Season 5 has been defined by the slow disintegration of George and Mary’s marriage, and "A Romantic Getaway" continues this thread with uncomfortable honesty. The writing does not sugarcoat the fact that George and Mary are tired. The episode excels in showing, not telling, that their relationship has shifted from passionate to pragmatic. While there are laughs, there is an underlying melancholy that adult viewers will pick up on, especially knowing the future that awaits George Sr. (as established in The Big Bang Theory ).