https://www.looper.com/912316/why-the-big-bang-theory-fans-are-so-divided-over-which-half-of-the-show-is-better/

Are the first two seasons better than the rest?

In June of 2022, Redditor u/summaiyah99 (https://www.reddit.com/r/bigbangtheory/comments/vj0ssq/i_dont_know_if_this_is_a_popular_opinion_or_not/) did one of the bravest things one can do on the internet: offer up their opinion on a piece of media. "I don't know if this is a popular opinion or not but the first two seasons were way too dragging and boring. The real fun starts from Season 5," they wrote, and so began plenty of back-and-forth among "Big Bang Theory" fans. Some assert that Seasons 1 and 2 are the best since they kept the main cast small and didn't focus on romance and drama so much while others think that the inclusion of Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) and Bernadette Rostenkowski (Melissa Rauch) made the 10 remaining seasons worth watching.

These two sides of "The Big Bang Theory" each have their respective defenders and detractors, and that's just fine. Besides, at the end of the day, the minds behind the show couldn't be happier with what they had the chance to be a part of. "Every special effect and every camera shot and every page of the script — everybody was truly interested in contributing," Bill Prady told Variety (https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/big-bang-theory-series-finale-chuck-lorre-interview-1203216212/), adding that everyone involved in the production was eager to make each episode the best it could be. Those efforts may not have always worked for viewers, but all in all, the thought and commitment are what really count.

"The Big Bang Theory," for one reason or another, will remain at the center of fan discussions for years to come. It stands to reason that for as many people who love seasons 1 and 2, just as many will come to the defense of seasons 3 through 12.

Drawing the line at the end of season two is way too arbitrary in my opinion. The show has two distinct periods, the first five seasons which concludes with the wedding of Howard and Bernadette and the space launch, and the relationship era, the final 6 seasons 7-12. I consider season 6 a stand alone season, this season acts as a bridge between these two distinct periods having elements of both the first five seasons and the final 6 seasons.

I favor the first five seasons, the show is much funnier. I think if you look at any series (comedy or drama) that runs substantially longer than five seasons, the earlier seasons will almost always be the best seasons.

I am a very casual fan of this show. For me, the characters "grew up", albeit very late. I think this is the problem with people who are in the upper 5% of intelligence, in general, these people are childish, and tend to be into childish endeavors, especially Sheldon. Mentally and emotionally at the start of the show had the maturity of a teenager. Sheldon wasnt much better, or the other two guys.

In the end, Sheldon matured some, but is still a pain in the ass. Leonard grew up, as did the other two characters (I couldnt tell you their names if someone put a gun to my head) also grew up.

Some viewers were turned off because they felt the characters were snarky and rude/mean. Maybe there were. If you can, watch a show without a laugh track, it's a totoally different experience.