The Big Bang Theory popped two big questions in the season opener. What did Amy say? And how will another question change the show?

Talk about getting better with age! It’s astounding that 10 full seasons after the premiere of The Big Bang Theory we’re here discussing another huge moment for the series. Is it Earth-shattering news? Will the show never be the same again?

No. And yes. The glacial-pace of the relationship that is Sheldon and Amy finally reached a point where, against all his Vulcan-like reasoning, Sheldon finds himself ready to propose to Amy. With Amy’s father’s (and Stephen Hawkins’) approval, Sheldon makes it clear to Amy that she is the only woman he ever wants to kiss.

Not the romantic play of the television season, but for a couple whose initial form of intimacy took place while playing Dungeons and Dragons, it’s pretty sappy.

And before we drag this on too long — of course she said yes.

On a sitcom where every other punch line revolves around the same story beats (Raj is alone, why does Amy fancy Sheldon, Howard doesn’t have a PhD, Penny and Leonard are a mismatched couple) it’s refreshing to see progress.

Take the other bombshell dropped in tonight’s premiere — Bernadette is pregnant again. Nothing changed much when baby number one stopped by, but now Bernadette and Howard are faced with something they are not happy about. It’s a new challenge, one that will take test their marriage.

For all the challenges that face these characters professionally and personally, they have a safe place. It’s easy to name the living rooms and infamous couches that go with the legacy sitcoms. Friends, Will and Grace, Roseanne, Married with Children.

Where those shows ran out of steam towards the end — relationships were arranged, rearranged, families fell apart and were put back together — The Big Bang Theory has remained remarkably consistent. Rather than becoming a fault or a crutch, it is the heart of the show.

The Penny and Leonard relationship made some waves early on, but they’ve fallen into the rhythm of married life quite smoothly. Howard and Raj’s dating adventures were fun, but now Raj’s experience with a few long-term girlfriends and Howard’s marriage make them less of a flight risk for tragedy. Every character, at one time or another, toed the line of unlike-ability. But they never crossed it.

Take the couple at the center of tonight’s episode, Amy and Sheldon. As Sheldon’s mother (the incomparable Laurie Metcalf) attests to time and time again, these two balance each other. Leonard and the rest of the gang provide Sheldon with a peephole into the way people feel and think. Amy magnifies it. Sheldon, for all the frustration and annoyance he causes Amy, also gives her a look into the man behind the crass exterior. It’s someone she recognizes in herself. In turn she sees in Sheldon, the reward that comes with going outside of one’s comfort zone to accommodate others.

It runs perfectly with Sheldon’s analogy about The Avengers. He should be happy to be the cameo in her movie. But it’s going to take him some time to take that, process it, and remember to put it into action. Something Amy is willing to accept.

The characters get to have depth to their stories, which is something that is not easily accomplished in the 18-22 minutes of screen time we see each week. It’s a show that rewards in the numerous syndicated runs across channels.

With the introduction of Young Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory is already making it’s mark in the reboot world that took Roseanne and Will and Grace over a decade to step into. Is the time right for Young Sheldon? That remains to be seen.

But the time remains right for The Big Bang Theory. At least for two more seasons.

Watch The Big Bang THeory season 9, episode 2, “The Retraction Reaction,” Monday, October 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS.