The shock pregnancy in the series finale was Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny’s (Kaley Cuoco) biggest storyline issue, but it would’ve been solved if the show had continued with The Big Bang Theory season 13. CBS’ high-rated sitcom wrapped up in 2019 after 12 successful years. While the show was able to come up with an emotionally satisfying finale, certain aspects of the last episode of The Big Bang Theory were divisive, especially the revelation that the Hofstadters were expecting their first child.

The Big Bang Theory‘s original romantic pairing had a tumultuous dating history. Leonard and Penny dated, broke up, saw other people, and ultimately got back together for good. After tying the knot twice, the Penny-Leonard relationship stagnated as a plot device and the show started focusing on other characters, particularly Sheldon (Jim Parson) and his relationship with Amy (Mayim Bialik). The final season of The Big Bang Theory hadn’t dropped hints that Leonard and Penny were trying to conceive, so the sudden reveal that Penny was 2 months pregnant — especially after she’d expressed not wanting children — was incredibly divisive.

The Problem With The Penny Pregnancy Arc In Big Bang Theory Season 12

Penny’s Pregnancy Reveal Felt Shoehorned In

While having kids feels like the standard ending for a sitcom couple’s arc, The Big Bang Theory‘s season 12 unexpectedly introduced a problem – Leonard and Penny had conflicting thoughts about having kids. He wanted children, but she wasn’t keen on the idea, especially since Penny was just starting to establish herself in the pharmaceutical industry. It became their whole story in the sitcom’s final season until it was surprisingly revealed in the two-part Big Bang Theory series finale that Penny was pregnant, and that she was, for some reason, okay with it.

This garnered varying opinions from viewers, as Penny had been adamant about not having kids. The core issue, however, wasn’t that she supposedly changed her mind, but that the series rushed this revelation to the point that it felt unearned and forced. Introducing Penny’s pregnancy earlier on, or including some scenes that at least hinted at her mind changing, would have softened the reveal. However, a solution that wouldn’t have required hindsight would have been The Big Bang Theory continuing with season 13 and exploring her conflicted feelings on parenthood.

What TBBT Season 13 Could Have Done To Make The Pregnancy Arc Better

Another Season Of The Big Bang Theory Could Have Fixed The Finale Problems

The Big Bang Theory season 13 could have spent more time on Leonard and Penny’s journey into parenthood and Penny’s pregnancy. More screentime would make the decision feel less rushed, and more nuance could be added to Penny’s sudden reversal of opinion. Sheldon and Amy would’ve already won the Nobel Prize in Physics, which season 12 spent way too much time on. While the plot line was important, especially since it was about Sheldon’s lifelong dream, the sitcom’s final outing was so fixated on it that the rest of the characters were practically relegated to supporting players.

Leonard and Penny’s story was the only other significant narrative during that year. The Big Bang Theory dwelled too long on the pair’s differences, instead of showing that they were actively trying to reconcile them. There wasn’t any indication that Penny was willing to change her stance on having children, which made their seemingly happy ending quite off-putting for some. Having more episodes to fully explain why and how Penny got pregnant, and how she feels about the situation, would have rectified this problem.

Why The Big Bang Theory Season 13 Never Got to Finish Its Stories

The Show Couldn’t Continue Without Sheldon

Given that the show was still incredibly popular, it’s natural to question why The Big Bang Theory season 13 never happened — especially since Leonard and Penny finding out they’re expecting a child felt like the start of a fresh new narrative arc. The series wasn’t canceled, but star Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon, didn’t want to renew his contract for more episodes.

The Big Bang Theory technically could have continued without him, but since Sheldon is such an integral part of the series’ storylines and core cast dynamic, the showrunners determined that concluding the whole series on a less-than-perfect note was the better option. It may have left Penny and Leonard’s arc unsatisfying, but at least The Big Bang Theory didn’t spin needlessly on after having lost what made it so special.