Mayim Bialik Explains Why Sheldon And Amy Broke Up Over Skype On ‘The Big Bang Theory’

The Big Bang Theory season 8 came to an end more than a month ago, but the cliffhanger was so unexpected it feels like a “spoiler alert” should accompany any discussion. Spoiler alert: Sheldon and Amy broke up.

This is how it happened. Sheldon called Amy over Skype, apparently to discuss their relationship. Amy broke up with him and, it turns out, Sheldon had a ring tucked away in his desk. What that ring meant, or why he had it, has yet to be explained.

Sheldon and Amy’s troubles came as he was pressuring Leonard and Penny to plan a wedding date instead of extending their engagement.

In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, Mayim Bialik, who plays Amy, explained why a Skype breakup was not a romantic faux pas within the context of The Big Bang Theory.

“[It] felt completely appropriate for our characters. That’s something that people ask a lot about, is some of the stereotyping of our characters or the pathologizing of our characters, and in particular this relationship is really special, it’s special to me and Jim and it’s special to all of our writers…. For these characters, it’s a completely feasible method of communication.

“And even if Amy wants different rules, she loves and respects Sheldon enough that she’s not trying to change him. That’s why when people say, ‘is this a stereotype of a syndrome,’ no, it’s just her being in a relationship with someone who lives by different rules, and he’s in a relationship with someone who lives by different rules.”

Last fall, Jim Parsons revealed in an interview that Sheldon Cooper does not have Asperger’s. It is a question the actor often received in the early seasons of The Big Bang Theory. When he asked the writers, they denied Sheldon was conceived as someone who is on the autism spectrum.

As for the breakup, Bialik revealed she does not know what will happen with Sheldon and Amy, although she did confirm she is under contract through the end of season 10.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Gold Derby, Bialik said that the writers were very specific about the language Amy used. Mayim noted that her character had simply told Sheldon that she needed “time,” and not that the relationship was over. The word “breakup” is one used by viewers.

You can watch Mayim Bialik’s full interview with the Los Angeles Times below.

Season 9 of The Big Bang Theory will debut in the fall.

[Photo: Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik by Jason Merritt / Getty Images Entertainment]