10 Dec 2014 7:48 PM PT
Dec 10, 2014 05:16 PM ET by Joyce Eng
Opposites attract, right? Perhaps that’s why The Big Bang Theory’s Raj (Kunal Nayyar) has found himself in the middle of his longest and biggest relationship since, well, ever.
The one-time selective mute has been dating Emily (Laura Spencer) since last season, which has come as a surprise to everyone involved. “All I knew in the beginning was that I was gonna do my one episode, which was one scene in the café with Amy [Mayim Bialik] and Raj,” Spencer tells TVGuide.com. “Having it turn into us dating was already exciting. And then for us to be actually committed, it’s been so much fun and the most pleasant surprise.”
As is the case with most arcs on the show, Emily and Raj’s relationship was not mapped out in advance. “It kind of happened organically,” executive producer Steve Molaro says. “We liked the chemistry. We never plan anything, so it’s been cool to see [what] roads we can take them [on], and to still see them together.”
But what is it about Emily that has helped her stick around longer than Emily No. 1 (Katie Leclerc), who was deaf, and Lucy (Kate Micucci), who was even more socially awkward than Raj and dumped him via text? Being a total weirdo. Between her affinity for the macabre, tattoos and getting turned on by horror movies, it goes without saying that Raj has probably never met another woman quite like her.
“They’re different. I think that’s why they work. She’s a creepy weirdo!” Spencer says with a laugh. “I’m assuming Emily has never dated anyone like him. I think she’s amused by his quirks and seeing the benefit of somebody who has a different type of personality than she has, and vice versa. She likes his nerdiness. All I know is, when we’re doing the scenes, Kunal and I just enjoy each other. I see that reflected in their relationship. I love in the prom episode that we were both getting a kick out of the drama and being together and giggling off to the side. You can tell there’s something deeper there, not just superficial [attraction]. Obviously, he’s excited that he’s dating Emily. I think there’s equal excitement from both ends. They enjoy each other’s oddities.”
Spencer — who also recurs on Bones as squintern Jessica Warren (she’ll appear as a Jessica Rabbit-esque club singer on the show’s Hitchcock-inspired 200th episode on Thursday) — also believes Emily is unlocking new sides of Raj with her eccentricity, something anxiety-stricken Lucy wasn’t able to do. Then, he was the constant protector and nurturer who literally tried to talk Lucy out of a cage. Now? He’s previewing House of a 1000 Corpses with the guys because Emily loves it. “The fact that Raj can even speak to another woman without the influence of drinking was a major turning point for him, and I think now you see him finally embracing that, and with a person who makes him laugh and is outgoing,” Spencer says.
Adds Molaro: “I think Emily represents something new and exciting for Raj, and he’s at a point where he’s comfortable and somewhat ready for a relationship. He’s still the same Raj, but there’s confidence.”