A former actor from Marvel’s Daredevil just joined Stuart Fails to Save the Universe in a potentially significant role, but it sadly means bringing back a mean-spirited trend from the original sitcom. Their story could even prove arguably sadder than The Big Bang Theory’s dead Leonard theory, solely for the fact that one depressing detail has been unquestionably confirmed.
The Big Bang Theory’s Stuart spinoff should generally mark a grand departure from the core franchise. The series casts the comic shop’s owner as the hero of his own multiversal adventure story, but Stuart’s newfound hero status feels slightly less triumphant in light of details regarding a new character’s relationship with one of the spinoff’s returning Big Bang Theory characters.
Daredevil’s Tommy Walker Plays Denise’s Boyfriend In Stuart Fails To Save The Universe
The Actor Previously Played Bad Guys In Two Major Superhero Shows
Tommy Walker’s casting as Denise’s new boyfriend in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe was largely overshadowed by the announcement of two Big Bang Theory actors returning in Stuart’s spinoff. However, Walker’s experience playing bad guys in two superhero series makes his casting highly relevant. If nothing else, the actor has certainly had prior introduction to mainstream comic book culture.
Walker appeared in the first season of Marvel’s Daredevil as Francis, a loyal bodyguard to Wilson Fisk who stands by Kingpin’s side despite at least one instance of ferocious physical abuse. A year later, Walker was cast in a longer-running role as supervillain Drex Stinklebaum in Henry Danger and its spinoff, demonstrating his ability to portray a more substantial antagonist.
It’s understandable that Walker’s casting would be overshadowed by returning actors Josh Brener and Ryan Cartwright, particularly as Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will be Ryan Cartwright’s fifth Chuck Lorre show. But the fact that Walker’s character Gary will be Denise’s new boyfriend reveals significant details about the spinoff’s storyline, which have curiously been the subject of little discussion.
Denise and Stuart were still together by The Big Bang Theory series finale, so Gary’s presence suggests that they’ve since broken up with enough time for Denise to have moved on. The precise nature of their breakup should become clearer when the series releases, but it already suggests the spinoff will retain one of Big Bang’s most tragic running gags.
The Big Bang Theory Made A Cruel Joke Of Never Allowing Stuart To Feel Loved
Only Rajesh Truly Goes Out Of His Way To Treat Stuart Like A Friend
While the guys are nice enough to invite Stuart over for occasional game nights, Koothrappali and Mrs. Wolowitz are the only two characters to consistently treat Stuart with kindness. This remains true in Stuart’s saddest The Big Bang Theory stories. Even when his store burns down, it serves largely as a vehicle for jokes about Stuart needing the insurance money.
A particularly sad example of this is season 7’s murder mystery episode, “The Mommy Observation.” Not only does Stuart have to spend the entire game as a corpse, but he’s left alone on the sidewalk 20 years later when everybody forgets their pledge to stage a friendly reunion. It highlights just how hard Stuart really tries to be everyone’s friend.
Prior to Stuart and Denise’s relationship in The Big Bang Theory, his love life was even more in shambles. Although he does get to go on dates with both Penny and Amy, these are unique occurrences. Stuart’s interactions with female characters typically focus on women finding him creepy, which made his comparatively easygoing romance with Denise feel twice as heartwarming.
Not only is Stuart Fails to Save the Universe breaking them up, but Denise moving on with such a conventionally attractive man likely won’t be a great self-esteem boost for The Big Bang Theory’s resident punching bag. The main source of his happiness has been taken away and given to somebody else, tragically facilitating his previous sad sack persona’s return.
Stuart Fails To Save The Universe’s Gary Can Still Set Up Stuart’s Final Redemption
Denise’s New Beau Could Pave The Way For Lasting Change In Stuart’s Life
While there are downsides to Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’s sci-fi premise, putting Stuart in a comic-style adventure certainly has its benefits. Tommy Walker’s history with Daredevil and Henry Danger could pay off if Gary’s revealed as a villain, allowing Stuart to win back Denise by saving the day. He just has to find a way around that title.
Even this feels like an imperfect solution to resolving the way Stuart’s treated. Assuming tensions between Stuart and Denise, and barring the unlikely chance of Kripke becoming a nicer person overnight, Stuart’s truest ally in the spinoff is fellow Big Bang Theory punching bag Bert the geologist. Winning Denise back won’t change that Stuart’s friendship options remain limited.
In truth, when the issue is Stuart being punched down so often it’s hard to imagine what punching up looks like, having him compete for the first woman to fully accept him feels like a step backward. Their relationship worked because Stuart didn’t need to prove himself. He stains himself orange before their first date, and Denise finds it charming.
But even accounting for these concerns, Stuart winning Denise back from Gary would provide an opportunity for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe to confirm their relationship as endgame. It might not overhaul his social status altogether, but at least he’ll have one person he can trust is only ever making jokes about him out of kindhearted affection.
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