My family's current favorite TV show is "The Big Bang Theory." Not only do we rarely miss a new episode, we also watch reruns daily.
While watching several of these reruns, mainly the ones that focus on the relationship between Dr. Sheldon Cooper and Dr. Amy Farah Fowler, and taking into consideration the talk of asexuality I saw in a BookTube video recently, I can't help but wonder if the show missed a diversity opportunity with Sheldon's character.
Don't get me wrong. I like Amy. I relate to her hardcore. Her and Sheldon's relationship development is, in my opinion, the best of the three couples currently on "The Big Bang Theory." Still, when I watched Sheldon's character prior to Amy's arrival, he shows no sign of possessing any kind of sexual desire.
This makes me think that Sheldon is asexual, much like his idol Mr. Spock from the original "Star Trek" series. It is not by choice that he refrains from sex; it is merely a lack of interest or desire in sexual activity. But that does not mean he can't be affectionate towards others or build romantic relationships.
Though Sheldon's relationship with Amy played a big part in his character development, I honestly believe he could have ended up at the point he is now even if they never had sex.
Sheldon and Amy built their bond through intellect. Both were both brilliant in their scientific fields but socially awkward. In each other, they found someone who not only understood them, but also embraced each other's quirks. Sheldon challenges Amy intellectually, and she is someone he can communicate with. Their relationship built their excitement through the minds rather than the body.
Regardless, the biggest issue in Sheldon and Amy's relationship was his refusal to be intimate with her. No matter what she did – bikini waxing, dressing up like a Catholic schoolgirl – nothing turned him on. In season 9, after they briefly break-up, Sheldon finally consents to having sex with Amy because he loves her and he knows it will make her happy.
But even after the act happens, Sheldon still lacks interest in jumping Amy's bones again. In fact, he only agrees to do it once a year on her birthday.
By not making Sheldon openly asexual, "The Big Bang Theory" missed out on an opportunity to educate people on the subject, as well as build on the diversity in their content. Raj is the only person of color currently on the show and all the primary characters are straight (Raj and Howard's "bromance" does not count). On that front, "The Big Bang Theory" could do better.
To be fair, asexuality is underrepresented in the media anyway. As I am writing this, I cannot think of a character currently on TV that identifies, or could be identified, as asexual. While I personally am not asexual, I am annoyed how screenwriters insist on slamming sex in our faces (though this does not mean I am opposed to the occasional chemistry-filled, well-acted sex scene).
Despite what it might have you think, not everybody is about getting the sexy times, because, sometimes, the desire is just not there. Besides, the media is already showing favor to the gay/lesbian and trans communities, so why not add asexuality to the mix?
