The Big Bang Theory: 5 Things Season 1 Howard Would Hate About Finale Howard (& 5 He Would Be Proud Of)
The Big Bang Theory has actually allowed its characters to evolve throughout its many seasons. While other sit-coms may wish to revert back to the status quo, the Warner Bros. show has made it clear that to keep the series moving forward, its characters have to change.
Howard has arguably had the most complex journey to go on. Comparing his first season to his final, there's a number of significant differences in these two iterations of Howard. He has had many deeply impactful story arcs to develop further, but before all of that character work was done, the original Howard may certainly hate some things about his future self alongside feeling incredible pride.
10 Hate: Settling Down
Howard in season 1 fancied himself a bit of a womanizer. While he wasn't exactly successful in the romance department, he actually bordered on creepy on a number of occasions and definitely crossed the line with a few women. The Howard of season 1 was actually quite selfish and misogynistic.
If he was to be told about his future self settling down with Bernadette, he may actually give quite an immature response. Despite fans wanting the couple to work out, it's easy to forget that Howard got in his own way numerous times because he thought he should deserve more and indeed didn't want to 'take himself off the market.'
9 Proud Of: Starting A Family
On the other hand, though, Howard would internally be proud that his future self actually started a family. Indeed, family is incredibly important to 'Howie' as is continuing on the Wolowitz name. He would have, even back then, recognized the significance of having children.
To be in both a romantic and financial situation to be able to have kids, alongside being mature enough in life to handle the challenges ahead, would have surely demonstrated to Howard that he is capable of so much more than he was previously showing.
8 Hate: Bernadette's Wage
One of the things that are often overlooked about Howard is that his father left the family at the age of 11. This plays into the importance of family in his life but has also resulted in Howard exhibiting some signs of hyper-masculinity.
He has always had to be the 'man of the house' so to speak and part of that is to financially provide for his family. With Bernadette earning a higher wage than him, it takes Howard a while for his ego to get over this fact. The Howard of Season 1 would have wrongfully hated this dynamic even more.
7 Proud Of: Career Achievements
Howard's own career has quite literally taken him to new heights, though. While constantly mocked for his chosen path of engineering, compared to the Doctorates all of his friends possess, Howard's best piece of advice to himself would have been to keep going.
Ultimately, he would find a role on a Space Station and actually go up into the stars; a boyhood dream from a young age. As a former astronaut, his career continued to progress, with Howard fulfilling all of his ambitions.
6 Hate: Hobbies Falling Away
Howard has always had a number of hobbies. He does continue to read comic books, although thanks to his family he has time to play video games less and less. He has tried starting a band and has a deep love of magic but like so many other passions, these fall away after marriage and kids.
It's not that he has forgotten about these hobbies, but he has prioritized what's most important to his happiness; his family. Season 1 Howard may have mocked this, suggesting the new lifestyle has taken away everything he loved, therefore lacking the ability to see how much he has consequently gained.
5 Proud Of: Closeness With Raj
Howard and Raj's relationship can be both sweet and toxic. What's truly remarkable is its consistency, though, and ability to strengthen and evolve over time. Their friendship is more powerful than ever in the season finale, with no amount of bickering or big life changes able to tear the two away from one another.
The first season saw the pair have a relationship like this, but looking ahead Howard would have absolutely have been proud of how far the two had really come. They continue to be a significant part of one another's lives, even after all these years.
4 Hate: 'Replacing His Mother'
A lot of comparisons have been made between Bernadette and Howard's mother throughout the show. There was even a running joke that they started to sound the same. When Howard finally moved out, he treated 'Bernie' almost like she was his mother.
This would eventually pass, with Howard finding a place for both of the important women in his life. Season 1 Howard may have thought differently though, perhaps angry over future 'Howie' for finding a woman to replace his mother; playing into his own complex further.
3 Proud Of: Preserving Her Legacy
One of the saddest moments of the show was when Howard's mother passed away. She had never been seen on screen; the work of the late Carol Ann Susi would always be immortalized though. It was tough for Howard to get over this loss.
If the version of the character from season 1 could look ahead, he would observe that future Howard not only managed to continue on without his mother but also preserved and respected her legacy. He and Bernie even moved into her house, continuing on the history of the Wolowitz family in this special building.
2 Hate: Putting Up With Stuart
Stuart goes through a lot of financial troubles throughout the show. The failing comic book shop and its eventual destruction lead him to live with Howard's mother for some time. Once she dies, he eventually moves in with 'Bernie' and Howard, continuing to live in the Wolowitz home.
Even future Howard is a little annoyed by his presence, although it's just another way to honor his mother's kindness and help a friend. The Wolowitz of season 1 would have felt very different about the situation though, likely hating the idea of having to live with someone who may impact his married life.
1 Proud Of: His Friendship Group
There's plenty of arguments to be made that Howard could be considered as the protagonist of The Big Bang Theory. Amongst his group of friends, he is perhaps the one who has continued to evolve the most. He would be incredibly proud of this other family he has built.
His friends started off as just the three: Raj, Leonard, and Sheldon. It has expanded to include Amy, Penny, and Bernadette, alongside Stuart, his children, and the extended family. This group was important to Howard in season 1 and he would be so happy to see them closer than ever in the final season of the show.