Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny's (Kaley Cuoco) The Big Bang Theory’s final season delivered on that front with the revelation that Penny and Leonard were expecting their first child.
It has been more than three years since the geek-centric sitcom ended, but thanks to its availability on streaming services, not to mention syndication reruns, The Big Bang Theory continues to be one of the most popular TV comedies. If anything, it has even expanded its base, especially with the prequel show Young Sheldon also being a success. While The Big Bang Theory's last few seasons shifted its focus on Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy's (Mayim Bialik) love affair, the show's main couple was still the Hofstadters. Arguably, they also had the best love story in the show, evidenced by their ending which was set up all the way in The Big Bang Theory season 1.
While frustrating at times, Penny and Leonard's final Big Bang Theory story arc revolved around their conflict about having kids. He was set on having children, but she was hesitant, afraid that it would disrupt her career. The whole issue was stretched out throughout the show's final season, functioning as the B-plot to Amy and Sheldon's Nobel Prize in Physics bid. Ultimately, it was revealed at the very end that they were expecting their first kid, and despite not properly tackling the narrative, it was still a feel-good ending that they deserved. What made this extra special is that Leonard predicted this all the way back from the moment he met Penny in The Big Bang Theory season 1. During their first interaction, he murmured: "our babies will be smart and beautiful."
It isn't just the fact that Leonard rightfully theorized he would have Penny's kids in The Big Bang Theory; it's more of his commitment from the get-go that he was madly in love with her, that he was willing to make such bold claims not long after first laying eyes on her, that makes this more special. Granted it took years and a tumultuous dating history before their relationship stabilized, Leonard being so sure about ending up with Penny proves just how smitten he was with her that he immediately saw the possibility of sharing a life together. Unfortunately, as romantic as their The Big Bang Theory ending is for him, it effectively undermines Penny's agency. The sitcom never showed her changing her mind about having kids. Instead, the sitcom byed all that and showed her suddenly excited to be pregnant.
Ultimately, Penny and Leonard's The Big Bang Theory ending has been generally well-received. Despite its lapses in execution, what's important is that the Hofstadters were finally given a substantial life update after being stagnated for years in the sitcom. The fact that their ending harkens back to the show's earliest year makes it all the more special.