I can't see how the idea of "different kinds of intelligence" could be "feminist propaganda." What I can see from this episode is that despite not being the super-genius that her twin brother is, Missy's insight and perceptiveness has a major impact on those around her whether positive or negative, and in the case of two people in this episode, it proves to be very positive.
One day, Dr. John Sturgis approaches the Cooper household with Meemaw, and recommends that George brings Sheldon and Missy into a weekly research study on the intelligence of the twins. At first, he seems unwilling to get them involved, but the promise of money for travel expenses and other financial gains has him looking for a new cabin cruiser. Later he tells Mary about it, but she's worried that it'll inflate Sheldon's ego more than it already is, and have a negative impact on Missy's self-esteem. "I'm not smarter than Sheldon, it doesn't make me feel bad." Of course, they tell the kids about it later that day, and since Georgie isn't a twin, he gets to stay home by himself and do whatever he wants. Sheldon is eager to get involved, but dad has to bribe Missy with a trip to a nearby Dairy Queen to convince her to go along with the study.
Once they arrive, the meet the two doctors who are supposed to test them; Drs. Edward Pilson (Wallace Langham) and Sandra Thorpe (Amy Farrington). First they discuss their early childhood and Mary's pregnancy with them in order to look for clues, while Dr. Sturgis hangs out with them. Meemaw tells them this exam is pointless and insist they get on with the testing. Sheldon is supervised by Dr. Pilson and is surprised that he knows about the tests he could be taking. This first text involves problem solving skills, which Sheldon aces, and Missy... not so much. As with many episodes, Missy steals the show, but it's the way she does it in this episode that makes it so great. Here she concentrates more on her own appearance for the video, but also recommends some fashion tips for Dr. Thorpe, who originally take offense to her recommendations. Nothing drastic, though. Just letting her hair down and wearing a belt with her lab coat. Later we learn why she's making these suggestions. Sheldon's doctor has a crush on her. When the twins are finally done with the first test, the two doctors send the Coopers home, and Dr. Thorpe awkwardly tries to flirt with Dr. Pilson with her hair. She's worse at flirting than Sue Heck and better than Isadore Smackle, but she still gets her man.
As they get home from this little excursion, the twins spot Georgie watching an episode of Soul Train and developing a crush one one or more of the dancers. Mary continues to fret over the psychological impact of the test, and George continues his semi-secret plot to use the money from it for a boat.
The next test involves measuring the kid's level of empathy and perceptiveness. Sheldon is failing miserably, while Mary anxiously tries to help him, like sports fans watching a football game as their team is losing. Missy is coming up with her own storylines for the flash cards in the same test. She also mentions that one of the young women on these flash cards is wearing a belt, as her doctor is doing this time. It's far too obvious Missy's fashion tips proved to be extremely beneficial to the two doctors.
These two characters only appeared in this episode, but it's impossible not to be happy for them. Let's hope their relationship becomes better than George and Mary Cooper, and dare I say it... better than Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler as well.
