Stuart Fails To Save The Universe is a fun return to the world of The Big Bang Theory, but with a fresh, new, and wildly entertaining take.
I love The Big Bang Theory and all of the spin-offs that we have gotten from it. That said, I was very intrigued by Stuart Fails To Save The Universe because it is a very different take on this franchise. It is a comedy, yes, but not your typical one. This story follows Stuart as he travels through different realities trying to save the universe. While some of them might seem completely normal, there is always something off about them, proving that they are not the correct reality.
Stuart himself broke the fabric of space and time (or something like that) when he broke a device that Leonard and Sheldon were building. He travels with Denise, Bert, and Barry Kripke – whom we all know and love from the original show. Of course, there is the potential for other character cameos, but I am keeping my mouth shut.
Each of these new dimensions, which is probably the easiest way to describe them, is unique and fun to explore. In one of them, humans have four stomachs like cows, and in another, there is an evil AI overlord. These situations keep things light and fun. They all add their own level of humor, which just gets more and more twisted as the season goes on.
As you might expect, each episode has a plot that focuses around one reality – telling a complete story as Stuart and his companions try to save the universe, which often results in them leaving for another reality. While the series is ridiculously funny, it isn’t afraid to get dark. I don’t want to give anything away, but there are some moments that genuinely left me with my jaw on the floor (episode 3, I am looking at you).
One of my favorite parts of Stuart Fails To Save The Universe is getting to spend more time with some of my favorite characters of all time. While they were side characters in The Big Bang Theory, it is so fun to see them take the lead this time around – especially Stuart and Kripke. We all know that Kripke is a pretty terrible person. He is all but a villain in the main series.
Having him around to constantly be petty or misogynistic or just downright mean adds a layer to the show that makes things far more interesting than just a buddy comedy (which is exactly what it would be with just Bert and Stuart). Don’t get me wrong, Bert is a great addition as well. He has a lot of great moments, but in particular, he shines in the “paradise” world.
Lauren Lapkus always cracks me up, so it was great to have more time with her as well. Denise and Stuart have their ups and downs, but they sure are a lot of fun to watch go through a relationship in, quite literally, the worst of times.
Stuart Fails To Save The Universe has several recurring gags that could easily get old, but the brilliant writing makes them hilarious each time they pop up. As the title of the series insinuates, there is certainly more story to tell because Stuart does indeed fail at his job. This show is fun, silly, and just an all-around good time. I am ready for a second season. Bring it on!
Rating: 8 out of 10
About Stuart Fails To Save The Universe
Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon. Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from “The Big Bang Theory.” As the title implies, things don’t go well.
The ten-episode season debuts THURSDAY, JULY 23 at 9:00 p.m. ET and will be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes will debut subsequent Thursdays.
