.
Q: Does Raj’s single status at the end of the series mean he will stay single forever?
A: Not necessarily. The creators believe that Raj will eventually find love, they just chose not to depict it in the series finale.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
