The idea of multiverses both fascinates and terrifies me in equal measure. My attitude probably started with Sliders, the sci-fi series that aired from 1995 to 2000, in which the main characters – including Jerry O’Connell, who, incidentally, plays Sheldon Cooper’s older brother in The Big Bang Theory – travel to alternate Earths across parallel universes. So there was no way I was going to miss Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (HBO Max), The Big Bang Theory’s new spin-off. I’m ready to rekindle my fear and feed my fascination.
We all know that a beloved sitcom’s sequel is usually either a huge success or a complete misfire. It’s hard to recreate Big Bang Theory’s magic of putting a group of rarely-seen characters at the center of mainstream television. But, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe keeps the franchise’s heart in the right place. Once again, we’re following folks we don’t usually see on TV – geeks.
As Latinos, we know what it’s like to belong to an often overlooked minority. So we can appreciate seeing people from different backgrounds, appearances, and life experiences on screen. That said, after recently rewatching The Big Bang Theory, a show I love, I found myself wishing there had been at least one Latino main (or recurring) character, especially considering that one of the show’s few references to the community comes through Raj’s (Kunal Nayyar) brief relationship with Isabella, a janitor played by Maria Canals-Barrera. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that profession, but it’s hard not to wonder whether Hollywood writers realize that people of Latin American heritage also earn Ph.D.s and pursue careers in science.
For now, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe features appearances by Latino actors such as Gastón Brouet and Brandon Morales. However, the main story focuses on characters fans already know well (which makes perfect sense). So viewers should expect to spend more time with comic book store owner Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman), geologist Bert Kibbler (Brian Posehn), Stuart’s girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), and physicist with a speech disorder Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie).
The first season follows Stuart after he is chosen to save the world following the collapse of the universe, caused by the malfunction of a quantum interference device built by Leonard, Sheldon, and Howard. Despite the premise, the scientific side of the story isn’t explored with the same depth as in The Big Bang Theory. Instead, we get this story from Stuart’s perspective, and he’s not a scientist but a comic book expert who studied at an art and design school.
Stuart has never been the luckiest guy, and becoming the lead character doesn’t change that. After playing a role in the machine’s malfunction and altering the fabric of the universe, he keeps messing up – or at least that’s what the title suggests. Whether he’ll eventually find a way to stop the chaos remains to be seen, but he quickly establishes himself as one of fiction’s most unlikely heroes. Not even his own friends believe he’s the best person for the job at hand.
The first season raises more questions than it answers and is packed with references to geek culture and The Big Bang Theory. While the multiverse premise is solid, it also leaves plenty of room for new ideas. Particularly since everything is filtered through Stuart’s point of view, so we see comic books shaping both the worlds the characters visit and the series itself. That’s why conversations about superheroes, chosen ones, and villains are such a central part of the show.
Overall, this new installment continues The Big Bang Theory’s legacy and has plenty of room to grow. Kind of like Stuart himself.
