The Final Episode of “The Big Bang Theory” and the Unresolved Fate of Raj Koothrappalli
During the final episode of “The Big Bang Theory,” titled “The Stockholm Syndrome,” the show’s main characters appear to have found their happy endings. Sheldon Cooper and his wife Amy Farrah-Fowler (played by Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik) are awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking work in super asymmetry. Leonard Hofstadter and his wife Penny (Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco) are expecting a baby, while Howard Wolowitz and Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz (Simon Helberg and Melissa Rauch) are raising two children together. However, one character remains notably single: Raj Koothrappalli, portrayed by Kunal Nayyar.
In a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Chuck Lorre, along with showrunners Steve Molaro and Steve Holland, discussed the decision to leave Raj’s romantic life unresolved. At the end of the episode, Raj attends the Nobel ceremony alongside his friends and even shares a moment with Sarah Michelle Gellar, who clarifies that they are not on a date. According to Lorre, Gellar’s appearance was a humorous touch during a heartfelt scene, and the team felt that not every character needed a full story closure.
“We didn’t feel like it was necessarily to have some big story closure for every character,” Lorre explained. “It didn’t feel realistic. It didn’t feel like a comfortable way to go. So Raj’s story just remains open.”
Raj’s Bittersweet Ending
Raj’s story is, as Natasha Bedingfield once sang, still unwritten. Among all the characters on “The Big Bang Theory,” Raj seems to yearn for true love more than anyone else. He even considers an arranged marriage with a woman named Anu (Rati Gupta), and although they develop genuine feelings, the relationship ends when she moves to London for work.
Steve Holland, another showrunner, mentioned that the scene where Howard races to the airport to stop Raj from leaving was considered a significant ending for the character. However, within the show’s universe, there could be more to come. Holland stated that many ideas were discussed about what the finale could include, and finding love was certainly one of them. Yet, the team decided not to tie everything up neatly.
“It felt OK to leave him still searching for love — and I believe that he ultimately will find it someday. But we didn’t feel the need to have to show it,” Holland said.
The Debate Over Leaving Raj Alone
This decision has sparked debate among fans. While the show’s writers may have felt it was appropriate to leave Raj’s story open, it feels unfair to many viewers. Raj consistently tries to find love, only to face obstacles at every turn. Early in the series, he struggles to speak to women unless he’s drunk, a joke that has aged poorly. At times, women use him for his family’s money, and even his relationship with Anu feels unbalanced, with her making most of the decisions while Raj seems passive.
Ultimately, every other character finds their “right person.” Even the famously difficult Sheldon Cooper eventually finds love. From a storytelling perspective, leaving Raj alone might make sense, but it still feels harsh for the character.
A Reflection on the Show’s Origins
Former showrunner Steve Molaro echoed this sentiment, referencing the show’s beginning. “I think this show started with these four guys all single. To honor the bones of the series, it’s OK that somebody still hasn’t found the right person,” he said.
While this approach makes artistic sense, it leaves Raj in a bittersweet position. At least he has his dog, Cinnamon, to keep him company. For fans, the unresolved ending of Raj’s journey remains a point of discussion, highlighting the challenges of balancing character arcs with narrative closure.